February 11, 2024

Lectionary Texts

2 Kings 2. 1-12. Elijah is taken up into heaven as Elisha witnesses.

Psalm 50.1-6. God shines forth out of Zion and all Creation reflects God’s glory. God alone is our judge.

2 Corinthians 4. 3-6. The gospel is “veiled” to some, but it shines. God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts.

Mark 9. 2-9. The transfiguration

Preaching Thoughts

2 Kings
       Like the story of the transfiguration, the vision of Elijah taken up into heaven suggests the mystery of a person whose significance for us goes beyond rational doctrine, ideas or explanations. Never mind whether Elijah “properly died” or not; he was subject to human limitation like everybody, and is surely dead. But he represents something of God that is eternal, that doesn’t die, but is transformed from one moment, one generation, to the next. And with the passing on of his mantle, this becomes a story not just about Elijah but about what is passed from him to his disciple—a gift, a responsibility, a power— a calling.

2 Corinthians
      The light of God that shines in Creation shines in Jesus—and also in us. Like Elijah’s mantle, the light of Christ is passed on to us to carry. It is a responsibility, but not a burden— Jesus says, perhaps as an intentional double entendre, “my burden is light.” It’s not our light, not ours to generate: we bear the light that God gives us. “God has shone in our hearts.” All we have to do is open the windows and let the light shine out.
       Oddly, sadly, the lectionary omits the final sentence of the paragraph, verse 7: “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” Sure, the sentence appears a couple months from now, but isn’t it worth hearing twice? I always include it. It’s the indispensable flip side of the message of light: that the light is God’s not ours.

Mark
       The Sunday of the Transfiguration brings to a climactic close the season of Epiphany, with its theme of Jesus as light of the world. Resist the temptation to explain the Transfiguration. It’s a symbolic story. Building a doctrine around this story is like Peter wanting to erect three structures around Jesus, Elijah and Moses. It’s silly. The light of splendid visions gets our attention, but it’s in the cloud—in our unknowing— that we hear the voice of God.
      The story is a kaleidoscope of scriptural images. It weaves together the light of Creation (alluded to in 2 Corinthians); Moses on the mountain; Elijah taken up in a chariot of fire; and hence with Moses and Elijah the “law and the prophets” (indicating both Israel’s history and scripture); Jesus’ baptism, death and resurrection; and in particular the cross.
       The cross is not immediately evident in today’s reading other than in the tiny little introduction: “Six days later…” Six days after what? After Jesus told his disciples to take up the cross, and predicted his own execution. In contradiction to Peter’s objection, the Transfiguration is God’s affirmation of Jesus’ words: “Listen to him.”
       This story is essentially a Resurrection appearance. Having shown us the cross, the Gospel story shows us what’s next. Jesus has already died—before it happens he has already surrendered his life to God, and accepted the cross— and now on the mountain he is risen, shining with the light of resurrection, appearing with Moses and Elijah who also have already died. We are given courage to accept the cross, to accept the suffering involved in loving and doing justice, because there is glory in it. The disciples are told not to tell anyone of this until after Jesus has risen, because it’s not all about glory, it’s about death and resurrection. And until you’ve got the whole story, both the dying and the rising, you don’t have the right story. .
       On the mountain God says the same thing God says at Jesus’ baptism, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” The two stories are connected: resurrection is the end result of baptism. Baptism is a call to risk and sacrifice, even to suffer, even to die, for the sake of love and justice, knowing it is the doorway to resurrection. We are baptized into a reality suffused with the light of glory, a reality greater than just our earthly days.
       And God says “Listen to him.” Faith isn’t about believing st uff about Jesus, no matter how glorious. It’s about listening to him, day by day, moment by moment.
       By pointing us toward the cross (and resurrection) the Transfiguration story prepares us to enter the season of Lent with hope and not foreboding. This is the way to life that is infinite.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: Creator God, you bring light out of darkness.
All: Glory! Wonder! Praise!
Loving Christ, you are the light of the world, light of our lives.
Glory! Wonder! Praise!
Holy Spirit, you are light for our journey, radiating from within us.
Glory! Wonder! Praise!
We thank you, and we worship you. Alleluia!

2.              [Psalm 50.1-6]
Leader: The Life-giving One, God the Holy One, speaks.
All: God calls the earth into being from the rising of the sun to its setting.
From the beauty at the heart of all things God shines forth.
Our God comes and does not keep silence,
radiating glory that consumes everything,
a storm of beauty that leaves nothing untouched.
God calls all Creation to awareness,
for God sees what we do not.
“Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by giving their hearts!”
The heavens beam with God’s presence,
for God sees everything as it truly is.

3.
Leader: God of Grace, you say “Let there be light,”
All: and we come into being.
Christ, light of the world, you shine in us,
and we glow with the radiance of your presence.
Holy Spirit, fire of God, you burn in us,
and we bear the beams of your love into this world.
Christ, may we shine with the light of your grace.
Alleluia! Come, Spirit of Life,
and transform us from within. Alleluia!

4.
Leader: Christ, you shone on the mountain top, radiant with the glory of God.
All: We have seen your glory in our lives, and we worship in awe!
God, in the beginning you created light, and in Jesus you shone with grace.
Alleluia! Shine in us, so that we may be light for the world.
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 are our life, and we worship you.
Christ, light of God, you shone upon the mountain.
Alleluia! Light of Christ, shine in our hearts.
Illumine our path and lead us in the way of love.
Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

6.
Leader: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was the light of life.
All: O God, let your light shine in us.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world;
let your light so shine that others may see and glorify God.”
O God, let your light shine in us.
Sleeper, awake, and rise from the dead, and God will shine upon you.
O God, let your light shine in us.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of light, you appeared in glory in Christ on the mountain. We open the eyes of our hearts now so that we may see Christ truly, and see you in your resurrection power. Open our eyes, that we may always see with faith your light within us, your glory among us, and the dawn of your hope that rises upon us. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, you come in glory beyond our comprehension, as Elisha saw when you took Elijah, as the disciples saw when Jesus shone with your grace. Shine in our hearts as we hear your Word, so that we may behold your glory and shine with your light in all that we do, in the name of Christ. Amen.

3.
Holy and gracious God, you have shown us your glory in the transfiguration of your beloved Son. Grant to us the vision of faith, so that we may see Jesus, truly love him, and follow him all the days of our lives. Amen.

4.
Leader: Light of glory,
All: awaken us.
Light of illumination,
show us the way.
Light of beauty,
captivate us.
Light of love,
burn warmly in us.
Light of Resurrection,
encourage us.
Light of the new dawn,
lead us forward.
Light of Christ,
shine in us,
that we may be radiant with your grace. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

God of love,
the light of your glory awakens us;
but it is in the cloud,
in the mystery,
that we hear your voice.
You give us your Chosen one, your Beloved,
and command us, “Listen to him.”
So in stillness we listen.

Prayer of Confession

Gentle God, your light shines in all Creation,
but we have not looked for it.
Your light shines in us,
but we have not shone fully with your grace.
Forgive our dullness,
cleanse all that obscures your light,
and shine in us more perfectly,
that we may be light for the world
by the grace of Christ,
with the radiance of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Poetry

Transfiguration

Forget the three dwellings, the theology, the beliefs.
Just let it knock your socks off,
lay you low with wonder and beauty and,
yeah, even a little terror.
It’s all glorious mystery,
more than we can understand,
almost more than we can bear.
Just be silent and wonder. Let your mouth hang open.
Let this be your credo:
“Whoa.”
And let this be your faith: just listen.
God is not interested in fancy beliefs.
God wants your attention.
Stay open to the wonder and the mystery. Keep watching.
not all at once, perhaps, like this, but over time
a burning bush, flaming chariots, your brilliant Healer,
a simple patch of sunlight, a human being—
anything may light up your eyes,
transfigure you into pure light and wonder and mystery.
Only then, when the miracle’s left you speechless,
and you’ve come back from the dead,
can you tell.


