Those of you who have kids: could you ever look at your child and say "You're not worthy of my love, but I love you anyway?" But we continue in self-flagellating theology that views God as a cosmic loose cannon ready to jump on us rather than the God Jesus describes as a mother hen gathering her chicks.
Redman's song is a good one, but it has one weakness: it says "if they could see" who God is, they would praise him constantly. But really, there is no "they" and there is no "us". We all see dimly and often have trouble worshiping because we don't understand God's true character. We often are afraid of being known by God, because we think that being known and being loved by God are inversely proportional. The confession is attempting to get at this misunderstanding of God's character.
Basically, if my God looks like a worse parent than I am, my view of God should change.
Let Everything That Has Breath (Matt Redman)
Confession
God of love,
We cringe when we see
a small child cowering
in fear of her parent,
waiting for the look of revulsion,
the rough hand to strike,
the harsh word to be spoken.
Some of us
were once that child.
God, how often do we
approach you in the same way?
Are we afraid
that if you really knew us
you would not love us?
God, too often we have accepted the lie
that your love of us is conditional,
that your favor is fleeting,
that the wellspring of your mercy
is limited.
Help us see truth today.
Thank you that you
look upon us with acceptance,
place your hand on our shoulder,
and speak words of love over us.
We open ourselves
to be known by you
and to be loved by you.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
On that day Jerusalem will be told,
"Don't be afraid, city of Jerusalem.
Don't give up.
The Lord your God is with you;
the mighty One will save you.
He will rejoice over you.
You will rest in his love;
he will sing and be joyful about you."
(Zepheniah 3:16-17)
God of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
Communion: Dave Song
Response: Your Grace Is Enough (Tomlin)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
August 15, 2010
"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about being safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good."
All Creatures Of Our God And King
Confession
God,
It is in our nature
to have expectations
of our relationships.
We confess
that our relationship with you
is no different.
We expect you:
to heal our loved ones,
to repair our relationships,
to take our side in politics or football,
to work within our timeframes,
to do our will—
because we are afraid
of what might happen
if you do not.
God, annihilate our fear!
Convince us again,
or perhaps for the first time,
that you are good,
and though you don't bow
to the world's expectations,
you are with us
and for us.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The true children of God are those
who let God's Spirit lead them.
The Spirit we received
does not make us slaves again to fear;
it makes us children of God.
With that Spirit we cry out, "Father."
(Romans 8:14-15)
Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Communion: Came To My Rescue (Hillsong)
Closing: Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall)
All Creatures Of Our God And King
Confession
God,
It is in our nature
to have expectations
of our relationships.
We confess
that our relationship with you
is no different.
We expect you:
to heal our loved ones,
to repair our relationships,
to take our side in politics or football,
to work within our timeframes,
to do our will—
because we are afraid
of what might happen
if you do not.
God, annihilate our fear!
Convince us again,
or perhaps for the first time,
that you are good,
and though you don't bow
to the world's expectations,
you are with us
and for us.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The true children of God are those
who let God's Spirit lead them.
The Spirit we received
does not make us slaves again to fear;
it makes us children of God.
With that Spirit we cry out, "Father."
(Romans 8:14-15)
Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Communion: Came To My Rescue (Hillsong)
Closing: Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
July 25, 2010
The church is good (or OK) at creating people who are committed to an institution. It's much less accomplished at creating communities committed to God's mission. I think we don't in the end trust God's generosity, so we over-compensate by burning people out, guilting people into giving time and money, and otherwise focusing on perpetuating the institution/monster we've created.
We aren't called to make the world right. We are called to live, and God is the one who says "Behold, I make all things new." Instead, we often worry rather than trust.
I was happy with how this liturgy turned out, though it's pretty obvious I've been reading Brian McLaren's A New Kind Of Christianity.
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
Generous God,
who breathed a very good creation to life,
liberated your oppressed people from Egypt,
and spoke, through the prophets,
of a kingdom of peace and life:
We confess today
that we still do not trust
your generosity.
This causes us to live
in broken ways.
We worry about many things:
food, work, ministry, clothing,
parents, children, time;
Forgetting that you care for
even the lilies and the sparrows.
Forgive us for trusting ourselves,
instead of trusting you;
For doing the work that is yours,
rather than the work that is ours.
Help us to live in harmony
with you and your creation,
and believe—truly believe—
in the goodness of creation,
your promise of liberation,
and your kingdom
that is continually coming
on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
The Wonderful Cross (Trad., Tomlin)
Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)
We aren't called to make the world right. We are called to live, and God is the one who says "Behold, I make all things new." Instead, we often worry rather than trust.
I was happy with how this liturgy turned out, though it's pretty obvious I've been reading Brian McLaren's A New Kind Of Christianity.
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
Generous God,
who breathed a very good creation to life,
liberated your oppressed people from Egypt,
and spoke, through the prophets,
of a kingdom of peace and life:
We confess today
that we still do not trust
your generosity.
This causes us to live
in broken ways.
We worry about many things:
food, work, ministry, clothing,
parents, children, time;
Forgetting that you care for
even the lilies and the sparrows.
Forgive us for trusting ourselves,
instead of trusting you;
For doing the work that is yours,
rather than the work that is ours.
Help us to live in harmony
with you and your creation,
and believe—truly believe—
in the goodness of creation,
your promise of liberation,
and your kingdom
that is continually coming
on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
The Wonderful Cross (Trad., Tomlin)
Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)
July 11, 2010
I got a break from leading worship for the second week in June. Today the focus of our gathering was on the church as the body of Christ. We are the way in which we, and those around us, see Jesus. It is in him that we live and move and have our being. I wasn't too happy with how this confession came out, but it's here for posterity...and I really liked the combination of verses for the assurance of pardon.
Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Confession
God,
You created us
to bear your image.
We are the body of Christ,
yet we live fractured lives.
We measure ourselves on our
successes and failures,
rather than our participation
in the body,
the community,
the being of Christ.
God,
You created us
to bear your image.
Forgive us for how difficult it is
for those around us to see us as
the body of Christ.
May the glass they see through darkly
become clearer and more radiant,
as we live and move and have our being
through him,
with him,
and in him.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"For In him we live and move and have our being."
As some of your own poets have said,
"We are his offspring." (Acts 17)
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you, says the Lord. (Isaiah 49&66)
God of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
Communion Song: From The Inside Out (Hillsong)
Closing Song: The Benediction (Timothy Meaney)
Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Confession
God,
You created us
to bear your image.
We are the body of Christ,
yet we live fractured lives.
We measure ourselves on our
successes and failures,
rather than our participation
in the body,
the community,
the being of Christ.
God,
You created us
to bear your image.
Forgive us for how difficult it is
for those around us to see us as
the body of Christ.
May the glass they see through darkly
become clearer and more radiant,
as we live and move and have our being
through him,
with him,
and in him.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"For In him we live and move and have our being."
As some of your own poets have said,
"We are his offspring." (Acts 17)
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you, says the Lord. (Isaiah 49&66)
God of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
Communion Song: From The Inside Out (Hillsong)
Closing Song: The Benediction (Timothy Meaney)
June 13, 2010
This was a hard text for me; the parable of the unmerciful servant presents a view of God very different than other parts of the biblical text. Is God a loving parent or a king who puts us in debtor's prison if we don't forgive others? How do we discern God's true character? I can only hang on to the hope and assurance that God will end up being infinitely better than we can imagine. The liturgy this week is borne out of this tension.
Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)
Confession
God,
Sometimes we see you as a king:
a harsh taskmaster waiting to repay with vengeance.
Sometimes we see you as a lax parent:
forgiving all even when we do not ask.
Somehow both of these images are incomplete,
and we struggle to understand who you are.
We confess our limited understanding
of you and of your grace,
but we affirm in faith
that you are better than we can imagine.
We confess that we do not offer
the grace that we have received
to those around us.
Help us embrace our neighbors,
and forgive them in love and mercy,
even as we know you forgive us.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
"In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the Lord your Redeemer.
"I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more."
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you."
(Isaiah 54, 43 & 44)
You Are My King
Communion Song: All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Trad., Tomlin)
Closing Song: Stronger (Hillsong)
Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)
Confession
God,
Sometimes we see you as a king:
a harsh taskmaster waiting to repay with vengeance.
Sometimes we see you as a lax parent:
forgiving all even when we do not ask.
Somehow both of these images are incomplete,
and we struggle to understand who you are.
We confess our limited understanding
of you and of your grace,
but we affirm in faith
that you are better than we can imagine.
We confess that we do not offer
the grace that we have received
to those around us.
Help us embrace our neighbors,
and forgive them in love and mercy,
even as we know you forgive us.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
"In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,"
says the Lord your Redeemer.
"I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more."
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you."
(Isaiah 54, 43 & 44)
You Are My King
Communion Song: All The Way My Savior Leads Me (Trad., Tomlin)
Closing Song: Stronger (Hillsong)
Sunday, June 6, 2010
May 23 (Pentecost)
I talked a bit today about Pentecost as the birthday of the church, and how it ties in with Shavuot (the Jewish Feast of Weeks). Just as the Jewish people are defined by Torah (which is one of the themes of Shavuot), the church is defined by the Holy Spirit, received on Pentecost by the early church. Now no longer under the Torah, we are bound by the law of love written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
I also was thinking about Ruth (the book of Ruth is traditionally read on Shavuot, likely because of the harvest season parallel). Ruth as an outsider, a Moabite, not even legally allowed to convert to Judaism according to Nehemiah 13. However, God broke his own rules, so to speak, not only welcoming Ruth but giving her a place in history as an ancestor of David and Jesus. Who today does the church not accept? I didn't talk about this in church, because it was too much of a bunny trail, but it was on my thoughts during the week.
Oh, and I put the confessional song between the spoken portions of the confession liturgy. Actually worked pretty well.
I also ended the gathering with a quote from Tripp Fuller, a pastor in California, which I found through some twitter link that I can't find at this point, so it's unsourced but reprinted below.
Our Great Savior (Traditional)
Confession
Hopeful God,
You fulfilled the promise Jesus made
and sent the Holy Spirit to timid disciples,
giving birth to a bold new community
of inclusion, love, and grace.
We confess
that we have failed to embrace
the radical acceptance and community
that you call us into.
Forgive us for our exclusion,
our hopelessness,
our fear,
and our timidity.
Surprise us again
with your hope,
through the gift of your Spirit.
Amen.
Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Assurance of Pardon
(Romans 5:1-2)
Since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope
of the glory of God.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love
into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us.
Communion: Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)
"It is easy to get swept away by the vision of God’s dream for the world. Unlike the brokenness of the present, it is whole. Unlike the violence of the present, there is peace. Unlike, well, what is actual, something more is possible. The Holy Spirit is God’s continuous gift to the present that protests what is with what could be. She is the always-active agent of God’s coming. Life in the Spirit then, is one that dreams God’s dream during the day."
Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
I also was thinking about Ruth (the book of Ruth is traditionally read on Shavuot, likely because of the harvest season parallel). Ruth as an outsider, a Moabite, not even legally allowed to convert to Judaism according to Nehemiah 13. However, God broke his own rules, so to speak, not only welcoming Ruth but giving her a place in history as an ancestor of David and Jesus. Who today does the church not accept? I didn't talk about this in church, because it was too much of a bunny trail, but it was on my thoughts during the week.
