Christmas Eve Lesson and Carols - 2014

A re-posting from last year, it got such good reviews, here it is again.

Enjoy the Christ who comes to us as a Child.

Blessed Be

Rev. Joel

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A Choir Service of Lessons, Carols & Readings:
A Vesper Service

Choir - Awake, Awake, A Joyous Noel

Opening Words / Welcome

"God laughed and brought forth Jesus. Jesus laughed and brought forth the Holy Spirit. All three laughed and brought forth us."  ~ Meister Eckhart

Tonight we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child - how God becomes vulnerable to us as an infant, a babe, needing our tender care and nurture and comfort. Tonight as we read Luke's account, we have interspersed readings and carols and choral anthems - sharing some of the ways that this event has inspired others. Tonight as we read and sing these words of inspiration, may our hearts be inspired to look for the Christ in one another and the world at large. May we leave with a new sense of what is important in the world, a new sense at how God is at work, calling us forth to join in with our own hands.

Lighting the 4th Advent Candle  

~ Tonight, Everyone is Displaced 

     ~ Rev. Tom Schade

Tonight, everyone is displaced and homeless.
Tonight, everyone searches for Bethlehem.
On this night, when the darkness comes so close,
We listen, in the stillness, for the songs of angels.
Like shepherds, we aren't too sure of what is happening.
We don't know why we are so expectant.
We don't know why we long so deeply for miracles.
Tonight we pray that we might know the one we are seeking.
Tonight may we kneel like kings,
before that which is greater than any kingdom on earth.
Tonight, may we see the holy family that we are a part of.
And may we hear the music that reminds us of our truest home.

Carol - Joy to the World 

Reading ~ Luke: 1:26-35, 38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! the Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called the Son of God. ..." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

     ~ This Is No Time for a Child to be Born

     ~ Madeleine L'Engle

This is no time for a child to be born,
With the Earth betrayed by war and hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out and the sun burns late.
That was no time for a child to be born
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome
Honor and truth were trampled by scorn --
Yet here did the Saviour make his home.
When is the time of love to be born?
The inn is full on planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn ---
Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

Choir - The Angels

Carol - O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Reading ~ Luke 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

     ~ The Maid-Servant At The Inn

     ~ Dorothy Parker

"It's queer," she said; "I see the light
As plain as I beheld it then,
All silver-like and calm and bright -
We've not had stars like that again!
"And she was such a gentle thing
To birth a baby in the cold.
The barn was dark and frightening -
This new one's better than the old.
"I mind my eyes were full of tears,
For I was young, quick distressed,
But she was less than me in years
That held a son against her breast.
"I never saw a sweeter child -
The little one, the darling one! -
I mind, I told her, when he smiled
You'd know he was his mother's son.
"It's queer that I should see them so -
The time they came to Bethlehem
Was more than thirty years ago;
I've prayed that all is well with them."

     ~ A Christmas Reflection

     ~ Thomas Merton

Into this world, this demented inn, in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ has come uninvited. But because he cannot be at home in it, because he is out of place in it, and yet he must be in it, his place is with those others for whom there is no room. His place is with those who do not belong, who are rejected by power because they are regarded as weak, those who are discredited, who are denied the status of persons, tortured, exterminated. With those for whom there is no room, Christ is present in this world.

Choir - Behold That Star

Carol - On This Day Everywhere

Reading ~ Luke 2: 8-12

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."

     ~ Mother of God

     ~ William Butler Yeats

The threefold terror of love; a fallen flare
Through the hollow of an ear;
Wings beating about the room;
The terror of all terror that I bore
The Heavens in my womb.
Had I not found content among the shows
Every common woman knows,
Chimney corner, garden walk,
Or rocky cistern where we tread the clothes
And gather all the talk?
What is this flesh I purchased with my pains,
This fallen star my milk sustains,
This love that makes my heart's blood stop
Or strikes a Sudden chill into my bones
And bids my hair stand up?

Duet - Ave Maria

Reading ~ Luke 2:13-14

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!"

     ~ Snow in Bethlehem

     ~ Maya Angelou

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.
Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.
We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?
Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.
It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.
Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.
In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. They only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is louder now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.
We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.
We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
implore you to stay awhile with us
so we may learn by your shimmering light
how to look beyond complexion and see community.
It is Christmas time, a halting time of hate time.
On this platform of peace, we can create a language
to translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.
At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues the coming of hope.
All the earth's tribes loosen their voices to celebrate the promise of
Peace.
We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace.
We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My brother.
Peace, My sister.
Peace, My soul.

