9:30 and 9:55 am via Zoom
Here is the Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155
phone-in for (audio only).
Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Opening song: Glory to God | Marty Haugen
Deven: Opening Prayer (Psalm 119)
O Holy One, “You ever enfold us in the power of your boundless love, according to your Promise to us; You have implanted the Divine Seed in every heart, a Treasure beyond words. Teach us to nurture that Seed so it might blossom into fullness and maturity.” Amen
LITURGY OF THE WORD
(Lynn K)
A reading from Prayers for Progressive Christians
Here we are every one of us, thirteen billion years in the making!
Here we are every one of us, bringing the universe to conscious awareness.
Here we are, conscious of a s story about humanity unknown before our lifetimes.
In us and in every human person, the energy that drives the ever-expanding universe is incarnated.
Every one of us is the human expression of a Great Mystery beyond all human concepts, a Mystery given many names in many religions.
We have but one chance, one lifetime to be the best human expression each of us can be of the Great Mystery that underpins everything in existence.
We acknowledge the challenge of living true to our innate grandness, the difficulty of being the best we can be.
We look to those who have lived before us for the best paths to follow for wisdom for guidance.
Wise voices, both before us and in the present have realized that the way to be the best person we can be, is already within us.
It is already in our minds and hearts, because it is embedded in every particle, in every atom, in every molecule, in every cell, In every living organism.
It is the universal way, the embedded pattern in all things; the way of co-operation, of working together of mutual recognition and respect of contributing of giving and receiving of creativity and growth. At the deepest level of our being we know this is the way.
These are the inspired words of Michael Morwood, a disciple of Jesus. The community affirms these words with AMEN!
Alleluia
Gospel (Luke 3: 12-21)
(Diane G)
A reading from the Gospel of Luke
When it came time for them to be purified, as laid down by the Law of Moses, the couple took Jesus up to Jerusalem and presented him to God. For it is written in the Law of our God, “Every firstborn heir is to be consecrated to God.” They likewise came to offer in sacrifice “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” in accord with the dictate of the Law of our God.
Now there lived in Jerusalem a man named Simeon. He was devout and just, anticipating the consolation of Israel, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. She had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah of God. Prompted by her, Simeon came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child to perform the customary rituals of the Law, he took the child in his arms and praised God saying, “Now, O God, you can dismiss your servant in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the peoples to see—a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
As the child’s mother and father stood there marveling at the things that were being said. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the mother. “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is rejected, so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare. And a sword will pierce your heart as well.”
There was a woman named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was also a prophet. She had lived a long life, seven years with her husband, and then as a widow to the age of 84. She never left the Temple, worshipping day and night, fasting and praying. Coming up at that moment, she gave thanks to God and talked about the child to all who anticipated the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the couple had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the Law of God, they returned to Galilee and their own town of Nazareth. The child grew in size and strength. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.
These are the inspired words of Luke, a disciple of Jesus. The community affirms these words with AMEN!
Shared Homily
Today we hear in the gospel one more story of the early family life of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We know this gospel story, as all the early stories of Jesus, was created based on what was known of Jewish religious culture at that time. It was expected therefore assumed Mary and Joseph would go to the temple to participate in the ritual of purification and consecrate their firstborn to God. Rituals then as now are so important. Rituals connect us to community, to family, and to one another. Rituals connect the realm of the sacred to the realm of the profane. Everything is holy. For the Jews the ritual of purification is a sign of a new beginning. It connects perfectly with consecrating a newborn to God. You and I have many rituals this time of year as we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus is a sign of a new beginning for all of us.
The gospel story says Simeon and Anna both told Joseph and Mary their child was special, destined for great things. We really do not know if this story is accurate but we do know for sure Jesus is special as all children are special. We watch our children and other children grow and we hope and pray they will be destined for great things too. I think we have forgotten that our parents, grandparents, caregivers, looked at each of us when we were born and saw our specialness. Even today people, like Simeon and Anna come into our lives and help us recognize our own unique specialness.
