Upper Room Saturday Liturgy, February 1, 2025 - Presider: Kathie Ryan

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

Liturgy of Oneness

Welcome everyone.  Our scriptures tonight are on different ends of the continuum of spiritual readings. Let’s dig deep and see where we find connections. 

Opening Prayer:   Holy One, each week we gather to celebrate and experience your love in our sharing. Bless each of us with your strength as we navigate our chaotic paths in life.  Amen. 

Opening Song: “God Beyond all Names” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Htrmq0g_Nk

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

First Reading: A Reading from The Not-Yet God by Ilia Delio (adapted)

We humans are in transition but unsure of where we are going. We have built a world of extraordinary complexity, but it is world too large for our small brains to handle. Our religions arose in a different age and are no longer helpful in guiding us collectively on this earth journey in an expanding universe. Religious myths abound but they are tribal and conflicting and stifle the whole we desperately seek. 

To pray is to acknowledge a deep current of love-energy within us, connecting and empowering us. Prayer can free the mind to explore the deeper God-self.  God grounds our capacity for courage to face challenges, support one another, and risk doing new things. Where there is God, there is the invitation to create and act.  Divine life is a high-flying adventure of the spirit. 

The community affirms these words with Amen!

Alleluia: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker

https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk 

Gospel:  A reading from the Gospel of Luke

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

    “Now, Master, you may let your servant go 
        in peace, according to your word,
    for my eyes have seen your salvation,
        which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
    a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
        and glory for your people Israel.” 

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them. 

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

These are the words of a gospel writer known as Luke, and the community affirms them with AMEN!

Shared Homily

Just when we think we are done with the childhood stories of Jesus. Here comes one more.  These gospels were written 70-100 years after Jesus lived.  All the childhood stories of Jesus were told with a very specific purpose in mind.  The writers’ believed Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed one and they each wrote scriptures to prove their belief.  The perfect example is the Messiah must come from Bethlehem. Jesus and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to fulfill the scripture prophesy.  Todays’ gospel is another example. We know Jesus was Jewish and all Jewish boys were presented at temple. The gospel writer had Simeon waiting in the temple to hold this child in his arms and declare that Jesus, would be the light of the revelation to the gentiles.  Mary and Joseph are in awe of what is said about him. The last childhood thing we are told about Jesus is that he grew in wisdom and experienced the Prescence of God. The stage is set for us to know and believe Jesus is the One.

Illia Delio tells us we can become confused when we try to hang on to the old myths understanding, while at the same time we explore a new progressive theology. Every time we dig into the meaning of a gospel passage, we find inconsistencies. We share our thoughts and experiences and discover new meaning with more questions than answers. Isn’t that wonderful?  We no longer sit, listen, and are told what to believe. 

Our prayer lives have changed.  We no longer just recite and repeat prayers.  When we pray, we stand in solidarity with others. We hold each other as God is with us and holds us. We go deeper and experience God within, around, and among us.   Whether we are reading the Hebrew Scriptures, or Christian Scriptures, or any other spiritual reading, we have a responsibility to study, pray, and share our experiences with others.  We are growing, evolving and learning to love compassionately. We understand and experience the Holy One in others and all of creation.

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 the table our prayers and intentions:  

We pray for these and all unspoken prayers of our hearts. Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

 

With open hands and hearts let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:

 

All: O Holy One you have sent prophets and messengers to show us the way-Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, Moses and Jesus, Buddha and Mohammad, Hildegard and Teresa, Oscar and Dorothy, and all of us here and now who celebrate this liturgy today. 

Everything we do, we do together with You. We cannot be without You. We cannot be without each other. You are made visible in this world with our acts of love and kindness. With grateful hearts we raise our voices and sing:

https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk?si=xuoboLnFRpRWYWU2

All: Holy One, slowly this world is moving toward oneness. Your pattern of Love is in everything and there are messages of Love in every pattern.  Help us to stand with each other in love and suffering.  The pain of one, is the pain of all.  May we co-create with You and restore balance and harmony in our world. 

