October 1, 2023
Lectionary Texts
Exodus 17.1-7— The Israelites wandering in the desert complain, this time about having no water. God tells Moses to strike a rock with his staff, and out streams water.
Psalm 78— celebrates this event and recalls God’s care for the people.
Philippians 2.1-13— An ancient hymn about Christ’s humility. Christ embodies God’s divinity, power and presence by self-emptying and being a servant for the sake of love.
Matthew 21.23-32— Some religious leaders question Jesus’ authority. He exposes their cynicism and hypocrisy with an ironic question about John’s baptism. He tells a story of a landowner who asks two children to work. One says “yes” and does nothing; the other says “no” and then obeys. “Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the realm of God ahead of you.”
Other texts
Exodus 16.16-18 is just outside lat week’s lectionary selection. Everybody gathers just enough manna. Nobody has too much or too little. An image of our sharing in the Eucharist, and an inspiring model of how we ought to live as one human tribe on this earth.
Preaching Thoughts
Communion
It seems paradoxical to preach that in the Eucharist we are in communion with all Christians around the world when Communion itself is among the things that divide us. I usually insist on respecting multiple interpretations and traditions, but here’s a place where I’ll step out and say the traditional Roman Catholic teaching is just plain wrong. Jesus clearly shared food with everybody—sometimes 5000 at a time—including believers and unbelievers, clean and unclean, righteous and sinners, Jews and gentiles. It’s just plain wrong to insist that one must belong to a certain sect (yes, all denominations are sects) to partake of the Eucharist. I see no biblical warrant for it, and plentiful evidence to the contrary. Paul says, “All who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.” This is often interpreted to mean you’re supposed to see the physical flesh of Jesus in the bread and wine. But in the context of everything Paul is talking about, that is, the church, I think he means discerning the body of Christ—the community, the whole. The bread, and the complete self-giving it symbolizes, lead us to be mindful of the whole human community Jesus died for, including people of every tradition, denomination, sect, religion, belief system or unbelief. I think central to Jesus’ and Paul’s gospel is the radical inclusiveness of God’s love and the profound oneness of the human family.
Jesus does something radical in his sharing of meals. He clearly—blatantly, out loud and unmistakably—demolishes the exclusions, restrictions and taboos around table fellowship of both religious laws and cultural habits. What was the one charge they brought against him at his trial that was actually true? “He eats with sinners.” You betcha. That was his ministry. Calling all of us to one table. None are insiders, none are foreigners, none are deserving or undeserving. All are simply invited. Think of how many meals and stories about meals Jesus gives us. In most of them the meal includes outsiders. He eats with pharisees and tax collectors and prostitutes. He’s eating with Simon and in comes an outsider, whom he welcomes. With Zacchaeus Jesus himself is the outsider. At the Last Supper he includes Judas (in the place of honor!) In his parables, at the king’s wedding banquet the poor and excluded are invited. Jesus enacts the line from Psalm 23: “You have prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” And Jesus invites them in! This is the community Jesus intends to create around his table. We are all one.
The great mystery is: when we receive the Body of Christ we become the Body of Christ. We ourselves become the one loaf he is offering us. We are part of one another. Paul speaks of the one Body in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. The Eucharist is the symbol that we are indeed one body, part of one another, around the world. When we eat the bread it becomes part of our body. And we become part of one another’s bodies. We are drawn into spiritual quantum entanglement. We are one another. So we love our neighbors as ourselves, not just as much as we love ourselves, but as ourselves: as the rest of ourselves.
Be mindful how you celebrate this feast. Be intentional about invitation and inclusion. I once attend a service in which “communion” was offered after the service: I had to fight the exiting traffic down the aisle to the railing where it was self-serve. Me and one other older woman who apparently didn’t appreciate my coming to kneel beside her. I didn’t “commune” with anybody. It was the loneliest communion I ever had. Absolute travesty. When our oldest son was about 2 or 3, we held him in our arms as we came forward to receive communion at a church that didn’t serve those who had not been confirmed. As we turned away he said, blessedly loud enough for all to hear, “Why didn’t I get any?” Good question. Of course some would argue he was too young to understand. I’d argue so are you. Who “understands” this mystery? It’s not a concept you understand. It’s a love you receive. It’s an inclusion you accept. (He did understand that!) I mean, you eat this bread—and there’s God in it! It’s not the pastor, it’s Jesus giving it to you! And you think you understand that? Ha.
