Welcome:Since discovering The Upper Room and currently through my journey to Chaplaincy, much of my study and prayers lead me to the journey from head to heart…from listening and reading, to the challenge of integration.A challenge that seems near impossible – til it’s not.
Tonight’s theme is a sharing of that journey, to which I hope you can relate. It describes the continuous discovery of authentic self and the richness and challenge of birthing wisdoms - from head to the heart.
Opening Meditations from “The Star in My Heart” by Joyce Rupp
The quiet spaces in my life are necessary if there is to be a movement from the head to the heart, for it is in the heart that wisdoms are born.I can know and experience many things but they remain only knowledge until I allow them to sink into the depths of my heart, there to toss and to turn, to weep and to wail, to leap and to dance.Sophia helps me to take facts, data, events, experiences, down into my spiritual womb.There they sit in me, gestate and are transformed into truths which are eventually brought up into the light of my consciousness.These discovered truths give my life a right ordering, where the best of who I am can be realized.
My Journey to Wisdom by Joyce Rupp
Once upon a time a child of happiness danced upon the land, knew friendship with the earth and celebrated life with her love of solitude and simple things.
She grew into a young woman, whose vision of self was clouded, clothed with the complexities of insecurity and the necessity of leaving the hallowed womb of the quiet earth.
She walked into cities of strangers, straining her inner eye to catch the slightest hint of the beauty that had energized her younger days when she played upon the earth.
Days stretched into months and then years went by. She slowly changed by going deeper, deeper, into her Center. Never understanding why the desire to go deeper was there but always knowing there was no other choice than to follow at all costs. Darkness often loomed up large against her searching journey. Risk and Truth became her companions.
She met Compassion and then Wisdom came to greet her. So close, at times, were these companions that she wept for their intensity and her unworthiness. Still, they walked with her, and everywhere she went, her companions reached out and blessed the people of her life.
She could only kneel in gratitude, offering her heart of praise to the Divine Companion who had faithfully kept the kindling of love burning in her heart.
Dennis: Welcome to all here present.We gather this day to celebrate Earth Day, reminding ourselves that we are a part of creation and have been provided the opportunity to care for this planet we call home.We reflect today on our role as co-creators and care-givers of the Earth, and the call to bring harmony to all that we touch with the love and beauty with which the Holy One graces Her creation.
Let us celebrate with joy the indwelling of our God among us and among all of creation.Welcome, sisters and brothers, to the table where the broken word and bread and cup of life nourish us and feed our spirit, calling us to care for this home we call Earth.
Opening Song: Sing out, Earth and Skies by Marty Haugen
Santa: Creator, Source of all that we are, we gather to honor your Creation as an integrated and holy system of plant, animal and human life placed lovingly side by side with water, air, wind, and earth. We pray for the imagination and resolve to establish a supportive ecology so that all of Creation may not just survive but thrive as a continuing sign of your wondrous love. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading: Reading from Susan Drake
Diane: As Americans, we have become comfortable with our environment of concrete, steel, plastics, and artificial fibers, colors, and flavorings to such a degree that many question whether or not we even need to focus on a relationship with the creation. We have lost the desire to seek God and the ability to see God in all things. And perhaps, we have closed our eyes to the importance of God's creation as expressed through the forests because we have substituted the wonders of human creation for the wonders of God's creation. This form of idolatry should concern us.
These are the inspired words of Susan Drake and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Second Reading: A reading from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Ginny: “Love all God’s creation, both the whole and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of light. Love the animals, love the plants, love each separate thing. If thou love each thing thou wilt perceive the mystery of God in all; and when once thou perceive this, thou wilt thenceforward grow every day to a fuller understanding of it: until thou come at last to love the whole world with a love that will then be all-embracing and universal. Love the animals : God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled. Don't trouble it, don't harass them, don't deprive them of their happiness, don't work against God's intent.”
These are the inspired words of Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov, and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Third Reading: A reading from a speech attributed to Chief Seattle
Debbie: You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the Earth is rich with the lives of our kin.
Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the Earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons and daughters of the Earth. If we spit upon the ground, we spit upon ourselves.
This we know – the Earth does not belong to us – we belong to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the Earth – befalls the sons and daughters of the Earth. We did not weave the web of life – we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
These are inspired words from a speech attributed to Chief Seattle and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Gospel: A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew
Lindy: Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet our God in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you more important than they? Which of you by worrying can add a moment to your lifespan? And why be anxious about clothing? Learn a lesson from the way the wildflowers grow. They don’t work; they don’t spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in full splendor was arrayed like one of these. If God can clothe in such splendor the grasses of the field, which bloom today and are thrown on the fire tomorrow, won’t God do so much more for you—you who have so little faith?
“Stop worrying, then, over questions such as, ‘What are we to eat,’ or ‘what are we to drink,’ or ‘what are we to wear?’ Those without faith are always running after these things. God knows everything you need. Seek first God’s reign, and God’s justice, and all these things will be given to you besides. Enough of worrying about tomorrow! Let tomorrow take care of itself. Today has troubles enough of its own.
These are the inspired words of the anonymous author of the Gospel of Matthew, and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Homily Starter: Santa
Today we are focused on Earth day, our role as co-creators and caregivers of the earth. This is an overwhelming task for those of us who take it seriously; too great a task to even consider for those who believe the earth and everything on it is here for the benefit of humankind. We are a divided people, how far are we willing to go to take care of the earth? How inconvenienced will we allow ourselves to be?
The first reading from Susan Drake, pastor at Parkside United Church of Christ in Wisconsin, suggests that we have become so far removed from creation that our relationship is in jeopardy. Advances in technology have led some to believe that we are in control. We should be able to alter our environment, to sustain our lifestyles and of course to cure any disease or virus that comes our way. Is this pandemic opening our eyes to our limitations?
A character in Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov asks us to embrace all of creation. When written it was just a lovely literary passage, its premise is now backed up by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si. This should now resonate in our hearts and minds; perhaps the spark of the divine is NOT just within the human person but in all of creation. Science has proven animals communicate, they love their mates and offspring and even exhibit altruism, yet humankind still maintains a sense of arrogance convincing themselves that they have more of a right to this planet than they do. The Hidden Life of Trees ...what they feel how theycommunicate; was a NY Times bestseller, it explains the communication system between trees that has existed for centuries. We should be in awe of nature not above it.
The Native people throughout the world have maintained their connection to the earth. Regardless of where they are located they give thanks when they take from it. In Bolivia a ceremony of thanksgiving to "Pachamama" (mother earth) proceeds any important celebration, the people acknowledge the gifts that mother earth has bestowed upon them. Indigenous people embrace nature as the first incarnation, they see the interconnectedness of all matter both living and nonliving and they strive to preserve the earth for future generations. Many of us will remember the commercials of the crying Indian (the actor was actually Sicilian) during the 1970's, they were part of a campaign to keep America beautiful and stop pollution. It seems we were once appalled at littering but these days we are oblivious to the systemic pollution and practices of large corporations that put money first.
In our own faith tradition, the bible has few readings and parables that draw attention to creation. The people in biblical times were close to the earth, they relied upon it for survival, they did not take it for granted thus they needed no reminder as to how important it was. Parables referencing agriculture and animals were often used to make a point, the reverence was already there.
Every year I show my high school students videos of the many ways humans have negatively impacted the earth as well as ways to care for our common home. On Earth Day - April 22 the Science department will all wear Earth day shirts, but that is not enough, we are called upon to raise awareness and to live a little more simply so others can simply live. We are on the verge of climate disaster; we need to repair our relationship with the earth. The clock is ticking.
These are my thoughts as to why nature is sacred to me, please unmute yourself and share yours
Shared Homily
Statement of Faith (Community Member)
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.
Dennis: As we prepare for the sacred meal, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns.