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 this bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world. 

On the night before he died Jesus did more than ask us to remember him.  He showed us how to live when he washed the feet of his friends.

 lift the bread 

All: At the table, he took the Bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

 Take and eat of the Bread of Life

Given to strengthen you

Whenever you remember me like this

Go and share your love with one another.  (pause)

 lift the cup 

ALL:  Jesus then raised a cup of blessing, spoke the grace 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.

We share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.   Please receive this bread with the words: God and I are one.

Communion Song:   I Am the One – Janis Ian, video by Denise Hackert-Stoner

https://youtu.be/83CKYR9uyFI

ALL: Holy One we know you as the voice of kindness within us and the constant hope that lives in our hearts. We are grateful for the gift of your Spirit, always drawing beauty and balance out of chaos. And like Jesus, 

Standing where he stood,

and for what he stood, 

and with whom he stood,

we are united in your Spirit

now and forever.  Amen.

Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus: 

Adapted from Miriam Therese Winter 

 

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 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.

 

All: Loving Source of our being, we are called to live the gospel of peace and love. This is our faith, to embrace life, to increase love, to have courage to be and walk into the mystery of your presence.

Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together.

 

May you know you are one with all creation, and our God is not a noun but a verb to be lived.   Love intentionally, love extravagantly, love unconditionally. Our world waits in the darkness for the light that is you.  Amen.

 

Closing Song: Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney Video by Denise Hackert-Stoner

https://youtu.be/b-QR_OZB5ik 

 

Moment of Oneness, January 29, 2025 - Prepared by Sharon Beneteau, Suzanne De Froy, and Kathy Worotny

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772
Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
To connect by phone dial: +1 646 558 8656

Opening Song: Hauser; Gabriel’s Obo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnMHrVN99b4

Suzanne: Welcome

Inspirational leadership is fleeting and takes on many different forms.  Around the world we are experiencing political power dynamics that are causing a leadership crisis at many levels.  Creating the conditions for empowerment remains elusive long since Jesus showed us the way of love and compassion.  We begin with a passage from Lao Tzu who presented a collection of strategies and attitudes designed to bring true power and influence to leaders and create the conditions for personal freedom to those they lead. We appreciate you joining us in reflecting upon age old wisdom to help guide us during these difficult times.  

First Reading: The Way of Subtle Influence 

When the Supreme leader governs,

the people are hardly aware they exist.

Next best is a leader who is loved.

Next, is one who is feared.

The worst is one who is despised.

If you don’t trust the people,

You make them untrustworthy.

Proceeding calmly, valuing their word

Tasks are accomplished, matters become settled,

The people all say, “We did it, naturally!”

A reading from The Tao of Power: Tao Te Ching Number 17

Second Reading:  

A long time ago, there was a great fire in the forests that covered the Earth.  People and animals started to run, trying to escape the fire.  The owl, Tecototl, was running away but noticed a small bird hurrying back and forth between the nearest river and fire.  

Owl headed towards this small bird and noticed it was the quetzal bird, running to the river, picking up small drops of water in its beak, then returning to the fire to throw that tiny bit of water on the flame.  

Owl approached quetzal bird and yelled, “What are you doing? Are you stupid? You are not going to achieve anything by doing that.  You must run for your life.”

Quetzel bird stopped for a moment, and then looked at owl and answered, “I am doing the best I can with what I have.” At that Owl went to the river and took up water into its beak.  Others followed.

It is remembered by our grandparents that a long time ago, the forests that covered our Earth were saved from a great fire by a small quetzal bird, by owl, and by many other animals who got together to put out the flame.

Courtesy of our wisdom elder, Sister Suzanne Malette, SNJM, RIP

Scripture Reading

No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come into the light.  Pay attention to how you listen, for those who do, more will be given, and for those who do not, what they seem to have will be taken away … when you hear the good word, hold it fast in an honest and virtuous heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance. 

