Moment of Oneness, January 22, 2025 - Prepared by Deven Horne

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

Nonviolent Communication

Conversation with God

Opening Peace Chant: Singing Bowl

Divine and loving energy, bring me peace within my body, mind and soul/ Breath in and out long slow breaths.

Divine and loving energy, bring peace to those near me tonight and those not so near in my family, friends and neighbors/ Breath in and out long slow breaths.

Divine and loving energy, bring peace to this country and those beings in countries we do not call home/ Breath in and out long slow breaths.

Divine and loving energy, bring peace to all creatures on this planet earth/ Breath in and out long slow breaths.

Reading by Ruth Bebermeyer

I feel so sentenced by your words,

I feel so judged and sent away,

Before I go I’ve got to know,

Is that what you mean to say?

Before I rise to my defense.

Before I speak in hurt or fear,

Before I build that wall of words,

Tell me, did I really hear?

Words are windows, or they’re walls,

They sentence us, or set us free.

When I speak and when I hear,

Let love light shine through me.

There are things I need to say,

Things that mean so much to me,

If my words don’t make me clear,

Will you help me to be free?

If I seemed to put you down,

If you felt I didn’t care, 

Try to listen through my words,

To the feelings that we share.

Silent moment

Second Reading

We must receive all words of God tenderly and subtly, so that we can speak them to others with tenderness and subtlety. I would even say that anything said with too much bravado, over-assurance, or with any need to control or impress another, is never the voice of God within us. If any thought feels too harsh, shaming, or diminishing of ourselves or others, it is not likely the voice of God. Trust me on that. That is simply our egoic voice. Why do humans so often presume the exact opposite—that shaming voices are always from God, and grace voices are always the imagination? If something comes toward us with grace and can pass through us and toward others with grace, we can trust it as the voice of God.  

One holy man who came to visit me recently put it this way, “We must listen to what is supporting us. We must listen to what is encouraging us. We must listen to what is urging us. We must listen to what is alive in us.” I personally was so trained not to trust those voices that I think I often did not hear the voice of God speaking to me or what Abraham Lincoln called the “better angels of our nature.” Yes, a narcissistic person can and will misuse such advice, but a genuine God lover will flourish inside such a dialogue.  

We must learn how to recognize the positive flow and to distinguish it from the negative resistance within ourselves. It can take years, if not a lifetime. If a voice comes from accusation and leads to accusation, it is quite simply the voice of the “Accuser,” which is the literal meaning of the biblical word “Satan.” Shaming, accusing, or blaming is simply not how God talks, but sadly, it is too often how we talk—to ourselves and to one another. God is supremely nonviolent; I’ve learned that from the saints and mystics that I have read and met and heard about. That many holy people cannot be wrong.  [1]  

There is a deeper voice of God which we must learn to hear and obey. It will sound like the voice of risk, of trust, of surrender, of soul, of common sense, of destiny, of love, of an intimate stranger, of our deepest self. It will always feel gratuitous, and it is this very freedom that scares us. God never leads by guilt or shame! God leads by loving the soul at ever-deeper levels, not by shaming at superficial levels. [2]  

References:  
[1] Adapted from Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe (New)

Affirmations and Intentions: 

May you listen to your soul-stirrings urging you to leave the home of your own satisfactions, to risk new discoveries by traveling into the “land of don’t know”.

May you allow yourself to be guided by the Star of Grace, with the assurance of an abiding faith, as you seek the path of spiritual growth.

May you find inspiration, courage, and hope through your kinship with others who also journey by faith on the road of life.

May you have openness of mind and heart so that you recognize the divine Star in those whose demeanor conceals this light-filled love.

Silence to add your own intentions.

Closing Prayer: Emmanuel, God-with-us, you stand at the door of my heart and await my welcome. Help me to be aware of your presence each day in the people who enter my life. I desire to open my heart, to make room for you in any part of self that tends to keep you out. Show me those places you still need a welcome. 

Closing Song: Cynthia Erivo - God Only Knows (The Lincoln Center 2019)

https://youtu.be/fNmj0KDmbZc?si=uAjMsb4eRIgNK-_0 

Upper Room Weekend Liturgy, January 18-19, 2025 - Presiders: Kathie Ryan and 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

Celebration of Martin Luther King 

and The Civil Rights Movement  

Welcome:  Today we remember the struggle of the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King, John Lewis, Rosa Parks, and all courageous men and women who stood their ground.  We continue to stand our ground as the struggle continues:

Protests and the Civil Rights Movement | History Channel

https://youtu.be/y5l6j_pkAn4?si=L7LjZaxeovN7iS03

Opening Prayer:  All of Creation is struggling to evolve and grow in the light of your love.  Light and love, overcomes the darkness, as it always has been and will ever be so. Amen

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

First Reading: A Reading from Rev. James M. Lawson

If your life is being transformed by love, you cannot keep it to yourself. You have to get involved in your family, your congregation, your union, your social groups, your community — and turn them into agencies of change. That is why Moses, Jesus and Gandhi would agree that the fundamental law of life is: “You shall love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself.” There can be no private compassion, as I understand it. The business of discovering the mystery but wonder of love must be lived in such a way as to help the grassroots where we live emerge in powerful form for truth, justice, equality, and the Beloved Community.

We affirm these words with Amen!

Second Reading: A reading from Lyndon B. Johnson’s Civil Rights speech 

There is no Negro problem. There is no southern problem. There is no northern problem. There is only an American problem. 

And we are met here tonight as Americans--not as Democrats or Republicans; we're met here as Americans to solve that problem.

