Liturgy

Welcome to this space and work
which we hold together
and are held in together
in many places
and through a variety of technologies.

This morning, the pain and joy
in our stories and in our bodies
hold a kind of truth.

May we soften at the edges
of our resistance to that which
is true and good.

The pain and joy in our relationships
and our society hold a kind of truth.

May we hold the contradictions
of each other’s light and shadow.

Both celebration and tears are welcome.
Open and hardened hearts can be acknowledged.
May we accept what is here now
and wonder at what could be.

In the name of God, our reliable Mother and Father,
of Christ, our gentle Prophet King,
and the Holy Spirit, our Breath of Goodness.
Amen.
(Lauryn Williams)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the Book of Luke 10: 1-6.

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and
sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town
and place where he himself intended to go.

2 He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful,
but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord
of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like
lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse,
no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.

5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’
6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace
will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.

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 11.15.20 Loving Nearby Neighbors

You are sheep and not a wolf. How would you approach your nearby neighbors with whom you have conflict differently if you believed not only that you are sheep, but also that there is a Good Shepherd involved?

How might you consider letting Jesus turn your “Fire” into “Woe”?

Benediction

In closing of our space and work
together this morning,
you are invited to pause.
Take a deep breath
if that feels right for you.

With gentle curiosity
open your imagination
to whatever was new for you
or familiar but different this morning.

Listen for a word or a sentence,
a question or an image,
a space in your body,
or a felt sense of “huh, hmm” or curiosity.

Just notice that for a few moments.

[Reader pause for a few seconds]

So go this week, as a lamb speaking peace
in the name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit,
amen.

Go in peace, and live the church.
Stay curious and present.
(Lauryn Williams)

[Photo by Anaïs Duvert]