We remember on this Good Friday the cruelty that still exists in our world. We ask that those who are in positions of power soften their hearts and show compassion to those in need.

The fullness of life includes moments of unexpected inspiration and courage lived out, experiences of beauty, truth, and goodness, blessings of seeds and harvest.

We thank you that life has joy, life has challenges and life has moments that we can seize. It is variety that makes life fascinating and brings us to a place of learning.

This has been a very good day. We went for a meditative walk around the labyrinth, then down to the beach at the end of Donkersley Road, and home to a pod of whales travelling east past our house.

May we find glimpses of the positive in a time of worldly apprehension. When there is conflict in our heart and mind, bring resolution. Help us find calm and peace. May it be so.

I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing.

Caring Creator, we are grateful that we have you as our guide and through you we are part of a faith community. We are sisters and brothers who are loving, compassionate, and open to changes that are sometimes beyond our control.

My good news today is that I was gifted with the sight of a pod of whales. It always brings hope whenever wildlife of the sea shows their liberating magnificence.

Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbour as much as you love yourself.’

Creating One, in this time of discovering who we are and who we are becoming, we need protection because these feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability can be overwhelming.

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you.

You are the light of the world. You don’t build a city on a hill, then try to hide it, do you? You don’t light a lamp, then put it under a bushel basket, do you? No, you set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house.

To those who are without family living near us, know that your faith family is here to help when supplies begin to run dry. It is not necessary to overstock items from the grocery stores. There is enough for us all to have our needs met.

Start writing in a journal each day with messages to yourself and include at least three things for which you are grateful.

There is a philosophy derived from the Nguni Bantu people called “Ubuntu.” According to this idea, each individual depends on the community as a whole to understand the fullness of what it means to be fully human.

We are warmly invited to join Richard Bott (National Moderator for United Church) for an online video Worship Service.

From “Wild Woman Sisterhood “ I pass on these words of wisdom:

“When you replace ‘why is this happening to me? ’ with ‘what is this trying to teach me? ’, everything shifts.”

We have been blessed today, this first day of spring, with sunshine and warmth. “This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”