Oh, and I put the confessional song between the spoken portions of the confession liturgy. Actually worked pretty well.
I also ended the gathering with a quote from Tripp Fuller, a pastor in California, which I found through some twitter link that I can't find at this point, so it's unsourced but reprinted below.
Our Great Savior (Traditional)
Confession
Hopeful God,
You fulfilled the promise Jesus made
and sent the Holy Spirit to timid disciples,
giving birth to a bold new community
of inclusion, love, and grace.
We confess
that we have failed to embrace
the radical acceptance and community
that you call us into.
Forgive us for our exclusion,
our hopelessness,
our fear,
and our timidity.
Surprise us again
with your hope,
through the gift of your Spirit.
Amen.
Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Assurance of Pardon
(Romans 5:1-2)
Since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope
of the glory of God.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love
into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us.
Communion: Not Alone (Solomon's Porch)
"It is easy to get swept away by the vision of God’s dream for the world. Unlike the brokenness of the present, it is whole. Unlike the violence of the present, there is peace. Unlike, well, what is actual, something more is possible. The Holy Spirit is God’s continuous gift to the present that protests what is with what could be. She is the always-active agent of God’s coming. Life in the Spirit then, is one that dreams God’s dream during the day."
Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
May 9
With our pastor out of town, I ended up talking a lot more than usual. I did the call to worship along with leading communion for the first time. We also read the Celtic Creed together. I have a love/hate relationship with creeds. On one hand, they help us to be joined in common belief. On the other hand, especially the later creeds are imbued with political overtones and lose some of their poetic beauty because they are trying to make sure that no "heresies" get perpetuated. I love the Celtic Creed because it's simple and trinitarian, and is a beautiful piece of poetry, a standard to which we should hold all of our liturgical statements. It's reproduced below.
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
God,
We speak often of community,
and invite you to create it,
but we often don't know
if we want what we ask for.
We do not fully understand
what this community will look like,
who will be here,
how their uniqueness
will interact with our own,
how we will change each other.
We confess it is hard for us
to be willing to give up
the comfort of what we know
for the uncertainty of
what you are doing.
But we also confess
that we do not want the alternative
of shutting the door on
any of your children.
Forgive us for our small thinking,
and help us to embrace
what you are calling us to become.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
(I John 1)
This is the message we have heard from God
and proclaim to you,
that God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Sanctuary (Eugene Kim)
Communion: Reading of Celtic Creed:
We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life,
of sun and moon,
of water and earth,
of male and female.
We believe in God beside us,
Jesus Christ,
the word made flesh,
born of a woman,
servant of the poor,
tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows,
he died forseaken.
He descendend into the earth
to the place of death.
On the third day
he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven,
to be everywhere present,
and His kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us,
the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church,
Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of resurrection and of eternal life.
Communion: There's A Table (Lynn DeShazo)
The Benediction (Timothy James Meaney)
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
God,
We speak often of community,
and invite you to create it,
but we often don't know
if we want what we ask for.
We do not fully understand
what this community will look like,
who will be here,
how their uniqueness
will interact with our own,
how we will change each other.
We confess it is hard for us
to be willing to give up
the comfort of what we know
for the uncertainty of
what you are doing.
But we also confess
that we do not want the alternative
of shutting the door on
any of your children.
Forgive us for our small thinking,
and help us to embrace
what you are calling us to become.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
(I John 1)
This is the message we have heard from God
and proclaim to you,
that God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Sanctuary (Eugene Kim)
Communion: Reading of Celtic Creed:
We believe in God above us,
maker and sustainer of all life,
of sun and moon,
of water and earth,
of male and female.
We believe in God beside us,
Jesus Christ,
the word made flesh,
born of a woman,
servant of the poor,
tortured and nailed to a tree.
A man of sorrows,
he died forseaken.
He descendend into the earth
to the place of death.
On the third day
he rose from the tomb.
He ascended into heaven,
to be everywhere present,
and His kingdom will come on earth.
We believe in God within us,
the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire,
life-giving breath of the Church,
Spirit of healing and forgiveness,
source of resurrection and of eternal life.
Communion: There's A Table (Lynn DeShazo)
The Benediction (Timothy James Meaney)
April 25
The second gathering at the new space. More reflection on our poverty this week. It took awhile to get the confession finished; but focusing on the broken, poor, captive language of Isaiah 61 ended up working well.
Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Confession
God,
We are the broken.
We practice looking whole,
often deceiving those around us,
but resentful that you are not deceived.
We are the poor.
We accumulate wealth for ourselves
but wreak destruction on the earth
as the collateral damage of our pursuits.
We are the captives.
We allow our fear to build walls
protecting ourselves from our neighbors
rather than embracing them in love.
Thank you that Jesus came
to heal the broken,
bring good news to the poor,
and free the captives.
Forgive us,
and give us hope
for ourselves and for the world.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honor
in every land where they have suffered shame.
At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
before your very eyes,”
says the Lord.
Came To My Rescue
Communion: Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Closing: All Of My Days
Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Confession
God,
We are the broken.
We practice looking whole,
often deceiving those around us,
but resentful that you are not deceived.
We are the poor.
We accumulate wealth for ourselves
but wreak destruction on the earth
as the collateral damage of our pursuits.
We are the captives.
We allow our fear to build walls
protecting ourselves from our neighbors
rather than embracing them in love.
Thank you that Jesus came
to heal the broken,
bring good news to the poor,
and free the captives.
Forgive us,
and give us hope
for ourselves and for the world.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honor
in every land where they have suffered shame.
At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honor and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
before your very eyes,”
says the Lord.
