Jim
Marsh, ARCWP, and Deb Trees, ARCWP, led the Upper Room’s First Sunday in Advent Liturgy.
Jim, homily starter is printed below the readings.
Welcome and Theme
Today we enter into
the Season of Advent, the beginning of a new church year. For the most part
over the course of this next year, our “Good News” will be taken from the
Evangelist Luke. Traditionally, Advent has been a season of expectant, hopeful, even joyful waiting. As children, we knew the season ended with the
coming of Kris Kringle, (Santa Claus) and all sorts of Christmas presents. Our
parents, religious educators and formators would often remind us that this season
celebrated the birth of Jesus who would come again at the end of time. Just
what is it that we are awaiting? May our time together this Advent challenge
how we answer that question.
Receiving
the Stole
So, let us begin in
song, carrying lit votive candles as we process (if you are able) around our
sacred circle. As the song is ending, please re-enter the circle after leaving
your lit votives behind our chairs.
Opening
Song:
Rejoice, Rejoice (tune of “O
Come, O Come Emmanuel”)
Come
now, dear friends, for advent time is here;
It's
time to cast out doubt and crippling fear –
for
soon now, before our wond’ring eyes,
this
season will bring forth its own surprise.
Refrain: Rejoice rejoice!
Our
freedom is at hand:
The
Dawn of Justice shines upon the land.
This
holy season teaches us that we
Who
share, with Christ, are one humanity
Must
struggle to bring fragile earth
Into
the peace that heralds a new birth. Refrain
Let us
together ponder how we may
Initiate
a new and better day
In hope
we are strong, our faith is great
no more delay lest
justice come too late. Refrain
Lighting
of Advent Candle
Presider 1: Like our ancestors, we honor the cycles and the seasons
that remind us of the ever-changing flow of life of which we are a part. Ritual acts give life meaning—they honor and
acknowledge the unseen web of Life that connects us all.
(Presider
1 lights candle as Presider 2 prays)
Presider 2: We light this first
candle and remember the Holy One, our
Mother, who created light and life out
of darkness by loving. The dark shadow
of space leans over us and we are mindful that the darkness of greed,
exploitation, and hatred also lengthens its shadow over our small planet
Earth.
And so we respond: Let
us kindle the light of hope!
Opening Prayer Poem: Rebirth
by William (“Rusty”) Clyma
Women: Star-kindling God—shine into our depths,
Let us hear your
voice within,
yearning, calling, pleading,
"Bring me to birth once again!"
yearning, calling, pleading,
"Bring me to birth once again!"
Men: Light bearing light—shine in our heart
and soul,
show us your fire again,
yearning, calling, pleading,
"Bring me to birth once again."
show us your fire again,
yearning, calling, pleading,
"Bring me to birth once again."
All:
AMEN
From Seasoning the Soul: Images and reflections with a
Celtic flavor to bless your year. (2012).
© Collected and edited by Eileen Knoff, D. Min. - used with permission.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reading 1:
Jeremiah 31:3-6, 8-9, 32:14-16
Thus says YHWH:
“In everlasting love I conceived you.”
And now I will continue to show my love for you. I will build you up again, and
you will stand firm, Beloved Israel. You will take up your tambourines once more
and go forth with the crowd of merrymakers. On again you will plant vineyards
on Samaria’s mountainsides. The planters will plant and will enjoy the fruit.
For the day will come when sentinels will cry out on Ephraim’s hills, ‘Come let
us go up to Zion, to YHWH.’
For I will gather them from the ends of
the earth—the blind and the lame will be among them, along with expectant
mothers and women in labor. They will return in vast numbers. I will lead them
beside streams of water, along level ground where they will not stumble. For I
am forever a mother and father to Israel.”
“The days are surely coming, says YHWH,
when I will bestow on Israel and Judah all the blessings I promised them. In
those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous branch from the line of
David, who will bring justice and integrity to the land. They will call the
land, ‘YHWH is our Justice.’”
Alleluia
Gospel Reading:
Luke 1:5-17
In the days of the ruler Herod, there
was a priest named Zechariah, of the priestly class of Abijah. His wife
Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Both were worthy in the sight of God and
scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of our God. They
were childless—unable to conceive—and they were both advanced in years.
Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s
priestly class to serve. And as he was fulfilling his priestly office before
God, it fell to him by lot, according to priestly usage, to enter the sanctuary
of our God and offer incense. While the full assembly or people was praying
outside at the time of day when the incense was offered, and angel of our God
appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was
deeply disturbed and was overcome with fear.
