Liturgy

Time partners with pain
to slow every motion.
The stomach partners with the
mind to confuse every notion.

Where is the Lord?

Brother looks to the storm,
sister seeks a shadow,
priest hopes to perform
a sacrifice of absolution.

A tone of one cries from the wilderness.

Through the rustle of leaves
from the Tree of Life
they say, “Come,
take and eat.”

In the fellowship of
the blessed eucharist,
we gather now to pray
and give thanks, amen.

(Ellynne Tredway)

Scripture Reading

We invite you to hear from passages in the book of Job 23 and 38.

Job spoke next. He said: My lament is still rebellious;
despite my groan, his hand is just as heavy

…Let him test me in the crucible: I shall come out
pure gold. My footsteps have followed close in his,
I have walked in his way without swerving.

Then from the heart of the tempest, Yahweh gave Job his answer.
He said: Who is this, obscuring my intentions with his ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a fighter; I am going to ask the questions, and you
are to inform me! Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations?…

Who bores a channel for the downpour or clears the way for the
rolling thunder so that rain may fall on lands where no one lives,
and the deserts void of human dwelling? To meet the needs of
the lonely wastes and make grass sprout on the thirsty ground?

The Word 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 – The Point(lessness) of Pain 10.17.2021

How can we bring our full selves to the table, both our joy and our pain, and still seek connection?

What does it look like to lean into the mystery of Christ, leading us on our bright days and in our darkest hours?

Benediction

The body withers, yes.
And the mind, it fades.
We pass through the
striking shock of pain.

But, we know the same breath
that is able to scatter grass has
chosen not to move the bruised reed.

For a time, She may make
every motion slow, so as not
to blow out the smoldering wick.

Christ, we recall your broken body.
We see your glory now.

You asked our Father
not to take us from brokenness,
but to be present in all our days.

We affirm your word,
“I will be with you to the end of the age”.

Father, we love your nurturing palms.
Son, we love your fragrant forgiveness.
Spirit, we love your unfolding instruction.
We praise you three in one, amen.

(Ellynne Tredway)

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

[Photo by Mika Luoma]