Came To My Rescue
Communion: Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Closing: All Of My Days
April 11 - Day One
Our first gathering at the new space. It's small. We set it up with chairs on both sides of the room facing the table in the center. Musicians off to one side, pastor off to the other. It's awesome to be able to see each other, and hear people sing, and feel like a community.
The subject matter for the first gathering is coming to grips with our own poverty, with Isaiah 61 as the text. I'm cutting back to four songs for these gatherings, since we've added a breakout time following the sermon and we're trying to do less of a "big-church" music program. It's going to be just keys, violin and djembe for the time being. Partly because there's no space for more, and partly because it feels good to have a small, intimate group of musicians.
Obviously, I did not write this confession...
You Came (Eugene Kim)
Confession
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
Assurance of Pardon
Christ is our peace;
those who are divided
he has made one.
He has broken down the barriers of separation
by his death and has built us up
into one body, with God.
To all who repent and believe
he has promised reconciliation.
So live as people reconciled. Amen.
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
Communion: God Of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
Closing: Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
The subject matter for the first gathering is coming to grips with our own poverty, with Isaiah 61 as the text. I'm cutting back to four songs for these gatherings, since we've added a breakout time following the sermon and we're trying to do less of a "big-church" music program. It's going to be just keys, violin and djembe for the time being. Partly because there's no space for more, and partly because it feels good to have a small, intimate group of musicians.
Obviously, I did not write this confession...
You Came (Eugene Kim)
Confession
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
so that you may be revered.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
Assurance of Pardon
Christ is our peace;
those who are divided
he has made one.
He has broken down the barriers of separation
by his death and has built us up
into one body, with God.
To all who repent and believe
he has promised reconciliation.
So live as people reconciled. Amen.
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
Communion: God Of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
Closing: Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
April 4 - Easter
April 4 is the sixth anniversary of the founding of the church. It is also our last gathering in the gym, before moving to our new location and our new rhythm. Obviously there is a ton of significance for this day with the anniversary and resurrection metaphors. The partnership votes to go ahead with the new vision and plan.
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Confession
God,
we confess our brokenness.
We want to believe
that we are rich,
but we know that we are poor.
Resurrect our hearts.
God,
we confess our frail attempts
to be your church.
We want to join together in your mission,
and love each other
as you love us.
Recreate our community.
God,
we confess that we fear
rather than embrace
those around us.
Send us into the world,
as the broken
to the broken.
Renovate our culture.
Assurance of Pardon
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall)
Communion and Response:
At The Cross
Nothing But The Blood
Mighty To Save
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Confession
God,
we confess our brokenness.
We want to believe
that we are rich,
but we know that we are poor.
Resurrect our hearts.
God,
we confess our frail attempts
to be your church.
We want to join together in your mission,
and love each other
as you love us.
Recreate our community.
God,
we confess that we fear
rather than embrace
those around us.
Send us into the world,
as the broken
to the broken.
Renovate our culture.
Assurance of Pardon
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Marvelous Light (Charlie Hall)
Communion and Response:
At The Cross
Nothing But The Blood
Mighty To Save
March 28
After last week's overview of the vision for our church, this week was focused on the elucidation of a strategic plan. We are entering a season of changing rhythm and location, to help us stay sane and also to help us get in touch with where God is leading us. The plan involves moving our location to our rented "office" space, which will be smaller and more intimate, and meeting twice a month for a worship gathering. One week a month will be devoted to service/community, and one week a month will be a rest week.
I used the Agnus Dei as the confession, drawing on historic mass text to keep things simple and to remind ourselves that no matter what the plan looks like going forward, it's only a plan. We are bound together by thousands of years of faithful Christians trying to find the best representation of church for their time and place. We are part of the historic church.
Our Great Savior
Confession
Lamb of god,
who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of god,
who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of god,
who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus Christ is our peace;
in his flesh he has broken down
the dividing wall, that is,
the hostility between us.
He has abolished the law
with its commandments and ordinances,
that he might create in himself
one new humanity in place of the two,
thus making peace,
and might reconcile both groups to God
in one body through the cross,
thus putting to death
that hostility through it.
So he came and proclaimed peace
to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near;
for through him both of us have access
in one Spirit to the Father.
You Are My King
Be The Centre
I used the Agnus Dei as the confession, drawing on historic mass text to keep things simple and to remind ourselves that no matter what the plan looks like going forward, it's only a plan. We are bound together by thousands of years of faithful Christians trying to find the best representation of church for their time and place. We are part of the historic church.
Our Great Savior
Confession
Lamb of god,
who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of god,
who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of god,
who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus Christ is our peace;
in his flesh he has broken down
the dividing wall, that is,
the hostility between us.
He has abolished the law
with its commandments and ordinances,
that he might create in himself
one new humanity in place of the two,
thus making peace,
and might reconcile both groups to God
in one body through the cross,
thus putting to death
that hostility through it.
So he came and proclaimed peace
to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near;
for through him both of us have access
in one Spirit to the Father.
You Are My King
Be The Centre
March 21
This Sunday was an overview of the vision that our church was built on, going back to the seed verse of Isaiah 61:1-4. This passage defines who we are, and who we are not yet.
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
Sovereign Lord,
You have given us your spirit,
and sent us into the world,
but often, our response has been anemic.
We have turned our backs on the poor,
hardening our hearts as we pass them by.
We have beaten down the broken,
offering condemnation instead of acceptance.
We have built walls to keep people imprisoned,
and ended up imprisoning ourselves.
We have failed to understand
that we too are broken and poor.
Forgive us, God,
and break down the walls we have built.
Replace our despondency with vision,
our ashes with beauty,
our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh,
so we can be people who join you
in the renovation of all things.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Because God loves you,
he will continue to be your advocate,
until your goodness shines like a bright light,
your salvation burns bright like a flame.
