Opening Prayer
O God you created us, you saved us, and you sustain us in our daily journey. Help us this evening to stop, to rest, and to be in your presence. As we pause and breathe deeply in you, we give you thanks for this day and time together. For what else do we give God thanks….? We also come burdened and tired from the busyness and distractions of our daily lives, we ask for rest and renewal this evening. For what else do we want to ask God for…? Open our hearts and ears to you O God; to the unity you call us to, to the peace you call us to, to see and use the gifts you have given each of us. Grant us humility, gentleness, and patience to bear with one another and all we encounter along the way in love. Amen.
Reflection 1: Ephesians 4:1-16 (The Message)
1-3In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.
4-6You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
7-13But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. The text for this is,
He climbed the high mountain,
He captured the enemy and seized the booty,
He handed it all out in gifts to the people.
Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
14-16No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Prayer:
O God our teacher and guide along the way, you gather us as one body and one Spirit... one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism… as one God, Mother and Father of all; unite us in our diversity. Bind us together as we serve you, our neighbors and each other. Thank you for the gifts and instruction you give in your Word. Make our uniqueness and variety our strength. Amen.
Reflection 2: Won’t you be my neighbor
July 24, 2009 - 2:22pm by Thomas + http://everydayliturgy.com/blogs/thomas/wont-you-be-my-neighbor
Prayer:
(With thanks to Mr. Fred Rogers for opening the door…)
O God our neighbor and guide along the way. It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Help us to recognize one another, reach out and ask, would you be my, could you be my neighbor? It’s a neighborly day in this beauty wood, a neighborly day for a beauty. Help us to see the gifts and needs as we ask, would you be my, could you be my neighbor? Help us to engage our neighbors and neighborhoods with you. Help us to make the most of this beautiful day and see beauty, diversity and giftedness in our unity as your creation. Amen.
Reflection 3: Betty’s Diner
Carrie Newcomer, 2003
Miranda works the late night counter in a joint called Betty’s Diner.
Chrome and checkered tablecloths, one steamy windowpane.
She got the job that shaky fall, and after hours she’ll write til dawn.
With a nod and smile she serves them all…
(Chorus)
Here we are all in one place the wants and wounds of the human race. Despair and hope sit face to face when you come in from the cold.
Let her fill your cup with something kind, eggs and toast like bread and wine. She’s heard it all so she don’t mind.
Arthur lets his Earl Grey steep since April it’s been hard to sleep.
You know they tried most everything, yet it took her in the end.
Kevin tests new saxophones but swears he’s leaving quality control for the Chicago scene, or New Orleans where they still play righteous horns…
(Chorus)
Jack studies here after work to get past high school he’s a first.
And his large hands seem just as comfortable with a hammer or a pen.
Emma leaned and kissed his cheek and when she did his knees got weak. Miranda smiles at Em and winks…
(Chorus)
You never know who’ll be your witness, you never know who grants forgiveness. Look to heaven or sit with us.
Deidre bites her lip and frowns, she works the Stop and Go downtown.
She’s pretty good at the crossword page and she paints her eyes blue black. Tristan come along sometimes, small for his age and barely five but she loves him like a mamma lion.
Veda used to drink a lot, almost lost it all before she stopped.
Comes in at night with her friend Mike who runs the crisis line.
Michael toured Saigon and back, hair the color of smoke and ash.
Their heads are bowed and hands are clasped, one more storm has passed...
(Chorus)
Prayer:
O God our comforter and guide along the way, here we are all in one place the wants and wounds of the human race. Despair and hope sit face to face when we come in from the cold world. Fill our cup with something kind, eggs and toast like bread and wine. You’ve heard it all and we know you don’t mind. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment