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| Photo: https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu//act-imagelink.pl?RC=48398 |
phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome (Lindy):Today, the 7th Sunday of Easter, is celebrated as the Feast of the Ascension in many Congregations. Here we will look again at Jesus reminding his followers of the value of loving first themselves, then loving each other, and eventually loving all of creation.
Opening song: Deep Peace, Sara Thomsen, Video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
https://youtu.be/5dIAcqaUUz4
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading (Judy): A Reading from the book known as Acts 1:1-11
The first account which I drew up, Theophilus, dealt with all that Jesus did and taught from the very first, down to that day on which he was taken up to heaven, after he had, by the help of the holy Spirit, given instructions to the ambassadors whom he had chosen.
With abundant proofs, he showed himself to them, still living, after his death; appearing to them from time to time during forty days, and speaking of all that related to the realm of God. And once, when he had gathered them together, he charged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the fulfillment of the Father’s promise—“that promise,” he said, “of which you have heard me speak; for, while John baptized with water, you will be baptized with the holy Spirit before many days have passed.”
So, when they had met together, they asked Jesus this question: “Master, is this the time when you intend to reestablish the kingdom for Israel?” His answer was: “It is not for you to know times or hours, for the Father has reserved these for his own decision; but you will receive power, when the holy Spirit will have descended on you, and will be witnesses for me not only in Jerusalem, but throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
No sooner had Jesus said this than he was caught up before their eyes, and a cloud received him from their sight. While they were still gazing up into the sky, as he went, suddenly two men, clothed in white, stood beside them, and said:
“People of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into the heavens, will come in the same way in which you have seen him go into the heavens.”
These words are from a book known as Acts, and we affirm them by saying, “AMEN.”
Second Reading (Lindy): A reading from Mother Teresa of Calcutta
I used to believe that prayer changes things. Now I know that prayer changes us, and that we change things.
These are the inspired words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and we affirm them by saying, Amen”
Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker
https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU
Gospel (Sandy): A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew
The eleven followers went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet him; and, when they saw him, they bowed to the ground before him;
although some hesitated. Then Jesus came up, and spoke to them, saying: “All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make followers of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and, remember, I myself am with you every day until the close of the age.”
These words are attributed to Matthew, and we affirm them by saying, AMEN.
Homily Starter (Deb Trees)
This is Ascension Sunday celebrated in many Christian traditions around the world. It marks an end to the Easter season in many ways, a final word of Jesus’s presence on this earth, and a time when we as his disciples are left to carry the torch of his teachings.
Scholars of the Jesus Seminar are in agreement that the writings regarding the story of Jesus’s ascension are not factually based, but most likely a series of stories that the ministers of the day wanted to emphasize. Each story is slightly different and would support the intention of the preachers of the time.
But the words that we hear, that Jesus will be with us, even until the close of the age, are words that we somehow believe and know are true. As practitioners following the Way of Jesus, we take comfort in feeling that he is with us here in his very presence. Our liturgy celebrates his being with us when we remember him in the Eucharist. Our life is an exercise in imitating his Way and his teachings.
So, what is the Promise of Ascension for us? Do we hope to be transported into heaven, or to be transported beyond our human selves here on this earth? Do all our thoughts and actions direct us to concentrate on the afterlife and what we might gain in heaven? We have been given an example of love and sacrifice that we might experience the life that Jesus has modeled for us.
Keeping in mind that anything can happen, how do we identify with the early Christians and the challenges that they faced in developing and supporting new Christian communities?
Your thoughts are so important. What do you hear in these readings?
Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom. Let us now share our statement of faith
Statement of Faith (Sandy)
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.
Intentions
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.
Eucharistic Prayer of Belonging
Deb: 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, whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.”
(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: With love we can change the world.
Communion Song: Creation Calls – Are You Listening by Brian Doerksen https://youtu.be/LwGvfdtI2c0
Post-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.
Lindy: 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
Deb: Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together:
ALL: May we hear Jesus calling. 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. And like Jesus may we be a shining light and a blessing for all. Amen.
Closing Song: Blessing Song by Jan Phillips
https://youtu.be/l1hFUfSb1Ww
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