Harsh Words Signifying Paradigm Shift in Process

3 Pentecost  Cycle B  proper 5 June 9, 2024 
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1   Mark 3:20-35
1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) Psalm 138

Lectionary Link

Consider the following rhetoric being present within a community about a teacher.  His family says, "He's out of his mind."  Other religious leader say, "he has the representative of the devil Beelzebul.  He casts out demons because he has a pact with the ruler of demons."

This is rather strong language indicating rather severe disagreements about a teacher.

This rhetoric is found in Mark's Gospel.  It was written about 30-40 years after Jesus lived and spoke.  Jesus spoke in the Aramaic language; the Gospel of Mark was written in the koine Greek language which derived from Classical Greek after Alexander and his Generals brought Greek culture and administration to their empires.  As a lingua franca, koine Greek persisted into the Roman Era.  The writer of Mark was educated to write and speak in koine Greek and was writing to an audience who had the ability to understand the language even if not being literate enough also to read and write in the language.

The writer of Mark's Gospel was distilling traditions of Jesus which were available into new writing specifically for the audience of the writing context.  The Gospel writer was setting up a dialogue between the traditions of Jesus with their applications within the settings of the mid 60's to the early 70's of the Common Era.

The Marcan writer practiced an oracular method which in the Gospel was expressed about speaking "in the name of Jesus."  Or as St. Paul wrote, "I believe that I have the mind of Christ."

The Gospel voice is the oracle voice of Christ through the lives of the Gospel writers and preachers, and it was not written for the people who lived with Jesus during his time; it was written for people who were living in the decades which followed.

The oracle voice is a spiritual channeling, a spiritual art in the words crafted to evoke the sublime effects of persuasive meanings about the significance of Jesus Christ, past, present, and future.

The controversy about the spiritual truth of Jesus was an issue for the people who were recipients of the message of the writings of Mark.

To use a modern designation for changes within community; the Gospel writings chronicle a paradigm shift within a community which could be be comprised of various religious parties like the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Zealots, the Essenes, the followers of John the Baptist, and followers of Rabbis like Hillel, Gamaliel, Shammai, and of course, Jesus of Nazareth. 

Sometimes we forget that inter-family, and inter-faith community conflicts are sharp, poignant and fiery in the rhetoric of their disagreements, especially as they approach the occasion of their divorce and separation.  In heated disagreements, people can say unforgivable things like calling evil the very spirit of a new community with a different paradigm.  What happened is that members of the synagogue and the Jesus Movement ceased to forgive each other and so they separated.  What is unforgivable is the lie of separation.  One party cannot excommunicate the other from God's love, oneness, and grace.  Denying the unity of omnipresent Spirit is unforgivable until the error is corrected.

Much of the Gospel writings projects the strong disagreements about Jesus within the various communities of Judaism back onto original disagreements in the time of Jesus, the kinds of disagreements which eventually got him crucified.

I believe that the writings from Mark Gospel are painfully acknowledging the conflict within Judaism about the significance of Jesus for Judaism and express a singular persuasion for a Christo-centric Judaism as the preferred future for living as a minority religious community within the Roman Empire.

The writer of Mark's Gospel believed that the Jesus Movement within Judaism needed to have the mission of converting non-practicing Jews, and Gentiles to a new expression of a family of faith.  This family of faith had to be one constituted in a way that made membership accessible to as many people as possible.  However, to make the faith of Christ accessible, the significant ritual requirements of Judaism had to be made optional.

The parties within Judaism who believed that the ritual requirements of the Torah had to be maintained, could not accept the compromises made by the leadership of the Jesus Movement.  The members of the Jesus Movement believed that God's will could be fulfilled in lives people without adherence to the ritual purity rites of Judaism.  So, those who did the will of God were to be recognized as being brothers and sisters in the family Christ.

The Gospel of Mark is confessing a painful reality: the separation of the Jesus Movement from the synagogue is due to Jesus.  He is a founder of a new paradigm which was to make a "form" of Judaism so evangelical in its appeal to non-Jews, that it would lose it formal relationship with those who remained in the synagogue.

Community divisions are very painful, especially when so much is shared in common as pertaining to shared Scripture, traditions,  and practices.  But community divisions can result in providential expansion of mission.  Mission is expanded through diversity of appeal.