Choir - Carol for Advent

Carol - The First Noel

Choir - Lo How A Rose

Reading ~ Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

     ~ The Moment of Magic

     ~ Victoria E. Safford

Now is the moment of magic,
when the whole, round earth turns again toward the sun,
and here's a blessing:
the days will be longer and brighter now,
even before the winter settles in to chill us.
Now is the moment of magic,
when people beaten down and broken,
with nothing left but misery and candles and their own clear voices,
kindle tiny lights and whisper secret music,
and here's a blessing:
the dark universe is suddenly illuminated by the lights of the menorah,
suddenly ablaze with the lights of the kinara,
and the whole world is glad and loud with winter singing.
Now is the moment of magic,
when an eastern star beckons the ignorant toward an unknown goal,
and here's a blessing:
they find nothing in the end but an ordinary baby,
born at midnight, born in poverty, and the baby's cry, like bells ringing,
makes people wonder as they wander through their lives,
what human love might really look like,
sound like,
feel like.
Now is the moment of magic,
and here's a blessing:
we already possess all the gifts we need;
we've already received our presents:
ears to hear music,
eyes to behold lights,
hands to build true peace on earth
and to hold each other tight in love.

Choir/Congregation - Hames um Bole / Silent Night

Closing Reading 

     ~ The Work of Christmas 

     ~ Howard Thurman

When the songs of angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
     to find the lost,
     to heal the broken,
     to feed the hungry,
     to release the prisoner,
     to rebuild the nations,
     to bring peace among the brothers and sisters,
     to make music in the heart.

Benediction

     ~ Night Has Fallen 

     ~ Rev. Tom Schade

Night has fallen.
Stars beckon in an indigo and velvet sky
Somewhere a baby is being born.
Tonight, the world lazes in a love of goodness
while glories stream from heaven afar
God is meeting us, tonight, where we are.
So be not afraid, and be of good cheer,
We wish you, each and all, Very Merry Christmas -
The hopes and fears of all the years have been met,
so Rest beside the winding road
and Hear the Angels Sing.

Choir - Alleluia Chaconne

Virgin Birth: Does It Make Sense to Modern Readers? - Advent 2014

Early last week, I was in the library when my computer decided to upload all the new updates. Finding myself waiting (an Advent occupation) I found a current copy of Biblical Archeology Review. I haven't read a copy in years, and picked it up, flipping through it and scanning it for interesting articles. The following title jumped out at me "How Babies Were Made in Jesus' Time" (Andrew Lincoln, author). This couldn't really be any different from now, could it? Turns out ... no. But our understanding of the process has changed radically in the last couple of centuries. With this coming Sundays' Lectionary Readings being about the visitation of the Angle to Mary, I thought it might prove interesting to review the article a bit.

Our modern ears/eyes/thinking look at the father and the mother each providing half the DNA to the child in the womb. But that is not how the ancient hearer/readers/thinkers would have thought about it. In the ancient understanding (especially in patriarchal cultures), "the male semen provides the formative principle of life. The female menstrual blood supplies the matter for the fetus, and the womb the medium for the semen's nurture. The man's seed transmits his logos (rational cause) and pneuma (vital heat/animating spirit), for which the woman's body is the receptacle. In this way the male functions as the active, efficient cause of reproduction, and the female functions as the provider of the matter to which the male seed give definition. In short, the bodily substance necessary for a human fetus comes from the mother, while the life force originates with the father" (BAR, Nov-Dec 2014. 44).

With such an understanding, no wonder the defenders of the faith, in arguing that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine, appealed to these birth stories for proof. For the ancients, simply pointing to Mary as the mother was enough to prove Jesus' humanity. Lincoln points out that this view now "produces the irony that, while on ancient views of biology the virginal conception was thought to safeguard the humanity of Jesus, present-day biological understanding of such a conception undermines the notion of Jesus' being fully human. We no longer think that a mother's genetic input alone is sufficient to produces a fully human male. For Jesus to be fully human, he would need to have had both a human father and mother. A Jesus without complete human DNA would now actually be the sort of docetic figure the patristic writers refused to accept - a simi-divine or a wholly divine special creation that only appeared to be human" (BAR, Nov-Dec 2014.45).

Lincoln goes on to discuss how the Jewish understanding would often see child-birth as a three way process (and as such theology and biology go together, rather than being separated). In essence, with special biblical "heroes" and "heroines" God is seen as taking an active role (opening up the womb, etc.). Lincoln invites us to look at the stories of David's birth, or even Rachel pleading with Jacob to give her children, and even as far back as Eve's conception of Cain.

These stories appear to be different, however, for they also draw upon Greek-style biographies of famous people (who often pull in divine favor in the form of being demi-gods).

