Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155
phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Theme: Abundant Life
Welcome: Mary Theresa
Welcome to our Upper Room liturgy for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Our theme today is “Abundant Life.” As we listen to the readings and songs and each other, ponder what it means for all of creation to experience life in abundance. And so we pray:
Opening Prayer: Jim
Opening song: Glory to God by Marty Haugen
https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Judy
Abundant Living
from 365 Science of the Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom by Ernest Holmes
Why go through life as though it were something to be endured, as though there were not enough good or joy to go around? Are we not always limiting the possibility of love and affection, of appreciation, and of the common everyday good things of life? If we really are in union with a Divine Source then there should come a feeling of abundance in everything we do—an abundance of friendship, of self-expression, of everything. The abundant life contains all things whether we call them big or little. We should sense the flow into our consciousness of the Divine Intelligence, a feeling that the creative imagination of the whole Universe is centered in us and flowing through us. We should consciously practice this more abundant life, not necessarily for any specific thing or good we desire, but for the realization of the All-Good flowing through everything and everyone. Attuning our consciousness to this Divine abundance, automatically we find a betterment in everything we do, a broader and deeper experience, a higher realization, and a greater good.
These are the inspired words of Ernest Holmes and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
More Light by Christopher Grundy
Gospel: Phillis
A reading from the Gospel of John
Jesus said:
"Whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again,
“I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be safe,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer known as John and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Homily Starter: Jim
Shared Homily
Statement of Faith - Dotty and Joan
We believe in the Great Spirit, 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
Mary Theresa: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your intentions beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Joan: With open hands and hearts, let us pray together our Eucharistic Prayer.
Guiding Spirit, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you. We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.
May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny.
United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Holy One, we sing this song of praise:
Holy Holy Holy: Here in this Place – by Christopher Grundy
Mary Theresa: We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name.
And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this, the marginalized, the children, the animals the plants and all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us at this Eucharistic table and we are grateful for our brother, Jesus, and this bread and wine which reminds us to follow him.
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 with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
All lift the plate and pray:
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 the cup and pray:
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 (You Are) a blessing.
Communion: Psalm 23 - Bobby McFerrin
Prayer After Communion - Joan
God of Abundance, in this holy meal You show us your will for every meal. Through living as Jesus did, we will live and work for the day when all tables are filled with your abundance and surrounded by people in peace. We will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and our small circles. Like Jesus, may we will be filled with your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
Mary Theresa: Let us pray together the prayer of 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)
BLESSING
Joan: Let us pray together our blessing:
Closing Song: God of Abundance by Kat Mills and Taylor Breen
https://youtu.be/SAqqVXxvuGI
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