What we can say about the painful division of church and synagogue is that the articulation of different missions to different people has been a benefit to getting the message out about a God who loves us and calls us into God's family, even with various household locations.

What we should mourn today is when we have let the Gospels which chronicle the painful process of division between synagogue and church, be expressed in religious chauvinism resulting in persecution and intolerance, and refusal to accept the various missions of our communities.  The error of trying to preach Christ with a sword of oppression to those who disagree has been the most severe violation of the Spirit of Christ.

Today, we read the Gospels, in a sadness about a ancient division which occurred between synagogue and church, but also with a thanksgiving for the birth of a new mission which has brought the message of the love of God in Christ to a significant number of people.

Today, let us commit ourselves afresh to being the family of Christ, by loving our neighbors as ourselves in winsome ways, but also in ways which discern the love of God working in the lives of people who may not be in our immediate families of faith.  Amen.

Sunday School, June 9, 2024 3 Pentecost, B Proper 5

 Sunday School, June 9, 2024  3 Pentecost, B Proper 5

While the Gospel lesson contains some rather enigmatic sayings of Jesus about his “family” values for children, it might be good to stress an understanding of our baptismal family. The Gospel lesson contrast the flesh and blood family of Jesus with another family, namely the family of people who do the will of God.


The Sunday School lessons can center around one of the things which baptism means. It means that we live our lives trying to understand the will of God.


Ask the children, what is the will of God? What is it that God wants us to do in our lives?


The answers are the answers of the baptismal covenant. To love God, to seek Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as our selves.


Contrast our two families: the natural families of our birth and our baptismal family. With our baptismal family we join with other people who are committed to seek and do the will of God.


Remember the Gospel Lesson: Jesus said that he had two families, his brothers and sisters and mother and father with whom he was raised in the village of Nazareth, but he also had a greater family, the family of all people who want to do the will of God.


Let us celebrate our family relationship with all people who seek to do the will of God.


Sermon:


Sometimes we call a church’s building God’s house or God’s home. And one of the reason why we do this is because this building is a home for God’s family. And we are part of God’s family.
We were taught to pray by Jesus, who is called the Son of God. And when Jesus taught his friends to pray, he told them to say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”
If Jesus taught us to say to God, “Our Father,” what does that make you and me? Who calls a person their father? Children call a person their father; sons and daughters call a person their father.
And so Jesus taught us that we have a very small family and we also have a very big family.
Our small family is the family of our moms and dads. We because a part of our families by birth or adoption.
But when we were born into our families, our family was not the only family in the world. There are many families in the world.
So, when we were born we were born into our own families with our moms and dads and brothers and sisters. And we were born into the world with many, many families. And so we were also born into the family of God, because God is the creator and maker of the world. God is the maker of all families.
Today in the Gospel reading Jesus taught us about these two families. People said, “Jesus, your family is here to see you. Your mom and dad and brother and sister.” And then Jesus told a riddle: He said, “Who is my family? Everyone is my family who does the will of God.” So Jesus was teaching us about the family of God.
When we sing the Prayer, “Our Father” we sing, “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”
So, what is the will of God the Father that God wants to be done on earth? God wants us to love God and to love each other and to practice kindness in our lives. This is how we prove that we belong to the family of God. This is how we do the will of God the Father on earth.
As children, we want our parents to happy and proud of us. We want to do their will (most of the time, even if it means cleaning our bedrooms). As children of God the Father, we want to please Him; we want to do what he wants us to do. And God does not ask us to do things that are bad. He asks us to love Him and each other and practice kindness. And if we do that we show that we belong to the family of God.
Today, remember that Jesus came to remind us that we belong in the family of God. So, let me teach you a word that means Daddy…. Can you say, “Abba?” And God wants you to get to know him so well that you can call him, Daddy, or Abba. Amen.



