Upper Room Saturday Liturgy, July 1, 2023 - Presider: Julie Corron

 

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155 
phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155

Welcome: Welcome to you all! I’m so happy to be here with you all today as we think about love and hope and dreams and reality.

Opening Prayer: Holy One, through you all things are possible. Help us live in faith and hope for dreams that have not yet come true. And especially help us to know peace in our time. AMEN

Opening Song: Peace Like A River—Dionne Warwick & Dolly Parton  

https://youtu.be/AlWWmCKrTu4

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

First Reading: 

A reading from the Second Book of Kings (4:8-11, 14-16a)

One day Elisha passed through Shunem. A leading woman of the town, a woman of influence, pressed him to dine with her. Soon, it became his custom: Whenever he passed through, he stopped by for a meal. 

“I'm certain,” said the woman to her husband, “that this man who stops by is a holy man of God. Since he visits us often, let us arrange a little room on the roof and furnish it for him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp, so that when he comes to us he can stay there?” And so it happened that the next time Elisha came by for a meal, he also went to the room and laid down there to rest. 

Then Elisha instructed Gehazi to ask the Shunammite woman, “You have troubled yourself greatly for us; what can we do for you? Can we say a good word for you to the ruler or to the commander of the army?’” 

She replied, “Nothing. I'm secure and satisfied in my family and my own people.” 

Elisha conferred with his companion, Gehazi: “There’s got to be something I can do for her. But what?” Gehazi said, “Well, she has no children, and her husband is getting on in years.” 

Elisha called to the Shunammite woman again with the promise: “This time next year you’re going to be nursing an infant.” 

These are the words of an ancient Israelite Historian and the community affirms them by saying AMEN. 

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of our God.

The promises of our God I will sing forever,
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever;"
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of our God.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, Holy One, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of our God.

You are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to our God belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our king.

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of our God.

Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker

https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU 

Gospel 

A reading from the gospel of Matthew (10:37-42)

Jesus said to his apostles:
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,
and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up his cross
and follow after me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"Whoever receives you receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet
will receive a prophet's reward,
and whoever receives a righteous man
because he is a righteous man
will receive a righteous man's reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones to drink
because the little one is a disciple—
amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

 

These are the inspired words of the anonymous storyteller we call Matthew and we affirm them by saying Amen.

 

Homily Starter—Julie: Our gospel today is a tricky one. Taken on its own, it can sound like Jesus is telling his disciples that they need to reject their loved ones, their own families, and follow him. But that’s not the real story. For the last few weeks, the gospel has focused on Jesus sending his disciples out to carry the good news to those who haven’t heard it yet. Today’s gospel is a continuation of those instructions. Let’s face it, there were probably some disciples reluctant to leave home and go preach to strangers. Preaching to strangers can be a thankless task! So Jesus (or whoever actually said this) needed to give them an extra push to get them out the door, reminding them that their love of God, of Jesus, is greater than their love of family and their own warm bed. Are the disciples turning their backs on their families? No, they’re simply going on a trip to share the good news, which is a reward in itself. Like the reward given to someone who gives a cup of cold water to a disciple. Or someone who gives a bottle of water to a person waiting in line to vote. The need continues today, even if the face look different.

The first reading speaks of a different kind of reward. Elisha wants to thank his childless hostess, so he promises her a baby. In those days, children cared for their mothers in their old age, so this was more than a promise of a baby, this was also security in her golden years. And, if she had waited many, many years for a child, this gift could reflect a dream that she may have given up hope of ever realizing. We all have dreams we fear will never come true, dreams we have sadly given up on and packed away in our hearts. If Elisha was to thank you with a long-hoped for dream, what would it be? What would make your heart leap with joy if it suddenly appeared in your life?

What did you hear? What would be a dream come true for you?

 

Statement of Faith

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 held in the silence of our hearts. AMEN.

 

Eucharistic Prayer of Belonging

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

https://youtu.be/cVWY9ourooI

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 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 yours.

 

Communion Song: You Say by Lauren Daigle 

https://youtu.be/N8WK9HmF53w

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 have faith in dreams to come. 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: A Million Dreams (from The Greatest Showman) | One Voice Children's Choir

https://youtu.be/v49-3Xp5fPg

Moment of Oneness, June 28, 2023

Opening Meditation Song

https://youtu.be/MZKKeKTa-cU 

Opening Prayer: Beloved One. Shekinah. Indwelling. Feminine Presence. Immanence. Embodiment. Mother-Heart. Please come flowing into every open window in our souls right now, as we call to you. Infuse every cell of our bodies with your fierce and tender Mother-Wisdom. Give us the strength to speak truth to power in these fractured times. Give us the tenderness and humility to listen deeply to those that we are conditioned to otherwise. And remind us again and again when we forget that we belong to each other, and we belong to you. Amen. Mirabai Starr

Reading: Eve Implored by Phyllis Cardona

If peace and purpose could be

The gifts that sorrow yields,

I would most willingly embrace

The agonies which life reveals,

But I am merely weakened and worn

Ever more mindful of the clay

Of which I am wrought.