Please, in silence, offer any intentions you bring to the table….” (pause)
We bring these and all unspoken blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of abundant love. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Santa: Please join us, with arms raised, in the praying of the Eucharistic Prayer.
Sonowweenterintotheoneness of creation,attuneourselvestojoinintheharmony,letourselves embrace that oneness withthankfulness andjoy. And so, we join with all of creationand sing in glory for the beauty that encircles us.
Holy, Holy: Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
Dennis: Creator of the whole universe, we glory in the environment, especially forests, that surround us. May we have the vision and strength to protect all forest ecosystems and the whole of Your creation, which have been corrupted by human exploitation, pollution, and destruction, so that the whole of creation may be renewed and made whole,
We join with the earth and with each other, to bring new life to the land, to restore the waters, to refresh the air.
We join with the earth and with each other to renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures.
We join with the earth and with each other to celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the stars.
We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of life.
We join together and call the Spirit upon the gifts of the earth, bread and wine, as we bless them and remember our call to be the Body of Christ in the world.
Santa: On the night before he died, he sat at a table with friends and relived with them his work, his teaching and wisdom of the universe. Then he went among them as servant, washing their feet, touching their hearts.
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, this is my very self.
(pause)
Then he took the cup of blessing, 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 receive communion we will become communion, both love’s nourishment and love’s challenge.
Please receive communion saying:I am in communion with all of Creation.
Communion Meditation Song: Love Song to the Earth
https://youtu.be/zBEGxqJKup8
Dennis: Mystery of Life present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures, embrace with tenderness all that exists. May the power of divine love pour upon us, that we may protect life and beauty. Help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards divine light and love. We are thankful for the pulse of life that fills us each day. May we be encouraged and strengthened for our struggle for justice, love, and peace in the world.
Lynn: Let us pray the prayer of Jesus with an eye toward our connection to creation:
Generous Creator, the intricate and elegant biodiversity of our world is your hallowed autograph on our lives, on our souls and in our hearts.
We yearn for the wholeness of being in harmony with Your will and with all living things.
Each day we draw on your creative, life-giving energy with gratitude and awe as we find nourishment in, seed and field, river and forest.
May we be stewards and co-creators with you in caring for the gifts of Your Creation.
We acknowledge our shortcomings, especially our neglect of the environment as we mark Earth Day. We seek to be reconciled with those we have hurt and we resolve to do better.
With your unfailing wisdom and the wind of Your Spirit, inspire us that we may reach out and love one another and care for the world, our home.
Strengthen us to work for local and global justice so that we may one day reap a harvest of equality and fairness as if they were wildflowers, propagating spontaneously, unerringly and in surprising abundance. Amen. Lynn Kinlan
BLESSING
Santa: Let us raise our hands and pray our closing blessing:
Go out from this place, ready to hear creation’s call.
Go out, ready to answer, “I am here, standing up for you!”
And as you go, know that the love of Divine Mystery surrounds you,
the peace of Christ empowers you,
and the companionship of the Spirit moves within you
The theme of this week’s Moment of Oneness is Healing. During the past year, we have endured many losses through death, absence, illness, personal differences that affected our friendships and other unforeseen occurrences. We might use the season of spring to reflect on our lives and evaluate what we can offer to each other.
Reflection: Take a moment of silence and think about the various actions you can take to encourage healing in our ownand others lives.
Welcome to the Upper Room for the second Sunday of Easter. Our theme today, “touching the wounds” invites us to ponder the lessons of the risen Christ in scripture and in our present day.
Donna:
Opening Prayer:
Holy One we give thanks for the power of resurrection that continues to call us to rise up not only after our death, but every day of our lives. Help us move beyond our daily toils. Help us move beyond the mountains we face each day. Help us join you in the resurrection and find peace in our lives. Amen.
