Liturgy

Let us begin our liturgy in prayer as a community.
Our response will be highlighted in yellow.

Vox, I invite you to turn your gaze inward.
This is where the Holy Spirit resides.
This sacred space we carry in our bodies
reminds us we are one with God.

We cannot be divided from Spirit,
even when we feel far from one another
and divided within ourselves.

Spirit, we expand and open this space for you
by shedding that which makes us blind and numb
to the peace that is always available to us.

When we feel lost in the tyranny of our minds,
remind us of the sovereignty of our hearts.

Remind us Lord that we are
not lost, but already home.

We acknowledge the indwelling presence
and the love and tranquility given to us
by our triune God forevermore.
Amen.
(Gabriella Charissa Cruz)

Scripture

We invite you to hear from the reading of Acts 7:55-60.

55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw
the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
56 “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son
of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all
rushed together against him. 58 Then they dragged him
out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses
laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out in a
loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When
he had said this, he died.

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 – Seeing More Deeply 5.07.2023

How are you invited to decolonize your view of Christ and your faith?
How might you offer a unique voice and story in our collective work of advocacy?
What does a nonviolent response look like for you in response to someone else’s violence?

Benediction

Vox community, with ferocious love and acceptance,
God blesses the parts of ourselves that have fallen away.

God blesses the pieces we mourn
and the ones we aren’t ready to let go of.
God blesses the parts that remain
and those becoming.

Let us continue our Sunday and the days ahead
knowing God’s infallible love and peace
is within us and always available to us.

May we offer our humble, hurting,
and hungry spirits to God,
infinitely present and omnipresent.

Go forth this week in the name
of God our Creator,
of Christ our Savior,
and the Holy Spirit our Breath of Life.
Amen.