As some of you may know, we've been trying to get an online worship experience going over at
Street Prophets. We're calling it "St. Gracie's Chapel" after Gracie Allen, the wife of George Burns. After Allen's death, Burns found a note she had left behind, instructing him among other things to "never place a period where God has put a comma." Out of that sprang the "comma theology" of my own
United Church of Christ.
In any case, St. Gracie's has been open once before, on Christmas Day. Tonight, the doors are opening once again. While all are welcome, this is a specifically Christian service. Next week, "Brothers and Sisters" will return to its regular interfaith format.
Go Steelers.
Worship@St. Gracie's
Sunday, February 5th, 2006
Peter Art:
Healing Hands
Gathering
Opening Music
Dona Nobis Pacem (St. Anselm Abbey Choir)
Declaration
Welcome, in the name of the One who is, and was, and is to come.
+ Amen.
Prayer of the Day
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray*: Lord Jesus, you came into the world to heal our infirmities and to endure our sufferings. You went about healing all and bringing comfort to those in pain and need. We come before you now in this time of illness asking that you may be the source of our strength in body, courage in spirit and patience in pain. May we join ourselves more closely to you on the cross and in your suffering that through them we may draw our patience and hope. Assist us and restore us to health so that united more closely to your family, the Church, we may give praise and honor to your name.
Amen.
Announcements
Please take a moment to light a candle, turn off your phone or television,
or otherwise enter into sacred time.
Hymn
Amazing Grace (Reverend Stone)
Opening Prayer/Psalm
God builds up Jerusalem;
God gathers the outcasts of Israel.
God heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
God determines the number of the stars;
God gives to all of them their names.
Great is our God, and abundant in power,
whose understanding is beyond measure.
(Psalm 147:2-5)
Confession
Prayer of Confession
Let us now confess our sins and shortcomings before God and neighbor:
Please take a moment for silent prayer.
I confess to Almighty God, in the communion of the saints of heaven and earth, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do. So I ask you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me.
Michael O'Brien Cygnus Nebula
The Kyrie1
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Assurance of Pardon
May the almighty and merciful God grant unto us pardon and remission of all our sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thanksgiving
"Anaphora" (Armenian Church)
Sharing the Peace of Christ
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
Let us share a sign of Christ's peace with one another.
Share a hug, a handshake, or a kiss with the people around you.
"Reconciliation" Rose
Word
Hebrew Scripture:
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
Response "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" (Dirty Dozen Brass Band)
Epistle:
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Gospel:
Mark 1:29-39
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Sermon
I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of off-beat films: old ones, independent movies, foreign film. I'm not much for Hollywood blockbusters, but small, quirky ones get me every time.
There's one that I think is particularly relevant this morning. I can't claim credit for making the connection to the gospel lesson we just heard, but ever since I read it, I can't escape it, either.
The movie is Tampopo, a Japanese film from 1985. It's kind of difficult to describe. The basic outline is that a cowboy-ish truck driver and his sidekick help a widow and her son revitalize the noodle shop they own. There's all kinds of crazy story lines that only loosely connect to the main plot, mostly involving the "the power of food and eating," as my source says.
"In one vignette," she says,
a father mourns as his wife lies dying, asking how he and their son will survive if she dies. As she clearly breathes her last...the father and son sob and beg her to arise, and COOK! The wife sits up slowly, prepares one final meal, and then expires in peace.
That might sound a bit morbid at first, but it's actually sweet when you see it on the screen. This woman will not be able to care for her husband and son in the days to come, but through love and the healing power of noodles, she is able to leave them a final gift. I can only hope my life comes to such a tidy conclusion.
I also hope that as my life draws to an end, noodles are involved in some positive way, but that's just me.
In any case, the connection to our gospel story should be obvious. Peter's mother-in-law doesn't die, of course. But what's the first thing she does when she gets up? That's right: she starts making dinner.
Now, I know that the women in the congregation are thinking: typical. The woman needs divine intervention to keep breathing, and the men can't even bother to feed themselves. No, she has to serve them. But without trying to sound like too much of a male chauvinist, the point is that this service is her grateful gift in response to the healing she has received. This is the power and the grace of God: we are made whole, and so made free to offer service to one another.
And as another source points out, this service is particularly poignant when you notice the details. Peter's mother-in-law, if you stop to think about it, should be living with her husband, not with her daughter. It's fair to assume that she is therefore a widow - meaning that she is dependent on Peter for financial support. Without the patronage of some male relative, her options are limited: she can go to work in someone's household, or she can beg. That's it.
And remember: Peter left behind his fishing nets to follow Jesus. He's made himself dependent on begging for support, which doesn't leave much room for a wife, a mother-in-law, or any kidlets that might happen to be around. So she has to be more than a bit conflicted. On the one hand, she's grateful to Jesus for lifting her fever. But on the other, you have to wonder if she's not a bit resentful that this charismatic healer is going to walk off in the morning with her only fiscal security.
Which makes her generosity that much more remarkable. She has every reason in the world to be selfish. In fact, we couldn't even call it selfish, could we? It's self-preservation, which is no sin.
And yet, such is the power of God as expressed in Jesus that she is able to take a bold, deep risk. She has seen firsthand the provision that God has made for her health, and she trusts that God will provide the money and the food she and her family need. It is indeed a remarkable act of faith. She is made whole, and made free to offer service. She is free to feed those around her, with no hint of pettiness or self-interest.
So it is with all of us. I've always believed that it is no accident one of the main methods we have of experiencing God's grace comes in the form of a meal shared with one another. We are fed and we are healed at the same time.