So. Make your invitation clear, especially to people who may expect there to be restrictions. I offer it to anyone who wants it. Everyone has already been invited by Christ. I’m not going to interfere! There is no prerequisite but to be hungry—for God, for interaction, for forgiveness or acceptance, for feeling like you’re part of something, even just for a snack—it’s all the Spirit’s invitation to something sacred.
Exodus 16.16-18
Nobody has too much or too little. Think of the biology of the Body of Christ. Our bodies are so “wonderfully made” that, among so many miraculous things, various parts of the body take care of each other. Under certain circumstances blood flows to one area of the body more than others. The body regulates the distribution of sugars, oxygen, hormones and other amazing stuff so that every part gets what it needs. Some body parts let go of their resources for the well-being of other parts. When under attack, say when you’re falling, your arms and other parts take the blows to protect more vulnerable parts. They get self-sacrifice because they get their unity. Imagine a society like that.
Philippians 2.1-13
This ancient hymn leads us to ponder what it means to follow Christ. It means radical self-emptying and humility, perhaps including the humility to believe that we’re not necessarily the only ones who have it “right,” but we need to cooperate with other Christian traditions. And, more fundamentally, it focuses on a relationship with God and not on doctrinal stuff and denominational quirks that more often than not distract us from God, and certainly do nothing to unite us.
Matthew 21.23-32
We put a lot of stock in “authority” but not much in evaluating where that authority comes from. For Jesus it comes from God, not from any religious structure. What is of God is good; what gets in the way of that is not so good. So Jesus praises the faith of a (pagan) centurion and offers grace to lots of folks outside the Jewish circle of “eligible receivers, and pretty much ignores religious boundaries regarding who’s “in” and who’d “out.” “Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the realm of God ahead of you.” The worldwide Body of Christ is built on love, not doctrine. What makes us one is not our faith but God’s grace.
Call to Worship
1.
Leader: Creator God, Mother and Father of us all, your children worship you.
All: People of every tribe, nation, language and culture praise you!
Risen Christ, your sisters and brothers around the world give thanks to you.
People of every kind and status, in every hut and cathedral sing to you!
Holy Spirit, you make us one, the Body of Christ, throughout the World.
Loving Christ, we come to your table to be together with our siblings.
May there be unity among us. May we be one in the love and faith of Christ,
one in the Spirit, and one in ministry to all the world, to the glory of God. Alleluia!
2.
Leader: Creator of the universe,
All: you bring forth all Creation, and we belong.
You give birth to all peoples;
you create one human family, and we belong.
You feed us with your love;
you make of us one Body in your Spirit, and we belong.
So we come, people of every race and nation and tribe and people,
to worship together and to feast on your love. Alleluia!
3.
Leader: Creator of all things,
All: we praise!
For earth and sky, the seas and stars, and all living beings,
we praise!
Loving Mother and Father of all people, nations and races,
we adore!
You whose arms hold Koreans and Bolivians, Rwandans and Inuit,
we adore!
For Baptist and Orthodox, Methodist and Moravian, Congregational and Coptic,
we give thanks!
With all your Beloved we gather at your table to feast with our siblings in Christ,
one in the Body of Christ, one in your love.
We worship, we receive your grace, and we give of ourselves,
for the sake of the world. Alleluia!
4.
Leader: Glory be to you, O God of all Creation.
All: Thanks be to you, O Christ, for our salvation.
You have saved the people of all nations and races!
People of every color and heritage praise you in every language.
Gather us as one family at your table, Love;
in your Spirit, make us one.
Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!
5.
Leader: Creator God, we praise you!
All: Risen Christ, we greet you!
Holy Spirit, we are one body by your grace.
You alone are holy, and we worship you.
You gather us as one people around the world:
one in Christ, one in your Spirit,
and one in our worship of you.
We give thanks for the gathered community,
and for your presence among us!
Alleluia! Make us one, God! Make us one! Alleluia!
6.
Leader: Creator God, maker of all people,
you gather your children on this day, around this table,
to praise you in unity and harmony.
All: We sing your praise in many languages,
together with people of many cultures and countries.
We gather around this table, made one by your love,
one in your holy family, one in Christ’s body.
May our harmony be your praise.
Alleluia! May our unity be your delight. Alleluia!
7.
Leader: Creator God, you who give us birth, we worship you.
All: We return to you.
From all parts of the earth, all races and nations:
we return to you.
Gathering at your table as one family,
sharing the bread as we ourselves are made one loaf:
we return to you.
Emerging from behind our walls of separation
of race and clan, nation and loyalties:
we return you.