I found the article helpful. It was a good reminder to see the texts in the cultural light and understanding of the authors. Two questions/thoughts stick with me.
One: using our own modern understanding, how would we write a Gospel today? What would it look like? What things would be included? How would we tell the tale?
Two: I'm reminded of a saying a friend of mine often used: "All stories are True, some have even happened."

As Advent progresses and we near the birth, may you continue to find yourself blessed.

Blessed Be,

Joel

Lincoln, Andrew. "How Babies Were Made in Jesus' Time." Biblical Archeology Review. Nov-Dec 2014 (Vol 40 No 6). 42ff.

[Apparently you need to be a member to read the article at the link.]

Giving - Advent, 2014

Advent (and through the Christmas Season, which, contrary to the our consumer culture, starts with Christmas) is a time in which we focus on giving. Food Banks ask for help in feeding the hungry. Who is sponsoring the Coat and Clothing Drive this year? Cold weather shelter is in need (and provided through community support). Even the TV (for those of us who have one) hit the viewers up for giving to children in far flung places. Then disaster strikes: a civil war in Syria with displaced refugees facing a cold winter, a typhoon in the Philippines, ... our frame of reverence switches to the "new" disaster. The old one is forgotten. 

Are these people still suffering after the media attention has gone? Sometimes it feels like the following video:

[I wanted to insert a video my friend Paul recently posted here, but it is not yet available. Instead, picture a Sudanese toddler sitting in the sand, around the child are the media reporters, film and camara crews. As the media chatter away asking,  "What's your name?" "How old are you?" "What happened here?", a woman with a camera in hand offers a glass of water. Just as the child is reaching for it, just as it is almost in the child's hand, a helicopter flies over announcing a typhoon in Tahiti. The glass is dropped and the media rush away. The video fades out as the child is soundlessly crying and the water soaks into the sand. ]

While on one level this video is profound in its simplicity, on amount level the video comes across as rather simple and missing some of the nuances of reality. For instance, the aid "receivers" are never really this helpless. I do wonder if this is somewhat a projection of our own feelings helplessness in dealing with the issues. We would rather not stick around for all the hard work that systematic change takes. Would we rather just offer a glass of water and rush off to the next crisis?

In this time of giving I would encourage you to give. I would encourage you to give to an institution. Preferably an institution  that is already on the ground working with people in partnerships that are mutually benificial and rewarding. In such a way, we "givers" can join in a partnership not only with the "receivers" put also with the aid "workers/suppliers." As you give, I hope you would also give an ear, to hear the stories: the triumphs and disasters, the successes and failures,  the experiments and hopes. 

Then maybe we'll be aware that even after the media blitz, there are still partnerships continuing on, like this video shows.

Maria's breakfast recipe:

Blessed be,

Joel

Feast of St. Nicholas, 2014

National Museum of Medieval History, Korca Albania

Happy Feast of St Nicholas to you. Did you find anything in your shoes this morning? If you left them outside where we are, they'd likely been overflowing with water. We've got tons of rain this year on St. Nicholas' Feast Day.

I particularly like the icon pictured here, as it shows some of Nicholas' life events. A Google search under images will give you other images, too.

On this Feast Day of the patron saint of sailors and voyagers, children and marriageable maidens, paupers, and others,  you might think about ways you can secretly help out others, following in his example. The St. Nicholas Center has lots of history and resources. If nothing else, the sailing community has always been a friendly compassionate bunch who helps one another out. I've been on the receiving end, and I continue to try and pay it forward, too. Hmmm, what to do this year?

So here's to Saint Nicholas!

May Saint Nick be at your tiller!

Blessed Be,

Joel

Advent 1 - Incarnation

In the beginning of John's Gospel we are told that the Word became Flesh and dwelled amongst us. What does that mean for us? How to we engage this Incarnate one? Dare we see others as images of the Incarnate amongst us, prompting us towards compassion and justice? Do we loose sight of following the One who came in Flesh a midst all the doctrinal statements we want to make about the Incarnate One and the Divine One who sent the Incarnation into the world?
I find these good Advent questions as we start our Advent journey, and appreciate the Reverend Dr. Philip Hewett for exposing me to the work of Edwin Muir, a Scottish poet.When reading Muir's Incarnate One (below) pay attention to the line: "The Word made flesh here is made word again".

Blessed Be,

Joel

The Incarnate One

The windless northern surge, the sea-gull's scream,

And Calvin's kirk crowning the barren brae.

I think of Giotto the Tuscan shepherd's dream,

Christ, man and creature in their inner day.

How could our race betray

The Image, and the Incarnate One unmake

Who chose this form and fashion for our sake? 

