Please join us between 9:30 and 9:55 am via Zoomphone-in for (audio only). Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome and Theme
Mary Theresa: Welcome to our Upper Room Sunday liturgy. Our theme today is fearless witness. As our cherished temples and external structures crumble and become a memory, we hold fast to the teachings of Jesus and proclaim the Good News.
Opening Prayer
Creator God, even if our own internal temple to You shudders and wobbles at times, may we ever look inward to You and outward to Your wondrous creation.
Opening Song
God of the Movements and Martyrs - A Hymn by David LaMotte arranged and performed by The Many
First Reading: (Juanita) A Reading from Fresh Bread and Other Gifts of Spiritual Nourishment
To follow Jesus in discipleship means that sometimes we will be rejected and misunderstood; we may not see results in ministry and we will need to give when nothing seems to be returned. To follow is to serve when the body and spirit are weary and to never know what lies ahead. To follow is to live with mystery and walk in faith, knowing that we are deeply loved. Even though discipleship is not always easy and even though sometimes we feel like there’s a part of us that’s been eaten out or chewed on, we can still live with a heart of peace and deep joy. We know we are creating something of value because our hearts are set on the one who invites us to follow.
These are the inspired words of Joyce Rupp and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Alleluia (Eightfold) – Jan Phillips
Gospel: (Dave) A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 21:5-19)
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, "All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."
Then they asked him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"
He answered, "See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end."
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.
"Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives."
These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer known as Luke, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Shared Homily
Mary Theresa: The Gospel of Luke was written in approximately 85 CE, some fifteen years after the temple had been razed. The temple in Jerusalem that symbolized the Jewish people’s connection with God and with their fellow believers was destroyed by the Roman Empire was rubble and a memory. The Jewish members of the Lukan Community lived through a major crisis and they had to redefine what was most central to them and their faith. The Gentle members of the Lukan Community, now followers of Jesus, also faced life changing beliefs as they redefined their “temples.”
In today’s Gospel, the Jewish-Gentile community listened to a story that has Jesus telling them what to do in a faith crisis. He cautions them not to follow anyone else and if they follow him, they too will say and do things that threaten some of the political and religious structures of their day. Their lives may even be threatened. But Jesus tells them to remain focused on him and they will be fearless. They will have the words they need to proclaim the kin-dom.
Fast forward to today and this Gospel message remains the same for us as it did for the followers of Jesus two thousand years ago. Our precious temples are crumbling and what we once held as scared is now a memory. We are reimagining how to be in the Holy of Holies without the structures. We are in the process of redefining our faith in a world in crisis. Together, we can do this in community if we keep our focus on Jesus and his teachings: loving God, loving each other. We will have the words we need and we will be fearless and on fire.
Please share your thoughts on the readings?
Statement of Faith
Mary Theresa: Please join in praying our statement of faith.
(Dotty and Joan on Zoom)
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 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
(Written by Jay Murnane)
Gayle: 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 blessings, prayers and concerns for the community.
Prayers for the community.
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Mary Theresa/ Gayle: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer.
Blessed are you Source of all Creation. Through your goodness you made this world and called us to be Your co-creators. We give thanks for the diversity and beauty of life around us and within us.
We open our awareness to the goodness of all of creation and we remember our responsibility to serve. You invite us to build the earth into a community of love rooted in justice. You placed confidence in us, for you made us and you know that we are good.
In joy and in thanksgiving we join with all those who have gone before us and we sing:
Holy Holy Holy (Here In This Place by by Christopher Grundy)
We thank you for Jesus, simple servant, lifting up the lowly, revealing you as God-With-Us, and revealing us as one with you and all of creation.
He lived among us to show us who we are and challenged us to know you. He taught us the strength of compassionate love.
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We are grateful for your Spirit at our Eucharistic Table and for this bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world.
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, so that they would re-member him.
All lift their plates and pray the following:
When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat, this is my very self.
(pause)
All lift their cups and pray the following:
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)
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.
You are called, consecrated and chosen to serve. Please pass Communion with the words: You are a disciple of Jesus.
Communion Song: Loving God Loving Each Other -Gaither Vocal Band.avi
Prayer After Communion
Holy One, we are willing to do everything Jesus did, to re-create the living presence of a love that does justice, of a compassion that heals and liberates, of a joy that generates hope, of a light that illumines people and confronts the darkness of every injustice and inequity.
We trust you to continue to share with us your own spirit, the spirit that animated Jesus, for it is through his life and teaching, all honor and glory is yours forever and ever. Amen.
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
Blessing
Mary Theresa / Gayle: Let us pray together our blessing.
Creator God, may Your love which has no end be the mortar in the temple of our inner selves that we may radiate your love to everyone we meet in this coming week.
Amen.
Closing Song: "We Are The Ones" by Karen Drucker
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