Liturgy

When raging storms are knocking the floorboards apart,
when shrouded skies suddenly dump their weight onto the roof,
when the windows could give at any moment to the fierce winds,
there is much we put to sleep in order to keep on going.

For what we’ve weathered already, Lord have mercy.

Then the storm eases, but doesn’t really end,
and sodden days stretch to gloomy weeks to long months.
And what was asleep remains asleep.

For the long slog we’ve endured already, Lord have mercy.

And one day, maybe the storm finally breaks.
Releasing its last few holds, the skies clear.
The sun shines. It is disorienting and glorious.

For the moments we survived, Lord have mercy.

Finally, we are able to wake up. To stop surviving.
To walk the floors and survey the damage, see if the roof held,
if the windows will open again.

For the courage to see what’s left, Lord have mercy.

Do not be afraid if the waking unleashes the true flood.
You held back so much during this hard time.
It didn’t go away; it was just put aside so you could
keep
on
going.

For the magnitude of our grief, pain, relief, Lord have mercy.

Good news, friends. You were held while you suffered,
You are held while you cry, and you’ll be held while
you dance by our loving God.

Bless us this morning,
loving God,
as we gather in your name,
holy three in one,
amen.

(Sarah Berson)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from the Gospel of Mark 4:35-41.

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them,
“Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd
behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was.

Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and
the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already
being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the
cushion; and they woke him up and said to him,

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said
to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased,
and there was a dead calm.

40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

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.

Homily and Reflection

Homily Podcast 06.20.2021 Prepare

How have we been preparing to come back together physically, to continue this ministry at Vox?

What have we seen and heard in God’s working in us while we have been physically distant?

How can we continue to prepare?

Benediction

May the storms you weathered feel seen and validated.
May you find compassion for the storms others endured.
May you be courageous as you open up to the light.

May the rain that falls on you be your baptism,
your tears bring release, their salt a reminder of your strength.
May your strength persist as you rebuild what was destroyed.
May you carefully choose what it is that needs to be rebuilt.

May you find that the floors are still good for dancing,
that the roof will keep the joy in, and the windows
will open to the fresh breath of life all around you.

May each new day be an opportunity
for you to live the fullness of life.
May you live in freedom,
as one truly beloved by God.

Go in peace in the name of our
blessed God,
loving Jesus,
and Faithful Spirit,
amen.

(Sarah Berson)

Go in peace, and live the church.
May you find belonging and community this week.

[Photo by Scott Webb]