Intergeneration Family Service with Holy Eucharist
June 9, 2024: The Third Sunday after Pentecost


Gathering Songs: Peace before us, Seek Ye First, I am the Bread of Life, May the Lord

Song: Peace Before Us (Wonder, Love and Praise, # 791)
1 Peace before us. Peace behind us. Peace under our feet. Peace within us. Peace over us. Let all around us be Peace.
2 Love,
3 Light,
4 Christ


Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Liturgist: Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Liturgist: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

Liturgist: Let us pray
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great! Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia

A reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 130

2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *O Lord, who could stand?
3 For there is forgiveness with you; * therefore you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; * in his word is my hope.


Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:
For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!
For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.
Thanks be to God!

Liturgist: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great and we are so small,
We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.
We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is
welcome.
We believe that Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.
For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Liturgist: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering.

Song: Seek Ye First (Blue Hymnal, # 711)
1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you; Allelu, alleluia. Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, allelu, alleluia.
2 Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you; Allelu, alleluia! Refrain

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.


The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.


It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;
You have made us in your image
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.
And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as
this food and drink that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,


Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!


Words of Administration

Communion Song I Am the Bread of Life, Hymn # 335
1 I am the bread of life, they who come to me shall not hunger; they who believe in me shall not thirst. No one can come to me unless the Father draw them. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
2 I am the resurrection, I am the life, they who believe in me, even if they die, they shall live forever. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
3 Yes Lord we believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who has come into the world. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day


Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;
We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.
And His Presence has been known to us.
We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers
and sisters in Christ.
Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the
bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Closing Song: May the Lord (Sung to the tune of Eidelweiss)
May the Lord, Mighty God, Bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, Courage in every endeavor. Lift up your eyes and seek His face, Trust His grace forever. May the Lord, Mighty God Bless and keep you for ever.

Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!

Unforgivable Sin and the Family of Christ

2 Pentecost  Cycle B  proper 5 June 6, 2021 
1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) Psalm 138
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1   Mark 3:20-35

Lectionary Link

What is the difference between forgiveness and a pardon?  They may be used as synonyms but there may be some significant nuances of differences.  When a person is pardoned, it does not mean that the person acknowledges guilt or promises amendment of life or reparation of harms caused.  The notion of forgiveness implies a recognition of a wrong with a confession of the same, a request for mercy along with the promise of repentance and amendment of life.

Just as all laws are not equal in importance, so too, we might say that not all sins and wrongs are of equal magnitude of devastating horror.

What sins might be on the list of being unforgivable or unpardonable?  The six million killed in the holocaust?  Stalin's slaughters?  Pol Pot's genocides?  Armenian genocide?  The enslavement people with oppressing violence.  The slaughter of people in unjust wars or for the sheer motive of profit and land.  These are social or group unforgivable sins, which our ancestors were involved in perpetrating.  What about more individual and personal unforgivable sins?  Abuse and cruelty to children?

Certainly the magnitude of sins in how they devastate individuals or groups of people challenges the limits of possible forgiveness.

Can forgiveness happen even when people don't want it?  We are told that from the cross, Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing?"  So can ignorance, not knowing, or the sickness of social pathologies be reason for forgiving of others?

Before Jesus died upon the cross, he had some serious opposition.  And some of his opposition came from family members who did not understand him.  They had perhaps become targets because of his public deeds and ministry.  He had this public ministry of people of exorcisms, where he whispered deeply disordered people to calmness and peace.  His ministerial style and successes were questioned by the major religious leaders in Israel. 

Perhaps the religious leaders had gone to the family members of Jesus and said, "What's wrong with Jesus?  Has he gone mad?  You know he's breaking all of the rules of being a proper rabbi.  Spitting and making a mud pack to heal a blind person?  What kind of nut would do this?  Why would he even allow himself to be in the same room as a demon possessed person?  Does he know that they are impure and unclean?

"You family members of Jesus, you need to confront Jesus.  Rein him in.  You need to do an intervention."

So, Jesus was opposed by some of family members.  He was said to be mad.  He was said to have made a pact with the devil so as to be able to cast the demons from people.

Jesus explained the total stupidity of such a contradiction, by saying the devil does not work against himself.

And in fact it is unforgivable to imply that the good force of the Holy Spirit who cleanses the hearts of the people whom Jesus whispered, is a devilish force.  This is unforgivable.  To be so warped as to declare the good health which comes to a tortured souls as being done by the prince of evil, is to live in an unforgivable state, the state of not being able to come to repentance and amendment of life.

