Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155
phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome and Theme
Terri: Welcome. Today’s theme is Generous and Compassionate Love. We will hear of an extravagant shift in the meaning of ‘being saved’. We will hear of the powerful shift among Jesus followers from the book of laws to a new kind of law. The law of love is an integral part of our Upper Room community, and one that requires our whole self: our arms, our eyes, our ears and our hearts.
Opening Prayer
Mary Theresa: As we gather around the table of friendship, we come with profound thanksgiving for the countless times we have been welcomed by the Holy One dwelling in another person. In gratitude, and with open minds and loving hearts, we sing:
Opening Song
The One I Love by Jan Phillips
First Reading: Sharon B. - A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the (Gentile) brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.”
The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church,
decided to choose representatives
and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
(And this is the message they delivered:)
“The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia
of Gentile origin: greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number
who went out without any mandate from us
have upset you with their teachings
and disturbed your peace of mind,
we have with one accord decided to choose representatives
and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So we are sending Judas and Silas
who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols,
from blood, from meats of strangled animals,
and from unlawful marriage.
If you keep free of these,
you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”
(pause)
With open hearts, we affirm these words by saying, Amen.
Psalm Response: Ginny - Psalm 67
The Beloved is gracious to us,
a loving Presence within us;
the Radiant One shines in us.
O, that Love’s way would be lived
throughout the earth,
Love’s abiding power
embraced by all the nations.
May the people ever rejoice in You
singing songs of appreciation
for all that You, O Beloved,
freely give it to us.
Second Reading: Compassion: Dave - The Heart of Jesus Ministry
Adapted from Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity by David M. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy, pp 200-202.
Considering the witness of the Gospels, you wouldn’t be thought strange to claim that the essence of Jesus ministry might be distilled down into one word: compassion.
To understand Jesus commitment to the practice of compassion, it helps to know a little about the world into which he was born. With the Roman presence affecting almost every aspect of life, the task of remaining a faithful Jew in Jesus’ time was to commit themselves to the Torah’s holiness code.
Unfortunately, the concept of holiness carried with it the notion of achievable perfection. As a result, this particular group of Jews emphasized the portions of the Law that stressed separateness. Jewish life was polarized into clean and unclean, pure and defiling, sacred and profane.
Jesus stepped into this rigid, legalistic environment, flying in the face of the Pharisees prime directive: separation from anything unclean. Although Jesus identified with the Pharisees who were trying to humanize the law, he still parted company with them and their interpretation of holiness and their strict adherence to separation.
He invited his disciples to look beyond the conventional attitudes of his day and see how the way we treat one another is more important than the way we adhere to a set of rigid rules.
Compassion was at the center of Jesus ministry. So often in the Gospels you get the sense that Jesus looked into people’s eyes, into their hearts, and he saw something. He saw who they were. He saw what they needed. And no matter what law he had to break, if he had to break the law in order to make that person whole or to make their lives better, Jesus did it.
(pause)
With open hearts, we affirm these words by saying, Amen.
Alleluia: Dennis
Gospel: Joan C
Jn 14: 23-29
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You who love me will keep my word,
and my Abba will love you,
and we will come to you and make our dwelling with you.
You who do not love me do not keep my words;
yet the word you hear is not mine
but that of my Abba who sent me.
“I have told you this while I am with you.
The Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom my Abba will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all that I told you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to my Abba;
for Abba is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.”
(pause)
With open hearts, we affirm these words by saying, Amen.
Shared Reflections – Homily Starter: Terri Kersch
Statement of Faith – Upper Room Community
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.
Prayers for the Community
Terri: As we prepare for this sacred meal we are aware of our call to serve, and just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our prayers for the community. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”
Prayers for the community are offered.
Terri: We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
MT: With open hearts and hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer in one voice:
Adapted from Generous Love found in Prayer Seeds by Joyce Rupp
Extravagant Source of Life, how awesome is the immensity of Your love. We praise You for the endless outpouring of your grace. Blessed are You for boundless beauty and unlimited benevolence that anoints us at every moment of our existence.
Generous Benefactor, you give us all that we need for our journey even if it does not include everything we want or expect. May we be wise enough to recognize our plenitude and be satisfied. In gratitude for what we have received, we sing with joy:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Terri: Each of us has come forth from you, our Source of Generosity. Although distinct in our differences, we share oneness through you. In spite of this unity, a vast inequity exists among the human community. Aware of injustice and continued indifference to human need, we pray to be generous with others in our acceptance of them and in the sharing of both our spiritual and material resources.
Please extend your hands in blessing
We are ever aware of Your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table. The bread we break and the cup we share are symbols of a world of abundance where all are invited to partake of the fullness of life.
With grateful hearts we remember our brother Jesus who expressed the fullness of your Love. When we look at how he lived and what he taught, we see the depth and breadth of divine generosity.
On the night before he died, Jesus gathered for supper with the people closest to him. Like the least of household servants, he washed their feet. Once again, he showed us how to love one another.
All lift the plate and pray:
Back at the table, he took the Bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to them saying, Take and eat, this is my very self.
All lift the cup and pray:
MT: Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you.
(pause)
We share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. We choose to live justly, love tenderly, and walk with integrity.
Please receive communion saying: “I am love for the world.”
Communion Song
Follow Your Heart’s Desire by Jan Phillips
Prayer After Communion
MT: Holy One, your transforming energy is within us and we join our hearts with all who are working for a just world. We pray for wise leaders in our religious communities. We pray for courageous and compassionate leaders in our world communities.
We remember those who have gone before us, all those who lived a life of generous love and kindness. We unite with both the canonized and un-canonized saints who gifted us personally and communally with their goodness.
We pray for all of us gathered here and like Jesus, we open ourselves up to your Spirit, for it is through living as he lived that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, at this time and all ways.
AMEN.
Terri: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Holy One, you are 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
Final Blessing
Terri: Please raise your hands in blessing:
In times of peace may we be Love. In times of conflict may we be Love. When friends surround us may we be Love. When our enemies berate us may we be Love. When we succeed may we be Love. When failure haunts us may we be Love. May the Love that is the Divine in the world take root in us and grow the Kin-dom. Amen.
Closing Song: Compassion (Change the World) by Andrew Witt
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