Upper Room Weekend Liturgy, January 31, and February, 1, 2026 - Presiders: Julie Corron and Jean Talbot

Please join us between 9:30 and 9:55 am via Zoom:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155 

phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-8656

Who Are Blessed?

Welcome: Welcome to you all! This weekend marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox. I’m so happy to be here with you all today as we celebrate not only the return of sunlight but also the feasts of two saints, St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Blaise of Armenia. 

Opening Prayer: Let us pray. Through the intercession of St. Blaise may we be delivered from all illnesses of the throat and any other ailments. May we keep our throats and voices strong so that we may continue to speak truth to power. AMEN

Opening Song: Behold the Kingdom – John Michael Talbot – video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
https://youtu.be/TWd0OE5jaoA 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

PSALM 

Psalm 146:5-6, 7-9, 3-4 by Nan Merrill with adaptation

The Psalm Response is: We are companions to one another.

R: We are companions to one another.

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.

R: We are companions to one another.

You uphold the cause of the oppressed.

You fill the hungry. You set prisoners free.

You give sight to the blind,

and insight to those who would see.

You lift up those made low,

and love those who walk in integrity.

R: We are companions to one another.

God protects the resident alien,

and aids those bereft of family or support.

God gives succor to those who weep.

You watch over all those on journey.

O, that we might become companions and guides

to one another!

R: We are companions to one another.

Put not your trust in riches, in the allure of power,

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.

R: We are companions to one another.

ALLELUIA  Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker – MT Video
https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk 

GOSPEL
A Reading from the Gospel attributed to Matthew 5:1-12

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up a mountain. When he sat down, his disciples came to him. Jesus began to speak, teaching them.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kin-dom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,

for they will have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kin-dom of heaven.

And blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and utter all kinds of slander against you, falsely, on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your gift is great in heaven. In the very same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

These are the inspired words of the anonymous storyteller we call Matthew, and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.

Homily Starter—Julie: On this very cold weekend when it feels like the world is on fire, I’ve bookended our liturgy with two old school saints. I have so many memories of having my throat blessed as a child. That was before my worldview expanded to include things like chakras, the energy centers throughout our bodies. We speak our truth from our throat chakra. We speak out and protest from it as well. I somehow doubt that my childhood parish priest invoking St. Blaise to bless my throat was doing it so that I could someday challenge church hierarchy by getting ordained but maybe I underestimate him. 

St. Brigid modeled compassion, hospitality, and non-violence. Those values are as important today as they were in her lifetime 1500 years ago but don’t get the media coverage that the violence and cruelty get in this current moment. That doesn’t stop us from doing our best to live them in our own lives every day though. 

Which brings me to my first question today—what makes a saint? Do you need to be a healer like Blaise or a leader like Brigid to be a saint? Or does doing what’s at hand, what Jean refers to as “what can I do within three feet of me?” count? Are the folks cooking and serving meals at Refuge Place saints? What about the ICU nurse in Minneapolis who was killed for helping a woman up when she was knocked down by ICE agents? Are saints more blessed than the rest of us? 

Most of us have been hearing the “Blessed ares” of the Beatitudes our whole lives. They can be comforting and inspiring. Peacemakers are good! Hungering and thirsting for justice is good! But is this list complete? Nadia Bolz Weber doesn’t think so. She imagines Jesus also blessing “The kids who sit alone at middle-school lunch tables. The laundry guys at the hospital. The sex-workers and the night shift street sweepers…the losers and the babies and the parts of ourselves that are so small.” This list isn’t as inspiring. But it is so very real. I could add a few more. Blessed are the disabled and the elderly and anyone at the mercy of their caregivers would top my list. What about you? Who would you add?

My beloved community, what would you like to share about today’s readings? Who would you bless or call a saint?

S

tatement 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

O Holy One, you have birthed us in goodness, gifted us with life and cherished us in 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, video by MTStreck
https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk

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 power.  We, your creatures, 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 power of Sophia-Wisdom, and in the gift of Your Spirit, your creative goodness blooms anew, amid the variety and wonder of life. 
 

(Extend hands in blessing.)  

 
We invoke Your Spirit upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, that they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world. 

On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.

(Lift the bread)

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat. Go and love one another.

(Lift the cup)

He then raised high the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying: 

Take and drink.

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.

In faith and hope we are sustained; in grace and dignity reclaimed. In praise, we thank you. 
 
Please receive communion with the words: There is enough.