"But Jesus, your family are here.  You need to regard them and quit embarrassing them.  You are getting them in trouble with the religious authorities and their neighbors."

And this when we get a statement of Jesus about God's family?  "Who is my family?" asked Jesus.  "My family are those who are like me in doing the will of the Father." 

These are ones who are praying, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

We live in a world today where the American family is divided.  We need to avoid living in the "state of the unforgivable."  And what is unforgivable?  It is to be in the condition of saying what is good is evil and what is evil is good.  Having lies being regarded as truth, and the truth being regarded as lies; this is an unforgivable over-turning of the meaningful values inspired by the Holy Spirit.

We need to discern the will of God, and live it and promote it.  And what is the will of God?  It is love, it is justice and mercy.  It is honoring the freedom of democracy among people.

Let us pray today that we will avoid ignorance, bigotry and bias which may place us in the unforgivable state of calling good, evil.  And let us humbly seek God's will which will confirm our membership in the family of Christ and our membership in the family of Christ will be known by our love of others.  Amen.

Sunday School, June 6, 2021 2 Pentecost, B Proper 5

Sunday School, June 6, 2021 2 Pentecost, B Proper 5


While the Gospel lesson contains some rather enigmatic sayings of Jesus about his “family” values for children, it might be good to stress an understanding of our baptismal family. The Gospel lesson contrast the flesh and blood family of Jesus with another family, namely the family of people who do the will of God.


The Sunday School lessons can center around one of the things which baptism means. It means that we live our lives trying to understand the will of God.


Ask the children, what is the will of God? What is it that God wants us to do in our lives?


The answers are the answers of the baptismal covenant. To love God, to seek Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as our selves.


Contrast our two families: the natural families of our birth and our baptismal family. With our baptismal family we join with other people who are committed to seek and do the will of God.


Remember the Gospel Lesson: Jesus said that he had two families, his brothers and sisters and mother and father with whom he was raised in the village of Nazareth, but he also had a greater family, the family of all people who want to do the will of God.


Let us celebrate our family relationship with all people who seek to do the will of God.


Sermon:


Sometimes we call a church’s building God’s house or God’s home. And one of the reason why we do this is because this building is a home for God’s family. And we are part of God’s family.
We were taught to pray by Jesus, who is called the Son of God. And when Jesus taught his friends to pray, he told them to say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”
If Jesus taught us to say to God, “Our Father,” what does that make you and me? Who calls a person their father? Children call a person their father; sons and daughters call a person their father.
And so Jesus taught us that we have a very small family and we also have a very big family.
Our small family is the family of our moms and dads. We because a part of our families by birth or adoption.
But when we were born into our families, our family was not the only family in the world. There are many families in the world.
So, when we were born we were born into our own families with our moms and dads and brothers and sisters. And we were born into the world with many, many families. And so we were also born into the family of God, because God is the creator and maker of the world. God is the maker of all families.
Today in the Gospel reading Jesus taught us about these two families. People said, “Jesus, your family is here to see you. Your mom and dad and brother and sister.” And then Jesus told a riddle: He said, “Who is my family? Everyone is my family who does the will of God.” So Jesus was teaching us about the family of God.
When we sing the Prayer, “Our Father” we sing, “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”
So, what is the will of God the Father that God wants to be done on earth? God wants us to love God and to love each other and to practice kindness in our lives. This is how we prove that we belong to the family of God. This is how we do the will of God the Father on earth.
As children, we want our parents to happy and proud of us. We want to do their will (most of the time, even if it means cleaning our bedrooms). As children of God the Father, we want to please Him; we want to do what he wants us to do. And God does not ask us to do things that are bad. He asks us to love Him and each other and practice kindness. And if we do that we show that we belong to the family of God.
Today, remember that Jesus came to remind us that we belong in the family of God. So, let me teach you a word that means Daddy…. Can you say, “Abba?” And God wants you to get to know him so well that you can call him, Daddy, or Abba. Amen.