Transfiguration

You are God’s Beloved.
         Let it be so.
         That’s how you become pure light.

What was brilliant in Jesus
         was simply God’s pleasure
         radiating in him.

Open your heart to God’s desire for you
         like light pouring into a room,
         like silence receiving a bird song.

God’s love for you
         burns like a bonfire in you.
         How do you put that under a bushel?

It’s the gleam in God’s eye that glows in you,
         blood rushing to the Beloved’s face,
         flush with passion.

It’s not arrogant to bask
         in God’s delight in you.
How stuck up it would be
         to spurn the Beloved’s ardent passion!

Lie down and let God make love to you.
         See? Even as you blush reading this
         you begin to glow.

Become the Beloved,
         and like a youth in love
         you will be transfigured
         with the light of God.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

1.
       We give our hearts to you, O God, Creator of all things; light of life and sun of our being. We cannot understand you; we can only love you, with wonder and praise!
       We love and trust you, Jesus, light of God, radiant with God’s love. In your teaching and healing, your prophetic witness and your work of justice, you shined for us the lamp of the Law and Prophets. You chose the Way of the Cross, and God raised you to new life like the morning sun. We stand in awe and wonder, ready to follow you, to enter into your community, to share your wonder, to practice your love.
       We breathe of you deeply, Holy Spirit: God’s love radiant in us, whose gifts in us enable us to shine with your light, trusting the power of your grace, to forgive, to bless, to seek justice, to serve you in the way of grace.
       O Beautiful Mystery, O Radiant Love, we worship you; we bless you, in awe and gratitude; we serve you, in wonder, love and praise. Alleluia!

2.
       We give our hearts to you, eternal and all-loving God, maker of heaven and earth. You are pure love, and your love is the light of the world
       We follow you, Jesus, Christ of God, Light of the World, fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. You fully embody God’s love and presence, and radiate God’s glory among us. In your healing and teaching, in your dying and rising shone the love of God. You live among us and your love is our guide, O Christ, our Lord and our light.
       We live by the power of your Holy Spirit, your love in us, shining with beauty. Obeying your command to listen to Christ, we devote ourselves to deep prayer, and to love and service for the sake of the healing of the world. In your spirit we are one Body, and we offer ourselves in love to the world, trusting the mystery of your grace and the power of resurrection, to your eternal glory, which shines in all things. Amen.

3.
      In the beginning God said, “Let light shine out of darkness.” We give thanks for that light, and we seek the light of God in all Creation.
      The light of the glory of God shone in the face of Jesus Christ, the image of God, the light of the world, our Chief; and we turn to him, so that we might receive that light.
      God has shone in our hearts, and we devote our lives to God, that we may shine with God’s grace, proclaim the good news of Christ the Beloved, and serve all Creation in the light of the Holy Spirit. 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.]

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.

Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all things,
ruler of this world and all that is to come.
In the beginning was your Word, which was the light of life,
through whom all things are given being.
You overthrow the darkness of injustice,
and call your servants to carry the light of peace.
Though we may turn from your light,
still you shine upon us and within us.
Your holy presence illuminates our souls
and we shine with the glory of your image.
Therefore with all Creation we praise you:

            [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 whom you send in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
your beloved Son and faithful servant,
transfigured upon the mountain,
radiant with your grace in loving ministry.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
full of grace and truth; and we have beheld his glory.
He took the way of the cross, of self-giving and love,
and gave his life, and your light shone in his grace.
But you raised him from the dead,
and the light of your glory shines in his resurrection.
Light of your Wisdom, Light of the World and Prince of Peace,
he has shared our suffering and brought light to our darkness.
By his light we have learned the way of peace
and in his light we trust your promises.

[… The Blessing and Covenant…]

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it:
for you have raised your Christ from death.
Therefore in the light of your grace
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 us, O God,
and on these gifts of bread and wine,
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.
By your tender mercy, may your dawn break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet in the way of peace.
Unite us with all who share in this meal,
and send us as light for the world, radiant with your love,
to give light to the way of all who journey in life,
and lead them into your presence.

     [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.) In gratitude we give you our lives, symbolized in our gifts. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. You have shone your light upon us in Christ. Now lead us by the light of Christ to love and to bless, following Jesus in the way of the cross, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace, and use them according to your will. May we be beacons of your mercy, and lamps of love in the dark places in this world. May our light so shine that others may see, and glorify you. We pray in the name and the spirit of Christ, our Light. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Baptized in Light       (Tune: Morning Has Broken)

Baptized in water, we are your creatures,
each son and daughter washed and reborn,
fully forgiven, blessed and made new now,
buried and risen into the morn.

Baptized in light, God, we are your vessels,
love shining bright in all that we do,
as new creations, we are your glory,
bright with elation, radiant with you.

Baptized in Spirit, we are your servants.
This we inherit: to be your light,
Christ rising in us, healing and blessing,
poor given justice, blind given sight.


Christ on the Mountain (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)

Christ on the mountain, our law and our light, we
come to your table with all you invite.
Hearts all aglow with your Spirit’s bright rays,
gladly we offer our gifts and our praise.

Dawning of heaven, our heart’s rising sun,
feasting upon you, we all become one,
bright with the love that your Spirit imparts,
radiant with mercy in each of our hearts.

Christ, as your Body, we pray by your grace, that
we give your deep love a voice and a face,
by love transfigured, with light in our hands,
bringing your gospel to earth’s farthest lands.


Christ on the Mountain Height (Tune: ST. ELIZABETH – Fairest Lord Jesus)

Christ on the mountain height, radiant with God’s delight,
shining with love and mercy bright,
from fear and death released, we come in thanks to feast
upon your resurrection’s light.

Jesus, Beloved One, bright as Easter’s rising sun,
called to listen and follow you,
fearless of pain or loss, help us to bear your cross
with love’s pure light in all we do.

Savior and dearest friend, Law and Prophet’s fullest end,
strengthened by love, by the Spirit drawn,
led by your radiant face, help us to live your grace
and trust in Easter’s promised dawn.



Christ Transfigured (Tune: Ode to Joy)

Christ, transfigured on the mountain, Law and Prophet, Living Word,
by your glory we are humbled, by your presence we are stirred.
Christ, you are God’s faithful servant, God’s Beloved One so dear.
Guide us by this radiant vision: help us listen; help us hear.

Christ, you choose to suffer and to die, rejected, on the cross,
sharing in our sin and death, our struggles, and our pain and loss.
In your faithful, loving presence, even in our darkest nights,
we behold you, God’s Beloved, shining with love’s healing light.

Help us serve you, each transfigured by light shining from above.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit, radiant with the light of love.
In self-giving, help us share our neighbor’s suffering through the night,
and be lamps for those who struggle, with compassion’s gentle light.


Jesus, Transfigured (Tune: Fairest Lord Jesus)

Jesus, transfigured, bright with heaven’s mystery,
highest of prophets and all the law,
our power to comprehend comes to its humble end
in reverent wonder, love and awe.

Sun of the morning, radiant with holy light,
wake us from sleep, that we may see:
see holy glory in each day’s story,
in every day, eternity.