Communion Meditation: Extravagant Love--The Many
https://youtu.be/C931lJxY_-g?si=X3KI3telVGy8Y2-c

Prayer after communion: Let us pray. Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and we will live compassionate lives, for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to glorify you, O Holy One, at this time and all ways. AMEN.

Let us pray as Jesus taught us: 

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

Please raise your hands as we bless each other:

Like Brigid, may we keep peace firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world. May we be inspired to act justly and with reverence to all the Holy One has made. May it be so!

Closing Song: Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney Video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
https://youtu.be/b-QR_OZB5ik

Moment of Oneness, January 28, 2026 - 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

Joy

Opening Prayer

Holy One we are all children in your eyes with delight you hold us. May we remember the childlike wonder and awe throughout our life and return to it whenever we need to be reminded of the child in me longing to be seen and loved.

Opening Song: The More We Get Together by Rafi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4crwVqxsVO0&list=PPSV 

Reading

Affirmations and Intentions:

May we always see through the eyes of a child the awe and wonder of the world.

May we find friends who give us joy.

May all lonely people find a someone who will give them comfort and companionship.

May we see beyond our differences to a friend waiting to be called my friend.

May those who are bullied and despised find comfort in another who cares for them.

Silence to add your own intentions.

Closing Prayer

Thank you, Beloved Parent who taught us through Jesus, that the children will lead us through simple openness and wisdom. May we never lose our childlike dreams and hopes and not get caught up in lofty words and pious ways. Let us come together.

Closing Song: Under One Sky by Ruth Pelham

https://youtu.be/fBk--jQwDJU  

Upper Room Sunday Liturgy, January 25, 2026 - Presiders: Kim Panaro, Dave Debonis and Mary Theresa Streck

Photo by Laurel Burns

Please join us between 9:30 and 9:55 am via Zoom:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155 

phone-in for (audio only).Phone Number: (646) 558-8656

Welcome: Good morning and welcome to the Upper Room. Today we are considering the theme of Thresholds or changes in life. As followers of Jesus we have guidance and examples of how we move from “here to there”, from “no longer to not yet”. There has never been a time in human history where people have not been challenged to live as those called to live with bravery and trust

Opening Prayer

As we gather here today, let us consider the threshold on which we are currently standing and the “yes” that we need to say to move into the new threshold to which we are called. We do this knowing that we are guided by the Spirit who comes to us through periods of quiet reflection and our path, although uncertain, is illuminated by the light of the divine within each of us.

Opening Song: You Say by Lauren Daigle

https://youtu.be/HqpNGYbcy3U?si=U0GEQnOe8X_4jtOU

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: A reading from Mirabai Starr

Not all prophets do as they are told. Not at first, anyway. When the call comes, most of them turn left and then right: “Who, me?” they murmur. If the call is a true one, the voice of the Holy Spirit will roar: “Yes, you!”

Even then, the prophet will haggle with the Holy One. “There must be someone better suited to speak for the Divine.” But the God of Love is a patient God. The God of Love calls once, twice, three times. Only then does the prophet square her shoulders, gird her loins, open her hands, and say, “Hineni. Here I am.”

The history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam abounds with accounts of great beings who trembled when they were confronted with the presence of the Divine and given a task of global dimensions. Traditionally, this reluctance is implied, rather than stated, yet when we read the scriptures with an open heart, we can feel the anguish behind the submission.

Our community affirms these words by the prophet Mirabai Starr by saying Amen

Second Reading: A reading from John O’Donohue

At any time you can ask yourself: At which threshold am I now standing? At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter? What is preventing me from crossing my next threshold? What gift would enable me to do it? A threshold is not a simple boundary; it is a frontier that divides two different territories, rhythms and atmospheres. Indeed it is a lovely testimony to the fullness and integrity of an experience or a stage of life that it intensifies toward the end into a real frontier that cannot be crossed without the heart being passionately engaged and woken up. At this threshold a great complexity of emotion comes alive; confusion, fear, excitement, sadness, hope.

This is one of the reasons such vital crossings were always clothed in ritual. It is wise in your own life to be able to recognize and acknowledge the key thresholds: to take your time; to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there; to listen inward with complete attention until you hear the inner voice calling you forward. The time has come to cross.

Our community affirms these words of the prophet John O’Donohue by saying AMEN!

Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker 

https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU

Gospel: A reading from the gospel according to the writer known as Matthew(Mt.4:12-23) 

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.

He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun

and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. 

