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Friday, December 25, 2020

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, Feast of the Holy Family December 26,2020, Presiders: Judy Connelly and Elena Garcia ARCWP Music Minister: Linda Lee Miller Lectors: Katy Zatsick ARCWP and Lee Breyer

CNS photo: Mike Crup


Zoom link for video, Dec. 26, 2020 4 PM Eastern Standard Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86240868327?pwd=ZWNhdHRudTlFSjVBRlF5QVo5L3VGZz09

Meeting ID: 862 4086 8327

Password: 1066                                                       


Theme: Humanity’s expectations of God as a Super Hero


Silent                

(Let’s begin with a moment of silence)

Welcome: (Judy) We warmly welcome you to our inclusive Catholic community, Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota, Florida. All are welcome here. We invite you to pray the liturgy where it says: All. And please sing your heart out while muted! Everyone will be muted during the service. We ask all our readers to “unmute” for their reading and then “re-mute” again. All are welcome to share as inspired after the homily starter - unmute yourself and remember to re-mute yourself after your sharing. Please have bread and wine or juice with you as we pray our Eucharistic Prayer.


Sing: “Celebrate Sophia’s Birth” composed by Jann Aldrige-Clanton (was “Angels We Have Heard On High”) 



https://youtu.be/SjJzV9Qfjzw
  


Opening Prayer 

Elena and All: O Holy One, the season of Advent culminated yesterday. During that time of waiting we were encouraged to ponder in our hearts the call to Hope, Peace, Reflection and Spiritual growth in wisdom. Yesterday, Prince of Peace, we celebrated with joyful alleluias, the event of your incarnation. Today, as we gather to consider the blessings of Family, we ask you to open our minds and hearts that we may experience a flood of understanding and wisdom regarding the concept and reality of family as Holy. We ask this in Your name, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit Sophia Wisdom.  So be it! 


Transformation Rite

Judy and All: O Holy One, you call us to life in relationship. Help us to know ourselves that we may be compassionate to others. Forgive the many times we have failed to be forgiving to those nearest to us and grant us the humility to ask pardon.  We ask this through the intercession of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.   So be it.


GLORIA

Judy and All: 

Glory to the Spirit of Life, to the Holy One who surrounds us, who lives within us, whose Sacred Word is shared by us.                                           Glory to the Spirit of Life, who cares for the health workers, postal workers, store clerks, garbage collectors and all those who serve our special needs in numerous ways.

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who offers us peace; peace in our hearts, peace in our thoughts, and peace with one another. 

Glory to the Spirit of Life, who sent Jesus who teaches us how to live the Gospels, who brings hope and healing to all those in need. 

O Holy One, you are one with us.  We are strong in our faith and will live life in hope and faithfulness to you, to be Church, committed to the message of the Gospel’s Sacred Word as shared by us. 

We depend upon the ever-present Spirit, Wisdom Sophia, to walk with us as we journey in the present and rejoice in the life before us.  


Liturgy of the Word   

1st Reading:(Katy)  “Christmas as Shattering The Containers of our Expectations” Ron Releaser 12/21/20

Funny how God invariably shatters the containers of our expectations. We have a notion of how God should act and God ends up acting in a way that shatters all of those expectations and yet fulfills our expectations in a deeper way. That’s certainly true of what happened in Bethlehem at the first Christmas.

For centuries, men and women of faith, aware of their helplessness to rectify everything that’s wrong in life, had been praying for God to come to earth as a Messiah, a Savior, to clean up the earth and right all that’s wrong with it. Exactly how this was to happen was perhaps more of an inchoate longing for justice, a hungry hope, than any kind of clear vision, at least until the great Jewish prophets came along. Eventually prophets like Isaiah began to articulate a vision of what would happen when the Messiah came. In these visions, the Messiah would usher in a “Messianic Age”, a new time, when everything would be made right. There would be prosperity for the poor, healing for the sick, freedom from every type of enslavement, and justice for all (including punishment for the wicked). The poor and the meek would inherit the earth because the long-sought Messiah would simply overpower all evil, drive the wicked off the face of the earth, and make all things right.