Light of the world, O Christ, shine in us with all your love.
Crucified and risen One,
fill us with holy fire, our hearts with grace inspire,
to share the warmth of heaven’s Sun.



Light for the World (Original song)
A dialog between cantor and congregation. Multiple verses are supplied, so that it may be used, one or two verses at a time, throughout Epiphany. The congregations’ refrain remains the same throughout. Here are the lyrics for Transfiguration Sunday:

Congregation, Refrain:
Love, may we live by your light.
Let us be light for the world.

Cantor:
18. Christ, you appeared on the mountain top, shining with radiant glory,
God’s own Beloved, the light of the world, and we will tell your story.

19. Give your attention to God’s good news,
like a candle that shines in a dark place;
Let that light fill you and guide you, my friends, and shine with love.


Listen      (Tune: Water Is Wide / Gift of Love)

“This is my dear Beloved Son,
the Light of Life, my Chosen One.
And so I ask by grace, by choice,
you listen for his gentle voice.

“For when you listen and attend
in silence deep, you meet your Friend,
whose voice no words can catch or hold,
and yet whose love is clearly told.

“And listen well with love’s deep art,
to what is in your neighbor’s heart,
for there I dwell, and there I speak;
and there I hide, for you to seek.

“My glory shines in every face
of my beloved human race.
So listen well with wond’ring care:
behold my glory shining there.”


Resurrection Light (Transfiguration) (Tune: Joyful, Joyful)

Wake us, Jesus from our dreams, to see you in a holy light:
Law and prophet, loving promise God has sent to guide us right.
As Elijah, call us Godward, speak the living truth to us.
As our Moses, lead us in our liberating exodus.

Wake us, Jesus, from our fear of pain and death, and from our sin.
Grant that we may live illumined by the world you usher in.
All things shine with light reflected from the dawn that fills our sight.
All of life is thus transfigured by your resurrection’s light.

Wake us, Jesus from complacent dreaming on the mountain’s height.
Teach us humble service: your departure is our guiding light.
Preach the gospel, feed the hungry, heal the broken, give them sight.
Give your life, then find it, shining bright with Resurrection light.

Transfiguration (A communion song) (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)
       [This can be found in Table Songs,
       a collection of communion songs to familiar tunes.]

Christ on the mountain, our law and our light… we
come to your table with all you invite.
Hearts all aglow with your Spirit’s bright rays,
gladly we offer our gifts and our praise.

Dawning of heaven, our heart’s rising sun,
feasting upon you, we all become one,
bright with the love that your Spirit imparts,
radiant with mercy in each of our hearts.

Christ, as your Body, we pray by your grace… that
we give your deep love a voice and a face,
by love transfigured, with light in our hands,
bringing your gospel to earth’s farthest lands.

Wake Us From Our Sleep (Original song)

God of mercy, wake us with your light.
Rouse our sleeping hearts and give us sight.
Raise us up from death; fill us with your breath.
Wake us from our sleep to live new lives in you.

Life comes only from the Word you give.
You alone have power to make us live.
Seeking what is True, Love, we turn to you:
springs of living water flow, and so we live.

Christ, you touch our hearts and heal our fear.
Even in our pain your grace is near.
Spirit, you who save, raise us from our grave.
Born again, dry bones who rise, we live in you.

Christ, light of the world, your radiance bright
wakens us to day out of our night:
shining in, it heals; shining out, reveals.
Help us all to live as children of the light.

February 4, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Isaiah 40. 21-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? God is the everlasting God. Those who wait for God shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Psalm 147. God, heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. God lifts up the downtrodden, and casts the wicked to the ground. God’s word runs swiftly.

1 Corinthians 9. 16-23. “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” “I have made myself a slave to all…” “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some…”

Mark 1.29-39. Jesus heals Simon’s mother in law, heals all the sick in town, centers himself in prayer and goes on to other villages, teaching and healing.

Preaching Thoughts

1 Corinthians
       Be careful how you toss around the idea of Paul “making himself a slave.” Slavery in Paul’s setting was not the same as American chattel slavery. Slavery was economic, and people sometimes moved in and out of slavery. But one can’t move in and out of race-based slavery. Paul couldn’t make himself a slave in our modern sense. He could commit to service for others, which we can do as well. It’s a call to let go of our own ways and preferences in order to bring the good news more effectively to others.

Mark
      Note with Peter’s mother in law her trajectory from need to healing to service. There’s the life of faith in a nutshell.
      Jesus goes off by himself to pray. He is unavailable. The gospels are keen to show us Jesus’ accomplishments, but they do let us see that he also engaged in a lot of solitude. This is all part of how God works in us: not in our busyness and over-functioning and high accomplishment, but in God’s presence in us as we are present for others. Solitude is the space we give ourselves to practice being present for God. Solitude is the garden soil of our faith in which our roots sink deep, so we can bear fruit.

Call to Worship

1.
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.
Glory be to you, O God of all Creation.
Thanks be to you, O Christ, for our salvation.
You heal the brokenhearted and lift up the downtrodden.
You have healed us in many ways; you have cast out evil and set us free.
Alleluia! Grant that we may be your humble servants.Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

2.
Leader: Creator God, you give us life.
All: We turn to you, to receive the gift of life.
Loving Christ, you give us the gift of healing.
We kneel before you, to be made whole.
Holy Spirit, you give us the gift of compassion.
We open our hearts to you, to be filled with your light.
Come, Spirit of Life, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
Gracious God, people gathered around the house to hear Jesus and to be healed. We, too, come to hear your Word proclaimed and to receive your healing deep in our hearts. Speak, for we are listening. Touch us, for we are still. Feed us, for we are hungry. Love us, for we are yours. Transform us, for we are ready to share your grace with all the world. We pray in the name and the spirit of Christ, who is present. Amen.

2.
God of healing, Jesus healed Peter’s mother in law, and she began to serve them. In the reading of your scripture and the proclaiming of your Word, touch us and speak to us, so that me might be made whole and rise, strengthened to serve you, in the name of Christ, for the sake of the healing of the world. Amen.

3.
Gracious God, Jesus went about proclaiming the message of your salvation and healing people. We come now to hear of our salvation, to be healed, and to join our lives with Christ in serving your Realm. Speak to us, make us whole, and fill us with your Spirit. Amen.

4.
Gracious and tender God, Jesus cured those who were sick and cast out demons, and he proclaimed the good news of your Reign. In him we see your desire to bless, your grace that heals and restores us, and gives us life. We open our hearts to you now, that in hearing and reflecting on your Word, we may be healed and made new; that we may come to trust your gentle grace; and that we may be sent out to bear your healing to a hurting world. We pray in the name and the spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

Jesus, we come with you
to a deserted place to pray.
We do not know how to pray,
but we sit with you in the stillness,
for it is you who are praying.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

       We give our hearts to God, Creator of all things, who forgives our sin and heals our diseases, who is merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love.

      We give our hearts to Jesus Christ, God’s Beloved and ours, who came that we may have life, and have it abundantly; who went about doing good and healing; who died, and was raised from death, and will come again. He is the living Word, the healing of our souls, our reconciliation with God, and the mending of all of life.

      We live by the power of the Holy Spirit, whose grace is upon us to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the oppressed and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the time of God’s favor. In the Spirit we embody healing, we bear the good news to strangers, and we join with Jesus in the healing of the world, to the glory of God. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

1.
You can use the song “For Grace In Creation” (below) as a Eucharistic prayer,
with the Blessings & Covenant after the second verse.

2.
[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.]

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.

