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| Painting by Sandy Hall |
Pentecost Eucharistic Liturgy
June 6, 2023
Welcome
AG: We gather as sisters in Christ at His Eucharistic Table – Eucharist – meaning thanksgiving. Let’s begin by going around and saying:
Opening Song: One Spirit, One Church by Kell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVYTtIelZ3M
We are a pilgrim people,
we are the Church of God.
A family of believers,
disciples of the Lord.
United in one spirit,
ignited by the fire.
Still burning through the ages,
still present in our lives.
1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our hearts take up thy rest;
come with thy grace and heav’nly aid
to fill the hearts which thou hast made.
2. O Comforter, to thee we cry,
thou gift of God sent from on high.
Thou font of life and fire of love,
the soul’s anointing from above.
Opening Prayer
AG: We gather joyfully for this year-end celebration and the feast of Pentecost. We begin in the name of God, Divine Love, Jesus Love Personifiedand Holy Spirit, Breath of God’s love.
All: Amen.
BM: Our God is with you.
All: And also with you.
AG: Let us pray in the words of the Early Christ Movement
EM:
We give thanks to you,
every life and heart stretches toward you,
O name untroubled,
honored with the name of God,
praised with the name of the Father.
To everyone and everything
comes the kindness of the Father,
and love
and desire.
And if there is a sweet and simple teaching
it gifts us mind, word and knowledge:
mind that we may understand you;
word, that we may interpret you;
knowledge, that we may know you.
We rejoice and are enlightened by your knowledge.
We rejoice that you have taught us about yourself.
We rejoice that in the body
you have made us divine (gods) through your knowledge.
The thanksgiving of the human who reaches you
is this alone:
That we know you.
We have known you,
O light of mind,
O life of life,
we have known you.
O womb of all that grows,
we have known you.
O womb pregnant with the nature of the Father,
we have known you.
O never-ending endurance of the Father who gives birth,
so we worship your goodness.
One wish we ask:
we wish to be protected in knowledge
One protection we desire:
that we not stumble in this life.
AMEN.
Reconciliation Rite
BM: Jesus our Savior, you fulfilled your Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit. May the Spirit unite all people of the earth. Jesus, have mercy.
All: Jesus, have mercy.
AG: May your Holy Spirit dispel all divisions, heal the broken hearted and comfort the lost and forsaken. Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
BM: You showed yourself to your apostles and disciples and breathed the Holy Spirit on them. Renew in us the presence of the same creator Spirit. Jesus, have mercy.
All: Jesus have mercy.
AG: Let us pause now for reflection.
Please place your hand over your heart and breathe in God’s boundless love and forgiveness for you (Pause)
and for all those whom you are called to love and forgive. (Pause)
ALL: May our loving God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Our first reading is from the book of the Actsof the Apostles 2:1-21
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues… They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”
Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”
Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:
“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
and they’ll prophesy.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above
and signs on the earth below…
And whoever calls out for help
to me, God, will be saved.”
This is a reading from the book attributed to the gospel writer known as Luke and we affirm them by saying:
ALL: AMEN
Responsorial Psalm 102: Lord Send Out Your Spirit by Ken Canedohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mOT3KIGK4w
ALL Response: Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are great indeed
How manifold are your works, O Lord!
The earth is full of your creatures. Response
If you take away their breath,
they perish and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth. Response
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
will be glad in the Lord. Response
Second Reading: A Reading from Bread for the Journey - The Breath of God Within Us by Henri Nouwen
When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God breathing in us. We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.
The Spirit of God is like our breath. God’s spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it. It is the Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy.
These are the inspired words of Henri Nouwen and or community affirms them by saying:
ALL: AMEN
Gospel Acclamation:
AlleluiaALL: Alleluia
You Come Oh Divine Love – in so many ways, In Word, In Jesus, In Spirit
Come – set our hearts and our lives on fire
AlleluiaALL: Alleluia
A reading from the Gospel of John 20:19-23
Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
These are the inspired words of the gospel writer known as John and we affirm them by saying
ALL: Amen.