And after all those centuries of waiting, of longing, what did we get? What did we get? A helpless, naked baby, unable to feed himself. That wasn’t the way anyone expected this to happen. They had expected a Superhuman, a Superstar, someone whose muscle, intellect, physical stature, invulnerability, and invincibility would simply dwarf all the powers on the planet in a way that there could be no argument, no resistance, no standing against its presence. 

That’s still the way, mostly, we fantasize how God’s power should work in our world. But, as we know from the first Christmas, that’s not normally the way God works. What was revealed in Bethlehem is that normally we meet the presence and power of God in our world as a helpless infant lying in the straw, vulnerable, seemingly powerless, touching us subliminally.

Why? Why doesn’t the all-powerful Creator of the universe flex more muscle? Why is God normally revealed more in the body of an infant than in that of Superstar? Why? Because the power of God works to melt hearts rather than break them, and that’s what vulnerability and helplessness can do. That’s what infants can do. God’s power, at least God’s power to draw us into intimacy with each other, doesn’t normally work through might, muscles, and cool (invulnerability). It works through a lot of things, but it works with a special power through vulnerability and helplessness. Intimacy is predicated on vulnerability. You cannot overpower another person so as to make him or her love you, unless you overpower his or her heart the way an infant does.  We can seduce each other through attractiveness, draw admiration through our talents, and intimidate each other through superior strength, but none of these will ultimately provide the basis for a shared community of life for long … but the powerlessness and innocence of a baby can provide that. 

God’s power, like a baby sleeping in its crib, lies in our world as a quiet invitation, not as a threat or coercion. When Christ took on flesh in our world in Bethlehem two thousand years ago and then died seemingly helpless on a cross in Jerusalem some thirty years later, this is what was revealed: the God who is incarnated in Jesus Christ enters into human suffering rather than stands clear of it, is in solidarity with us rather than standing apart from us, manifests that the route to glory is downward rather than upward, stands with the poor and powerless rather than with the rich and powerful, invites rather than coerces, and is more manifest in a baby than in a superstar.

But that isn’t always easy to grasp, nor accept. We are often frustrated and impatient with God who, as scripture tells, can seem slow to act. Jesus promised that the poor and the meek would inherit the earth and this seems forever belied by what’s actually happening in the world. The rich are getting richer and the poor don’t seem to be inheriting much. What good does a helpless infant do apropos to this? Where do we see messianic power acting?

Well, again the containers of our expectations need to be shattered. What does it mean “to inherit the earth”? To be a superstar? To be rich and famous? To have power over others? To walk into a room and be instantly recognized and admired as being significant and important? Is that the way we “inherit the earth”? Or, do we “inherit the earth” when a coldness is melted in our hearts and we are brought back to our primal goodness by the smile of a baby? 

These are words shared in a reflection by Fr. Ron Rolheiser OMI, and we respond, So Be It

 

Response: (Lee) Psalm 105  (Nan Merrill-Psalms for Praying)

All: Awaken, listen in silence for the Voice of the Counselor

O give thanks to the Beloved and open your hearts to Love.

Sing praises with a glad heart and give witness to the truth with your lives!

Glory in the radiance of the Beloved, and let the hearts of those who call upon you rejoice!

Awaken, listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor

You are the promise of our wholeness, You await our readiness to choose life,

Your covenant of Love stands firm through all ages; 

You forgive us when we stray far from home.

As we sift through our dreams, guide us to the only Dream that brings peace-

knowing we belong to You.

Awaken, listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor

In You alone is our trust, O Holy One; Walking your Way is the truth that sets us free.

O that we may open our minds and hearts, and welcome you into our home,

That we may live each day conversing with You, O Loving Companion Presence!

Awaken, listen in silence for the voice of the Counselor


Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia   https://youtu.be/ID5UGWcS6Ws



Gospel Reading: (Judy) Luke 2: 22-40

Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took Jesus up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: “Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.

In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: 


God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation; It’s now out in the open for everyone to see: A God revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel. 


Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,


This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel,

A figure misunderstood and contradicted- 

The pain of a sword-thrust through you-

But the rejection will force honesty,

As God reveals who they really are.


Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four.  She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, Anna showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.

When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on Him. 

These are inspired words found in the Gospel of Luke the evangelist. 

And we respond: “So Be It” 


Homily Starter                                                                                                                                            Following the homily please unmute yourself if you wish to share and then re-mute when finished.

Questions to Ponder: 

Why doesn’t the Creator of the universe flex more muscle?

Where and how do you find the Presence of God?


Profession of Faith: (Elena) and All: We believe in God who is Creator and nurturer of all. We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who is our love, our hope, and our light. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of Wisdom Sophia, who energizes us and guides us to build caring communities and to challenge injustices. We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends, who support us on life’s journey. We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our church and in the world. We believe that all are one in the community of creation. We believe that God calls us to live fully, love tenderly, and serve generously. Amen





Prayers of the Community (Lee)

Christ, you came to us from the depths of Mystery, Your vision always drew you forward and so we pray: 

All: May we seek our God in sincerity of heart.

Jesus our brother and companion, teach us how to communicate with gentle understanding and love---be with us each day in our families and communities as we try to grow in loving relationships.

May we seek our God in sincerity of heart.

You were obedient to Mary and Joseph—may we learn to follow you by listening to each other with discerning hearts.

May we seek our God in sincerity of heart.

You showed your love for your parents---let us be creative and generous in responding to those who fostered and nurtured us.

May we seek our God in sincerity of heart.

Be with those families wounded by alienation and pain---enable them to understand differences and support one another in suffering.

May we seek our God in sincerity of heart.

Comfort loved ones who grieve for missing, kidnapped or runaway children---give them strength to keep the light of hope burning in their homes and in their hearts.

May we seek our God in sincerity of heart.

Who of what else shall we lift up in prayer?   (After each petition say)

May we seek our God in Sincerity of heart.

Holy One, we lift up to you these petitions and all those that remain in the silence of our hearts.


Preparation of the Gifts

Elena: Blessed are you, God of Creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer -this grain of the earth that human hands have prepared for our use. It will become for us the bread of life.

All: Blessed be God forever.

Elena: Blessed are you, God of Creation, through your goodness we have this wine to offer-this fruit of the vine that human hands have prepared for our use. It will become for us our spiritual drink. 

All: Blessed be God forever.

Elena: Let us give thanks to the Creator of all that exists.

All: With hearts full of love we give God thanks.


CALLED TO WORSHIP 

Jill: In the midst of the end-of-year weariness, as we gather here we declare our intention to live as if the greatest gift in the world were about to be placed into our hands, 

and as if the Giver has understood our deepest needs, our most heartfelt prayers.


Judy: Like Mary, may we be surprised by our calling; like Simeon and Anna, may the years increase our faith; like sleepy shift workers on a hillside, may our eyes be opened;

like Joseph may we listen to our dreams; for this season requires our creative imagination.


Kevin: There is a Presence in our world that asks to be seen, who will stay awake?

There is one coming to our world that seeks a welcome, who will offer hospitality?

Even now Jesus the Christ is moving towards us.

(written by Ann Siddall, posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community)


EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

(Adapted from Bridget Mary Meehan's Eucharistic Prayers)


Maryal and All: Mothering God, you brought forth all creation from your Life-Giving Womb. O Love of the Ages, we praise you and leap for joy in your presence. Holy One of ancient Israel, you revealed yourself in Mary’s womb, in a shining star, in humble shepherds, in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. You embrace us with infinite love in every situation and relationship. You dwell in the depths of our hearts. 


Judy:  Holy One we now join with our community, our family and friends everywhere, as well as all holy men and women, to celebrate your divine life within us. In solidarity with Jesus, and with all the faithful men and women who have gone before us, we lift up our hearts and sing:


Holy, Holy, Holy

All: Holy, Holy, Holy, Creator of heaven and earth. All beings are pregnant with your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed are you who dwell in all things. Hosanna in the highest.


Kevin: Praise to you all-giving God, born of Mary. You are the body and blood of woman. We glorify you, nurturing God for the dawning of the sacred promise of God’s Anointed, fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ.


Jill S: We celebrate the birth of Jesus, our newborn Emmanuel, who came to give us the

fullness of life. During this holy season, we share the bread of freedom and lift the cup of salvation. 