The world will see your goodness,
and even kings will see your glory.
You will have a new vision,
which the Lord himself will give you.
You will be like a beautiful crown in the Lord's hand,
like a king's crown in your God's hand.
You will never again be called the People that God Left,
nor your land the Land the God Destroyed.
You will be called the People God Loves,
and your land will be called the Bride of God,
because the Lord loves you.
And your land will belong to him
as a bride belongs to her husband.
As a young man commits himself to his bride,
so your children will commit themselves to you.
As a man rejoices over his wife,
so your God rejoices over you.
Sanctuary (Eugene Kim)
This Is Our God
Response Song: The Benediction
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
Sovereign Lord,
You have given us your spirit,
and sent us into the world,
but often, our response has been anemic.
We have turned our backs on the poor,
hardening our hearts as we pass them by.
We have beaten down the broken,
offering condemnation instead of acceptance.
We have built walls to keep people imprisoned,
and ended up imprisoning ourselves.
We have failed to understand
that we too are broken and poor.
Forgive us, God,
and break down the walls we have built.
Replace our despondency with vision,
our ashes with beauty,
our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh,
so we can be people who join you
in the renovation of all things.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Because God loves you,
he will continue to be your advocate,
until your goodness shines like a bright light,
your salvation burns bright like a flame.
The world will see your goodness,
and even kings will see your glory.
You will have a new vision,
which the Lord himself will give you.
You will be like a beautiful crown in the Lord's hand,
like a king's crown in your God's hand.
You will never again be called the People that God Left,
nor your land the Land the God Destroyed.
You will be called the People God Loves,
and your land will be called the Bride of God,
because the Lord loves you.
And your land will belong to him
as a bride belongs to her husband.
As a young man commits himself to his bride,
so your children will commit themselves to you.
As a man rejoices over his wife,
so your God rejoices over you.
Sanctuary (Eugene Kim)
This Is Our God
Response Song: The Benediction
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 14
This Sunday was exciting - the projector kicked the bucket 10 minutes before our gathering began, and I had to call out lines during the songs for people to follow. It was tiring, but the projector has been cleaned out and is apparently working now.
The theme was the paradox of losing our lives to find them.
Let Everything That Has Breath
Confession
Assurance of Pardon
The Wonderful Cross
I Will Offer Up My Life
Your Grace Is Enough
Response: From The Inside Out
The theme was the paradox of losing our lives to find them.
Let Everything That Has Breath
Praise you in the morning
Praise you in the evening
Praise you when I'm young and when I'm old...
Confession
God,
As you are re-creating the whole world,
we continually pursue our own happiness.
When you ask us to lose our lives,
we confess we often feign interest,
because we are afraid
of what you will ask of us,
where you will lead us,
who you will bring into our path.
But then we come to our senses,
and realize again
that if we grasp our lives too tightly,
we trade away your goodness.
Forgive us,
and help us die to ourselves,
so we can find and affirm your life
in our community and our world.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God
a thing to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:5-11)
The Wonderful Cross
O the wonderful cross,
O the wonderful cross,
Bids me come and die,
And find that I may truly live.
I Will Offer Up My Life
What can I give, what can I bring,
What can I sing as an offering, Lord?
Your Grace Is Enough
You use the weak to lead the strong...
Response: From The Inside Out
Your will above all else,
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself,
In bringing you praise,
Everlasting, your light will shine
When all else fades,
Neverending, your glory goes
Beyond all fame.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 7
The scripture for this Sunday is the story of the Good Samaritan (who might have been a good common Jew, but the point of the story still holds). I tried to focus on love of neighbor with the confession without tying in to the story too closely. I wasn't in the mood for taking the metaphor too far this week. The main portion of the confession is based on an inversion of Micah 6:8. Instrumentation this week is piano, violin and djembe.
Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
Everlasting God
Confession
God,
You invite us
to love deeply,
recklessly,
and unconditionally;
but instead—
We have pursued injustice
rather than your peace,
we have been hard-hearted
rather than merciful,
and we have considered ourselves
better than others.
Forgive us for neglecting
your law of love,
and inspire us,
through the example of Jesus,
to love as he loved.
We pray in his name,
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God is gracious!
Despite our failures,
he does not condemn us,
but welcomes us back
into a life of love.
Brothers and sisters,
we are forgiven,
we are restored,
we are loved.
Response songs during and after communion:
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
Take My Life And Let It Be Consecrated
God Of This City
Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
Everlasting God
Confession
God,
You invite us
to love deeply,
recklessly,
and unconditionally;
but instead—
We have pursued injustice
rather than your peace,
we have been hard-hearted
rather than merciful,
and we have considered ourselves
better than others.
Forgive us for neglecting
your law of love,
and inspire us,
through the example of Jesus,
to love as he loved.
We pray in his name,
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God is gracious!
Despite our failures,
he does not condemn us,
but welcomes us back
into a life of love.
Brothers and sisters,
we are forgiven,
we are restored,
we are loved.
Response songs during and after communion:
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
Take My Life And Let It Be Consecrated
God Of This City
Monday, March 1, 2010
February 28
I was fortunate to be at a church planting conference in San Diego this weekend. Our church isn't a new plant; it's a few years old but we were invited to participate by the denomination. It was a great experience, bonding with other church leadership, agreeing and disagreeing with various session speakers, generating ideas on how to do ministry in our local church, and reading Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christianity on the plane and at night. Needless to say, my thoughts were all over the map during the weekend.
I didn't attempt to connect with the sermon for music and liturgy at all. The confession was inspired by the classical "what I have done, and what I have left undone" confession language. Instead of a time of silent reflection after corporately reading the confession, we paused after each paragraph for silent confession instead.