There is no constitutional issue here. There is no moral issue. It is wrong--deadly wrong--to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country.

There is no issue of states' rights or national rights. There is only the struggle for human rights.

We affirm these words with Amen!

Alleluia: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker

https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk 

Gospel: A Gospel reading according to the writer know as Matthew.

 And the young man said to Jesus: ‘What more do I need to do?” Jesus said “Go and sell all your property and give to the poor.” On hearing this the young man went away distressed for he had many possessions. 

We affirm these words with AMEN!

Shared Reflection

Some might think it is a little strange to quote LBJ today---but when I came across his speech, I could not help seeing the many parallels of the 60’s with what continues happening today. Each of us could take this speech and interchange the words with it is not a negro problem, but an immigrant problem, or a LGBTQ problem, or a Book Banning problem, or a Climate problem, or a homeless problem…and in the end all these issues are a human problem…and what are we to do?  Jesus told the young man in the gospel to go sell all his possessions.  I don’t think Jesus meant that literally but was really challenging him to let go of all his “possessions” and reach out and take responsibility for those on the margins that need him.  Jim Lawson told us in his writing to get involved and be agents of change.  There are many suggestions, recommendations, activities, even answers to what are we supposed to do about this chaotic life path we are on.  Our task is not to be overwhelmed with so many issues, but to do “small things with great love” here in this room, in our families, neighborhoods, and larger communities.

At the end of every day, we tend to think about all the things we did not do, or the mistakes we made. We forget to think about what we did that was positive and helpful.  Let’s focus on the times we did something for the good and build on that foundation. Afterall, we have each other for companionship and encouragement. 

(Kathie and Suzanne)

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.

(Kathie)

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   

Kathie and Suzanne

 

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 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:

Holy, Holy: “Here in this Place” by Christopher Grundy

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

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. 

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: A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke  

https://youtu.be/wEBlaMOmKV4?si=6M_342B_za1fZZLs

Post Communion Prayer:
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.

BLESSING

Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together.

 

May you know you are one with all creation Love 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: This Little Light of Mine by Sam Cooke

https://youtu.be/OdsIjwwfhjk?si=TmBRIwRlkB-H_KA2

 

 

 

Moment of Oneness, January 15, 2025 - Prepared by Jean Albert

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

A Prayer for the New Year

Leader: When God created you, God did not have to think up who you might be. God eternally knows who you eternally are and are called to be from before the origins of the universe. As Saint Paul says, “Your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).  (James Finley) 

May we choose in this year to become our True Selves, letting go of all that would deter our growth in interior freedom. May Mary, be our guide on this day dedicated her role in the Incarnation.

Opening Song: Mary Did You Know? sung by Pentatonix

https://youtu.be/trW_lD9sBt0

First Reading: (Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke’s Book of Hours: Love Poems to God)

I believe in all that has never yet been spoken.
I want to free what waits within me
so that what no one has dared to wish for                       
may for once spring clear
without my contriving.

If this is arrogant, God, forgive me,
but this is what I need to say.
May what I do flow from me like a river,
no forcing and no holding back,
the way it is with children.

Then in these swelling and ebbing currents,
these deepening tides moving out, returning,
I will sing you as no one ever has,
streaming through widening channels
into the open sea.

Second Reading (J. O'Donohue)

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life’s desire…

Soon you will be at home in a new rhythm

For your soul senses the world that awaits you…

  

Time for quiet reflection followed by sharing.

• • Is there something that resonated with you in the above poems?
• • What is your hope, your fear, as 2025 unfolds?
• • If you were to have a theme as touchstone for 2025, what would it be?

(Surrender? Trust? Courage? Joy...?)

Petitions

With all struggling families, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all beset by financial struggles, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all seeking employment, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all suffering from mental and physical illness, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all bound by political ideologies, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all the homeless and the destitute, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all burdened with loneliness, fears, or worries, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all living with addictions, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all estranged from the Church, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all who have been abused by the Church, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all enduring religious or ethnic persecution, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all overwhelmed by shame or despair, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all traumatized by violence or neglect, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all targeted by racism or discrimination, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all struggling to let go of grudges, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all working to protect our planet, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.
With all seeking peace, we pray: Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us.

Personal petitions: 

Prayer: 

Our Father, Holy Mother, Creator of the Cosmos, Source of Life, You are in my mind, in my garden, in my cup of wine and loaf of bread.

Blessed be your names: Mother, Allah, Goddess, Beloved, Great Spirit, Radiant One, Yahweh, HaShem, Sophia Your presence has come, your will is done

on earth as it is in the cosmos. May we give each other strength, mercy,

tenderness, and joy and forgive each other's failures, silence, pettiness, and forgetfulness as we ask to be forgiven by those we've hurt. 

Lead us home to ourselves and each other,

to clarity, to oneness and deliver us from the darkness

of our ignorance and fear.

So we pray and so we receive. Amen

Closing Blessing:

Please extend your hands and pray our closing blessing together

Faithful Companion, in this new year I pray: 

To live deeply, with purpose,

To live freely, with detachment,

To live wisely, with detachment,

To live justly, with compassion,

To live lovingly, with fidelity,

To live mindfully, with awareness,

To live gratefully, with generosity,

To live fully, with enthusiasm.

Help me hold this vision and to daily renew it in my heart,

Becoming ever more one with You,

My Truest Self.

(Sr. Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season)

Leader: May we have growing peace in our hearts, and peace born of justice, in our world. 

Closing Hymn: Dona Nobis Pacem sung by Carrie Newcomer

https://youtu.be/3qF5WDCFymg