(Please raise hands toward bread and wine for the Invocation of the Holy Spirit)

Elena and All: Come Holy Spirit deepen your Presence within us and in these gifts of bread and wine, that they may become the body of Christ.


Elena and All: As Jesus gave birth to the New Covenant, he took the bread and shared it with all who were present saying:  Take this all of you and eat it. This is my body.   

Then Jesus took a cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered it to all those who were present

saying: Take this all of you and drink of the covenant, made new again through my life in you. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.

Elena: Let us now eat and drink mindful that The Holy One is present in each one of us. Thus we proclaim the sacred presence of our nurturing God. 


Communion Meditation Song:    “I Am the One Within YOU” Jan Phillips sung by Linda Lee



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Fi9dK_6dY&feature=youtu.be


Judy: God of new beginnings, thank you for nourishing us in your sacrament. May your tender presence continue to open our hearts to the daily miracles of life that surround us each day, through Emmanuel, God-with-us.  All: Amen


Maryal and All: Christ, by your life, death and rising, you have blessed us with abundance that will never end. God of all people, you call us “beloved.” Give us courage to accept your faith in us and to live your compassion in the world. You infuse us with Sophia, Holy Wisdom, to serve you in the last and the least. 


Harvey and All:  Sacred Spirit, we remember Mary, the Mother of Humanity, who birthed Jesus into our world. We rejoice that the Universal Christ remains always and ever present within and around us. We remember all those who have transitioned from life on earth to complete union with the Sacred Presence: Mary of Nazareth and all great saints, prophets and martyrs. 


Kirsten and All:  We remember our sister priests, strong extraordinary women: Adele, Judy, Tish, Joan and Michele.  We remember, too, family members and friends.  We remember all those whose lives have been lost to Covid, to war, to racism and all other “isims” that exist in our world.  And we remember those you wish to be remembered…. All are beloved souls who have blessed our lives and who continue to inspire us.


Diane B and All: God of our dreams, may we give birth to the Word Made Flesh in us every day. May we give birth to the church of our dreams and hopes. May we give birth to a deep reverence for earth and live in harmony with all creatures on the earth. Amen


Lee:  Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus                                                                                                

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 we need. 

You remind us of our limits, and we let go. 

You support us in your 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, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS)




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQtTF3lWTc8&feature=youtu.be 

INTRODUCTIONS, GRATITUDES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

CONCLUDING RITE


BLESSING     

Elena: Our God is with you.   All: And also with you.

 (Everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing)

Judy and All: May our loving God fill us with radiant joy. May our liberating God fill us with deep peace, and may our compassionate God bless us always with strength to serve the broken and excluded. Amen


Judy and Elena: As we leave here in the peace of Christ and the joy of God, let us be mindful of our connection to each other, for as children of God we are family.  May we strive to be the joyful and compassionate people that God created us to be. And let our service continue!

All: Thanks be to God. Let it be so!


Closing Song: : Pax Amor Christi – Kathleen Deignan, CND, PhD (Professor of Theology and Spirituality at Iona College              

 Preview YouTube video Pax Amor Christi              


Pax Amor Christi




If you want to add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to katyrcwp@tampabay.rr.com

If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them our website at MaryMotherofJesus.org      

To support our community, please send your check to:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

St Andrew UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, Florida 34238






















Wednesday, December 23, 2020

MMOJ Inclusive Catholic Community Christmas Liturgy, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2020, 4:00 PM, Presiders: Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP and Cheryl Brandi, Music Minister Linda Lee Miller


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/13862711329113802/



Zoom link for video, Dec. 24, 2020 4 PM Eastern Standard Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86240868327?pwd=ZWNhdHRudTlFSjVBRlF5QVo5L3VGZz09

Meeting ID: 862-4086-8327

Password: 1066


Theme: Imagine a World Where Love is the Way



Presider 1: GREETING and WELCOME!


Presider: 

Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community where everyone is welcome to share in our celebration of the Eucharist.  We use inclusive language in our scripture readings and prayers.  We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond aloud and muted where it says “All.” And during the songs, sing your heart out, while muted.  All participants will be muted during the liturgy except for the presiders and readers. Our readers today are Mary Al Gagnon and Joan Meehan. Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.



