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)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)