The angel said to him, “Don’t be
frightened, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will
bear a son, whom you’ll name John. He will be your joy and delight and many
will rejoice at this birth, for he will be great in the sight of our God. He
will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. And he will bring
many of the children of Israel back to their God Most High. He will go before
God as a forerunner, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of
parents to their children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just—to make
ready a people prepared for our God.”
Shared
Homily
Jim’s Homily Reflection
Let me
begin by saying that I received a dispensation from using the Revised Common
Lectionary readings from none other than Pastor Dawn Hutchings of Holy Cross
Lutheran Church in Toronto. In her reflection entitled “Shady Ladies ForgottenStories and Images of God: Casualties of our Advent Lectionary” she urges all
worship planners and preachers to ‘tinker away and tell the stories’ beginning
with the first chapter of Luke, and not to forget the women!
In our
first reading, Jeremiah reminds the Jewish people (exiles, refugees if you
will) of who they are and where they are going—what God envisions for them. He
tells them they are the beloved beyond measure for all time, and that they will
return to their homeland and rebuild the temple, and enjoy the fruits of their
labor with much rejoicing. I draw your attention to the inclusivity in Jeremiah’s
message—the days of blessing are for both Israel and Judah (the northern and
southern kingdoms) and include the blind, lame, expectant mothers, even those in
labor to give birth. From this community will come a righteous one who will
restore justice and right-relating to the social order of the day. Indeed, it is a very hopeful and joyous
promise by a God who is father and mother!
In our
Gospel today, we hear the incredulous story of Zechariah and Elizabeth becoming
parents—joyful but a rather anxious expectation for an elderly couple, wouldn’t
you agree?
Advent
is a time of reflective expectation. As 21st century progressive
Christians we commemorate the birth of Jesus not as savior and rescuer, but as
one who embodied the Divine in being fully human—how to live mercy, compassion,
justice and love life and all creation in very ordinary ways. This is the work
of liberation and redemption!
What
is it that you and I are awaiting for ourselves, our families, our nation and
world?
Are we
waiting for the second coming of Christ? The Greek term used in scripture is “parousia’’
which means “being present.” It’s not so much about waiting for something to
occur as it is to be aware and recognize what is happening right in our midst. Incarnation happened some
14.7 billion years ago in that great burst of a star and continues over and
over and over again in our world each and every day.
May we
be Advent people who birth God among us … in the joyful hope of the song “O
Come, O Come Emmanuel”—God with us and in us!
So
what did you hear?
Statement
of Faith
We
believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We
believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We
believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We
believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We
believe that the Divine kin-dom is
here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
LITURGY OF THE
EUCHARIST
Presider
1: As we prepare for this sacred meal, we
are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. As bearers of LIGHT
and HOPE, we bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns. Please feel
free to voice your concerns beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…..” Presider
1 closes: As a community, we
bring these and all the unspoken concerns of our heart to this Eucharistic
table.”
Presider
2: Source
of light, we seek you in this season of winter, when the days are
short
and we lift up our hearts and ease our souls into that quiet place
which
is your presence among us.
Presider
1: Please
join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together
(written by Jay Murnane)
All:
Source of All That Is, we seek you in this season,
when the earth is
resting and preparing for new life. Like the earth, we long for new life and
hopeful beginnings. This
is the time of the pregnant woman, filled with life and hope powerful enough to
topple structures of oppression. This is the time of her song of fidelity
and celebration.
During
this gentle season of Advent, we recognize that you have made us capable of
bringing forth justice, like a rising sun. One with
all who have gone before us, we sing this
song of praise:
Blessed
be our God!
Blessed
be our God!
Joy
of our hearts, source of all life and love!
God
of Heaven and Earth!
God
of Heaven and Earth!
Dwelling
within, calling us all by name!
Alleluia,
sing!
Alleluia,
sing!
(Alleluia Sing by
David Haas)
We
thank you for those in
times past who believed the good
news, and lived what they believed.
Blessed is Isaiah and every visionary
who insisted on a better future that would
break
through the deception, disaster and broken promises of the age in which they
lived.
Blessed
is John, in the stark desert of careful focus, inviting the people to
be born again in your love.
Blessed
is Miriam, who believed the
words of Isaiah and opened herself
up to the unbelievable.
And
blessed is her child Jesus, who felt the sorrows of humankind in his soul, and
responded with deep and tender compassion.
