Mid Week Reflection: Autumn, a Season of Colour and Memories.

Colours of Day

Every season has the ability to touch our senses, excite and to make us stop and appreciate our surroundings, the creative forces at work. The changing colours, especially of the deciduous trees marking the end of their season of growth. For those of us who live near woodlands or have trees around us it is remarkable to see these changes and the falling leaves of red and gold as they drift by your window.

The Lake District, Cumbria, The Skiddaw range in late afternoon autumn sun

Derek Voller
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 – Wikimedia Commons

 

I know we will have the leaves to clear up or face blocked gutters or drains but perhaps it’s a small price to pay for what we have witnessed.

It can also be the colours of the evenings as seen sunsets. An artist palette creating shade of blue with perhaps hints of red, white, the mellow amber-yellow and grey before the darkness falls.

Autumn sunset in the Netherlands
Paul Arps from The Netherlands
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Wikimedia Commons

 

This scene comes from Spain, the province La Rioja, in northern Spain
Jesus Solana from Madrid, Spain

Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Wikimedia Commons

 

Sunset on Ivars Lake (Catalonia)
As the rays of the evening sun dance across the surface of the water

Joan Carles Hinojosa Galisteo
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 – Wikimedia Commons

Four photographs that catch but a glimpse of Autumn across the countries I am in contact with through weekly prayerful reflection. My apologies for not being able to catch a glimpse of your personal locations. I hope despite these short comings you will find the photographs a starting point for a time of reflection.

 

During the next four weeks we will prayerfully reflect on the colours of autumn and then remember the Saints, the Faithful Departed and finally the Poppy’s of Remembrance. A time of commemoration and remembering.

+ In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His love endures forever

Bless the Lord, O my soul
And all that is within us, bless the Lord, bless the Lord!

God of glory, touch our lips with the fire of your Spirit,
that we with all creation may rejoice to sing your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Common Worship Collect for 4th Sunday before Advent)

Colours of day dawn into the mind,
The sun has come up, the night is behind.
Go down in the city, into the street,
And let’s give the message to the people we meet.

Go through the park, on into the town;
The sun still shines on, it never goes down.
The light of the world is risen again;
The people of darkness are needing a friend.

Open your eyes, look into the sky,
The darkness has come, the Son came to die.
The evening draws on, the sun disappears,
But Jesus is living, His Spirit is near.

So light up the fire and let the flame burn,
Open the door, let Jesus return.
Take seeds of His Spirit, let the fruit grow,
Tell the people of Jesus, let His love show.
Sue Mcclellan / John Paculabo / Keith Rycroft

The Word of the Lord

Daniel 4 (12)
‘Its foliage was beautiful and its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The beasts of the field found shade under it,
And the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches,
And all living creatures fed themselves from it.

Pause

Spend a few moments and draw in the senses of late autumn, what you see, smell and feel. Ponder on these sensations for a few minutes.

Autumn Months
O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.
As we welcome the autumn months, may the earlier setting of the sun
remind us to take time to rest.

May the brilliant colours of the leaves
remind us of the wonder of your creation.

May the steam of our breath in the cool air
remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.

May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.
May the dying of summer’s spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen
(Author unknown)

Prayers
United in the company of all the faithful and looking for the coming of the kingdom,
let us offer our prayers to God, the source of all life and holiness.

Empower us by the gift of your holy and life-giving Spirit,
that we may be transformed into the likeness of Christ
from glory to glory.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Give to the world and its peoples
the peace that comes from above,
that they may find Christ’s way of freedom and life.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Hold in your embrace all who witness to your love in the
service of the poor and needy;
all who minister to the sick and dying;
and all who bring light to those in darkness.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

Touch and heal all those whose lives are scarred by sin
or disfigured by pain, that, raised from death to life in Christ,
their sorrow may be turned to eternal joy.
Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for the whole company of your saints in glory,
with whom in fellowship we join our prayers and praises;
by your grace may we, like them, be made perfect in your love.
Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour and power,
be to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lords Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.

You may wish the finish this time of reflective prayer sitting silently and enjoying a peaceful moment or two. You may also think about listening to some music that has touched you or a favourite hymn or song. Enjoy these moments! God bless!

Derek Akker