Presider: 

Today, we celebrate the birth of  Jesus of Nazareth who revealed the outpouring of divine love in our world. In this liturgy we use an ancient name, “Christ-Sophia”, a biblical symbol of the Divine, to reflect a world in which love is the way and where there is an equal connections between male and female, black and white, Jewish and Christian. The image of Christ Sophia dismantles patriarchy and creates a strong foundation for inclusive, egalitarian communities where ordained and non-ordained are partners in ministry. 

 

This Christmas  carol video, by my friend Jann Alderidge Clanton,  shares a world where love is the way. 



 
Opening Song: Music: O Holy Night

“Come to Our World, O Christ-Sophia” – Jann Alderidge Clanton



http://jannaldredgeclanton.com/come-to-our-world-o-christ-sophia-christmas-carol-video/


Come to our world, O Christ-Sophia, Wisdom;
our hearts are longing for Your peaceful way.
Lead us from fear and bondage into freedom;
with You we labor to bring Your new day.

Transform our world, O Christ-Sophia, Wisdom;
the poor and wounded await healing days.
Give us the power to sound Your call to freedom;
as equal partners, we show Your new way.

Led by Your Truth and Life within us growing,
we follow You on Your pathways of peace.
Filled with Your grace, Your loving kindness showing,
we share our gifts and our visions release.

REFRAIN:

Our weary world still longs for new creation,
for peace and justice coming to the earth.
Hope springs anew; we sing in celebration;
O Christ-Sophia, blessed be Your birth;
O Christ-Sophia, blessed be Your birth.

Words © Jann Aldredge-Clanton          


Opening Prayer
Presider  2:
We rejoice in the birth of Jesus. We rejoice that that every child, like Jesus, is a holy child. May we see miracles and wonders everywhere we go. May we celebrate the spirit of Christmas in joyful giving each day so that love becomes the way .

ALL: Amen.



Call to Transformation: 

Presider 1: Let us pause now to place our imperfections, and failures in the arms of Divine Love . 

For the times I failed to love others.

All: I am sorry, forgive me, I love you.  

For the times I failed to seek forgiveness from those I offended.

All. I am sorry, forgive me, I love you.

For the times I failed to forgive those who offended me.

All: I am sorry, forgive me, I love you.

Raise your hands toward each other and offer forgiveness to those you offended and who offended you:

All: Please forgive me, I forgive you, I love you. I thank you. 



ALL: Sing Glory to God- Linda Lee Miller



https://youtu.be/dgn_8q1UWwk


LITURGY OF THE WORD



Mary Al:

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of deep shadows
a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.


For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
They name him Wonder-Counselor, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast and forever peaceful.


Psalm Response: adapted from Psalm 96 (Music and Words by Kathy Sherman)



https://youtu.be/tY0Rj9Yd2lk


Sung Response:

May the Christ Light Shine in You!

May the Christ Light shine in Me.

And together we will shine

With God’s love to the world. 

Sung Response: May the Christ Light Shine in You!(Repeat whole verse)




Second Reading: The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr


Joan:

Christ is the light that allows people to see things in their fullness. The precise and intended effect of such a light is to see Christ everywhere else. In fact, that is my only definition of a true Christian. A mature Christian sees Christ in everything and everyone else. That is a definition that will never fail you, always demand more of you, and give you no reasons to fight, exclude, or reject anyone. Isn’t that ironic? The point of the Christian life is not to distinguish oneself from the ungodly, but to stand in radical solidarity with everyone and everything else.

These are the inspired words of Richard Rohr. We affirm them by saying:

All Thanks be to God. 


Gospel Acclamation Alle, Alle, Alleluia with Linda Lee Miller! (sung)



https://youtu.be/ID5UGWcS6Ws



Gospel: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke


When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this event which God has made known to us.”  They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger; once they saw, they reported what had been told them concerning this child. All who heard of it we astonished at the report given them by the shepherds.

Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.


These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer Luke .We affirm them by saying: All; Thanks be to God.


Gospel Acclamation Alle, Alle, Alleluia with Linda Lee Miller! (sung)



https://youtu.be/ID5UGWcS6Ws



Homily Starter: Bridget Mary Meehan


The birth of Jesus and every child is a reminder of divine outpouring love.