Even as you send us out to serve our neighbors,
because you are among them:
we return to you.
God of us all, as one body around the world,
we worship you in humility, wonder and gratitude.
8.
Leader: One bread.
All: One Body.
One Spirit.
One people.
One Earth.
One symphony of praise:
many voices, many parts,
in one song of joy,
one in Christ,
giving thanks. Alleluia!
Collect / Prayer of the Day
1.
God of love, as we gather on this day we are one with all your children in Christ around the world. In Asia and Australia and Pacific Islands, in Africa and Europe and South America, throughout North America and even at the poles, we are one body in Christ. We give thanks and we open our hearts to your Word, the Word of Love that comes to us in every language and tradition and community. Speak to us and bring us closer to your heart, in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
2.
God of love, you gather your children from every land and nation, from every tribe and people, our siblings, with whom we are one Body in your Spirit. They are with us now in our worship, and we give you thanks and ask your blessing. Let us breathe with their breath; let our hearts beat with their blood. We do not seek your presence with us apart from all your beloved; we do not pray for our own blessing apart from theirs. Help us, now in our worship and always, to behold your face in our sisters and brothers, and to know your Spirit in our connectedness. Speak to us in many tongues, that we may hear your Word. We pray in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.
3.
God of love, like a loving mother who has prepared a wonderful meal, you call all of your children to your table, to share together, to be at peace with each other, to tell our stories, to nourish one another, and most of all to feast on your grace. Feed us with your Word, that we may truly be children of God. Amen.
4.
God of all Creation, we gather at your table with your children of every nation. We thank you for your loving presence, for your Church across the globe and for the Spirit that unites us. As we listen, our sisters and brothers around the world are listening in uncounted languages. May we all hear your Word, hear your love, in the Spirit of Christ. Make us one, Love; make us one. Amen.
5.
God of love, like a loving mother who has prepared a wonderful meal, you call all of your children to your table, to share together, to be at peace with each other, to tell our stories, to nourish one another, and most of all to feast on your grace. Feed us with your Word, that we may truly be children of God. Amen.6.
God of love, your children around the world are listening to you now in many languages. Speak to us in truth that is deeper than words, in presence that is deeper than what can be seen, in love that is deeper than understanding. In scripture, in proclamation, in prayer—speak to us as you do to all your Beloved, from within Amen.
7.
Gracious God, at this moment, Christians around the world are gathered at this very table. We are among siblings in every land. Open our hearts and minds to your presence in the Body of Christ around the world. Help us to hear, to belong, and to gather others to your table. Speak to us: we are your children, and we are listening. Amen.
8.
Holy God, Faithful One, you have given us life and set us free. Teach us, then, how to live freely. You have vowed your faithfulness to us. Show us, then, how to be faithful. You have promised us your love, and you have been steadfast. Fill us with your Spirit, so that we might love others with your love. Amen.
Listening Prayer
(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)
Out of the rock
streams your miraculous Spirit.
Together with all those around the world
who thirst for you,
we drink of your presence,
your mystery,
your grace.
Prayer of Confession
God of all people, we confess we have separated ourselves.
We have divided the Body of Christ.
In our fear, heal us.
For our “othering” of those not like us, forgive us.
Receive our repentance, not in words alone
but in reconciliation with our companions in Christ.
Make us One, Love, make us one.
Response / Creed / Affirmation
We love and trust you, God, creator of all that is, source of life and blessings, loving parent of all people.
We love and trust you, Jesus, Christ of God, who showed God’s love to all people and made of us all one family, without division or deserving. He was crucified by the powers of privilege and exclusion, but in rising disarmed those powers. In Christ we are one Body, united in your Spirit, made one by your love.
We love and trust you, Holy Spirit. By your grace we reach out in love to others for they too are part of our Body. We love our neighbors as part of ourselves. We pledge ourselves to a world of love and justice, in your power, and in the name of Christ. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
[After the introduction, the body of the prayer may be read responsively with the presiding leader(s) and congregation, or by the leader(s) alone. To embody the sense that we’re part of a very diverse Body I encourage you to divide the lines not just between leader and congregation but maybe split the congregation up by reasonable and workable divisions: by age, gender, etc. or one side of the room and the other…. ]
1.
God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise.
We thank you, God, for you create all things out of your own being.
In you all things are One.
You create us in the image of your love, and call us as your beloved community.
You judge the forces of oppression and rescue us from all that enslaves us.
You make us one with all people, and break down the dividing walls we build.