God of love, we give thanks,
for you create the world as a flowering of your goodness.
You set free the oppressed and heal the broken.
You walk with us in new directions, healed, made new, and full of your light.
Your mercy flows freely, and we open ourselves to its light.
We hunger for your grace, and feast on your generosity.
Therefore with all Creation 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 taught and healed, and made his grace available to all.
He healed people’s bodies and souls, offering wholeness.
He healed relationships and communities.
He healed injustice; and in retaliation the powers of evil crucified him..
But in love you raised him from the dead, healing life itself,
faithful to your covenant that we may have life, and have it abundantly.

[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 Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
healed and restored to life,
and radiant with you grace,
sent out to the towns and villages of our lives
for the sake of others who reach out for mercy and healing.
In our compassion may your glory shine.

     [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.]
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 called us to return always to the still, life-giving center where you have fed and healed us. Send us into the world now, to listen for your guiding and to follow your Word, to take your good news to others near and far, in words and in deeds, and so to be a part of your transformation of the world, in the name of Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. 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 healed us by your presence with us and within us. Send us in your Spirit as your healers with Jesus into the world that so needs your healing. Amen.

3.
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 served us, humbly offering your very life to us. Redeemed by your grace and filled with your Spirit, may we go now and humbly serve others in the name of Christ, and in the powerful companionship of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Christ our Healer (Tune: Joyful, Joyful … or … Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)

Christ, our healer, you have touched us, reaching through the dark divide,
healing broken hearts and bodies, casting death’s old shroud aside:
raised us from our bed of sorrows, put your arm around our pain,
raised us up to new tomorrows, bringing us to life again.

Christ, our teacher, in our healing you have given us your gift:
grace to bless, your love revealing, pow’r to heal and hope to lift.
In your Spirit, your forgiveness and compassion we embrace
ev’ry wounded, shamed or silenced child of God with gentle grace.

Christ, our savior, you are going on to every town and field,
on to every land and people, on until the world is healed.
Use us in the whole world’s mending, use us as your healing hands,
’till as one the world, made whole, takes up its mat with joy and stands.

For Grace in Creation    Tune: “The Ash Grove “ – Let All Things Now Living
[This song may be used as a Eucharistic Prayer,
with the Blessing and Covenant (“Words of Institution”)
between the second and third verse.]

For grace in Creation, and for our salvation,
O God, in thanksgiving we joyfully sing.
For giving us Jesus, who heals us and frees us,
who walks with us daily, our glad praise we bring.
       God, holy and mighty, your glory shines brightly!
       Hosanna on high! Love, your praise we proclaim!
Your welcome is spacious; your table is gracious.
God, bles-sed is each one who comes in your name.

God, in your great favor you sent us a savior,
Christ Jesus, our brother, our teacher, our friend.
He taught and he healed and your grace he revealed,
and he gave of himself in your love without end.
       Behold! Christ has died! Behold! Christ is risen!
       Behold, your Beloved Christ will come again!
Your grace throughout history we see in this mystery,
and feast on your presence, our savior, our friend.
…

Now humbly expressing our thanks for your blessing
we feast in the presence of your loving son.
Love, pour out your Spirit, that we may inherit
your love and compassion, and make us all one.
       With this bread and cup, fill our hearts, lift us up
       and re-make us, the Body of Christ once again!
With gracious self-giving in all of our living
we offer ourselves and we praise you! Amen.

January 28, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Deuteronomy 18. 15-20. God promises to raise up a prophet for the people. You will know to take the prophet seriously if what the prophet says turns out to be true.

Psalm 111. Great are the works of God: God gives us food, provides us with a wisdom (“precepts”) that directs our lives, redeems us and establishes a covenant with us. “Fear of God (reverent humility) is the beginning of wisdom.”

1 Corinthians 8. 1-13. Dealing with food sacrificed to idols. “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.” Don’t cause others to fall.

Mark 1. 21-28. Jesus drives out an “unclean” spirit, “He teaches with authority!”

Preaching Thoughts

Deuteronomy
        Prophets aren’t people who predict the future; they speak for God about the present moment (as has been said, forth-telling, not foretelling). Their reference to the future is simply pointing out the consequences of people’s actions. They’re saying “Here’s where you’re headed.” You’ll know they’re authentic when it turns out they’re right.

1 Corinthians
       Paul says idols aren’t really gods, so eating food dedicated to them doesn’t really matter—except that it may mislead some people. The important thing is not to be right, but to be loving. Don’t do what makes you look good; do what helps people.
       There’s a distinction to be made between what Paul sees as idols and what we know as various religions. In Paul’s experience no other religion besides Judaism (Christianity didn’t really exist yet) was actually a real religion. They all worshiped idols but not God. Well, we know better. Most religions in the world are not actually idol-centered, but worship God with different language and images and stories than we use—but it’s still God. (There are greater differences among Christian theologies than among some religions!)
       One question is about sharing in people’s observance of other religions. Is it OK to attend Muslim prayers, or a Buddhist meditation? Of course! To participate in another tradition doesn’t require you to renounce your faith. There’s no competition. Every religion is trying to connect us with God and help us lead good lives. We can learn from them all, and earnestly pray with them all.
      But a second question has to do with actual idols. What’s the real equivalent for us of “eating in the temple of an idol?” How about our worship of money, or political power? How we idolize beauty (narrowly defined by corporate powers) or status? Maybe saying the Pledge of Allegiance. (I pledge allegiance to God alone.) How do we act in ways that make our commitment to Christ clear, or on the other hand expose our idolatries?

Mark
       I’ve come to appreciate the notion of possession by spirits as a way to understand mental illness. It honors the mystery that one’s mental health is separate from one’s identity. You are not your illness. A good person can be possessed by a bad spirit. Even under the possession, the person is still a good person. We easily fall into judgmentalism toward people with mental illness as if it’s a moral failing. Understanding them to be “possessed,” beyond their control, helps us avoid that.
       It’s an “unclean” spirit. Technically it’s not evil, just unclean. But it is by the power of evil that the man is possessed. The spirit says,”Have you come to destroy us?” Mark’s implied answer is, Yes. Jesus is not just healing individuals; he’s out to do away with the idea of “uncleanness,” and in fact overpowering the power and structure of evil itself. He has come to destroy all unclean spirits. Our own actions for the sake of justice and healing, even opposition to the greatest human evils, takes place one small act at a time.
       People describe this exorcism as a “new teaching.” Jesus’s teaching is not doctrine; it’s healing. That’s a model for us: that the teaching of the church not be doctrine but action. What makes us the church is not what we believe, but how we love.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: Creating God, you made us in the image of your good love. You know what is in us.
All: We open our hearts to your grace.
Loving Christ, you reach out to us with tender mercy and healing. You set us free.
We open our hearts to your grace.
Life-giving Spirit, you fill us with your mercy and power. You bear us on a journey of grace.
We open our hearts to your grace.
Heal us, and make us a healing people,
in the name of Christ and the power of your Spirit. Amen.

2.
Leader: Praise to the God who loves us.
All: Thanks to the God who heals us.
Praise to Christ, who sets us free.
Thanks to the Spirit who makes us one.
We worship you, Holy One, in gratitude and love.

3.
Leader: Creating God, your grace overwhelms us.
All: Glory! Wonder! We praise you!
Your Word is made flesh. Your Truth is made real among us.
Blessing! Beauty! We thank you!
You dwell within us, giving new life, overcoming all that would diminish life.
Greetings! Welcome! We open ourselves to your Spirit.
By the power of your Word, set us free and restore your image within us.
Alleluia! Come, Spirit of Life, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

4.
Leader: Christ our Savior, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
All: You cast out evil spirits, and you heal the brokenhearted.
Cast out our sin, heal us in your tender mercy,
and grant us the power to serve with you, with courage and compassion.Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
Healing God, we are a broken people. Only your Word of grace can make us whole. Speak your grace to us. Let your healing power enter us, change us, and set us free, free to be who you create us to be, free to love, free to live joyfully.. We pray in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.2.God of love, your servant Jesus taught with authority. We give him our obedience, our trust and our listening. Speak to us, that we may hear and be healed, that we may listen and obey. Amen.