A reading from the gospel writer known as Luke 8:16-18; 15.

Reflection

Metaphors are often very confusing riddles but in reflection they can help create meaning for our lives and deepen our understanding about our current reality.  We began with the writings of the great sage Lao Tzu also known as Laozi who is known as the founder of the school of Taoism.  Scholars have dated his writings in the Tao Te Ching – the Tao of Power back to the late 4^th century BC and it has been translated more frequently than any other classic except the Bible.

Laozi’s writings reflect characteristics of transformative authority and provides inspiration for those in leadership positions.  He identifies the best leader as one who listens and sets the tone, leading humbly by example.  Trusting in oneself is mutual and at the heart of his message.  By expecting the best from everyone, people are free to discover their gifts, be responsible, and choose the way of the Tao to make good decisions that will benefit themselves and others.

The ancient Aztec myth of the Quetzal bird has been retold in many different contexts.  We believe this short, yet powerful story represents a humble way of sharing our divine spark of love that becomes empowering influence.  Lastly, our timeless scripture reading is one of our favourite parables taught by Jesus.  His encouraging words tap into our natural soul’s wisdom to recognize the inherent potential of goodness in all individuals to light the way.

Prayer of Intention:

I bow to the sacred connection that is within all creation.
May my mind seek truth about my strengths with humility.

May my imagination be uplifted by recognizing possibilities in others.
May my heart be open to serve for the well-being of humanity and the earth.
May my soul rejoice in the light that glimmers in the present moment.

May my sacred spirit fill the world with beauty and wonder. 

May my entire being have hope by knowing that the Creator’s light shines on; inside of the darkness, and that the darkness will not overcome it” 1 John 1:5

— Adapted from Mary Lou Kownacki, Distributed by Pax Christi, USA

Other intentions, please share

Closing Song: Be a Light – shortened Thomas Rhett (lyrics), Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin, Hillary Scott, Reba McEntire

https://youtu.be/Oqiw54l_x-8

Upper Room Sunday Liturgy, January 26, 2025 - Presiders: Lynn Kinlan, Anne Sampson, Suzanne DeFroy

 

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

Lynn: Welcome and Theme:   Welcome to everyone today. Today’s readings give us good reason to find joy and gratitude right here in in our presence and the forever presence of the Holy One.  Whether we call it covenant or communion, we are one with God in each other. 

Opening Song: “Take us Home By Another Way” by Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/KOw7kqKEcFA?si=P5tbAJRohMRj47Qi

Anne: Opening Prayer:   Let us put aside past regrets and guilt and be done with them. Let us banish despair from our hearts and minds so that we may live in the blessing of this day, faithfully, gratefully and wholly certain that we always abide in the loving Presence of our God. Amen. 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading:  A Reading from the book of Nehemiah 8:2-10

Ezra the priest brought the Torah before the assembly, which 

consisted of men, women and those children old enough to understand.  Standing on a raised platform, he opened the scroll so that all might see and as he did, the people rose. Ezra blessed the Most High and the people with hands raised high, answered “Amen, Amen”. Ezra proceeded to read out of the Torah from daybreak till midday and the people bowed their heads and laid face down on the ground to worship the holy words of Yahweh.

Ezra read and translated so that all could understand and the people listened attentively.

Then, Nehemiah, the Persian governor who was to supervise the rebuilding of Jerusalem, joined Ezra in explaining that “Today is holy to Yahweh. Do not be sad and do not weep”— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 

Nehemiah said further, “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared, for today is holy to Yahweh. Do not be saddened this day for rejoicing in Yahweh must be your strength!”

These are inspired words from Nehemiah and we affirm them. Amen.

Alleluia: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker

https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk

Gospel Reading: A reading from the Book credited to Luke 7: 20-21

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the reign of God would come. Jesus replied, “You won’t be able to observe the coming of the reign of God. People are not going to be able to say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘Over there!’ No— look, the reign of God is already in your midst, right there in your presence.”

