Liturgy
Oh sinners, held together by the barest threads,
are you acquainted with our old friend death?
So many scars,
so many stories.
All around us the leaves fall,
the earth cools, and creation
sheds off another layer of time.
Here are my scars.
Here are my stories.
Oh saints of the earth, have we enough
tears to fill the gaps and holes?
Behold this old body, the threads of
resurrection are shining and visible.
Unbreakable love, we are held together.
Remembered by God,
resurrected in Christ,
reconciled by the Holy Spirit,
we join with you in community,
amen.
(Naomi Jackson)
Scripture Reading
We invite you to hear from a reading from the Gospel of Luke 7:44-50.
44 Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you
gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed
my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she
has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my
head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many,
have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 But those who were at the table with him
began to say among themselves, “Who is this
who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the
woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
The Good News of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The grass withers and the flower fades,
but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Amen.
Sermon and Reflection
Sermon Podcast 11.01.20 – All Saints
In what ways do you feel on the outside of a religious gathering?
In what ways are you “seen” by Jesus?
Benediction
May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith—
that we, being rooted and grounded in love,
may have strength to comprehend with all
the saints what is the breadth and length
and height and depth of Christ’s love.
May this love that surpasses knowledge,
fill us with all the fullness of God.
Let us leave here, loving and serving
in the name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
[Photo by .mk @ Flickr]