Intergeneration Family Service with Holy Eucharist
June 6, 2021: The Second Sunday after Pentecost


Gathering Songs: Peace before us, Seek Ye First, I am the Bread of Life, May the Lord

Song: Peace Before Us (Wonder, Love and Praise, # 791)
1 Peace before us. Peace behind us. Peace under our feet. Peace within us. Peace over us. Let all around us be Peace.
2 Love,
3 Light,
4 Christ


Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Liturgist: Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Liturgist: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

Liturgist: Let us pray
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great! Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia

A reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 130

2 If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *O Lord, who could stand?
3 For there is forgiveness with you; * therefore you shall be feared.
4 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; * in his word is my hope.


Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:
For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!
For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.
Thanks be to God!

Liturgist: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."
Liturgist: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great and we are so small,
We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.
We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is
welcome.
We believe that Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.
For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Liturgist: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering.

Song: Seek Ye First (Blue Hymnal, # 711)
1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you; Allelu, alleluia. Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, allelu, alleluia.
2 Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you; Allelu, alleluia! Refrain

Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.


The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.


It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;
You have made us in your image
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.
And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as
this food and drink that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,


Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!


Words of Administration

Communion Song I Am the Bread of Life, Hymn # 335
1 I am the bread of life, they who come to me shall not hunger; they who believe in me shall not thirst. No one can come to me unless the Father draw them. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
2 I am the resurrection, I am the life, they who believe in me, even if they die, they shall live forever. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
3 Yes Lord we believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who has come into the world. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day


Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;
We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.
And His Presence has been known to us.
We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers
and sisters in Christ.
Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the
bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Closing Song: May the Lord (Sung to the tune of Eidelweiss)
May the Lord, Mighty God, Bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, Courage in every endeavor. Lift up your eyes and seek His face, Trust His grace forever. May the Lord, Mighty God Bless and keep you for ever.

Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!

Unforgivable Sins; Forgivable Sinners

2 Pentecost  Cycle B  proper 5 June 10, 2012  

Psalm 130     Genesis 3:8-15
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1   Mark 3:20-35

Lectionary Link
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, a Dutchman was the inventor who used mercury in glass tubes to standardize the recording of temperature.  Using this measuring standard, scientific laws have been stated, like "water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit at sea level."

And so I ask the question: Does stating this Scientific Law, actually make water boil?  Of course not, which leads me to my favorite quote from the philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead.  He said, "The laws of science are statistically approximate; not causatively absolute."  This was his fancy way of stating that just because science states a law, the stating of the law does not make the event happen.

Many religious people treat the words of the Bible as though they were causatively absolute: Because of the words written in the Bible, this made life happen in the way that  it did and does.

Actually, the words of the Bible are "statistically approximate" explanations of inspired people who were trying to grapple with the great problems of life.

The Genesis story as a causative scientific law does not make any sense; the Genesis story as inspired insights about human life and the human dilemma is brilliant.

Christians have wanted to make an actual historic event call the Fall into a causatively absolute event.  Why do you and I sin?  Well, it all started at a sure and certain historical event when Eve was tricked by the serpent to eat of the forbidden fruit and invited Adam to do the same and this has caused everyone after Adam and Eve to be sinful from birth.

Eve said, "The devil made me do it."  God said, "You have sinned and now that you are imperfect, you cannot live in a perfect environment because your imperfection would ruin it and so you are banished from perfection and you now must bear the effects of your sin.  And that sin will infect your environment and your environment will be full of competitive systems.  Weeds will grow and compete with your crops.  Earthquakes and hurricanes and fires will not be coordinated with your human schedule and people will be in harm's way.  People will be born with physical defects, imperfection and impairments."

Fundamentalist use the Bible in a "causatively absolute way."  Things are the way they are specifically because the words of Bible caused them to be this way.

On the other hand, one can see in this inspired story, the beautiful account of how each baby is expelled from the perfect Eden of mom's womb and is forced to live a separated life outside of mom  and learn to "fend" for oneself.  And in fending for oneself, we all eat the forbidden fruit of "selfishness," and we learn the knowledge of good and evil from the actual experience of losing our innocence by being held more and more accountable in our loss of the infant state of naïve innocence.

Life outside of the garden of Eden of mom's womb can get very complicated because we don't end up getting perfectly mentored.  We pick up the imperfections of our environments and the influences found there.  We can forget how to treat everyone with respect because as separate agents we are perpetually fending for ourselves even if it is at the expense of others.  We find ourselves craving for larger and larger pieces of the public pie even as we know that some are getting more and some less.

