Welcome & Theme Jim
Opening Song: Still, Small Voice - Words and Music by David Lohman © 2014
As we gather in this circle,
as we lift our hearts in prayer,
may we set aside distractions,
every worry, every care.
May our busy minds be silent,
finding peace amid the noise,
till the only thing remaining
is Your simple, still, small voice.
Liturgy of Word
First Reading: The Story of Hope - Starr Chief Eagle
https://blog.nativehope.org/starr-chief-eagle
Starr Chief Eagle said, "If you go to the top of a mountain, you can see the horizon line — here is the balance between the earth and the sky. Here they meet. Point your finger to the horizon and follow it. You will go all the way around (there may be a few trees or buildings in the way) – turn 360 degrees, and you will make a hoop. And, who is inside the hoop? You are! The hoop follows you wherever you go — constantly reminding you of the balance that you live in — your everyday life. The hoop is a reminder to respect each other." That respect equals balance. All of creation works in harmony.
According to Starr's father and teacher, Dallas Chief Eagle, "How well we take care of our own personal hoop, our spirit will determine how we dance with all those other hoops and spirits throughout our lifespan."
We affirm these inspired words of Starr Chief Eagle, by saying: Amen!
Second Reading: “Hope” by William M. Buchholz, M.D. in Chicken Soup for the Cancer Survivors Soul
https://www.chickensoup.com/book-story/48505/hope
As I ate breakfast one morning, I overheard two oncologists conversing, one complained bitterly. “You know, Bob, I just don’t understand it. We used the same drugs, the same schedule, the same dosage, and the same entry criteria. Yet I got a 22% response rate and you got a 74% response rate. That’s unheard of for metastatic cancer. How do you do it?”
His colleague replied, “We’re both using Etoposide, Platinum, Oncovin, and Hydroxyurea. You tell your patients you’re giving them EPOH. I tell mine I’m giving them HOPE. As dismal as the statistics are, I emphasize that we have a chance.
We affirm these inspired words of Dr. Buchholz, by saying: Amen!
Gospel: A Reading from Mark [13: 24-33]
Jesus said to his disciples:
But in those days, after that time of distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness, the stars will fall from the sky and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Promised One coming in the clouds with great power and glory; then the angels will be sent to gather the chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Promised One is near, right at the door. The truth is, before this generation has passed away, all these things will have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
But as for that day or hour, nobody knows it—neither the angels of heaven, nor the Only Begotten—no one but Abba God. Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake!
These are the writings of the evangelist we call Mark, and our community affirms them by saying: Amen.
Homily Starter: Rosie followed by community sharing
Statement of Faith
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 Eucharist
Jim: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to the table our prayers and intentions. Please voice your intentions beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…..” Dennis M will act as “gatekeeper” in monitoring those in UR and those on Zoom in speaking petitions in turn
Jim: O Holy One, you know our needs before we even speak. Yet, we must speak, if only to remind ourselves of our responsibility to care for the least among us. Strengthen our faith and enliven our hope to address the many needs of our sisters and brothers and care for our planet Earth. AMEN
Rosie: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together
O Holy One, you are always with us. In the blessed abundance of creation, we gather to celebrate Your nourishing gift of life. May our hearts be open to You as You invite us to participate in the wise and wonderful work of co-creation.
May we be ever aware of Your Spirit within and among us as our world unfolds amid pain and beauty into the fullness of life.
We are grateful for Your Spirit whose breath inspired the primal waters, calling into being the variety and abundance we see around us. Your Spirit sustains us and gives us hope in our every endeavor, inviting us to act in wisdom and in truth.
And so in gratitude and joy, we lift our voices to proclaim a song of praise:
Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
HOLY ONE, may your presence here open our minds. May your Spirit among us help us to find, you are rising up now like a fountain of grace from the holy ground, here in this place, here in this place.
Holy, holy, holy God of love and majesty, the whole universe speaks of your glory
from the holy ground here in this place, here in this place.
Jim: As your people, we gather in the power of your Spirit. As followers of Jesus, we seek to live as wise and holy Spirit-filled people: courageous, prophetic, ever hopeful and hope-filled as we answer your call to serve one another.
[Please extend your hands in blessing]
We invoke Your Spirit upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, that they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world.
[Mary T & Joan in Upper Room space, stand at opposite ends of table]
On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly, he bent down and washed their feet.
[lifting bread]
Phillis: When he returned to his place, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and offered it to them saying: Take and eat; this is my very self. (pause)
[lifting cup]
Terri K: Jesus then raised a cup of blessing, spoke the grace and offered the wine 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)
Rosie: This is the bread of life and cup of blessing. May our eating and drinking strengthen our hope!
All: What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives; as we share communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.
Communion Meditation: A Million Dreams (from The Greatest Showman) - One Voice Children's Choir
Deven: Let us pray the prayer Jesus:
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 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
(Miriam Therese Winter)
Rosie: Holy One, your transforming energy is ever present, moving within and working through us. With joyful hope, may our lives glorify you at this time and in all ways. Amen.
Blessing (extend hands in blessing)
May God bless us with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships; may we seek truth relentlessly and love boldly.
May God bless us with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people; may we work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless us with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish; may we comfort and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless us with enough hope to believe that we really CAN make a difference in this world.
May our living and loving be a blessing to all we meet in the days and week ahead. AMEN.
Closing Song: Anthem - We are Called, We are Chosen (lyrics) - Tom Conry https://youtu.be/HP2gwC5TGFs
Refrain: We are called, we are chosen, We are Christ for one another,
We are promised to tomorrow, while we are for him today.
We are sign, we are wonder, We are sower, we are seed,
We are harvest, we are hunger. We are question, we are creed.
Then where can we stand justified? In what can we believe?
In no one else but Christ who suffered, nothing more than Christ who rose.
Who was justice for the poor, Who was rage against the night,
Who was hope for peaceful people, Who was light. Ref
Then how are we to stand at all, this world of bended knee?
In nothing more than barren shadows, No one else but Christ could save us.
Who was justice for the poor, Who was rage against the night,
Who was hope for peaceful people, Who was light. Ref
Then shall we not stand empty at the altar of our dreams?
When Christ promised us ourselves, Who mark time against tomorrow,
Who are justice for the poor, Who are rage against the night,
Who are hope for peaceful people, Who are light. Ref
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