Sister, Eve, must we all eat of the fruit

And be put to the test?

Is there to be no comfort or security

While suckling at the breast?

Oh! Primal Mother, Sister Eve

Sing to me of victories

And promises told

Of all that would be restored!

Once you walked in the shadow of God

When all was in its proper place,

Share your memory and inspire hope

With those born of your loins to lesser grace.

Beg God’s mercy ‘till fear and doubt

Become enfleshed in snake skin –

Coiled and conquered beneath your heel.

And then, stand firm, most beautiful Eve

And draw strength from the eternal Lover’s gaze

And share with us below a measure

Of peace and purpose to fill our days

While we mark our place

With joy amid the sorrow

Grant faith, sweet Hope 

To those who face tomorrow.

Affirmations and Intentions: 

May we look for your goodness in others when it hides beneath layers of coldness.

May we behold your radiance in the ones we neglect or spurn at home or work.

May we discover your love in our deepest self when we feel unloving and irritable.

May we embrace you in the persons whose faithfulness we take for granted. 

May we see your empathy in those serving the wounded of the world.

May we unite with your peace hidden beneath the layers of humanity’s disharmony.

Silence to add your own intentions.

Closing Prayer:  Holy Presence, we thank you for your gift of life that you have given us, filled with love, grace, joy and suffering. May we always feel the presence of your love and support however it may manifest in our lives. Knowing you are never farther than our next breath, may we breathe in and out with each other expanding our capacity to love and care for our brothers and sisters without hesitation. Through all the angels and saints, and Mary, Joseph and Jesus may we come alive. Amen

Meditation/Contemplation:  Let us take a few minutes to become one through quiet deep contemplation.

Closing Song: Blessing Song by Jan Phillips

https://youtu.be/l1hFUfSb1Ww

Upper Room Sunday Liturgy, June 25, 2023 - Presiders: Dennis McDonald and Mary Theresa Streck

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155 
phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155

Recognizing God’s Love in Us - In Memory of Tom Going

Feast of St. John the Baptist

Welcome and Theme (Dennis): This weekend is the Feast of John the Baptist a prophet of the Jewish Scriptures and as we gather today we remember another prophet who walked and sat among us, John Thomas Going, who we affectionately called Tom. He was a father, husband, friend, and priest, who graced our community with his presence. He was also a teacher who shared with us two of his favorite words, Namaste and Ubuntu. Let us celebrate these two meaningful words in song and spoken word.  

Opening Prayer (Mary Theresa): O Great Spirit of Love and Compassion, we come to this Table of Friendship and New Life as a people called to follow in the ways of our brother, Jesus, who fully lived the philosophies of Namaste and Ubuntu. May we, likewise, see in each other the Divine that resides in each of us, and embrace the truth that I am because You are.  Amen. 

 

Opening Song: Namaste by Mark Hayes

https://youtu.be/Hxf8QFTkYY8  

LITURGY OF THE WORD

  

First Reading:  Ubuntu by Archbishop Desmond Tutu

(from Everyday Ubuntu by Mungi Ngomane, Desmond Tutu's granddaughter)

Ubuntu is a concept that, in my community, is one of the most fundamental aspects of living lives of courage, compassion and connection. It is one that I cannot remember not knowing about. I understood from early on in my life that being known as a person with ubuntu was one of the highest accolades one could ever receive. Almost daily we were encouraged to show it in our relations with family, friends and strangers alike. I have often said that the idea and practice of ubuntu is one of Africa’s greatest gifts to the world. A gift with which, unfortunately, not many in the world are familiar. The lesson of ubuntu is best described in a proverb that is found in almost every African language, whose translation is, “A person is a person through other persons.” The fundamental meaning of the proverb is that everything we learn and experience in the world is through our relationships with other people. We are therefore called to examine our actions and thoughts, not just for what they will achieve for us, but for how they impact on others with whom we are in contact. At its most simple, the teaching of this proverb and of ubuntu is similar to the Golden Rule found in most faith teachings: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!” But one who has ubuntu goes a step beyond that. It is not only our actions we are called to keep track of, but our very being in the world. How we live, talk and walk in the world is as much a statement of our character as our actions. One with ubuntu is careful to walk in the world as one who recognizes the infinite worth of everyone with whom he or she comes into contact. So it is not simply a way of behaving, it is indeed a way of being!

These are the inspired words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and we affirm them by saying, Amen.

Alleluia: Celtic Alleluia

https://youtu.be/UoaZq5eorpo 

Gospel: A reading from the Gospel attributed to Luke

Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s priestly class to serve. And as he was fulfilling his priestly office before God, it fell to him by lot, according to priestly usage, to enter the sanctuary of our God and offer incense.

Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering, an angel of our God appeared to him,

standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was deeply disturbed upon seeing the angel, and was overcome with fear. 

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of God.

John will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will bring many of the children of Israel back to their God Most High.

He will go before God as a forerunner, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just—to make ready a people prepared for our God.”

