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Welcome: Tonight
let’s reflect on our greatest gift? What
are we to do with what we have?
This song is our prayer.
Opening
Song: What
Shall I Give by Sara Thomsen, video by Denise
https://youtu.be/t9rYcvSSRQQ
LITURGY
OF THE WORD
First Reading:
A reading from Mariame Kaba
I take a long view,
understanding full well that I’m just a tiny, little part of a story that
already has a huge antecedent and has something that is going to come after
that. I’m definitely not going to be even close to around for seeing the end of
it. That also puts me in the right frame of mind: that … [what] I’m doing is
actually pretty insignificant in world history, but if it’s significant to one
or two people, I feel good about that.
Our community
affirms these words with AMEN!
Reading 2: Excerpt from Psalm 139
You created my
inmost being and stitched me together in my mother’s womb. For all these mysteries I thank you—for the
wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works my soul knows it well. AMEN.
Gospel Acclamation: Celtic
Alleluia by Christopher Walker
https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU
Gospel: A reading from the Gospel of
Mark
Jesus said to those gathered around him, “What
comparison can we use for the reign of God?
What image will help to present it? It is like a mustard seed which
people plant in the soil. It is the
smallest of the earth’s seeds, yet once it is sown, it springs up to become one
of the largest of shrubs, with branches big enough for the birds of the sky to
build nests in the shade.”
These are the inspired words of Mark, a disciple of
Jesus.
Shared Homily
Tonight we hear the familiar gospel reading of the
Mustard Seed. The Mustard seed is very
small so small that it is almost impossible for me to hold without dropping it
and very hard to see especially if you are zoom. There is nothing in this mustard seed that
would tell you of its abundance-its great potential-its possibilities. The mustard seed grows into a huge shrub,
providing shelter and safety for birds. The mustard seed is also a weed that is
not great for crops but is great for leaving nutrients in the soil for future
crops. Jesus compares this tiny seed to
the kin-dom of God. Each of us today is
here because of a small seed planted within…a whisper-a gentle pull- a tug at
the heart…a quiet but constant yearning.
When we were growing up, I remember hearing about
the saints from the pulpit or in catechism class. I read about how much they accomplished, or
how much they suffered for the sake of their faith. I knew then as I know now, I could never be
that kind of saint. What you and I do daily
will most likely not make it into the Lives of the Saints anthologies. No videos of our life story will be on YouTube.
We are, however, mustard seeds, we find safety and
a home when someone offers the smallest of kindnesses, actions, and
affirmations. We also provide safety and
a home when we offer the smallest kindnesses, actions and affirmations.
Think about who you
encountered today, at the store, in your neighborhood or even a family member.
Think about who you will encounter tomorrow.
What we do will be small and perhaps
perceived as insignificant but our lives in action are “significant to
at least one or two people.”
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.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
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.
We
pray for these and all the unspoken intentions that are in our hearts.
Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
With open hearts and hands let us pray our
Eucharistic prayer as one voice:
(Portions
from Diarmuid O’Murchu and from ARWCP worship resources)
All: Holy One, you are
always with us. In the blessed abundance of creation, we gather to celebrate
Your nourishing gift of life. May our hearts be open to You as You invite us to
participate in the wise and wonderful work of co-creation.
May we be ever aware of
Your Spirit within and among us as our world unfolds amid pain and beauty into
the fullness of life.
We are grateful for Your
Spirit whose breath inspired the primal waters, calling into being the variety
and abundance we see around us. Your Spirit sustains and animates our every
endeavor, inviting us to act in wisdom and in truth.
In gratitude and joy we
embrace our calling and we lift our voices to sign a song of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy
by Peter Mayer shortened
https://youtu.be/A4kiEGVb3E8
As a community, we
gather in the power of your Spirit, refreshing wind, purifying fire and living
breath, for the variety and diversity of life. We seek to live as Jesus taught
us, wise and holy as Spirit-filled people, courageous and prophetic, ever
obedient to your call.
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We are grateful
for your Spirit at our Eucharistic Table and 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 faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and
friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that
memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
Lift 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, share
and love one another.
(pause)
lift the cup
Then he took 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.
(pause)
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.
Let us share this
bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.
Please receive the
bread and wine with the words: I am tiny and significant.
Communion Song:
How Could Anyone Ever Tell You by Shaina Knoll
video by Denise Hackert-Stoner
https://youtu.be/Cr66u-fTxik
Post Communion
Prayer
In union with all
peoples living and dead, we unite our thoughts and prayers, asking wisdom and
courage to discern more wisely your call to us in the circumstances of our
daily lives: to act justly and courageously in confronting the pain and
suffering that desecrates the Earth and its peoples; to take risks in being
creative and proactive on behalf of the poor and marginalized; and to love all
people with generosity of heart, beyond the labels of race, creed and color.
Holy One, your
transforming energy is always moving within us and working through us.
Like Jesus, we open wide all that has been closed about us, and we live
compassionate lives, for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to
your Spirit within,
Moving us to
glorify you,
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
Holy One, You call
us to live the Gospel of peace and justice.
We will live justly. You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will love tenderly
You call us to speak truth to power. We
will walk with integrity in your presence.
BLESSING
Presider 1: Please extend your hands and pray our
blessing together.
May we be guided and inspired by the many gifts you
have given to each of us. Your love and grace will create new paths to justice and peace for all people. May we continue to be the face
of God for each other. May our light shine for all to see.
All: AMEN
Closing Song I Will Sing of Your Love, Love, Love by Christopher
Grundy
https://youtu.be/AUyjdGNIYH4
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