Imagine the angels singing a song of joy at your birth!


At the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018, Bishop Michael Bruce-Curry , the presiding bishop of the Episcopalian Church invited the viewers to envision love as outpouring love that transforms the world.


“Imagine a world where love is the way: he said, When love is the way then no child will go to bed hungry in this world ever again. When love is the way, we will let justice roll down like a might stream and righteousness like an every flowing brook. When love is the way, poverty will become history. When love is the way, the Earth will be a sanctuary. When love is the way, we will lay down our swords and shields to study war no more. When love is the way, there’s plenty good room for all of God’s children, because when love is the way, we actually treat each other well, like we are actually family. 


Let us imagine world, a church, a MMOJ Community where our intention is to see everything through love, and  where love is the way. 


Here is what I see!


I see a world where health professionals and frontline workers are serving generously all those who are ill and in need in this time of pandemic. 


I see a world, a nation, a church in which women and men and all genders are equal and cherished, where all gifts are affirmed. 


 I see inclusive faith communities, like you, my beloved companions on the journey, where all are partners in ministry and where love is the way! 


What do you see?



Dialogue HOMILY: Community shares



Profession of Faith: ALL: We believe in God who is creator and nurturer of all. We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who is our love, our hope, and our light. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of Wisdom Sophia, who energizes and guides us to build caring communities and to challenge injustices. We believe in the communion of saints our heavenly friends, who support us on life’s journey. We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our church and world. We believe that all are one in the community of creation. We believe that God calls us to live fully, love tenderly, and serve generously. Amen.


Prayer of the Community

Presider 1: For a deeper realization of the Christ Presence in everyone, we pray.

Response: Christ Sophia , you embrace us.

Presider 2 : That we may experience the birthing of the Spirit anew in our world today in the midst of political turmoil, unrest and the COVID crisis, we pray. 

R. Christ Sophia, you embrace us.



Presider 1: That the sick and suffering may experience the healing love of God, in our compassionate service, we pray. 

R. Christ Sophia, you embrace us.


Presider 2: That those who have died may rest in God's eternal embrace, we pray. 

R. Christ Sophia, you embrace us. 


(Please share your Intentions)



PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

Presider1: Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we have bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred meal may we become your new creation.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.

PREFACE:

Presider 2: God dwells among us. 

ALL: And in all people everywhere.


Presider 1: Lift up your hearts. 

ALL: We lift them in the joy of Christ embracing all.


Presider 2: Affirm the power of love within you and within all.  

All: Alleluia


ALL: We Are Holy -



https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA


EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Voice 1: Mothering Presence, you brought forth all creation from your Life-Giving Womb. O Love of the Ages, we leap for joy in your presence everywhere.


Voice 2: Holy One of ancient Israel, you revealed yourself in Mary's womb, in a shining star, in humble shepherds, in a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. You dwell in the depths of our hearts and continue to reveal yourself here and now in our everyday moments of laughter and tears, hopes and dreams.


Voice 3: We invite you this day to deepen our awareness of our great oneness in Christ Sophia as we gather around the table of abundant love.
 We rejoice in the dawning of the sacred promise of God's Anointed, fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ and in us each day.


Voice 4: We celebrate the Christ Presence born anew each day in us, illuminating the whole universe. Now, we share the bread of life and lift the cup of blessing at this festive meal as we pray:


Invocation of the Holy Spirit
(raise hands toward bread and wine for Invocation of the Holy Spirit)

Presider 1 and All: Come Holy Spirit deepen your Presence within us and in these gifts of bread and wine.

On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat. Do this in memory of me.” 


Pause


Presider 2 and ALL: In the same way, Jesus took the cup of wine. He said the blessing, gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink. Do this in memory of me.”  



Presider 1 and All: 

Let us proclaim the sacred presence of our nurturing God:
Jesus, by your life, death and rising, you have shown us the fullness of our humanity and divinity, as the Beloved of God.



Voice 5: 

Christ Sophia, today we celebrate your birth as Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a poor woman, born among animals and proclaimed by angels. We see your tender presence shining forth as pure love in the eyes of the elderly, in the service of care-givers and in the depths of our own hearts. 