All: On the night before he faced his own death,
Jesus sat at the Seder
supper
with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught
them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their
feet.
(Presider 1 lifts plate)
When
he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the Passover bread, spoke the
blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat of the Bread of Life
Given to strengthen you
Whenever you remember me like this
I am among you
(after pause, Presider
2 lifts cup)
Jesus then raised a cup of blessing,
spoke the grace saying:
Take
and drink of the covenant
Made
new again through my life
in you.
Whenever
you remember me like this,
I
am among you.
Let us
share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. (pause)
All: We give thanks for our tradition, which is a
living history
of your love
for
all creation.
We join ourselves with that tradition, as the visionaries and healers and
peacemakers of our own time in history.
We celebrate
the many creative traditions which guide and form us and
we are grateful that there are many paths to wisdom and life.
Each
Advent we make a place in our prayer
for all
those who are oppressed and marginalized in
so many places throughout this earth, and right here among us.
We
are grateful for the gift of your Spirit, always drawing beauty and balance out
of chaos.
And
like Jesus, standing
where he stood, and for what he stood,
and
with whom he stood, we
are united in your Spirit, and worship you with
our lives.
All: Amen.
Presider
2: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
O
Holy One, you
are within, around and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, Amen.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, Amen.
(Adapted by Miriam
Therese Winter )
Presider
1: Please join in our prayer for the
breaking of the bread:
All: Loving God, You call
us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will live
justly.
Loving
God, You call
us to be Your presence in the world.
We
will love tenderly.
Loving
God, You call
us to speak truth to power.
We
will walk with integrity in your presence.
(Presiders hold up bread and wine)
Presider
2: This is the bread of life.
Through it we are nourished and we nourish each other.
All: What
we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives; as we share
communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s
challenge.
Presider
1: Our Eucharistic celebration is
all-inclusive. You are a spark of the Divine and nothing can separate you from
God’s love. All are welcome to receive at this table. As you pass the
bread and cup please say “You are a bearer of Light and Hope.”
Presider
2: Our communion meditative song is Say Yes – Bob Franke
When the angel arrives there will be terror,
but say yes.
The sound of wings like the breaking of a
mirror, but say yes.
It will arrive where you’re little and you’re
scared
It will lay claim to the things you’ve never
shared
But though your heart and your soul are
unprepared, say yes.
And it may tear you from home and family, but
say yes.
It may demand you become a refugee, but say
yes.
And when you’re tired, and you’re hungry, and
you’re poor
When you’re in pain in a room without a door
And when the angel returns and asks for more,
say yes.
Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you
Worlds without end depend on you
Blessed is the one whom you bring forth
Whom no one else can bring
And when the legions of angels call you
blessed, say yes.
And were you faithful in each and every test?
Say yes.
And when they ask you in story and in song,
Were you upheld and protected all along?
And did the power of the spirit keep you
strong? Say yes.
Concluding Prayer: O Holy One, We hear your voice today … in Jeremiah and
Luke’s writing as well as in the words of our sisters and brothers here with
us. Strengthened by our simple meal of bread and wine, we remember Jesus, and
his call to be “good news” to all the world. Despite these long winter days and
the frightening, seemingly hopeless and confusing times in which we live, may
we give birth and incarnate hope and light to everyone we meet. May it be so,
AMEN.
BLESSING
Presider 1: Let
us extend our hands as we bless each other:
May we continue to be the face of God to each
other. May we call each other to extravagant generosity! May our
light shine for all to see, and may our name be a blessing in our time! AMEN
Closing
Song: Sing Out Earth and
Skies! By Marty Haugen
Come O God of all the earth: Come to us, O Righteous One;
Come, and bring our love to birth: in the glory of your Son.
Refrain: Sing out earth
and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you!
Raise your joyful cries!
Dance to the life around you!
Come O God of wind and flame: Fill the earth with
righteousness;
Teach us all to sing your name: May our lives your love
confess. Ref
Come, oh God a flashing light: Twinkling star and burning
sun;
God of day and God of night: In your light we all are one. Ref
Come, O God of snow and rain: shower down upon the Earth;
come, oh God of joy and pain: God of sorrow, God of birth. Ref
Come, O Justice, come, O Peace: Come and shape our hearts a
new;
Come and make oppression cease: Bring us all to life in you. Ref
Sing out earth and skies! Sing of the God who loves you!
Raise your joyful cries! Dance to the life around you! Ref
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