And not just that. We are set free to do the same for others, without fear or concern for the morrow. No war, no terrorist, no tidal wave or hurricane, no economic collapse can In a world that seems chronically beset by ever-increasing anxiety, perhaps the most powerful word we could hear is: Come. Eat. And tomorrow, go into the neighboring towns to spread the news of God's care, healing, and liberation, for that is what we have all come out to do.
Amen.
Anthem
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Randall Taylor and the Insight Gospel Singers)
Affirmation of Faith2
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,
God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God,
and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being,
create persons in your own image,
and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will
declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior,
you have come to us
and shared our common lot,
conquering sin and death
and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues and races.
You call us into your church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be your servants in the service of others,
to proclaim the gospel to all the world
and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you
forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
your presence in trial and rejoicing,
and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.
Hymn
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (Joel Rosenberger)
Offering
Prayers of the People
Brothers and sisters, let us pray* for all people, for all nations, and for our community.
To whom will we compare you, Holy One, the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain?
Be near to us in our weakness and uphold us with your might, as we pray:
Great is our God and mighty in power; there is no limit to his wisdom.
Holy One, who never faints or grows weary: heal and empower your Church, entrusted with a commission to bear the Good News to all the earth; that we may be all things to all people, serving as slaves to all for the sake of the gospel. Great is our God and mighty in power;
There is no limit to his wisdom.
Holy One, who brings princes to naught and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing: guide our nation and all in authority that they may be servants of healing and may cast out all forms of oppression throughout your creation. Great is our God and mighty in power;
There is no limit to his wisdom.
Holy One, who gives power to the faint and strength to the powerless: reach out your hand and lift up all who suffer from illness or fear, violence or threat; that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. Great is our God and mighty in power;
There is no limit to his wisdom.
Holy One, whose understanding is unsearchable:
Touch with your healing compassion those for whom we pray, especially:
- Tim and Carol, both battling cancer;
- hyperbolic pants explosion's brother, and Keith A., recuperating from vicious attacks;
- Expat Briton and Sister Quarterstaff, for good preparations for their move;
- Bob Woodruff and Doug Vogt and their families;
- Jill--let them free her, comfort her family;
- for those hurt at the Puzzle in Massachusetts;
- Sherm and Gayle;
- Deanna, Debbie, MaryAnn as she tries to sell her house and coordinate with 3 friends to buy another;
- Elizabeth who has found some swollen nodes in her neck;
- For Richard Lamy who is back in the hospital and will have surgery on Feb. 8;
- Stephen, Chris who has an infected foot, and Steve;
- Isa and Jim, for his recovery and that his body accepts the new kidney, for her Rheumatoid Arthritis;
- Dani;
- Paula with back problems;
- Heather who suffered a stroke and for her son;
- Those who serve our country, especially those in harm's way--Dave, Jesse, Japa21's son, djtyg and friends, Gordon, Rick, Norman, Lysle, Casey, Shaun, Sean, Nick, Phillip, Jason, Zee, Liz, Susan, Eugene, Rob, Michael, Bobby, Brett, Ray, Ramone, Jared, and Brad, G. and Jeff
Hear our gratefulness for all the blessings of our lives, especially for:
- Loving animal companions;
- Good friends, family and children with which to share our lives;
- Good books, mail, and other small comforts;
- A welcoming community that surrounds us.
Enfold into your eternal love those who have died, especially
- Coretta Scott King;
- Betty Friedan;
- All those who have died in Iraq and the Red Sea this week.
Great is our God and mighty in power;
There is no limit to his wisdom.
We look toward your eternal glory, O Holy One, and raise our voices to you in prayer: enter our homes and towns, our solitudes and cities; cast out all that oppresses and threatens your people and heal all who are weak; that your whole creation may sing out in praise to you and proclaim your message of love and hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Holy Hill, Wisconsin
Offering
- Donation Page for Dylan's Lectionary Blog.
- The Offering Plate for your humble Street Prophets community. If you're so moved.
Offertory
Allegro, 1st Mvt from Concerto in F Minor (Georg Philipp Telemann)
Doxology
Buddhist Doxology
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Let us pray:
We give thanks and praise and thanks to you, O God.
In Jesus Christ, you have given us life; brought ministry, forgiveness, healing and peace; commanded the disciples to heal the sick; and continued the healing ministry among us to this day.
Keep us mindful of your love and mercy that we may be mindful throughout all our days, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sending
Commission & Benediction
Take a moment to prepare to re-enter the world.
May God bless you and keep you.
May God's face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May God look upon you with kindness
and give you peace. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn
On Eagle's Wings (St. Anselm's Abbey Choir)
Closing Music
"Pascha Amen" (Elisheva Barsabe)
Or
"Precious Lord" (NPR Interview with historian of gospel music Michael Harris)
1Kyrie, Greek for "Lord." Kyrie eleison is the opening of the traditional prayer translated here "Lord have mercy."
2An Affirmation of Faith is distinct from a Creed in that it is a voluntary piece of the service. That is to say, you need not agree with all the items listed to participate in this community.
*Meditate, hold in good and active thought.
4Sources for this worship service include:
- Catholic Doors via Belief.net
- The Rev. Lowell Grisham
- Chalice Worship, Colbert Cartwright, ed.
- St. Joseph Sunday Missal
- United Methodist General Board of Discipleship Worship Resources
- Christian Theological Seminary Image Library
- Elizabeth D, who provided most of the photos
- Poli Sigh, whose prayer intentions I copied from
- A whole bunch of places I have forgotten