These are the inspired words of the gospel writer know to us as Luke and we affirm them. Amen

 

Starter Homily/Shared Reflections 

Today’s readings are about coming home to where we belong and with whom we belong. First, a little context about the assembly listening to Ezra and Nehemiah; the audience is the first wave of Jews to return to Jerusalem from 70 years of captivity and slavery in the empire of Babylonia. The empire completely destroyed the entire city, all its walls and gates as well as the temple.  Over 20,000 Jews were taken away and not liberated until the Persians conquered Babylonia 70 years later. For generations, these Jews tried to keep their faith and rituals in a strange land— with mixed success. As a consequence, some in the assembly don’t know Hebrew and have never heard the Torah read. 

The promise of a covenant with Yahweh in a land of their own seems a blessing so great and so wondrous that they lay down in the dirt before the sacred scroll. Surrounded by a landscape of ruins, they weep with joy and gratitude because they are free and they are home with a God who loves them.

The reverential, atonement posture of lying prostrate is not what the priest Ezra or the Persian governor, Nehemiah, deem necessary. Celebration is called for because “rejoicing in Yahweh” is their strength. Our Upper Room church has roots in this assembly. The returnees will rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the temple. We too are building anew. We rejoice as they do; celebrating original blessing rather than original sin; living in gratitude rather than fear of the Holy One; and understanding that our Holy One is “forgiving, gracious, compassionate and slow to anger” (Nehemiah 9:17). 

Fast forward about 500 plus years to Jesus telling the Pharisees that the reign of God is already here and now. In the time of the public ministry of Jesus, home is more than land or tribe. The covenant of a chosen people rests not only within an ark or a sacred temple. In truth, not even the person of Jesus himself alone represents our heavenly home. The heavenly reign of God is in our midst, in our presence, as it was with the refugees from Babylon. If God is always in our midst, we are at home anywhere.

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:

Anne: As we prepare for our sacred meal, we bring to this friendship table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please begin with the words, “I bring to the table....” 

We pray for these and all the unspoken intentions in our hearts. Amen. 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

 With open hearts and hands let us pray together our Eucharistic prayer as one voice:

 

All: Holy One, you have birthed us in goodness, gifted us with life and you cherish us in your expansive 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 by Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk?si=jFhqLhWvZ2p2h5B7

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, loving power. We, your beloved, 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 integrity of Sophia-Wisdom, and in the gift of your Spirit, you refresh for us the wonder of creation in all its splendor and variety.

    (Extend hands in blessing)

We recognize Your Spirit on the gifts of this Eucharistic table , bread of the grain and wine of the grape. May they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth, reminding us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world. 

On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus did more than ask us to remember him. He showed us how to live when he washed the feet of his companions. 

(Lift the bread )

When he returned to the table, he took the bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to them saying, 

Take and eat. Go and love one another.

(Lift the cup)

He then raised the cup of the covenant, 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. 

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 offer the bread to your neighbor with the words: God is with us

Communion Song: “Sweet Secret Peace” by Andres Gonzalez

https://youtu.be/FZsC1gUvaqg?si=y5JUVg9DuI-xPOCT

Prayer after Communion: Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and live compassionate lives. It is living as Jesus lived that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify You, Holy One, at this time and always. 

Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:

Holy One, you are 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 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.  

                         Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter 

BLESSING

Lynn : Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together

All : May our hearts be filled with gratitude for this day that our  

God has made;

May we offer comfort and support to those in need, especially those displaced from home by natural disaster and a most unnatural poverty;

        May we stay aware of Divine Presence and and bring it with our 

        own presence everywhere we go.   AMEN!

Closing Song: “Turning of the World” written by Ruth Pelham/Piano 

                             and vocals by Jenifer Jolly
https://youtu.be/BwOW25nDm30?si=YXMtaCogB4YzAbcp