You strike the rock of this world and out flows grace and blessing.
We feast in gratitude and awe.
You gather us at your table as the Body of Christ,
one in the love and Spirit of Christ, around the world, one with all Creation.
We feast in unity and love.
Therefore with all your Beloved around the world we sing your praise.
[Sanctus, spoken or sung:]
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
Hosanna in the highest.
[or alternate version]
Blessed is the one who comes in your love, and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
He taught and healed, fed the hungry, and gathered a community of love
that crossed all our barriers and divisions and included the outcast and forgotten.
For his radical welcome Jesus was crucified;but you raised Christ from the dead, and living eternally, Christ invites us to this table of infinite love and reconciliation
together with all people, friends and strangers and foreigners and enemies alike,
in the grace of your self-giving love.
[The Blessing and Covenant…]
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
As often as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
[Memorial Acclamation, spoken or sung:]
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
—or—
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
Christ will come again in glory.
[or alternative]
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
one Body: one in your Spirit, one with all the people of the world,
one in ministry for the sake of all Creation.
[Spoken or sung]
Amen.
___________________
2.
God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise.
God of love, in the beginning you created us in your image.
Male and female, differently abled, gay, straight and queer,
trans and non-binary, you created us in your image.
Black and pink, brown and yellow, you created us in your image.
You made covenant to be our God and claimed us as your people.
You judged the forces of oppression and led us from captivity to freedom.
Therefore with people of every tribe and language, every people and nation,
we sing your praise.
[Sanctus, spoken or sung:]
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
Hosanna in the highest.
[or alternate version]
Blessed are all who come in your name, and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
He spread your love to rich and poor, sick and healthy, young and old.
He created a community of saints and sinners, natives and aliens, insiders and outsiders.
He offered reconciliation to all people, but was resisted by the forces of privilege and power.He was condemned by the forces of exclusion
and empire; he was crucified and died.
But Christ was raised by your glory, and still offers life to all people.
In this meal Christ offers us your Spirit, your grace, your eternal life.
[The Blessing and Covenant…]
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
As often as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
[Memorial Acclamation, spoken or sung:]
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
—or—
Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
Christ will come again in glory.
[or alternative]
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts,
that they may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
one with you, one with each other, and one with all the world.
May we reach out with the love of Christ
to all who are excluded, and bring them to their place at the table.
Give us the Spirit of Christ, to confront the power of rank and privilege,
to give our lives to your love and faithfulness
that overcomes all injustice and oppression.
All glory and honor is yours, loving God, now and forever.
[Spoken or sung]
Amen.
____________
* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]
On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
Prayer of Dedication / Sending / after Communion
[Adapt as needed.]
1.
Gracious God, we thank you for (the mystery that you give yourself to us / this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.) As you have made the scattered grain into one loaf, so in your love you have made all followers of Jesus around the world into one Body. Send us into the world in love, for the sake of the healing of all Creation, in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
2.
Gracious God, we thank you for (the mystery that you give yourself to us / this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.) You have also given yourself to all your beloved people, those who are welcomed and those who are excluded. Send us into the world to widen the circle, to bring all to your table of grace, that we may truly be one, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Suggested Songs
(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)
All Are One (Original song)
“Come and follow me,” Jesus calls beside the sea,
‘Come along the way of life ad healing.”
many ways we come, many races, many tongues,
but one single truth we are revealing,
that we all are one, every daughter, every son,
for we all are children of one mother.
There are many ways to live our lives of praise,
but we’re one in loving one another.
See the Spirit give many gifts by which to live,
many faithful ways to follow Jesus.
When of Jesus’ mind we can never be confined.
When we’re lone and bound the spirit frees us,
’till we all are one, every daughter, every son,
for we all are children of one mother.
There are many ways to live our lives of praise,
but we’re one in loving one another.
“If you live in me my disciples you will be.
My commandment is tol ove each other.
By my power and grace you will recognize the face
of each one as sister and as brother,
for we all are one, every daughter, every son,
for we all are children of one mother.
There are many ways to live our lives of praise,
but we’re one in loving one another.
Children of the Heavenly Mother (Tune: Children of the Heavenly Father)
Children of the Heavenly Mother,
gather gladly with each other,
for you call us to your table
bringing gifts as we are able.
You have held us and caressed us,
washed and taught us, healed and blessed us;
now you cherish and adore us
and you set this table for us
You have birthed us, and have freed us;
with your body now you feed us.
In this grace, O loving mother,
we are one with one another.