Homily
Statement of Faith
AG: Let us profess our faith:
ALL: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prayers of the Faith-Filled
AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our bodies from things like cancer, cardiac diseases, broken bones, hormonal imbalances, food allergies and Long COVID…
BM: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our minds from things like mental illness, memory loss, ADHD…
AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our emotions from things like depression, fear, anxiety, mood-swings, hopelessness, all those who are contemplating violence…
BM: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are transitioning into this world – pregnant women and unborn babies – and we who are transitioning home to you…
Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our relationships with one another, we who have caused pain, who have been bullied or suffered abuse of any type, who have been betrayed…
AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of our leaders at every level – from our homes, to our places of work, worship, education, leisure and health; from our towns, to our states, countries, worlds; for all who are entrusted to care for Mother Earth …
AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our spirits from hopelessness, who are desperately searching for you, who are afraid to take the next step in our relationship with you…
AG: Oh Divine Love, we trust in your parental love that gathers us in, that covers us with peace-filled coziness, that kisses and heals us, that never lets anything separate us. Thank you for this amazing love. Thank you for caring for all in our heart. Amen!
Liturgy Of The Eucharist
Offertory
Offertory Song: All That I Am, All That I Do
REFRAIN: All that I am, all that I do,
All that I'll ever have,
I offer now to you.
Take and sanctify these gifts
For your honor, Lord.
Knowing that I love and serve you
Is enough reward. REFRAIN
All that I dream, all that I pray,
All that I'll ever make, I give to you today.
BM: (lifting the bread) Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.
All: Blessed be God forever.
AG: (lifting the chalice) Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Eucharistic Prayer
BM: Our God is with you. All: And also with you.
BM: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them up to our God.
BM: Let us give thanks to our loving God.
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
AG: Spirit! Power and Passion of our being,
press upon our hearts your profound love.
Move through the fragments of our days;
enable us to sense your fiery Presence
consecrating our most insignificant moments.
Spirit! Blessing for the heart grown weary,
encircle us with your loving energy,
empower us with your active gentleness.
Deepen within us a faith in your dynamism
which strengthens the weak and the tired.
We are filled with gratitude and thank you as we sing:
Here in this Place – Holy Holy Holy by Christopher Grundy
ALL: Holy One may Your presence here open our minds
May Your Spirit among us help us to find
You are rising up now like a fountain of grace
From the holy ground, here in this place. Here in this place.
Holy holy holy, God of love and majesty
The whole universe speaks of Your glory
From the holy ground here in this place. Here in this place.
BM: Spirit! Breath of Life, Touch of Mystery, 1
you are the ribbon of inner connection,
uniting us with the groaning of all creation.
Because of you, our lives gathers into a oneness.
Keep us attentive to this interdependence.
Fill our being with constant compassion
and a deep hope that knows no bounds.
BM: Please extend Your hands and join in the prayer of blessing.
ALL: Spirit, you are within this bread and wine, and each of us
as we become more deeply the Christ Presence in our world.
On the night before he faced betrayal and death, Jesus shared supper with his 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.
Lift plate as the community prays the following:
ALL: When Jesus returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat, go and share my love with one another.
(pause) Lift the cup as community prays the following:
Then Jesus took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you.
(pause)
BM: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Bread and wine are transformed by Your Spirit and
we are transformed when we open ourselves to Your Spirit.
Every time we share this bread and wine,
we choose to be transformed.
We choose to love as You love us.
BM: Loving God, through Jesus You entrusted this pledge of love to us.
We celebrate the memory of his life, death and resurrection, and
bring to You the gifts You have given us: reconciliation, justice, peace, joy, hope and love.
You fill us with Your Spirit in the sharing of this meal.
You keep us in communion with one another and with all living beings.
Your Spirit makes us a sign of unity,
a model of equality and instruments of Your peace.
BM: You have gathered us around this table in friendship, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, St. Hildegard of Bingen, the apostles and and all the saints. May all who are suffering in any way be strengthened and consoled by your Presence. You bless all who have gone before us and bring them into the lasting joy and peace of your presence.
AG: You gather together women, men and children of every race, language, religion and way of life to share in your one, eternal banquet. In your presence, we give you glory with all creation and with Jesus through whom your goodness flows.
