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
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
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
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