2.
God of Truth, you speak your word and bring us to life. You lay your hand upon us and heal us. You walk with us and show us the way of compassion. We open our hearts to you, to hear your Word, to be shaped by your Word, to be made new by your Word. Bless us, for we are listening. Amen.

3.
Gracious God, people gathered around the house to hear Jesus and to be healed. We, too, come to hear your Word proclaimed and to receive your healing deep in our hearts. Speak, for we are listening. Touch us, for we are still. Feed us, for we are hungry. Love us, for we are yours. Transform us, for we are ready to share your grace with all the world. We pray in the name and the spirit of Christ, who is present. Amen

4.
Gracious God, Jesus worshiped in the synagogue and taught with authority. Gather us among his listeners, so that he may heal us, and your Word may have authority in our lives. Grant that we may be guided not by our own demons and desires, but by your Spirit alone, by the grace of Christ. Amen.

5.
God of grace, in Christ you bring healing to broken lives and hearts; you restore our faith and call us into new relationships. Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim justice for the oppressed, that we too may faithfully offer healing to the world, in the name of Christ. Amen

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

God of healing,
quiet the demons in us,
still the fears, silence the many voices,
and let us listen for your word,
wait for your touch,
and open ourselves to your life-giving work. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

1.
God of love, many spirits inhabit our hearts.
Help us see the loving ones and the fearful ones.
Heal our fears, forgive our sins,
strengthen our love,
and make us whole in your Spirit.

2.
Loving God, we confess that not all that is within us is of you.
Not all that is within us gives life.
Forgive our sin, heal our wounds,
and cast out whatever in us would diminish life.
By your grace, re-create us in the image of Christ.

3.
Healing God, we lay our lives before you:
all that is, and all that has been,
what is helpful and what is hurtful.
We lay open to the light of your grace
all that has distanced us from you and from others,
what we have done, and what we have left undone,
the wounds that led us to these choices
and the wounds these choices have caused.
Accept us as we are, we humbly ask you, tender God:
receive our sorrow and disappointment,
heal us, and cast out all evil spirits.
Forgive us and set us free,
so that we may live in your grace alone.

Reading

Psalm 111, A paraphrase

God! You! Glory!

I thank you in my deepest guts,
         echoed by the whole tribe of God!

Your magic amazes me,
         confounds anyone who tries to understand.
Your miracles, brilliant and vast,
         come from such tender, loving hands!
The universe shimmers with grace,
         glows with your gentle mercy.

We are in awe: you feed us;
         you are steadfastly thoughtful toward us.
We see your grace in all that you do,
         mighty Creator, tender nursemaid.

Your love and justice sing through the world.
         When we hear it we know how to dance.
The song is eternal.
         To live is to sing it, sing it out loud,
         with eyes closed.

The bound ones you set free;
         the abandoned ones you marry.
This is your holiness,
         what sets you apart.

(Wisdom is rooted in awestruck wonder,
         overwhelmed by God.
Practice wonder,
         and you will know what you need to know.)

Lovely One, the universe is your praise.
         Infinite Beauty!
         Infinite Glory!

Response / Creed / Affirmation

      We trust in God, Creator of all things,
who is pure compassion,
who loves us unconditionally,
who is present with us in good times and bad,
who is our salvation.
      We trust in Christ, the embodiment of God’s love,
the love and healer of our sols,
who saves us, forgiving our failures,
washing away our betrayals,
who teaches us life’s deepest things:
how to pray, how to love,
how to be gentle with each other.
       We trust in the Holy Spirit, God’s power flowing in us,
that comforts the faithful,
empowers us to love as we have been loved,
and joins us together as the Body of Christ.
We believe we are sent in that Spirit
to heal, to forgive, to do justice,
to radiate the love of God, in the name of Christ. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending

[Adapt as needed.]
Gracious God, we thank you for the mystery that you give yourself to us. You bless us by your grace and your presence, heal us of our demons, and empower us to work with you for the healing of this world. Send us forth, in the name and authority of Christ and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Becoming Whole (Original song)             
Multiple verses are provided. Sample lyrics:

We are a broken people becoming whole again.
We are a wounded people being healed again.
We are a captive people walking free again.
We are a sinful people given grace again.


Christ Our Healer      (Tune: Joyful, Joyful)

Christ, our healer, you have touched us, reaching through the dark divide,
healing broken hearts and bodies, casting death’s old shroud aside:
raised us from our bed of sorrows, put your arm around our pain,
raising us to new tomorrows, bringing us to life again.

Christ, our teacher, in our healing you have given us your gift:
grace to bless, your love revealing, pow’r to heal and hope to lift.
In your Spirit, your forgiveness, your compassion we embrace
ev’ry wounded, shamed or silenced child of God with gentle grace.

Christ, our savior, you are going on to every town and field,
on to every land and people, on until the world is healed.
Use us in the whole world’s mending, use us as your healing hands,
’till as one the world, made whole, takes up its mat with joy and stands.


Jesus, My Healer          (Tune: Fairest Lord Jesus)

Jesus, my healer, come to me and touch me;
lay your hand upon my soul.
All of my woundedness gently embrace and bless
and, though I’m broken, make me whole.

Source of our healing, God, our Re-Creator,
your deep joy is to raise and bless.
Your faithful promises and all our trusting hope
are stronger than our dark distress.

Spirit of healing, move among your people
to bear the blessing that flows from you:
with tender love to bless the world’s brokenness
and share the grace that made us new.

January 21, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Jonah 3. 1-5, 10. God sends Jonah to speak to the city of Nineveh (which he has tried to avoid). Surprisingly, he does—and, even more unexpected, they listen to his message and repent!

Psalm 62. 5-12. For God alone my soul waits in silence… Trust in God … power belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 7.29-31 Time is short. Live as if you are not married, mourning. The present world is passing away.

Mark 1.14-20 Jesus calls fishermen beside the lake to follow him as his disciples. Leaving everything, they go with him.

Preaching Thoughts

Today’s readings speak of God’s call, inviting us out of our familiar ways into new ways of service.

Jonah
      This lectionary selection guts the story of Jonah like a fish, leaving a pretty skin but none of the good stuff. It takes the story literally: God calls Jonah, who runs away but then obeys —and, look: success! See? You should obey God and go where God calls you. It will turn out OK.
      Baloney. That’s not what this story is about. Or even how it goes. They leave out all the irony—and this is a story about irony. What they leave out, for starters, is that Jonah is pissed that God relents from punishing Nineveh. In Jonah’s eyes, it’s not success. It’s disappointment, resentment and maybe shame as well. The people of Nineveh are despised bad guys; having them all repent, from the king down to the animals, makes them look good. That’s not what Jonah wants. Repentance or not, he wants them destroyed—maybe partly because they’re the bad guys, and partly because that’s what he said would happen, and he wants to be the key power person here, not them. And not God. Which is what the story is really about. Even seeming to obey God, we can harbor our own agendas.
      The thing is, the story of Jonah is not a serious prophetic vision. It’s a farce. It’s slapstick. (There’s whales and storms and worms, but it could have been pies in the face and slipping on a well-placed banana and a poke in the eye.) But we take it all so damn seriously. Jonah thinks running away will work because, what, God can’t leave the office? God sends a storm to get at Jonah? Really? God’s GPS can’t pinpoint his location any more specifically than “somewhere at sea?” … Right. Then Jonah, Mr. Selfish, says “To save you, throw me overboard.” So, he can’t just jump? Sure. Three days in the belly of a fish? Yeah, why not. He’s barfed up onto shore and sees Nineveh—which is how far from the ocean? And then everybody in Sin City, from the mayor down to the stray dogs, repents and gets all pious! Yea, right. And then the funniest part: Jonah gets a good seat for the fireworks, but they get cancelled (poke in the eye) and Jonah whines about that, and besides it’s too hot (banana peel) so God gives Jonah a bush, Jonah whines, and God sends a worm, which destroys the bush (pie in the face), and Jonah whines about that… and God says “You really don’t care do you? Those are my people. And also much cattle.”
       And also much cattle. What a punchline.
       Jonah is making fun of us. I think this story is about how silly our desire is to be independent of God, and how laughable our inability to have compassion. We are the Three Stooges of love. So how do we preach this little snippet? Tell the whole story, even if you only read this little lectionary verses. Preach about how we leave out the funny parts because they’re the embarrassing parts because they’re the true parts. Even after Jonah obeys God he’s still running away from God, and never does turn around. And yet, by God’s grace, a good guy with a bad attitude helps the bad guys do the good thing.

Psalm
The Psalm proclaims what Jonah can’t get: that only God alone has real power in this world, and so it is in God alone that we put our trust. Human efforts, and all that we cling to, provide nothing.

1 Corinthians
Paul assumes that the Second Coming will be immediate, so he tells people: let go of the things of this world. Let go of your plans and preferences. Don’t even bother getting married or mourning the dead. It’s all going to change any minute now. I don’t think it’s helpful to count on the Rapture any time soon. However, Pauls isn’t really talking about the future, but the present. We’re called to live in a new way, right now. We might have to let go of a lot of things to live this new way. Like disciples leaving everything to go with Jesus, Like an addict leaving behind familiar activities, places, even friends. Like Jonah needed to do but couldn’t: to leave behind his snitty attitude. Even after his great prayer in the belly of the whale, he backslides into his old ways. Paul says, go a new way.

Mark
      To be “fishing for people” doesn’t mean to drag them into church, or convert them to Christianity. (Jesus didn’t convert anybody.) We can be tempted by allusions to “catching” people—capturing them, or controlling them—but the metaphor is not about the act of fishing. It’s about turning our loving attention toward people instead of our own business. It’s not about changing our occupation but our preoccupations.
       Jesus’ call to us is neither as once-and-done as deciding to be Christian nor as farfetched as leaving our job and family to go off on some quest. It’s an invitation to live in a new way for a new purpose, a call that is renewed every day, every moment. Maybe when you’re in an argument with someone, Jesus is calling you to lay aside the nets of being right and come with him on a journey of listening. Maybe when you witness another act of injustice Jesus is calling you to leave the boat of your comfort and speak out. Or maybe in the cut and thrust of your justice advocacy Jesus is calling you to be at peace and practice Sabbath. The “call” isn’t just to be a pastor or evangelist, but a to be a loving person. That takes many forms. We have to keep listening, moment by moment.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: God, in the beginning you called forth light.
All: O Holy Mystery, you call forth life!
Christ, you called to the fishermen and they followed.
O Deepening Love, you call forth love!
Holy Spirit, you call to us from within.
O Life-Giving Voice, you call forth our gifts!
We hear. Our hearts are awakened, and we follow. Alleluia!

2.
Leader: God, you have created us for your purposes, and we give you thanks.
All: Christ, you set us free, and we give you our lives..You call us out from our lives into your life.
You call us to follow you instead of our own ways.
Help us, Christ, to relinquish all things and follow you.
Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

3. [ Ps. 62]
Leader: For God alone my soul waits in silence.All: My hope is from God.
God alone is my rock, my salvation, my fortress.
Trust in God, and pour out your heart.
Power is God’s alone.
And to you, Holy One, belongs steadfast love.
We worship you in joy and faith.

4.
Leader: Wind of Life, Song of God, Breeze of Freedom, you blow about us.
All: You fill our lungs with blessing, and we sing praise.
Breath of Grace, Call of Christ, Word of Promise, you whisper to our hearts.
You fill our ears with hope, and we rise to our feet.
Spirit of Love, Presence of Heaven, Light of our Hearts, you bear us in your arms.
You fill our sails with your courage, and we follow you.
Alleluia! Arise, Spirit of Life, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

5.
Leader: God, you made all kinds of creatures.
All: We thank you! We are glad to be here.
Jesus, you have caught us in your net of love.
Thank you for bringing us here! We are glad for one another.
Holy Spirit, you baptize us deep in your grace.
Thank you for your love.
God, your love is deeper than the ocean.
We come to plunge deep into it with Jesus.
Alleluia! We thank you! We praise you!
We give ourselves to you! Alleluia!

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of life, Jesus called to the fishermen and they heard something in that voice, something compelling—and they followed him. Call to us now. Let us hear your voice; let it touch something deep in us; and move us to respond. We are hungry to hear and to follow. We open our hearts to your word. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, in Christ you called the fishermen beside the sea. Call us now. Let us hear your Word, recognize your voice, and follow. Draw us up like fish from our own deeps, and bring us into your good work, in the name of Christ and the power of your Spirit. Amen.

3.
God of Silence, God of the Call, you speak our names and beckon us to follow you. Christ, you walk into our lives, into the ordinary tasks and duties of our days, and you draw us into another world. Our hearts leap at your Word. Grant us the grace to listen with passion, to follow with faith, and to stay with you, with courage, resolve and trust. Amen.

4.
Creator God, you called your prophets to speak on your behalf. Your Christ called disciples to follow him. You call to us now, deep in our hearts. We listen for your voice. We wait for your will. We want to follow. Call us, and we will follow, in the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

5.
Gracious God, Jesus walked among fishermen and called them to follow him. So now you move among us and call us. You speak our names, and you reach out to us in the midst of our daily work. You touch us as we mend the nets of our lives, and call us to follow you. Help us, as we hear and reflect on your Word, to hear your voice, to trust your call, and to follow in faith. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

Beside the sea of familiarity,
among the boats of busyness,
we lay down the nets that entangle us,
and listen for your voice, calling us,
calling us deeper, calling us beyond,
calling us to you.
We listen, and we draw near.

Prayer of Confession

1.
Tender God, we have been caught in the nets of our own lives,
living in the small boats of our own ways, our own fears and desires.
We confess that we have become entangled.
In our fear and hurt we have hurt you and others.
We have not brought forth life as you have called us to do.
We confess our self-centeredness, and ask your forgiveness.
Call us out of our lives into yours.
Help us let go of all that holds us back, all that traps and entangles us.
Set us free by your grace, free to follow you and serve you all our days.

2.
God of mercy, you create us in love and for love;
but we make our own lives by our own will.
Now we release our lives to your making.
Call us out of our self-made lives
into the life you offer us.
Transform in us what is not of your Spirit
and lift up what is,
that we may be true to your will in us, by your grace.

Reading

Psalm 62.5-12, A paraphrase … Version 1

Beloved, for you my soul waits in silence.
         My hope is hidden in your silence.
Life of my living, you are my earth.
         You are what cannot be taken.
In the gravity of your grace I rest.
         In your silence is my deep belonging.

I trust in you, Holy One.
         I pour myself into your hands,
         into this light, my resting place.

Rich or poor mean nothing;
         they are an illusion.
I abandon my little “happy” and “sad.”
         They are both lint.
Do I catch myself trying to gain?
         Ah, ignore all that fool’s gold.
         Ignore it. Let it go.

I keep hearing this in the silence;
         the silence says it over and over:
the only power is Love,
         and love, all love, is God.

Beloved, you live, you speak, you resound
         in all we do.


Psalm 62.5-12, A paraphrase … Version 2

God, for you alone my soul in silence waits.
        in you alone my confidence is rooted.
God, you are my steadiness, my solid ground.
       I n you I find my resolute steadfastness.
You are my only security, my truest strength.
        You are where I belong.

People, notice where you put your trust:
        root it in God, not some other fluff.
Let your heart and God flow into each other.
        It’s where we all belong.

The way we judge and compare people
        is a complete delusion.
A noble person, a lowlife—it’s a sham.
        Who made this up? Who believes it?

Don’t think your life will be enriched
        by getting your way, or having stuff.
Learn to see through the shimmer
        to what really matters, what really is.

Pay attention: it keeps coming up:
        God is the only power.
And God, you are the only Love,
        No matter what we do.

3
                 Jonah’s Prayer – Jonah 2.1-9
I was in a bad place so I cried out to you, God.
       I was in the belly of death, but you heard me!
You threw me into something deep and mysterious.
       I was at the bottom of the ocean,
It was dark all around and stormy waves crashed over me.
       And I said, “I can’t see you anywhere!
       Will I ever see you again?”
The water closed up around me. Seaweed wrapped around my head.
       I was at the bottom of the whole world.
I went down to where there was nothing but death.
       But, God, you brought me back up!
       You bought me into life!
As my life was draining away, I thought of you.
       When I was afraid, I prayed to you.
You are the one I can really depend on.
       I will always sing a thankful song to you.
       You are the one who saves us no matter what.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

1.
We believe in God, who called light out of darkness, who calls all things into being.
       Holy One, it is you who call us to life, and you call us your Beloved.
       We hear your call, and we turn to you.
We live in the name and Spirit of Jesus, God’s Christ, who loved and taught,
who called demons out of people, who called out injustice,
and who calls forth the best in us.
       Loving One, you call to your disciples to follow you.
       We join ourselves to your life, your ministry, your death and resurrection.
We breathe the Holy Spirit, the spirit of life, who grants us gifts and calls them forth.
       Living One, we open ourselves to the grace you give us
       to live lives worthy of the calling to which you call us:
       lives of awe and gratitude, humility and love, forgiveness and mercy.
       We give ourselves to you, to follow your leading
       moment by moment, day by day.
       Loving God in Christ, you have called us by name, and we follow. Amen.

2.
      We live in God, Creator of all that is and all that is to come.
      We live in the company of Jesus, the love of God made flesh, who taught and healed, who called disciples to follow, who died and rose, and who speaks in our hearts, who names the truth that gives us life and sings the song that makes us dance, and who bids us go with him in love to all the world.
      We live in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God, that gives us the faith to follow, walking with God, and the love to be fishers of people: to connect deeply, especially with those who have been rejected. We follow as one Church, with gratitude for the power of forgiveness, the mystery of resurrection and the gift of eternal life, in the name and Spirit of Jesus, for the sake of the world. Amen.

3.
       We belong to God, eternal and infinite, Creator of all things and all that is to come.
       We follow Christ, who comes to us from God, and reveals God to us. He heals people and transforms lives, and calls us to join in his ministry. He was crucified, died and was raised again by God, and reigns over all Creation; and he bids us to die and rise with him in the service of the healing of the world.
       We are moved by the Holy Spirit, together with the communion of saints, as members of the Body of Christ, God’s holy universal church. We are confident in the forgiveness of sin, the power of resurrection and the reality of eternal life. In all things it is our desire to follow Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, for God’s glory. Amen.

4.
Holy God we ask your blessing
as you gather us and send us as members of your church.
Unite us in your love, and hold us together in one another’s hearts.
Give us the gift of trust in you and in each other.
Forgive our sins, grant us your grace and blessing,
and imbue us with your spirit of forgiveness.
Show us your Way, and help us on our journey.
Give us wisdom and grace in al our hardships.
Help us tend the light you have given us
so we shine with your love,
in mercy and justice, throughout the world,
in the name of Christ, Amen.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending

1.
Gracious God, you call us to follow, and so we surrender what is dear to us, and we come. We give you our gifts as symbols of our lives. Grant us your Spirit to faithfully follow Jesus all our lives: to draw near to him, to learn from him, to receive your grace through him, and to join him in ministry to the world. May we cast your net of light over all people, in the name of Christ. Amen.

2.
Generous God, we leave the boats of our own desires to follow you. We surrender the nets of our possessiveness to do your will. We let go of much, so that we may cling to you. Bless us that in our letting go we will know fulfillment. Bless those who are in need, that our gifts may give them life. Bless us that in our giving we may understand how we receive. We pray as followers of Jesus. Amen.

3.
Wondrous God, you have fished us out of our little worlds for your purposes. You have immersed us deep in your grace. Send us into the world, trusting you and your love, to share your love and to do your will for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)


Calling Me (Original song)

Dear God, Creator eternally, you call everything to be.
How are you calling me, even now?
Who do you call me to be? Where is your image in me, calling me?

Jesus, lord of the fishermen, calling your children,
you call to me once again, even now.
What will you lead me to do? How can I witness to you, calling me, calling me?

Spirit, power of love in me, how do you set me free,
what gifts are you giving me, even now?
I am a vessel for you. Humbly I listen to you, calling me, calling me.


Drawing Me (Original song)

Holy One, Mystery, how will you keep drawing me
nearer to the heart within the heart?
Nearer still, falling in, closer to the heart within,
draw me God. I fall into your love.
Lover, you are calling, you are drawing,
I am falling into you in love.

Deep in me there’s a voice, there’s a hunger, there’s a choice,
seeking something vital that is you.
By your grace drawing me, may I fall eternally
nearer to my center deep in you.
Lover, you are calling, you are drawing,
I am falling into you in love.


I Am Open      (Original song)

Dear gentle Jesus, I open to you
the deepest chambers of my soul.
My heart is open, wounded and broken.
Heal and forgive and make me whole.
Open, I am open, open to your grace.

Beloved Jesus, my eyes are open;
your healing touch restores my sight.
Like open windows, they shine, and in flows
your glory filling me with light.
Open, I am open, open to your grace.

My wounded Jesus. Your arms are open,
our hurt and dying to embrace.
When I would close them, hold my arms open,
to be so loving by your grace.
Open, I am open, open to your grace.

Now risen Jesus, my life is open,
a flower unfolding in the sun:
by your light growing, and boldly showing
the love of God, as you have done.
Open, I am open, open to your grace.



I Am Listening     (Original song)

Speak, for I am listening.
My heart is open.
Speak, for I am listening,
open to your word.



I Wait for Your Will (Original song)

Congregation:
I wait for your will.
I wait for your will.
I wait for your will, O God,
for your loving will,
your life-giving will.
I wait for your will, O God.

Cantor:
1. All I desire to control
I let go and place into your hands, my God.
2. Heal and protect and provide.
Hear me and stay by my side.
3. You are my wisdom and strength.

I will do your will alone, my God.
4. Help me to listen and wait,
trusting your Spirit to move, my God.

