Upper Room Moment of Oneness July 23, 2025 - Prepared by Denise Hackert-Stoner

 

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772
Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772

To connect by phone dial: +1 646 558 8656

Welcome to this Moment of Oneness, that finds us at the height of summer.  It has been a challenging summer, to say the least, and looking at the news every day can be exhausting.  But when I look around me as I stroll through meadow and forest, or even in my own neighborhood, all I see is growth.  If I turn off my earbuds I can listen instead to the chattering of birds, squirrels and chipmunks.  If I pay attention, I notice that the air is scented with flowers and mown grass.  Despite all the division and all the hate, it is still summer.  So tonight, let’s take a moment to be joyful.  Let’s take a moment to be grateful.  Let’s take a moment to celebrate this season and to praise the One who never tires of loving us, no matter how tiring we must be sometimes.  Let’s allow ourselves to lay our troubles down and be lifted. 

Opening Song: Hallelujah by MaMuse, video by Denise

https://youtu.be/OqDav__31nw

 

First Reading: Psalm 146 (Reimagined by Nan Merrill, “Psalms for Praying)

Praise be to You!

Praise the Beloved, O my soul!

I will praise You with all

my being;

I will sing joyfully and with

Thanksgiving

to You, Heart of my heart!

 

Put not your trust in riches,

in illusionary things that fade away.

For when our day comes to depart

this world,

at that very time, we carry

only the love

imprinted upon our soul.

 

Blessed are those whose strength is

in the Beloved,

whose trust is in You,

O Divine Lover,

Who gave birth to the universe –

the heavens, earth, and sea –

and all that is within them.

You are ever-faithful, bringing

balance and harmony to earth,

nourishment to body and soul.

 

You free us from the bonds

of fear;

You give insight to those

who would see.

 

You lift up the faint-hearted,

giving succour to those who weep.

You watch over those on journey,

sending guides and angels

to lead the way;

O, that we might become beacons

of light to those in darkness.

 

May You, who live forever in

our hearts,

loose the fetters of fear

that bind us,

That we might praise You always

with free and joyful song!

May it be so!

 

Moment of Silent prayers of gratitude.

 

Second Reading

 

It is not happiness that makes us grateful, it is gratefulness that makes us happy. Every moment is a gift. … Whatever life gives to you, you can respond with joy. Joy is the happiness that does not depend on what happens. It is the grateful response to the opportunity that life offers you at this moment – Brother David Steindl Rast

 

Intentions

 

For the air we breathe…. We are grateful

For the earth we stand upon…. We are grateful

For the sun in the sky, for the moon and stars…. We are grateful

For the rain that gives life…. We are grateful

For the joy that comes in rising after sleep…. We are grateful

For the joy that comes in good work…. We are grateful

For the joy that comes from loving relationships…. We are grateful

For the joy that comes from every day we spend on this beautiful planet…. We are grateful.

 

Please add your own reasons for gratitude

 

Closing Prayer

 

Holy One, we thank you for all your good gifts.  You gift us with joy to make us strong as we face the struggle, never alone, but with your Divine Presence in one another and in the beautiful world in which we move.  May we always remember to look for your face, even in difficult times.  And may we always be grateful for this, the life that you have given us.  Amen.

 

Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney, video by Denise

https://youtu.be/b-QR_OZB5ik