Voice 6: 

We remember the prophet and saints who have gone before us:, Mary, Mother of Jesus, Joseph, and all our beloved friends. We recall their gifts passed down to us  through the ages. In union with all people living and dead, we join our prayers to those of the entire communion of Saints. 


Voice 7 : 

Creator of All,  we open our hearts to the music of life and the joy of giving as we serve our sisters and brothers in need and pledge ourselves to live in harmony with all creatures on the earth. May we be in communion with all that is, that was, and that will be.


Presider 2 and ALL: 

Through Christ, in Christ, with Christ, all praise and glory resounds through the universe as the Holy Spirit dances with all in the circle of life. 


The Great Amen with Linda Lee Miller (Sung)


https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg



THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Presider 1 and All: (English version of the original Aramaic)


We pray together as Jesus taught us.

Our Father and Mother,

Source of all that is,

your vibrations radiate throughout the cosmos.

Make us a resonant space for your vibrations.

May your sphere of influence come.

May your heart's desire for unity and harmony

penetrate every part of the universe as it does on earth.

Give us what we need each day in bread and insight

Loosen the cords of mistakes and sins that bind us,

as we release the strands we hold of others' guilt.

Let us not be deluded by surface things,

but free us from what holds us back from our true purpose. Amen.

THE SIGN OF PEACE
Presider 2:  Jesus, you said: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you. May we be the peace we wish to see in the world. Let us share a gesture of deep peace and justice with everyone in the circle of life as we sing “Peace is flowing like a River” by Carey Landry



https://youtu.be/ob6HgTQ6lZ4



LITANY FOR THE BREAKING OF BREAD

Presider 1 and ALL: Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power. We will do so. 

Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will do so. 

Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will do so.


Presider 2 and All: This is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, loving us forever. All are invited to partake of this sacred banquet of love. We are the hands and feet of Christ in our world.


Presider 1 and all:: Receive who you are the Body and Blood of Christ in our world. ALL: Amen.

COMMUNION- Meditation: Silent Night

"Silent Night, Each Holy Child "  Shaina Noll


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mhXGwctysc



Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright


'Round every birthday, each mother and child


Each Holy Infant is tender and mild,


Sleep in heavenly peace, each holy child sleep in peace.


PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Presider2: 

Creator of new beginnings, we awaken to your love born anew in our world as we share your gifts at our holy table. May your tender presence continue to open our hearts to the daily miracles of life that surround us each day, through Emmanuel, God-with-us.

ALL: Amen.

CONCLUDING RITE

Presider1: 

The Holy One is within you.

Presider 1 and ALL: and within all.

BLESSING

(everyone please extend your hands in mutual blessing)

Presider 1 and ALL: 

May we sing and dance for joy as we celebrate every day as Christmas!

DISMISSAL

Presider 2: 

Let us birth Christ anew in our world today. Go in peace and let the service continue.

Presider 2 and ALL: Thanks be to God.

CONCLUDING HYMN: Joy to World - Music ( see new words!)

“Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes”



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSVdbl-ulJw

Sound forth the news that Wisdom comes
to bring new life to birth.
Arise with hope, Her labor join,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace shall fill the earth,
and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.

No more let fear and custom hide
the path of Wisdom fair.
She leads the way to life and joy,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts for all to share,
with gifts, with gifts for all to share.

Joyful are we who heed the call
of Wisdom in our souls.
With Her we break oppression’s wall,
so love may freely flow,
so love may freely flow,
so love, so love may freely flow.

Crown Wisdom Queen of heaven and earth;
Her reign will set us free.
Fling wide the gates that all may come
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands and dance with glee,
join hands, join hands and dance with glee.

Words © Jann Aldredge-Clanton, from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians
“Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes” calls us to co-create with Wisdom a world of justice, peace, equality, love, freedom, and joy. This Christmas carol comes with the hope that Wisdom will guide us to change our violent culture and to co-create with Her a peaceful world. Let us join together in our churches, communities, and home in 
caroling for change."

Liturgy by Bridget Mary Meehan
 https://arcwp.orghttps://marymotherofjesus.org



If you want to add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to katyrcwp@tampabay.rr.com

If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them our website at MaryMotherofJesus.org      

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Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

St Andrew UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, Florida 34238