Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155
phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome: We often think we need more time to pray, study scripture, volunteer at the local food pantry or work with the homeless. Perhaps we do not recognize how often our everyday activities are filled with opportunities to increase our prayer time, or to help those in need. Let’s ask ourselves how can I have enough time to live a both/and life?
Opening Prayer: Holy One, we are often overwhelmed with our “to do lists”. We worry we won’t have enough time or energy to complete all our tasks. Help us to focus on the here and now because that is where you are, present to us in the present moment and we have all the time in the world. Amen.
Opening song:
As the Moon by Christopher Grundy
LITURGY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Acts
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the Apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
These are the inspired words from the Book of Acts. Our community affirms these words by saying AMEN
Alleluia (Eightfold) – Jan Phillips shortened
A reading from the Gospel from John
During supper, Jesus knowing that God had put all things into his own hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, rose from the table, took off his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist. He then poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and dry them with the towel that was around his waist.
When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Rabbi you are not going to wash my feet are you? Jesus answered, You do not realize what I am doing right now, but later you will understand. I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you.
These are the words of a gospel writer named John. The community affirms these words by saying AMEN
Shared Homily
Our first reading is from the Book of Acts, it is said to be written by the same author of the Gospel of Luke. We do not know for sure, but we do know the Book of Acts is the beginning of forming community with the teachings of Jesus in mind. We know that whenever we form community there is a wonderful sense of camaraderie and unity. Acts has several stories of the early community sharing their resources and living and praying together.
We also know as communities grow, small and big problems arise and it becomes harder to meet everyone’s needs.
This is exactly what is happening in this chapter of Acts. There is unequal distribution of services between the Hellenists (Greeks) and Hebrews. The apostles came up with a solution of assigning others to serve while they preached and prayed. They forgot about the both/and principle. They were prioritizing their need to preach and pray and left caring for those in need to others. This was the beginning of drifting from the way of Jesus and perhaps the beginning of institutional hierarchy.
If we look at the gospel Jesus made it clear that being a servant to one another is the heart of community. In our Eucharistic prayer we hear Jesus bent down and washed their feet and told them to do likewise. He showed his disciples what was expected, and what was most important. Over the centuries this amazing, loving act was overshadowed by the “consecration”. We/the institutional church focused on the body and blood being the real presence of Jesus. I believe Jesus is present but not because of the words of consecration but rather he is present in the action of loving service and the sharing of bread. “Do this in memory of me” is about serving and sharing.
Our Upper Room Community is growing and changing. Members offer varied opinions about many things. Whether formally ordained or not we must ask ourselves are we serving as Jesus did. Are we caring for one another, are we praying, are we sharing scripture? Are we doing our best to live a both/and life? We are on a journey of growing and we are on this journey together.
Statement of Faith
All: We believe in one God, 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 God's Word,
bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion,
bright star in the firmament of God's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of God's love,
a source of God's wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of God's peace in the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
The life of God that is our innermost life,
the breath of God moving in our being.
The depth of God living in each of us.
We believe that God's 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.
Eucharistic Prayer of Belonging
As we prepare for the sacred meal we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”
We pray for these and all unspoken prayers and blessings. Amen.
We are a priestly people. We are anointed. With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer as one voice:
All: O Nurturing, Mothering One, You are always with us. We are grateful for Your constant loving and unconditional presence. At times we forget that You are holding us, attending to us. We fall and You pick us up. You send strangers, friends and family to our aid. We are never without Your Light and Spirit.
We experience great joy and we experience great pain and suffering. You are with us in the joy and the pain and suffering. When we experience Your presence we long to sing our hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place –by Christopher Grundy
All: Creator and Lover of all beings, we cannot grow in the darkness of this world without Your Light. Our desire to be in Your light is a gift from You. Help us keep our hearts and minds open to You through our love and care for each other and all creation
Please extend your hands in blessing
All: This bread and wine is a sign of Your nourishment and a sign of Your great love. Your Spirit is upon us and we belong to You and one another.
We thank you for Jesus, simple servant, lifting up the lowly, revealing you as God-With-Us, revealing us as one with you, and all creation.
On the night before he died, Jesus gathered for the 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 bread)
All: Back at the table, he took the bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to them saying, Take and eat, go and share my love with one another.
(All lift the cup)
ALL: 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.
Bread and wine are transformed by Your Spirit and we are transformed when we open ourselves to Your Spirit. Every time we share this bread and wine we choose to be transformed. We choose to love as You love us.
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.
Please receive the bread and cup with the words: I am a servant.
Communion Song: Anthem by Tom Conry
Communion prayer:
Loving Source of our being, you call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We live justly, we love tenderly, we walk with integrity in Your Presence Amen.
Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:
ALL: O Holy One, who is within, around, and among us, we celebrate your many names. Your wisdom comes. 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.
The Prayer of Jesus as interpreted by Miriam Therese Winter
BLESSING
Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together
ALL: May we follow Jesus on our journey of being a fully grown human. May we live a both/and life. May we do our part to bring justice into the world. Where there is justice there is peace. May our gathering ignite us to love more fully. May we be a light and a blessing for all.
All: Amen.
Closing Song Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney Video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
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