The music selection was largely random. The holy spirit was at work, though, and the music really ended up dovetailing with sermon in an amazing way.
Instrumentation was just piano, violin and a bit of shaker. Without further ado...
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Mighty To Save (Hillsong)
Confession
God,
We confess that we have failed this week
to live as you called us to live.
(pause)
We have committed wrongs
against people you created and love,
lashing out in anger,
taking what is not ours,
and looking down upon those
who are different from us.
(pause)
We have failed to live out
your mission in the world,
neglecting the poor,
ignoring those in pain,
seeing the face of Jesus
and looking away.
(pause)
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
Assurance of Pardon
(from Romans 5)
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass
was condemnation for all men,
so also the result of one act of righteousness
was justification that brings life for all men.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man
the many will be made righteous.
The law was added
so that the trespass might increase.
But where sin increased,
grace increased all the more.
God of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
After sermon: The Benediction (Timothy James Meaney)
I didn't attempt to connect with the sermon for music and liturgy at all. The confession was inspired by the classical "what I have done, and what I have left undone" confession language. Instead of a time of silent reflection after corporately reading the confession, we paused after each paragraph for silent confession instead.
The music selection was largely random. The holy spirit was at work, though, and the music really ended up dovetailing with sermon in an amazing way.
Instrumentation was just piano, violin and a bit of shaker. Without further ado...
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Mighty To Save (Hillsong)
Confession
God,
We confess that we have failed this week
to live as you called us to live.
(pause)
We have committed wrongs
against people you created and love,
lashing out in anger,
taking what is not ours,
and looking down upon those
who are different from us.
(pause)
We have failed to live out
your mission in the world,
neglecting the poor,
ignoring those in pain,
seeing the face of Jesus
and looking away.
(pause)
Lord have mercy,
Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy.
Assurance of Pardon
(from Romans 5)
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass
was condemnation for all men,
so also the result of one act of righteousness
was justification that brings life for all men.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man
the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man
the many will be made righteous.
The law was added
so that the trespass might increase.
But where sin increased,
grace increased all the more.
God of Beauty (Solomon's Porch)
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
After sermon: The Benediction (Timothy James Meaney)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
February 21 (First Sunday of Lent)
Fear. It's an amazing force in our lives. I've become convinced that most of our problems as church are motivated by fear. It certainly seems to be a factor in much of the recent dialogue around Jay Bakker and Revolution Church, Brian McLaren's new book, and Doug Pagitt's dialogue with Chris Rosebrough. This subject of fear combined with our church going through 40 Days of the Jesus Creed for Lent has led to this liturgy, focusing on how fear keeps us from the love we are supposed to have for God and each other.
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
God of grace,
You give us the choice
to reject fear,
or to be defined by it.
We confess that much of our lives,
individually and as a community,
is motivated by fear.
We are afraid of others' opinions,
instead of
abandoning ourselves to love.
We are afraid of different beliefs,
instead of
trying to understand
and learn from others.
We are afraid of wrong behavior,
instead of
embracing people as Jesus did.
We are even afraid of you,
instead of
believing that you are even better
than we could imagine.
Forgive us for choosing fear,
and help us
as we commit to live in
the great commandment of love
for you and others.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
We choose to believe
the love that God has in us.
Simply, if we live in love,
we live in God,
and God lives in us.
There can't be any fear in love,
because love drives out fear.
If we are afraid of anything,
we don't know God's love well enough.
We love because Jesus loved us first,
and his commandment is clear:
"Love God and love each other!"
(adapted from I John 4)
All Of My Days (Hillsong)
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Post-sermon response: You Are God Alone
From The Depths (Sojourn Music)
Reign In Us (Starfield)
Confession
God of grace,
You give us the choice
to reject fear,
or to be defined by it.
We confess that much of our lives,
individually and as a community,
is motivated by fear.
We are afraid of others' opinions,
instead of
abandoning ourselves to love.
We are afraid of different beliefs,
instead of
trying to understand
and learn from others.
We are afraid of wrong behavior,
instead of
embracing people as Jesus did.
We are even afraid of you,
instead of
believing that you are even better
than we could imagine.
Forgive us for choosing fear,
and help us
as we commit to live in
the great commandment of love
for you and others.
Amen
Assurance of Pardon
We choose to believe
the love that God has in us.
Simply, if we live in love,
we live in God,
and God lives in us.
There can't be any fear in love,
because love drives out fear.
If we are afraid of anything,
we don't know God's love well enough.
We love because Jesus loved us first,
and his commandment is clear:
"Love God and love each other!"
(adapted from I John 4)
All Of My Days (Hillsong)
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Post-sermon response: You Are God Alone
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday
Reading from Job
Then Job replied to the Lord :
“I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Introduction to Ash Wednesday
Reading from Psalm 51
Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Responsive Reading
(Leader)
Cry, and God will answer.
(People)
Call, and the Lord will say, "I am here."
(Leader)
If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word; if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed.
(People)
Call, and the Lord will say, "I am here."
(Leader)
Your light will rise in the darkness and your shadows become like noon. The Lord will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places.
(People)
Cry, and God will answer. Call, and the Lord will say, "I am here."
From the Depths (Sojourn Music)
We Need You Lord (Eugene Kim)
Reading from Joel 2:12-16
Homily
Silent confession and imputation of ashes
Then Job replied to the Lord :
“I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Introduction to Ash Wednesday
Reading from Psalm 51
Of Psalm 51 (Sojourn Music)
Responsive Reading
(Leader)
Cry, and God will answer.
(People)
Call, and the Lord will say, "I am here."
(Leader)
If you do away with the yoke, the clenched fist, the wicked word; if you give your bread to the hungry, and relief to the oppressed.