BM holds Bread, AG holds cup.
All: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, may all glory and honor be Yours, all-loving God, forever and ever. AMEN
AG: Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us:
ALL: Our Abba and Mama God
who is in heaven, in each of us and all of creation
Holy are your many names.
Your kin-dom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
You give us all that we need today.
Please help us to accept your abundance.
Soften our hearts so that we may forgive others… and ourselves.
Thank you for Your mercy and compassion and
For companioning, guiding and protecting us always. Amen.
BM: Please join in praying the 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.
BM holds up the bread, AG holds up the cup
Bishop: This is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing.
How blessed are we who are called to this Table.
All: Jesus, you affirm our worthiness and by your word, we heal the world.
Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.
Please receive Communion with the words: The Spirit is within us.
Communion Song: Sacred Silence by Tom Booth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZ62clakqQ
Sacred silence, Holy ocean
Gentle waters, washing over me
Help me listen, Holy Spirit
Come and speak to me
God my father, Christ my brother
Holy Spirit, sanctifying me
Lord I'm sorry, please forgive me
Come and set me free
Sacred silence, Holy ocean
Gentle water, washing over me
Help me listen, Holy Spirit
Come and speak to me
Holy Mary, Gentle mother
God's pure vessel, praying for me
Saints and Angels, all in heaven
Come and be with me
Sacred silence, Holy ocean
Gentle water, washing over me
Help me listen, Holy Spirit
Come and speak to me
Come and be with me
Come and speak to me
Prayer After Communion:
BM: Spirit! Dwelling Place, Sanctuary of Silence,1
you are the home for which we deeply yearn.
You are the resting place for which we long.
We find both comfort and challenge in you.
Grant that we may keep our whole selves open
to the transforming power of your indwelling,
that we may ever know the blessings
of your tremendous companionship.
ALL: Amen!
Laying on of Hands
Veni Sancte Spiritu (Come Holy Spirit) - A TaizePrayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmLm01o5Iko
Veni Sancte Spiritus (repeating chant).
Come, Holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth with your glorious light…
Come, Father of the poor, come, generous Spirit, come, light of our hearts…
Come from the four winds, O Spirit, come breath of God; disperse the shadows over us, renew and strengthen your people…
Most kindly warming light! Enter the inmost depths of our hearts, for we are faithful to you. Without your presence we have nothing worthy, nothing pure…
You are only comforter, Peace of the soul. In the heat you shade us; in our labor you refresh us, and in trouble you are our strength…
On all who put their trust in you and receive you in faith, shower all your gifts. Grant that they may grow in you and persevere to the end. Give them lasting joy!
Other songs to be played:
Final Blessing
Blessing Prayer Adapted from Mirabai Starr
I bless you with knowing the presence of
The Beloved One
Shekinah, the Indwelling of the Divine Feminine Immanence
Her Embodiment
And Mother-Heart
I bless you with Her Presence flowing into every open window in our souls right now.
I bless you with every cell of our bodies receiving an infusion of Her fierce and tender
Mother-Wisdom.
I bless you with the strength to speak truth to power in these fractured times.
I bless you with the tenderness and humility to listen deeply
to those that we are conditioned to otherize.
I bless you with being reminded again and again when we forget
that we belong to each other,
and we belong to you.
Amen.
Send Down the Fire by Marty Haugen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKbWrjWF06Q
Refrain: Send down the fire of your justice,
Send down the rains of your love;
Come, send down the Spirit,
breathe life in your people, and we shall be people of God.
Call us to be your compassion,
Teach us the song of your love;
Give us hearts that sing,
Give us deeds that ring,
Make us ring with the song of your love. REFRAIN
Call us to learn of your mercy,
Teach us the way of your peace;
Give us hearts that feel,
Give us hands that heal,
Make us walk in the way of your peace. REFRAIN
Call us to answer oppression,
Teach us the fire of your truth;
Give us righteous souls,
'Til your justice rolls,
Make us burn with the fire of your love. REFRAIN
Call us to witness your Kingdom,
Give us the presence of Christ;
May your holy light
Keep us shining bright,
Ever shine with the presence of Christ. REFRAIN