We can come to be frightened by our own actions and our own motives for why we do the things that we do.  And there can occur all variety of internal turmoil within ourselves.  Each of us, is more or less successful or failing in knowing how to deal with our internal lives.  There can arise the apparent lack of control of the interior lives in such chaos that there seems to be inward, powerful and impure forces which dictate acting out behaviors of addiction and harm to self and others.

In the time of Jesus, there were religious classification of psychological and spiritual states:  In the purity code of Judaism, a person's inner life could be designated as "Impure" or "unclean."  A person whose behaviors did not properly comport to some obvious community standards of "sanity" could be designated as having or being possessed by an "unclean spirit."  In the Greek of the New Testament, such also came to be call a "daimon" or demon, meaning a personified controlling impulse.

Part of the healing work of Jesus was spiritual and psychological.  Jesus was like a shaman; he had a way of getting inside of people to whisper them to peace of mind.  The ability of Jesus to whisper such wild people, fascinated everyone whose lives had suffered at the hands of such wild people.  How could Jesus be such a people whisperer?  He had to have a profound authority of an extraordinary kind, of a spiritual and divine kind.

The healing success of Jesus is something that should make all people glad.  Why wouldn't people be happy about someone being healed?  It's as though a sick person from Rochester, MN, home of the Mayo Clinic, came to Stanford hospital and got cured and the people of Mayo Clinic responding: "The cure happened because those quack physicians at Stanford used methods of the devil to make the person better.  Only authentic healing can take place through the Mayo Clinic."

The Gospel lesson is a lesson about professional jealousy that became so bad that when Jesus whispered a man back to spiritual and mental health, his competitors said, "he made a pact with the devil to accomplish this."  Those who wanted to discount the ministry of Jesus were so vicious as to call something good, evil and done through evil means."

After eating the forbidden fruit, Eve said, "The devil made me do it."  When the religious rivals of Jesus saw the healing work of Jesus, they said, "The devil made you do and assisted you to do it."

Jesus, who did spiritual work because of the Holy Spirit,  said that such a sin against the Holy Spirit was unforgivable.  And if this seems extreme, it could be that all sins are unforgivable since God cannot say any sin was or is ever "okay."  Sins are behaviors which come from a person who is sinful.  The sinner is forgivable even while the sins are not.  It may seem like a subtle distinction but it's an important one.  The sinner while in the state of sinning is not in a state of forgiveness.

The Gospel for us today is coming to know ourselves in the family of God as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.  John's Gospel states that we are "born not of the will of the flesh, but born of God."  We show our family identity by obeying the will of God.  What is the will of God?  The will of God is to know ourselves as forgiven.  Each of us got evicted from the perfect Eden of our mother's womb and we have come to know ourselves as wounded and separated from each other with some behaviors of alienation, behaviors of sin.  We express the will of God by loving God, our neighbors and ourselves as God's valuable children.

Jesus came to remind us that even though we lived in mother's womb we have always lived in the great womb of God, or as St. Paul quoted, "We live and move and have our being in God."  We are in God and when we don't act as though we are part of God's family, living "in God" we act out in sinful behaviors which derive from our sense of alienation from God.

Doing God's will, begins by acknowledging and discovering that we live and move and have our being in God.  Knowing this is to live a life of being forgiven and learning to cooperate with all goodness, love and justice wherever we find it.

Jesus Christ came to teach us what forgiveness means.  He came to help us tolerate and survive the effects of our "unforgivable sins" and make our hearts pure by giving us his Holy Spirit.  And in the power of the Spirit, we receive the freedom to do the will of God.  Amen.

Sunday School, June 10, 2018 3 Pentecost, B Proper 5

Sunday School, June 10, 2018    3 Pentecost,  B Proper 5

While the Gospel lesson contains some rather enigmatic sayings of Jesus about his “family” values for children, it might be good to stress an understanding of our baptismal family.  The Gospel lesson contrast the flesh and blood family of Jesus with another family, namely the family of people who do the will of God.

The Sunday School lessons can center around one of the things which baptism means.  It means that we live our lives trying to understand the will of God.