(People)
Call, and the Lord will say, "I am here."
(Leader)
Your light will rise in the darkness and your shadows become like noon. The Lord will always guide you, giving you relief in desert places.
(People)
Cry, and God will answer. Call, and the Lord will say, "I am here."
From the Depths (Sojourn Music)
We Need You Lord (Eugene Kim)
Reading from Joel 2:12-16
Homily
Silent confession and imputation of ashes
Saturday, February 13, 2010
February 14
It's amazing how much we have a hard time trusting God. He's proven his faithfulness over and over; the entire Bible can be read as a story of deliverance made up of many smaller stories of deliverance. The liturgy this week reflects on a few of these stories.
Hear Our Praises
Cannons
Confession
Faithful God,
Abraham cried out to you for a son
and you blessed him with nations;
Israel cried out to you for deliverance
and you led them to a land of milk and honey;
Esther fasted and cried out to you for freedom
and you delivered Israel from annihilation;
The disciples cried out to you in one place
and you poured out your Spirit on the church.
Why, then, do we have such trouble
trusting you, God?
We confess that we have failed
to let the stories of your people
become our story.
We turn back to you today in trust.
Restore us, encourage us, and guide us,
by your word, your Spirit, and our community.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
(from Psalm 22)
From the Depths (Sojourn Music)
Our Great Savior
Response: Sanctuary (Eugene Kim)
Hear Our Praises
Cannons
Confession
Faithful God,
Abraham cried out to you for a son
and you blessed him with nations;
Israel cried out to you for deliverance
and you led them to a land of milk and honey;
Esther fasted and cried out to you for freedom
and you delivered Israel from annihilation;
The disciples cried out to you in one place
and you poured out your Spirit on the church.
Why, then, do we have such trouble
trusting you, God?
We confess that we have failed
to let the stories of your people
become our story.
We turn back to you today in trust.
Restore us, encourage us, and guide us,
by your word, your Spirit, and our community.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
(from Psalm 22)
From the Depths (Sojourn Music)
Our Great Savior
Response: Sanctuary (Eugene Kim)
Saturday, February 6, 2010
February 7
It was good to have a week off. This week I've been thinking about the vulnerability that's required for us to truly live in community. We find in our daily lives that it's safer to reveal only small parts of ourselves, but even if this works in our job or personal life (which is arguable), it is a disaster in our church/community life. We simply need to be open with each other and with God.
Marvelous Light
Confession
God,
We confess that we often
run away from risk,
rather than into it.
We build walls around ourselves
and make small openings in them,
controlling what parts of ourselves
we reveal to others;
because it is easier and safer
than being vulnerable.
But it is also destructive.
Forgive us for closing ourselves off
from each other, from you,
and from the community we need.
You know us, God;
let us not be afraid
of being known by each other.
Amen.
Assurance
But now, this is what the LORD says:
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze."
He Knows My Name
Communion Response:
There's A Table
Be Thou My Vision
God Of Wonders
Marvelous Light
Confession
God,
We confess that we often
run away from risk,
rather than into it.
We build walls around ourselves
and make small openings in them,
controlling what parts of ourselves
we reveal to others;
because it is easier and safer
than being vulnerable.
But it is also destructive.
Forgive us for closing ourselves off
from each other, from you,
and from the community we need.
You know us, God;
let us not be afraid
of being known by each other.
Amen.
Assurance
But now, this is what the LORD says:
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze."
He Knows My Name
Communion Response:
There's A Table
Be Thou My Vision
God Of Wonders
Saturday, January 23, 2010
January 24
A quote from William Carlos Williams (from The Desert Music) was on my mind while preparing the liturgy for this week.
I believe that at our core, we want to seek God, but this world has a way of twisting our desires into things which harm us and others. The confession focuses on this twisting.
Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)
Confession
Father,
At the core of our being,
we desire you.
But our desire is easily warped
by the relentlessness of this world,
and we often cause destruction -
of our own lives,
of those we love,
of our world.
As we find ourselves in the desert,
wash over our parched lives,
speak to us in the stillness,
and heal our desires,
so that we become once again
participants in your renewal of all things.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
Just Let Me Say
Stronger
Lord, Reign In Me
Response: I Have A Shelter
Man has survived hitherto because he was too ignorant to know how to realize his wishes. Now that he can realize them, he must either change them or perish.
I believe that at our core, we want to seek God, but this world has a way of twisting our desires into things which harm us and others. The confession focuses on this twisting.
Blessed Be Your Name (Matt Redman)
Confession
Father,
At the core of our being,
we desire you.
But our desire is easily warped
by the relentlessness of this world,
and we often cause destruction -
of our own lives,
of those we love,
of our world.
As we find ourselves in the desert,
wash over our parched lives,
speak to us in the stillness,
and heal our desires,
so that we become once again
participants in your renewal of all things.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
Just Let Me Say
Stronger
Lord, Reign In Me
Response: I Have A Shelter
Saturday, January 16, 2010
January 17
This is the second week of the current series on the Holy Spirit. The text for the sermon is Ephesians 5:13-21 ("Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit"). If the Spirit is the one who directs us to live in the way of Jesus, I have to conclude that I'm rarely filled with the Spirit. The liturgy is a simple confession of the lack of the Spirit, and a prayer centering around the metaphors of wind, fire and water that are used to describe the Spirit in scripture.
This tension of not being filled with the Spirit was evident to me this week in the responses to the Haiti earthquake - we saw the best in humanity and the worst in humanity, in the outpouring of support along with the condemnation of both the US government and the people of Haiti themselves for "causing" a natural disaster.
How Can I Keep From Singing (Chris Tomlin)
God Of Beauty (from Solomon's Porch)
Confession
Jesus,
You said the Father
Would send the Spirit
To lead us in truth,
To guide what we do.