January 14, 2024

Lectionary Texts

1 Samuel 3.1-10 God calls to Samuel, who at first does not realize that it is God who is speaking to him.

Psalm 139 “You have searched me and known me.” (Click here for Psalm 139, a paraphrase.)

1 Corinthians 6. 12-20 Not everything that is lawful is helpful…. Our bodies are members of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit. … You are bought with a price.

John 1.43-51 Jesus calls Phillip, who tells Nathaniel about Jesus. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” “Come and see.”

Preaching Thoughts

1 Samuel
       A classic common of a call from God is that we tend to disbelieve it at first. “Sorry, wrong number.” … How might God be calling you, nudging you, attracting you, alluring you, even tricking you into God’s delight for you? Yes, God’s delight. God does not call us toward misery, but toward joy.

Psalm
       One reason we can trust God’s call is that God knows us better than we know ourselves. God is not “watching over us” from above, but living in us, seeing us from the inside. God has “known” me in “the biblical sense, “ that is, as intimately as with sexual intercourse. This suggests to me that God’s judgment is not a matter of God standing above us with opinions about how good we are, but God’s knowledge and understanding of what it is to be us—to be you—and God’s vision of who we are created to be, and our journey toward that vision. God is not in the clouds above us sending sun and wind and rain and storms and calm down on our little sailing ship, but in the boat with us (remember Jesus asleep in the boat?), offering wisdom for how to navigate. It’s a voice we can trust.

1 Corinthians
       We see again here Paul’s mystical theology, that we are not separate beings but one in God, one in the Body of Christ. Our bodies look like separate individuals but in reality we’re all fingers of the same hand, members of the same body. That implies that our true calling is toward harmony with the whole and our place in it. God’s call may involve conflict as we engage the Powers in the struggle for justice, but God’s call doesn’t pit us against others; we’re all one, even the people we oppose. (We’re not against them, but the powers of injustice.)

John
       “Can anything good come from Galilee?” Another mark of God’s call is that not only do we doubt it sometimes, but others doubt it, too. God’s call works in people we don’t suspect. Part of learning to listen for God’s call in us is to listen for it in others, too. God calls all of us. Think of the motley crew Jesus called.. including Judas!
       In John’s gospel people, including Jesus, go around saying he is the Messiah, the Son of God. Nathaniel’s outburst— “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” sounds like an odd thing for someone to say who’s just met Jesus. But John is not giving us a historical account, nor is he evangelizing, trying to beat unbelievers over the head and get them to believe in Jesus. He’s writing for his church, for people who are already following Jesus. John knows we know Jesus is the Son of God. He’s inviting us to watch Jesus with that knowledge, so we more deeply entrust ourselves to him. John is saying to us “Come and see.” Watch Jesus. Unbelievers trouble themselves over whether or not Jesus is sent from God, but that’s not our focus. We watch him and see how he behaves—the acts of radical love, healing, inclusivity and liberation—and learn from that, learn both how to trust Jesus and also what to do with our own lives.
       John can’t resist adding one of his theological spoilers here (there’s on on every page): “You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon ‘the Son of Man.’” (The New Human.) Ascending and descending matches the order of movement of the angels on Jacob’s ladder. Contrary to those who think heaven is hard to get into, here’s another of the New Testament’s many visions of heaven being open. The angels don’t travel with the New Human, but upon the New Human. As if Jesus is the stairway to heaven, the bridge to the holy, the entry into the divine mystery. (“I am the way.”) Whatever this means, I don’t think it means access to heaven is limited to people who believe in Jesus. It doesn’t say “on their faith,” but “on the Son of Man.” Jesus carries us into the divine, like a parent carrying a child into the house. Jesus bears us into lives of perfect love; that’s Jesus’ work, not ours.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: Silence of God, you enfold us.
All: We are here. We are listening.
Word of God, you come to us.
We are here. We are listening.
Spirit of God, you live in us.
We are here. Speak to us, for your servants are listening.

2.
Leader: Eternal God, source of all wisdom, we praise you.
All: Open the eyes of our hearts, so that we may see your truth.
Risen Christ, you whose word rings true, we greet you.
Open our ears, so that we may hear your voice.
Holy Spirit, you whose light shines in us, and guides our way, we thank you.
Open our hearts, and give us courage to seek your wisdom.
Come, Spirit of Life, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

3.
Leader: The Holy One calls us. Do we hear?
All: Sometimes, when the chaos of the world is quiet, and we decide to listen.
And how do we answer God’s call?
We worship today seeking to hear and answer God’s call.
Here I am, God. Speak for I am listening. Amen.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of love and Truth, many images present themselves to us, but they are not your vision for us. Be thou our vision. Many voices call to us, but they are not you. Beneath the noise of this world you are calling to us. We want to hear you, and see your vision for us. Speak, for your servants are listening. Amen.

2.
God of truth, you speak and we fail to hear; you whisper and we do not listen. You call us to follow, and we falter. Yet still you come to us and give us the gift of your Word. You are calling to us now. Help us to hear. Give us courage to see. By your Spirit, may we follow Christ in faith. Amen.

3.
Gracious God, in many quiet ways you come to us; you speak to us. Grant us the grace to listen with our hearts, to look with the eyes of our souls. Open our hearts, that we may know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day praising you, with Christ your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

4.
Almighty God, You who continually call your people to yourself, draw us by the power of Your Holy Spirit into such a warm and binding relationship that we may faithfully follow you in our daily lives in the name and spirit of Jesus. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

God, you are whispering.
We are silent.
Deep within the temple of our heart,
you are calling.
Our ears cannot hear, only our hearts.
We are listening.
In silence our hearts are listening.

Prayer of Confession

Pastor: The grace of God is with you.
All: And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
Gentle God, we confess that we are afraid to look honestly at ourselves.
Help us by your grace to see ourselves as you see us.
We place ourselves in your light, in your mercy.
Heal us, forgive us, bless us, and set us free,
in the name and the spirit of the crucified and risen Christ. Amen.
[Silent prayer… the word of grace]

Reading

Click here for Psalm 139, a paraphrase

Prayer of Dedication / Sending / after Communion

You have loved us, and in your love you have called us. Awaken us to your Spirit, give us courage, and empower us with grace to follow you, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Calling me (Original song)

Dear God, Creator eternally, you call everything to be.
How are you calling me, even now?
Who do you call me to be?
Where is your image in me, calling me?

Jesus, lord of the fishermen, calling your children,
you call to me once again, even now.
What will you lead me to do?
How can I witness to you, calling me, calling me?

Spirit, power of love in me, how do you set me free,
what gifts are you giving me, even now?
I am a vessel for you.
Humbly I listen to you, calling me, calling me.


Drawing Me (Original song)

Holy One, Mystery, how will you keep drawing me
nearer to the heart within the heart?
Nearer still, falling in, closer to the heart within,
draw me God. I fall into your love.
Lover, you are calling, you are drawing,
I am falling into you in love.

Deep in me there’s a voice, there’s a hunger, there’s a choice,
seeking something vital that is you.
By your grace drawing me, may I fall eternally
nearer to my center deep in you.
Lover, you are calling, you are drawing,
I am falling into you in love.


God, you have searched me – Psalm 139 (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)

God, you have searched me; you know from within,
all of my beauty, my wounds and my sin.
Deep in my heart, before I speak a word,
you know my soul, and my thoughts you have heard.

You who you have made me and always are near,
help me to shed my illusion and fear.
Help me be truthful, and truthfully see,
humbly transparent to your grace in me.

Your loving presence within me each day
go with me, guide me, and show me your way.
Give me the eyes of your mercy and grace,
to walk in love in each moment, each place.