Ask the children, what is the will of God?  What is it that God wants us to do in our lives?

The answers are the answers of the baptismal covenant.  To love God, to seek Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as our selves.

Contrast our two families: the natural families of our birth and our baptismal family.  With our baptismal family we join with other people who are committed to seek and do the will of God.

Remember the Gospel Lesson:  Jesus said that he had two families, his brothers and sisters and mother and father with whom he was raised in the village of Nazareth, but he also had a greater family, the family of all people who want to do the will of God.

Let us celebrate our family relationship with all people who seek to do the will of God.

Sermon:

Sometimes we call a church’s building God’s house or God’s home.  And one of the reason why we do this is because this building is a home for God’s family.  And we are part of God’s family.

  We were taught to pray by Jesus, who is called the Son of God.  And when Jesus taught his friends to pray, he told them to say, “Our Father who art in heaven.”

  If Jesus taught us to say to God, “Our Father,” what does that make you and me?  Who calls a person their father?  Children call a person their father; sons and daughters call a person their father.

  And so Jesus taught us that we have a very small family and we also have a very big family.

  Our small family is the family of our moms and dads.  We because a part of our families by birth or adoption.

  But when we were born into our families, our family was not the only family in the world.  There are many families in the world.

  So, when we were born we were born into our own families with our moms and dads and brothers and sisters.  And we were born into the world with many, many families.  And so we were also born into the family of God, because God is the creator and maker of the world.  God is the maker of all families.

  Today in the Gospel reading Jesus taught us about these two families.  People said, “Jesus, your family is here to see you.  Your mom and dad and brother and sister.”  And then Jesus told a riddle:  He said, “Who is my family?  Everyone is my family who does the will of God.”  So Jesus was teaching us about the family of God.

  When we sing the Prayer, “Our Father” we sing, “Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”

  So, what is the will of God the Father that God wants to be done on earth?  God wants us to love God and to love each other and to practice kindness in our lives.  This is how we prove that we belong to the family of God.  This is how we do the will of God the Father on earth. 

  As children, we want our parents to happy and proud of us.  We want to do their will (most of the time, even if it means cleaning our bedrooms).  As children of God the Father, we want to please Him; we want to do what he wants us to do.  And God does not ask us to do things that are bad.  He asks us to love Him and each other and practice kindness.  And if we do that we show that we belong to the family of God.

  Today, remember that Jesus came to remind us that we belong in the family of God.  So, let me teach you a word that means Daddy….  Can you say, “Abba?”  And God wants you to get to know him so well that you can call him, Daddy, or Abba.  Amen.

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

June 10, 2018: The Third Sunday after Pentecost

Gathering Songs:  Peace before us, Seek Ye First, I am the Bread of Life, May the Lord

Song: Peace Before Us (Wonder, Love and Praise,  # 791)

1          Peace before us.  Peace behind us.  Peace under our feet.  Peace within us.  Peace over us.  Let all around us be Peace.

2 Love,

3 Light,

4 Christ

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the Second Letter to the Corinthians

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together  from Psalm 130 

2  If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, *O Lord, who could stand?

3  For there is forgiveness with you; * therefore you shall be feared.

4  I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; * in his word is my hope.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark  

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, "Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you." And he replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Liturgist:         The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:            And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering.

Song: Seek Ye First  (Blue Hymnal, # 711)

1            Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you; Allelu, alleluia.  Refrain: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, allelu, alleluia.

2            Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you; Allelu, alleluia!  Refrain

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as  

  this food and drink that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Song I Am the Bread of Life, Hymn  # 335

1 I am the bread of life, they who come to me shall not hunger; they who believe in me shall not thirst.  No one can come to  me unless the Father draw them.  And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.

2 I am the resurrection, I am the life, they who believe in me, even if they die, they shall live forever.  And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.

3 Yes Lord we believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who has come into the world. And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: May the Lord (Sung to the tune of Eidelweiss)

May the Lord, Mighty God, Bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, Courage in every endeavor.  Lift up your eyes and seek His face, Trust His grace forever.  May the Lord, Mighty God Bless and keep you for ever.

Dismissal:   

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ. 

People: Thanks be to God!