We can only look at our lives,
Painfully aware
That we are not filled with your Spirit.
Blow through the staleness of our shame,
Warm our cold hopelessness,
Flow in the desert of our selfishness,
Fill our lives.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob that repent of their sins,"
declares the Lord.
"As for me, this is my covenant with them,"
says the Lord.
"My Spirit, who is on you,
and my words that I have put in your mouth
will not depart from your mouth,
or from the mouths of your children,
or from the mouths of their descendents
from this time on and forever,"
says the Lord.
Consuming Fire
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
Response: Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
This tension of not being filled with the Spirit was evident to me this week in the responses to the Haiti earthquake - we saw the best in humanity and the worst in humanity, in the outpouring of support along with the condemnation of both the US government and the people of Haiti themselves for "causing" a natural disaster.
How Can I Keep From Singing (Chris Tomlin)
God Of Beauty (from Solomon's Porch)
Confession
Jesus,
You said the Father
Would send the Spirit
To lead us in truth,
To guide what we do.
We can only look at our lives,
Painfully aware
That we are not filled with your Spirit.
Blow through the staleness of our shame,
Warm our cold hopelessness,
Flow in the desert of our selfishness,
Fill our lives.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
"The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob that repent of their sins,"
declares the Lord.
"As for me, this is my covenant with them,"
says the Lord.
"My Spirit, who is on you,
and my words that I have put in your mouth
will not depart from your mouth,
or from the mouths of your children,
or from the mouths of their descendents
from this time on and forever,"
says the Lord.
Consuming Fire
All The Way My Savior Leads Me
Response: Open Skies (Claas P. Jambor)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
January 10
The new sermon series is on the Holy Spirit. This is a tough one for me. I've realized that I haven't thought through a theology of the Holy Spirit since I have distanced myself from my Charismatic college days. I don't want to reduce the Holy Spirit to a vague force (the criticism of the Charismatics), but I also don't want to reduce the Holy Spirit to God's genie granting us our wishes (the criticism I have of the Charismatics). So, my liturgy this week is really saying that I don't really know who the Holy Spirit is. I'm hoping that listening to the upcoming sermon series will help me as I spend some time trying to grapple with who the Holy Spirit is.
I'm sure the symmetry of the confession will be lost on most of those speaking it, but I like it anyway, so there.
Confession
Spirit of God,
Who hovered over the waters,
Stirred the hearts of the prophets,
Baptized the church with fire,
Kept her through history:
We confess
We hardly know you.
Keep our lives today,
Fill and renew us with your fire,
Remind our hearts of Jesus' mission,
Help us form our world,
Spirit of God.
Assurance of Pardon
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
I'm sure the symmetry of the confession will be lost on most of those speaking it, but I like it anyway, so there.
Confession
Spirit of God,
Who hovered over the waters,
Stirred the hearts of the prophets,
Baptized the church with fire,
Kept her through history:
We confess
We hardly know you.
Keep our lives today,
Fill and renew us with your fire,
Remind our hearts of Jesus' mission,
Help us form our world,
Spirit of God.
Assurance of Pardon
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Epiphany Sunday
I've been thinking about the magi, and what they returned to in Persia, or wherever they were from. They probably didn't set up the First Presbyterian Church of East Persia. They probably went back to being magi, forever changed by meeting Jesus but bringing their knowledge of him to the context of their previous lives. I'm wondering how acceptable their worship would really be to most of the church today...
How many people do we dismiss who might be worshiping God, either without knowing it themselves or without us understanding that what they are doing is worship? I'm thinking of alternative healers, yoga instructors, painters, theatre people, etc, who don't look like they're promoting the gospel as evangelicalism has narrowly defined it. Or people who are doing amazing things like liberating kids from sex slavery around the world, fighting hunger, or working to save the environment in the Galapagos?
Or how often does the church write off Christians (yes, sometimes even denying their faith) who don't fit our script of what a Christian should look like. What about LGBT Christians? Universalists? Community organizers?
I'm playing with a definition of worship that basically is doing things that line up with God's mission and desire for the world. This could come from many places, including from a band of eastern astrologists two thousand years ago.
Confession
God of light, you accepted the gifts of pagan astrologers who saw a star. We confess that we often miss the worship of those around us, because they do not look like us, talk like us, or believe like us. Or worse, we are like Herod, seeking you for selfish reasons - for our comfort, wealth and security. But your light shines in our darkness, and our darkness has not overcome it. Help us to humble ourselves, and seek both to find, and to be a part of, your kingdom on earth. Amen
Assurance
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
How many people do we dismiss who might be worshiping God, either without knowing it themselves or without us understanding that what they are doing is worship? I'm thinking of alternative healers, yoga instructors, painters, theatre people, etc, who don't look like they're promoting the gospel as evangelicalism has narrowly defined it. Or people who are doing amazing things like liberating kids from sex slavery around the world, fighting hunger, or working to save the environment in the Galapagos?
Or how often does the church write off Christians (yes, sometimes even denying their faith) who don't fit our script of what a Christian should look like. What about LGBT Christians? Universalists? Community organizers?
I'm playing with a definition of worship that basically is doing things that line up with God's mission and desire for the world. This could come from many places, including from a band of eastern astrologists two thousand years ago.
Confession
God of light, you accepted the gifts of pagan astrologers who saw a star. We confess that we often miss the worship of those around us, because they do not look like us, talk like us, or believe like us. Or worse, we are like Herod, seeking you for selfish reasons - for our comfort, wealth and security. But your light shines in our darkness, and our darkness has not overcome it. Help us to humble ourselves, and seek both to find, and to be a part of, your kingdom on earth. Amen
Assurance
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
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