These are the inspired words of the anonymous gospel writer known as Luke, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.  

Homily Starter   -  Dennis

When preparing the liturgy for today, I discovered that yesterday was the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and I knew immediately that it was perfect for celebrating the life of John Thomas Going. I’m sure many of you were unaware of Tom’s real first name was John.  I saw Tom in the words of today’s Gospel, 

 

“He will go before God as a forerunner, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just—to make ready a people prepared for our God.”

 

Tom was forever sharing his insights from the reading that he did including the National Catholic Reporter, Commonweal, and America. He would often bring copies of articles to share, ones that he thought provided a deeper awareness of how to be more open to the Divine, readying people to prepare for the calling to be in relationship with the Divine, and by cultivating that relationship, being moved to relationship with others. 

 

And from this prophetic vision, he introduced us to Namaste and Ubuntu. 

Our opening song introduces us to the philosophy of Namaste, “the Divine in me blesses and honors the Divine in You.” Tom exhibited this philosophy in his interaction with others. I had the pleasure in the final year of Tom’s joining us for liturgy of driving him to and from the Upper Room. In that time, I came to a deeper appreciation of his profound belief in the value of each person’s divine nature, which when embraced captured the heart of Namaste, that all are one in the Divine.

 

Our first reading, provided by Mary Theresa, was taken from the book, Everyday Ubuntu by Mungi Ngomane. In the forward Archbishop Tutu explains the concept of Ubuntu saying, “a person is a person through other persons”. Again, the philosophy that we are all one due to our common humanness. Tom also shared this with us, and often during homily sharing would remind us of this important concept. In the current time Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu popularized Ubuntu and it moved beyond Africa to other parts of the world.  At the 2013 tribute to Mandela, former President Obama said this, “Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. There is a word in South Africa – Ubuntu – that describes his greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.”

 

I am thankful that Tom graced our community with these two concepts, and I am grateful that my life was touched by his. Each time I hear either of these words, I am connected once again with Tom. Another translation for Namaste, that I learned from theDeepak Chopra site, is “I honor the place in you where the entire universe dwells.” Tom, like all of us, dwells in the universe, and the Divine in him blesses and honors the Divine in me. It is so.

 

Please share your reflection on the readings or Tom.

Shared Homily

 Statement of Faith - All 

 

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

Mary Theresa:  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, cares and concerns.

Intentions read

We bring these and all deeply held blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of friendship and peace. 

Dennis/Mary Theresa: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together:  

 

All: O Holy One, you have birthed us in goodness, gifted us with life and cherished us in love. In the heart of our being, your Spirit dwells; a Spirit of courage and vision, a Spirit of wisdom and truth. 
 

In the power of that same Spirit, we lift our hearts in prayer, invoking anew the gift of wisdom and enlightenment, that we may continue to praise and thank you, in union with all who sing the ancient hymn of praise: 

 

Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place – with lyrics – Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ

All: Holy One, we see around us the work of your hands, the fruit of your wisdom and love. The unfolding story of creation witnesses unceasingly to your creative power.  We, your creatures, often deviate from that wisdom, thus hindering your creative presence in our midst. 
 
Sending among us Jesus, our brother, you birth afresh in our world the power of Sophia-Wisdom, and in the gift of Your Spirit, your creative goodness blooms anew, amid the variety and wonder of life. 
 

Dennis/Mary Theresa: Please extend your hands in blessing.  

 
All: We invoke Your Spirit upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, that they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world. 

On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.

All lift their plate and pray the following:

Upon returning to the table, Jesus lifted the bread, spoke a blessing and shared the bread of life for all who hunger. 

(pause)

Then he lifted the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace and shared the cup of compassion for a broken world. 

Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.

All lift their cup and pray the following:

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 consume the bread and drink the cup with the words: I Am because You Are

Communion Meditation: Namaste by Annie Garretson

https://youtu.be/ZiWwuz_NdyI 

In faith and hope we are sustained; in grace and dignity reclaimed. In praise, we thank you. 
 
In union with all peoples living and dead, we unite our thoughts and prayers, asking wisdom and courage: 
- to discern more wisely your call to us in the circumstances of our daily lives; 
- to act justly and courageously in confronting the pain and suffering that desecrates the Earth and its peoples; 
- to take risks in being creative and proactive on behalf of the poor and marginalized; 
- and to love all people with generosity of heart, beyond the labels of race, creed and color. 
 
And may we ever be aware and alert to the new things Your Spirit makes possible in us, as our world unfolds amid pain and beauty, into the fullness of life to which all are called, participating in the wise and wonderful work of co-creation. 
 

Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and we will live compassionate lives, for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, O Holy One, at this time and all ways. 

Amen.  

 

Dennis/Mary Theresa: Let us pray the prayer 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

Dennis/Mary Theresa: Let us pray together our blessing:

May we walk carefully into the world recognizing the infinite worth of everyone we meet. May we compassionately greet the Divine in each other and may we be a blessing in our time.

Amen.

Closing Song: Ubuntu by Mark Hayes

https://youtu.be/VsYnXoy26R8