Opening Song: Namaste by Mark Hayes and Dominique Danielle
First Reading: An adaptation from The Wounded Healerby Henri Nouwen
Many of us suffer because of the false belief on which we have based our lives, that there should be no fear or loneliness, no confusion or doubt. But these sufferings can only be dealt with creatively when they are understood as wounds integral to our human condition. Therefore, let us not live with illusions of immortality and wholeness. We need to live in a way where we remember that we are mortal and broken, but also that with the recognition of this condition, liberation starts. When we become aware that we do not have to escape our pains, but that we can mobilize them into a common search for life, those very pains are transformed from expressions of despair into signs of hope. Thus, we can be a witness to the living truth that the wound, which causes us to suffer now, will be revealed to us later as the place where God announces a new creation.
These are the inspired words of Henri Nouwen and the community affirms them by saying: Amen
Alleluia:Dennis
Mary Brandon
Gospel: John 20:19-31
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were locked in the room where the disciples were for fear of the Temple authorities. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, the savior showed them the marks of crucifixion. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw Jesus, who said to them again, “Peace be with you . As Abba God sent me, so I’m sending you.”
After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”
It happened that one of the Twelve, Thomas - nicknamed Didymus, or Twin”- was absent when Jesus came. The other disciples kept telling him, “We’ve seen Jesus!” Thomas’ answer was, “I’ll never believe it without putting my finger in the nail marks and my hand into the spear wound.”
On the eighth day, the disciples were once more in the room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them, saying, “Peace be with you.” Then, to Thomas, Jesus said, “Take your finger and examine my hands. Put your hand into my side. Don’t persist in your unbelief, but believe!” Thomas said in response, “My Savior and my God!” Jesus then said, “You’ve become a believer because you saw me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs as well-signs not recorded here - in the presence of the disciples. But these have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Only Begotten, so that by believing you may have life in Jesus’ name.
These are the inspired words from the gospel of John and the community affirms them by saying: Amen
Shared Homily - Homily starter by Katie
When I was nine, my best friend, Sharla, invited me over to her house to ride her 3-wheeler. She lived on a winding, dirt road on the side of a mountain. Sharla’s mom made us wear white, plastic garbage bags over our clothing, because the roads were exceptionally muddy that day. About a minute into our joyride, we lost control of the vehicle, and we both flew off of the machine. Sharla landed in the middle of the road. I rolled into the ditch, landed on my back, and the three-wheeler rolled right on top of me. I was pinned underneath the machine feeling one of my arms being cooked by the hot metal. Suddenly, the three-wheeler miraculously ejected upwards into the air, and I was free! I stood up, and realized that Sharla had somehow lifted it off like Wonder Woman!
We staggered back up the mountain thinking we had survived without injury, but Sharla pointed at something hanging from my arm. I looked down and thought at first that there was a large piece of the white garbage bags, clinging to my skin. As I started to peel it off, I felt a stinging pain and discovered that it was not a piece of plastic; it was my skin hanging from my severely burned forearm. When we got back to Sharla’s house, I was rushed to an after hours clinic where a doctor confirmed that I had a third degree burn from the exhaust pipe that would require some extra care in the next few weeks. I had lost a large section of skin and gravel had been ground deep into the layers of muscle on my arm. I soon learned that the accident itself was not as traumatic as the days that followed.
Three times a day, either my parents or the school nurse would pour blood-red betadine on my wound, rub off the dying, damaged layers of flesh in order to extract the pieces of gravel...bit by bit. The doctor had warned that if we did not remain vigilant during the healing process, and clean the wound, that my skin might try to close up over the pieces of gravel, and then my arm would become infected. I distinctly remember this terribly-painful daily ritual where my wound had to be reopened over and over to pull out every speck of gravel. It took a couple of weeks to remove all the foreign matter. The wound would heal; the scar remains.
In today’s gospel, the resurrected Jesus invites Thomas and the Disciples to see and touch his wounds. If we are to try to be more like Jesus, then I believe we too need to be willing to reveal our wounds and our scars as well. External, physical wounds are one thing, but even more importantly, I believe that we also cannot ignore our internal wounds.