From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of  people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Shared Homily

We all experience thresholds in life both individually and communally. They are a symbol of changing from one state to another. An example of thresholds is the current state of our country and the world. Political upheaval has challenged many to take direct action in order to help bring about the justice and peace for which we yearn. Many have increased efforts to meet the direct needs of those in our community. Many religious, political and philosophical people have written about the new era in which we find ourselves. Old systems are breaking down and we do not yet know what the future holds. I would like to suggest though that just for today, we look deeper and more personally to what it means to be a person of faith in light of a broader range of thresholds or changes in life.

When John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus read the moment and fled to Galilee. In this , he fulfilled the scripture of Isaiah. Jesus calls the fishermen. There is no explanation about what he was actually promising them if they would follow him. The call was enough and they left with him into the unknown future. There is no doubt that Jesus, the fishermen, the Jews living under occupation felt fear, apprehension and uncertainty. The dangers were real and each step or decision carried with it no promises other than that God would be present with them. Nadia Bolz Weber encourages us to remember that. The Divine sees all as holy and capable of great things. God uses our strengths as well as our weaknesses to take the circumstances of life and find our “yes”. St. Hildegard of Bingen referred to God as the Living Light. This Light is the God who is Love and who lights our footsteps and path with grace. The Light that brings veriditas or the greening of our world and our souls.

Most things in life are impermanent and changing. We move from health into illness, from illness into health. We having changing financial options or resources. We make decisions about relationships, careers, housing, travel, social and political priorities and life stages. Images of God, Jesus, Spirit Sophia evolve and deepen through the heartfelt prayer and disciplined mediation and openness of the seeker.

As followers of Jesus, we can look to all the examples of history and in our own lives to see that we have the spirit of God within, around and among us. If we believe and stay faithful to our path, the Light will shine to meet us in the darkness of circumstances of life. We can look within and ask “what is it that God is calling forward in me? What do I need in order to cooperate with the light of grace in order to do whatever I am being called to do in this moment or situation? We are called to find our “yes” when it could be easier to say no out of fear or uncertainty.

Again, while all are welcome to share from the heart, I am encouraging us to avoid the temptation to make it about politics or one man. The thresholds were there before this administration and will always be in our lives. We welcome thoughts about the readings or topic.

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 this sacred meal, we are aware of our call to serve, and just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns, with “I bring to the table”

We bring these and all our intentions held in our hearts. Amen

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

With open hands and hearts let us pray our Eucharistic prayer together (Diarmuid O’Murchu)

Holy One, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you. We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.

We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history – a time when humanity must choose its future.

As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future holds both peril and great promise.

May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny.

United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Holy One, our spirits dance and sing this song of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place by Christopher Grundy https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ

We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name.

And for the children, that they may live and have children of their own and that it will go on - this great blossoming that is meant to go on and on – we pray for peace, in their name.

And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this, For the animals that have no voice in this,

For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this,

For all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.

We thank you for our brother, Jesus. He showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation and life.

Please extend your hands in blessing.

All: Your Spirit is here in us and in the gifts of this Eucharistic table. May we become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world.

On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.

Lifting the plate:

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat; go and share my love with one another.

Lifting the cup:

He then raised high the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:

Take and drink.

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 consume the bread and drink the cup with the words: You have all that you need

Communion song: Light Will Find You by Josh Groban 

https://youtu.be/wAtJ-ZunzMA?si=_VdfnInTL4xkUYVT

Prayer After Communion

Loving Source of All, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we are called, and consecrated and sent into the world to establish justice and show the blessed fulfillment that comes with simplicity and the giving of ourselves in love. We will make new our commitment to the harmony of the original vision of creation.

Like Jesus, in all openness, we will be filled with your own Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

For it is through learning to live as he lived, And why he lived,

And for whom he lived,

That we awaken to your Spirit within,

Moving us to love and care for one another and all creation, At this time and in all ways.

We say yes to You!

Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:

All: O Holy One, who is within, around and among us, We celebrate your many names.

Your Wisdom comes.

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 pray together our blessing:

A Blessing for After by Jan Richardson

This blessing
is for the moment
after clarity has come,
after inspiration,
after you have agreed
to what seems
impossible.

This blessing
is what follows
after illumination departs
and you realize
there is no map
for the path
you have chosen,
no one to serve
as guide,
nothing to do
but gather up
your gumption
and set out.

This blessing
will go with you.
It carries no answers,
no charts,
no plans.

It carries no source
of light
within itself.

But in its pocket
is tucked a mirror
that, from time to time,
it will hold up to you

to remind you
of the radiance
that came
when you gave
your awful and wondrous
yes.

Closing Sung Prayer: I Want to Live by John Denver https://youtu.be/EONVnK7JlU4?si=NUCeDLABdWm1mLPu