So we praise you, heavenly Mother,
Holy Spirit, Christ our brother,
All Creation sings together
honor, thanks and praise for ever.
Food for the Body (Original song)
A dialogue between leader and congregation.
All: (Chorus)
Food for the body, food for the soul,
making us new again, making us whole.
Grateful we are that you faithfully give
the Spirit of love, the power to live.
Cantor:
1. Remembering Jesus, we thank you for all that he’s done.
He gives us his Spirit, and feeds us, and makes us all one
in love, in faith, in you. (Chorus):
2. The body of Jesus, broken and risen to live,
you give us to eat, by your grace to become and to give
to all, for all to live. (Chorus):
3. The Spirit of Jesus arises in us like a dove,
to give us the courage to live every moment in love
in you for you, forever. (Chorus)
O Faithful God [Tune: Finlandia]
O faithful God, whose steadfast love is sure,
O Loving Father, Mother kind and strong:
your Covenant forever will endure;
you bind us to your heart our whole life long.
No matter how rebellious is your child,
in you we are brought home and reconciled
You hold us, God, in kinship with each other.
We have been loved and held when we would run.
We all are siblings, all born of one Mother;
though we would flee, you join us all as one.
Our deepest wounds come from our deepest love,
and so our highest hope for life above
So teach us God, to bravely love each other,
for all belong within your house of grace,
to give our enemy, who is our brother,
our steadfast mercy, and a wide embrace;
for in our love, though we be right or wrong,
we know the grace to which we all belong.
One Loaf (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)
Like wheat that’s made into one loaf of bread,
we are one Body with Christ as our head,
grateful for grace guiding us from above,
we are one people, one Spirit, one love.
Spirit, you live in us, in each and in all,
giving us each gifts to answer your call.
Your gift is in every soul, every heart,
each of us needed to offer our part.
Give us the faith, God, to go where you lead,
act as your loving and kind mustard seeds.
Send us in love to this world so in need,
spreading your good news in word and in deed.
The Church’s One Foundation (Tune: AURELIA)
The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ alone,
the rock of our salvation, our only cornerstone.
By grace we are created, by Spirit given birth,
in loving bonds related, Christ’s Body here on earth.
Called forth from every nation, of every tribe and race,
we all are one creation, one vessel of God’s grace.
Though some are treated poorly, those silenced and oppressed,
we all are chosen surely, and all are surely blessed.
Christ, give to us your daring inclusion of us all,
embodying your sharing with those beyond our walls,
to boldly act for justice for all, not just for some,
that by your Holy Spirit we truly may be One
Your Hands and Your Face (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)
God of all holiness, baptized in you,
we are your Body: your presence shines through.
We, poor in spirit, are blessed with your own.
May our lives shine forth with your grace alone.
We who with Jesus do mourn with the world
shall see your banners of deep joy unfurled.
We who are hungry for love freely shared
feast at the banquet that you have prepared.
May we be merciful and pure in heart,
your gentle peacemakers, doing our part.
Dying and rising, we do not fear loss,
sealed with your Spirit and marked with your cross.
Blest and beloved and baptized to serve,
we are your Body and you are our nerve.
Not by our effort, but by your pure grace,
may we be your hands and your human face.
Your Holy Feast (Tune: Londonderry Air: Oh Danny Boy)
Oh healing Christ, you bring us to your table here,
to share with you, and all the ones you love.
We come as one, alike forgiven, healed and dear.
Oh come and bless us, Spirit, tender Dove.
Oh, make us yours, your servants and your lovers.
Oh, make us one, united here in you.
Oh, make us new: the Red Sea lead us over,
and set us free to walk in harmony with you.
We come to eat the bread of peace you offer us.
We come to drink your resurrecting wine.
We come to feast upon your presence here with us,
and so become your Body as we dine.
So make us whole again, and be our living breath.
Make us your hands, and you will be our nerve.
Oh, risen Christ, we join you, rising up from death,
and by your side we’ll go, made new, to love and serve.
We Feast On Your Love (Original song)
Chorus: We drink from your presence.
We feast on your love.
This is the banquet we’ve been dreaming of. (Repeat.)
You gather us: no one’s unworthy,
and no one is “greatest” or “least.”
You multiply what we offer,
so multitudes may feast. — Chorus
We hunger and thirst for your spirit,
we open ourselves to your grace.
In flows the mercy you offer
in every time and place. — Chorus
We taste the sweet wine made from water,
our bread is your body you give.
“Drink of the water I give you,
so you may truly live.” — Chorus