My husband, Steve, and I adopted our daughter Brooklyn out of the foster care system when she was ten years old. She came to us with many internal wounds from years of abandonment and abuse. The doctors had labeled her with five mental health disorders and had her on three medications to help regulate her erratic behaviors. She had gotten kicked out of nine foster homes, but Brook was determined to find a way to succeed in making our house her "forever home,” so she committed to several years of intense trauma therapy where she was encouraged to tell her story. Week after week, she experienced a painful re-opening of her many internal wounds. Many painful pieces of her life were carefully extracted in order to process and heal.
After three intense years, my husband and I began to notice significant changes in Brook. Medications were no longer needed to help her regulate her behaviors and wild mood swings. She began to bond with us, and most of the mental health labels no longer seemed appropriate or like they had miraculously disappeared. When Brook committed to working on her inner wounds, it was as though she underwent her own personal resurrection. Bit by bit, with professional help, Brook has worked on healing those internal wounds, and although the scars remain, they do not define who she is. Today, Brook is working on her Bachelors in Social Work. You see, in our resurrected state, once our wounds turn into beautifully-healed scars, we become healthy enough to help others with their wounds. We carry our scars forever as visible reminders of our stories, of where we’ve been, what we have survived, and what we have overcome in our own experience of resurrection. When others are able to see them, like our first reading says today, they can be used for good...to mobilize hope and a new creation.
If you have ever taken a speech class, you know that when a word or phrase is repeated several times by the speaker, it's time to pay attention. In today’s gospel, Jesus says three times: “Peace be with you.” In Jesus’s resurrected state, beyond death, beyond suffering, perfect peace is found. When we choose to move through the painful healing process of our internal wounds, we too can reach a resurrection state of mind where perfect peace is found. Like the Resurrected Jesus, our wounds are part of who we are, but do not have to define what we become.
Statement of Faith (Dotty and Joan)
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
(Written by Jay Murnane)
Donna:
As we prepare for this sacred meal we are aware of our call to serve, andjust as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our prayers for the community.
Dennis:
Prayers for the community.
Donna:
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Katie: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together.
Blessed are you, Holy One, source of all creation. Through your goodness you made this world and called us to be Your co-creators. We give thanks for the diversity and beauty of life around us and within us.
We open our awareness to the goodness of all of creation and we remember our responsibility to serve. You invite us to build the earth into a community of love rooted in justice. You placed confidence in us, for you made us and you know that we are good.
In joy and in thanksgiving we join with all the faithful servants who have gone before us and we sing:
We thank you for Jesus, simple servant, lifting up the lowly, revealing you as God-With-Us, and revealing us as one with you and all of creation.
He lived among us to show us who we are and challenged us to know you. He taught us the strength of compassionate love.
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 died, Jesus gathered for supper with the people closest to him. Like the least of household servants, he washed their feet, so that they would re-member him.
All lift their plates and pray the following:
Donna:
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, this is my very self.
(pause)
All lift their cups and pray the following:
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 become Communion, both love’s nourishment and love’s challenge.
You are called, consecrated, and chosen to serve.
Please receive Communion.
Communion Song: Impossible Dream written by Leigh Mitch, Darion Joseph
Holy One, we are willing to do everything Jesus did, to re-create the living presence of a love that does justice, of a compassion that heals and liberates, of a joy that generates hope, of a light that illumines people and confronts the darkness of every injustice and inequity.
We trust you to continue to share with us your own spirit, the spirit that animated Jesus, for it is through his life and teaching, all honor and glory is yours, O Holy One, forever and ever. Amen.
All: Amen.
Donna:
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
Katie:Let us raise our hands in blessing pray together:
May we continue to be the face of God to each other. May we call each other to extravagant generosity! May we walk with an awareness of our Call as companions on the journey, knowing we are not alone. May we, like Jesus, be a shining light and a blessing in our time! Amen.
