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Saturday, June 29, 2019

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community - Memorial Liturgy for Eileen Miller - June 29, 2019




Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
Memorial Liturgy for Eileen Miller
Michael Rigdon, & Elena Garcia ARCWP Presiding
Mindy Lou Simmons Music Minister
June 29, 2019
Welcome!

Gathering Song: God of Day and God of Darkness

All: In the name of Mother/Father, Christ the Chosen One, and the Holy Spirit, our Wisdom. Amen.

Presider: We pray…Holy One our God, we give thanks and remember our sister, Eileen.  Although her journey was but for a time among us, we are grateful for all you accomplished in, with and through her: wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, companion and friend. For it was in dying that she rose with you to everlasting life, and a dying that set her free in this life to know you for all eternity.  Blessings upon you our God forever and ever.  Amen.

All sing: Glory to God, Glory!  O praise God, Alleluia!  Glory to God, Glory!  O praise the name of our God [3x]

First Reading: Teilhard de Chardin selection

This prayerful offering bespeaks the drama held forth in so many lives that are struggling as we speak. This drama embraced Eileen for several years, releasing her to be one with the God of us all.

A selection from the writings of Teilhard de Chardin

When the signs of age begin to mark my body [and still more when they touch my mind]; when the ill that is to diminish me or carry me off strikes from without or is born within me; when the painful moment comes in which I suddenly awaken to the fact that I am ill or growing old; and above all that last moment when I feel I am losing hold of myself and am absolutely passive within the hands of the great unknown forces that have formed me; in all those dark moments, O God, grant that I may understand that it is you [provided only my faith is strong enough] who are painfully parting the fibers of my being in order to penetrate to the very marrow of my substance and bear me away within yourself. Sisters and Brothers, we have heard the Word of God through Teilhard de Chardin Eileen enjoyed being an active part of the Body of Christ. Worshipping the God of all in the midst of all of us was the blessing that kept her going.

All: Thanks be to God!

Sung response: Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened,/ and I will give you rest/.  Take my yoke and learn from me,/ for I am meek and humble of heart./  And you’ll find rest for your souls,/ for my yoke is easy/ and my burden is light.  [Weston Priory]

Second Reading: A reading from the book of Judith

And Judith sang this song to God: I will sing a new song my God: Adonai, you are great and strong! Your strength is marvelous; you are invincible. Let all your creatures worship you; as a result of your words, they came to be. You breathed into them and they lived. None can resist your voice. The mountains shake to their foundations; the seas tremble, and rocks melt like wax at your glance. But you show mercy on those who revere you. Even the most fragrant sacrifice is a small thing to you, and the fat of a single burnt offering is but a trifle. But worshipping you in reverence is the greatest gift of all.
THANKS BE TO GOD

All Sing: “Alleluia, Alleluia!  Give thanks to the risen Christ.  Alleluia, Alleluia!  Give praise to Christ’s name. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 11: 28-30 Come to Me!
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.”

All: repeat Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sharing of the Living Word in and by the Body of Christ

Profession of Faith: All: We believe in the Holy One Our God, divine mystery beyond all definition and understanding, heart of all that has ever existed, exists or will ever exist; whose divinity infuses the entire cosmos, making everything in it sacred.  We believe in the Chosen One, Christ of the Cosmos, God’s Word enfleshed, bringer of healing, new life and compassion, who brought us through the consequences of our brokenness to now share life eternal as the Body of Christ.  We believe in the Spirit, Wisdom, who strengthens us on our journey to follow Christ as a loving people, source of compassion, truth, and instruments and witnesses of peace in the world.  We believe in God’s reign on earth here and now and forever—a reign that embraces all and stretches all about us for those with eyes to recognize it and hearts to share it with everyone, no exceptions.  Amen.

Community Petitions:  Please respond to each petition offered: Holy One, hear us!

Offering taken up and procession of Gifts to the table.
All Sing: You Are Mine [David Haas - all verses]
[After song, please gather around the table for our community meal.  When in place, we will sing…]

All sing: We are holy, holy, holy!

All: As we do in this place what you did in an upstairs room, send down your Spirit Sophia on us and on these gifts of bread and wine that they may become for us your body: healing, forgiving, and making us whole.  And that we may become for you, your body, loving and caring in the world until your kindom comes.  Amen.

Presider: On the night before he died, Jesus sat at the Seder meal with his companions.  Reminding them of what he taught, he bent down to wash their feet.

All with hand extended in blessing: Jesus returned to his place at table, lifted the Passover bread and spoke the blessing, then broke the bread saying: “Take and eat, this is my very self.” [pause]

Jesus then raised the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine saying: “Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life for you and for everyone.  Whenever you do this, do so in remembrance of me.”

All: Remember, Holy One our God, your church through-out the world.  May we be open to receive everyone.  In union with all people, may we strive to create a world where suffering is diminished, and where all people can live in health and wholeness.
Thru Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in union with the Holy
Spirit, all glory is yours, Holy One our God. [sing] Amen

Prayer of Jesus [Sing, “Our Father/Mother”]

Presider: Let us now share with each other a sign of peace.
All: This is Jesus who liberates, heals and transforms us and our world.  All are invited to partake of this banquet of love.  We are the Body of Christ!
All [sing]: Holy gifts for holy people, come you hungry and believe. Come receive Christ’s body offered, come and be what you receive. [2X]

After Communion: We Will Rise Again [David Haas]
Thanksgiving Prayer [Didache, Instruction, 100 CE]
Men: For the thanksgiving, give thanks this way: First, for the cup: We thank you, Abba God, for the sacred vine of David your son, whose meaning you made clear to us through our Brother Jesus; yours ever be the splendor.

Women: And for the bread fragment: We thank you, Amma God, for the life and wisdom whose meaning you made clear to us through Jesus; yours ever be the splendor.

All: As this fragment was scattered high on hills, but by gathering was united into one, so let your people from earth’s ends be united into your single reign; for yours are splendor and might through Jesus Christ down the ages.

Prayers of Thanksgiving - Introductions - Announcements

All sing with hand extended in blessing: You are the face of God; I hold you in my heart; you are a part of me; you are the face of God.  You are the face of God; I hold you in my heart; you are my family; you are the face of God.

Presider: Go in the peace of Christ! May our loving service to all continue!  All: Thanks be to God, Alleluia!

Closing Song: Shall We Gather At the River