What makes us special? Not our good looks, or talents, or gifts, or our good deeds and actions but rather we are each special because we have the Divine Seed within. As Morwood says the seed, the energy of God is “embedded in every particle, in every atom, in every molecule…..it is the embedded pattern in all things.” We are part of the Great Mystery, the wonderful Cosmic Universe, incarnated for us, our very own Sacred Cosmic Family.
The idea of being part of a Cosmic Family sounds wonderful. But of course, living in a family is so much more than wonderful feelings. We have a responsibility “to be the best human expression each of us can be.” Morwood reminds us that “living true to our innate grandness is challenging and difficult.” Life was not easy for Joseph, Mary and Jesus-life is not easy for us but we are never alone in the struggle. We are part of the incarnation, the energy of God.
The rituals of Mary and Joseph come out of the experiences of an oppressed and marginalized people. This week African Americans celebrate the rituals of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa also comes out of the experiences of an oppressed and marginalized people. Kwanzaa is the celebration of life and first harvests in the home. Each day has a designated principal. Today is kujichagulia which is a call to self-determination to define and name ourselves, to create and speak for ourselves. As Michael Morwood reminded us, we all have the responsibility to create our own unique contribution to the human family and our communities. Kwanzaa celebrates the truths of creation and connection to the Divine Creator calling each of us to the conscious awareness of our individual and collective incarnation. We are truly all one Sacred Cosmic Family.
Deven: Please join in praying our Statement of Faith
Statement of Faith (Deb T)
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Deven: As we prepare for our sacred meal, we bring to our eucharistic table the prayerful intentions of the community.
And we pray for all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Kathie: With open hands and grateful hearts let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer as one: (written by Jay Murnane)
O Holy One, you are continually creating the universe, continually giving birth to all of us. We sense the need to do the same, to set ourselves free from a sense of emptiness and barren hopelessness.
We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care. We give thanks, and join with your vision of harmony and peace, we sing:
Here in This Place: https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Your wisdom invites us to draw on our tradition, as old as the stars, shining through Sarah and Abraham, Simeon and Anna, shining through your prophets in every age and every culture. We join that enlightening, enlivening tradition with what we are as we risk fidelity to a dream.
Deven: Filled with your spirit, we, like Jesus, can give birth in our day to your living word for the sake of hope enfleshed in creativity and confrontation, healing and reconciliation, justice, universal and unconditional love.
On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at the table with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
(All lift bread)
When he returned to his place, he took the bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to the saying Take and eat, this is my very self.
(All lift cup)
Then he took the cup of blessing, spoke the grace and offered it to them saying: Take and drink of the covenant. Made new again through my life in you. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you. (pause)
What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives. As we share communion, we become communion, both love’s nourishment and love’s challenge.
We are one Cosmic Holy Family. Please receive communion.
Communion song: How Great Thou Art | Jim Brickman https://youtu.be/oUB0bhgm5H8
O Holy One, we dare again to dream the ancient dreams and open ourselves to marvelous visions. There are mountains of arrogance to lower, valleys of fear and separation to fill in, to create a community and communion that stretches throughout our consciousness and around our world.
In this way, working to renew the face of the earth, we are opened up to your Spirit, the Spirit of light and life and love born in Jesus.
For it is standing where he stood and for what he stood, we are united in your Spirit, blessing you with our lives. Amen
Kathie: Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us:
O Holy one who is within, around and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, Amen.
Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter
BLESSING
Deven: Let us pray together our blessing:
May we come to know the reflection of the Divine in ourselves and in our global family. May we nurture and grow the Divine seed in ourselves so that love, steadfast kindness, and wisdom will find a home in all human hearts. Amen!
Please join in singing our closing song.
Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes was Joy to the World
Sound forth the news that Wisdom comes
to bring new life to birth.
Arise with hope, Her labor join,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.
No more let fear and custom hide
the path of Wisdom fair.
She leads the way to life and joy,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts, with gifts for all to share.
Joyful are we who heed the call
of Wisdom in our souls.
With Her we break oppression’s wall,
so love may freely flow,
so love may freely flow,
so love, so love may freely flow.
Crown Wisdom Queen of heaven and earth;
Her reign will set us free.
Fling wide the gates that all may come
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands, join hands and dance with glee.
Words © Jann Aldredge-Clanton, from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians
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