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Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Welcome: Good evening, friends. Tonight we join Paul as he salutes his many friends and supporters in Rome. And we consider a warning he has for them.
Opening Prayer: Let us pray. Holy One, we greet you on this evening and thank you for your presence among us. And as we emulate Paul, we take a moment to silently greet one another with a (virtual) holy hug. AMEN.
Opening Song: Namaste by Mark Hayes and Monique Danielle
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading
A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Roman’s (Chapter 16)
Be sure to welcome our friend Phoebe in the way of the Master, with all the generous hospitality we Christians are famous for. I heartily endorse both her and her work. She’s a key representative of the church at Cenchrea. Help her out in whatever she asks. She deserves anything you can do for her. She’s helped many a person, including me.
Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila, who have worked hand in hand with me in serving Jesus. They once put their lives on the line for me. And I’m not the only one grateful to them. All the non-Jewish gatherings of believers also owe them plenty, to say nothing of the church that meets in their house.
Hello to my dear friend Epenetus. He was the very first follower of Jesus in the province of Asia.
Hello to Mary. What a worker she has turned out to be!
Hello to my cousins Andronicus and Junias. We once shared a jail cell. They were believers in Christ before I was. Both of them are outstanding leaders.
Hello to Ampliatus, my good friend in the family of God.
Hello to Urbanus, our companion in Christ’s work, and my good friend Stachys.
Hello to Apelles, a tried-and-true veteran in following Christ.
Hello to the family of Aristobulus.
Hello to my cousin Herodion.
Hello to those who belong to the Lord from the family of Narcissus.
Hello to Tryphena and Tryphosa—such diligent women in serving the Master.
Hello to Persis, a dear friend and hard worker in Christ.
Hello to Rufus—a good choice by the Master!—and his mother. She has also been a dear mother to me.
Hello to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and also to all of their families.
Hello to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas—and all the followers of Jesus who live with them.
Holy hugs all around! All the churches of Christ send their warmest greetings!
One final word of counsel, friends. Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble. Give these people a wide berth. They have no intention of living for our Master Christ. They’re only in this for what they can get out of it, and aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.
And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in these matters—I couldn’t be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!
And here are some more greetings from our end. Timothy, my partner in this work, Lucius, and my cousins Jason and Sosipater all said to tell you hello.
I, Tertius, who wrote this letter at Paul’s dictation, send you my personal greetings.
Gaius, who is host here to both me and the whole church, wants to be remembered to you.
Erastus, the city treasurer, and our good friend Quartus send their greetings.
All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the final detail.
All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes!
This letter of Paul, written with the help of Tertius, is full of love and inclusion. We celebrate both with a hearty Amen!
Second Reading: James M. Kauffman Open Letter to Dr. Laura Schlessinger as shared by Jan Phillips, Bulletins from Immortality August 13, 2023
(If you are not familiar with Dr. Laura, she had a radio show in which she used selected bible quotes (along with strict conservative social teachings) to inform her listeners and people who called in exactly what they were doing wrong in their lives.)
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination… end of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.
Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual unseemliness – Lev. 15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev. 1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?
Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev. 24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan,
James M. Kauffman, Ed. D.
Professor Emeritus Dept. of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia
This letter is the work of Dr. James Kauffman. We support his belief that it is evil to use scripture to defend the indefensible and we affirm our support with Amen.
Alleluia (Eightfold) – Jan Phillips
https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw
Gospel (Luke 16:10-13)
Jesus went on to make these comments:
If you’re honest in small things,
you’ll be honest in big things;
If you’re a crook in small things,
you’ll be a crook in big things.
If you’re not honest in small jobs,
who will put you in charge of the store?
No worker can serve two bosses:
He’ll either hate the first and love the second
Or adore the first and despise the second.
You can’t serve both God and the Bank.
This is the Gospel of the writer known as Luke. We affirm his message with Amen.
Homily Starter
Hello, hello, and hello. Scholars believe that Paul (with his friend and scribe Tersius) was in Corinth when he wrote his letter to the Romans. The distance between the two places (about 750 miles) was just enormous in biblical times. It would be a very long time between visits, and without instant messaging, texting, email, or even a postal service, communication must have been very spotty and slow. When I read Paul’s message of greeting to his friends in Rome I feel the love, admiration, and real affection he has for these people. I also sense his desire to connect, through space and time, these far-flung churches. It seems he has sent Phoebe from Chenchrea in Corinth, to Rome. She was to be Paul’s ambassador there, and I wonder if Paul hoped that her presence in Rome might help close the distance between these churches. I love that he reaches out to so many, pointing out virtues large and small, including everyone in his “holy hug.”
And then comes a word of warning. Beware, he warns his beloveds, of con artists who will pick and choose scripture to get what they want. Some things never change, right? We see an example of the shameless manipulation of scripture in the second reading. I love Paul’s optimism and faith, that the Holy One would very soon bury evil once and for all. He has faith in his people too. He knows that they have the Holy One at their backs, “The one who is strong enough to make you strong.” Paul seems to know in his heart, and wants his church to know as well, that they have chosen the correct “boss,” as Jesus expresses it in the Gospel. They have chosen Love. They have chosen God. Any other “boss” would lead away from that Love. And even all this time later, we make the same choice. We choose love. We choose our Beloved Holy One. And what joy that is! We are beloved by a God who is Love. And we see that Love in one another. No wonder we are so joyful as we embrace in a holy hug.
What did you hear in today’s readings? Please share your thoughts.
Statement of Faith
Please join in proclaiming our 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.
Prayers of the Community
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 the unspoken concerns held in the silence of our hearts. AMEN
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:
All: Holy One, source of all life, you enchant all that exists with your Spirit of Love. You call everyone, exactly as we are, into oneness with yourself. You call us to recognize your presence in everyone we meet.
Since the beginning of our Holy Universe you have called us forward, your invitation always open to us, pulling us like gravity out of darkness. Again and again you have stretched out your hand to rescue us from our own folly, again and again sending wise and holy people to show us the way back to you.
May our eyes be opened to the path of life. May we join with every one of our companions on this journey in solidarity and friendship, as we share the joy and abundance of this, our common home.
For every time we see your hand in the outstretched hand of a stranger; for every time we hear your call in the cries of the oppressed; for every time we see your light in the sparkling eyes of a beloved; we join today with the song of the Universe and sing your praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy (Words and music by Karen Drucker)
Please extend your hands in blessing.
All: Spirit of Love, Fountain of Creation and Creativity, you have made us and we are good. Every shape, every size, every color. Every gender, every ability, every sexuality. We are yours, and we are holy.
We come into community today to celebrate your gifts that shine in one another, and in the bread and wine on this table. All are infused with and transformed by your abundant Spirit. All are called to nourish and sustain. All are created by and given in Grace.
On the night before he died, Jesus gathered for a meal 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.
Back at the table, he took the bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to them saying, Take and eat, this is my very self.
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.
Let us share Communion with the words, “I am a beloved member of this community.”
Communion Meditation Song: God Is by The Outer Banks Music
Prayer After Communion
In faith and hope we are sustained,
In grace our dignity reclaimed,
In praise we thank our God.
As we walk through this world may we leave footsteps of justice. As we touch this world may our hands bring healing. As we look at the beauty of this creation may our hearts open wide to the possibility of dignity for all. God of life, we ask this in the here and now, where we hold one another in your presence, as we continue to build your kin-dom. Amen.
Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
All: 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
Let us raise our hands and bless each other.
Dearest Holy One, You have made us, and we are good. Each of us, in our own truthful nature, is exactly as we should be, exactly as you created us to be. Help us to see that truth in ourselves and in one another. May we greet all with the love we find in you. AMEN
Closing Song: Joy In Our Hearts by Karen Drucker
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