The Word made flesh here is made word again
A word made word in flourish and arrogant crook.
See there King Calvin with his iron pen,
And God three angry letters in a book,
And there the logical hook
On which the Mystery is impaled and bent
Into an ideological argument.

There's better gospel in man's natural tongue,
And truer sight was theirs outside the Law
Who saw the far side of the Cross among
The archaic peoples in their ancient awe,
In ignorant wonder saw
The wooden cross-tree on the bare hillside,
Not knowing that there a God suffered and died.

The fleshless word, growing, will bring us down,
Pagan and Christian man alike will fall,
The auguries say, the white and black and brown,
The merry and the sad, theorist, lover, all
Invisibly will fall:
Abstract calamity, save for those who can
Build their cold empire on the abstract man.

A soft breeze stirs and all my thoughts are blown
Far out to sea and lost. Yet I know well
The bloodless word will battle for its own
Invisibly in brain and nerve and cell.
The generations tell
Their personal tale: the One has far to go
Past the mirages and the murdering snow.
Edwin Muir

Thankful for Family

This week, as many US citizens gather for the US Thanksgiving holiday, I thought this week the appropriate week to speak of being thankful for family. It is as much a celebration of family as it is a harvest feast this week. But I should mention that for my generation "family" doesn't automatically mean the nuclear one (although it may, in both senses of the word) but also the family of our choosing or invitation.
As newly weds, my wife and I first spent three years away from any extended family of our own, but found ourselves invited into the rich and warm "family" of fellow grad-students or close friends. I also know that for my wife, growing up away from extended family, their family tradition was to invite those who were away from extended relations to join them, in the process extending their own family.
This year, we have the fortune and great joy to be able  to travel and spend time with my extended family.
Wherever you find yourself this Thanksgiving, may you count yourself fortunate, too, especially in the things to be thankful for.
Blessed Be,
Joel

Thankful for Work

"What?! Did you just say ... 'work'?"
Yup, I just said work.
I don't necessarily mean that thing that we do for money (but that very well might be included), rather I refer to the opportunities to practice a "Craft" or a "Trade." I give thanks for the ability to become engaged in the creative process, big or small. Maybe this process allows us to form a livelihood, maybe it is just a creative outlet, in either case it can unite us with the Living and Active Creative Force of the Cosmos.
Have you ever had those moments in time in which you become so absorbed in the "craft" you are doing that time "disappears"? "I'll just give it another five minutes," you tell yourself, but the next time you look at the clock hours have passed. That's what I mean. And that is a form of meditation, a form of mindfulness.
Jill Dickin Schinas writes of their building Mollymawk in this manner ("Zen and the Art of Boat Building"). However, I remain convinced that any activity done in a mindful (dare I say compassionate) manner opens us up to prayer, to the Divine. Martin Luther once commented that even changing your child's diapers can open us to the Divine. Obviously any task at hand can then be a form of meditation.  And that is always a reason to give thanks.
May you continue to find moments of mindfulness throughout your days.
Blessed be,
Joel

Thankful for the Outdoors

Living the way we do, we are often exposed to the outdoors in an intimate way. We hear the rain on the deck. We hear the wind in the rigging  (on our boat and others). We get wet coming and going from the boat. We even startle blue herons (sometimes it is the other way around, as they startle us in their prehistoric manner). We pay attention as we haven't when we lived in a house or an apartment.

These have brought us a great appreciation for our fellow housemates (our fellow Earth dwellers). Sometimes we've seen things we never would have otherwise. For instance, a number of years ago, I took the dog for his last walk of the night. I wasn't really looking forward to this as it was pouring buckets of rain. As we hurried back (I did mention that it was raining buckets of rain?). As we came back, I looked at the surface of the water. It was amazing! Each drop off rain was sending out ripples of phosphorescents. The water was a glow  in drops and ripples. We would have all missed it, if we didn't live so close to the natural world.

May you have graceful experiences in this wonderful world of ours.

Blessed be,

Joel

Thankful for Generousity

One of our goals as a couple, as a family, as individuals is to be generous people. We feel that we have been given gifts and the only way to respond is with a sense of generosity. Consequently, we tend to look for ways that we can give to others. These gifts don't have to be things, or of a monetary sense (how can you put a dollar amount on friendship?). As a result, we find that this changes the way we see the world around us - the world is full of God's Grace (gift) do we see it? Do we wake appreciative of this, and look for the ways Grace is overflowing our lives? Do we attempt to a line our lives with that sense of Grace? These are the types of questions we ask ourselves.

But rather than brag about ourselves, I'll share two examples that happened to us yesterday.

First, we were dashing off to church, running late. These things always seems to happen as we are dashing off because we're late. A couple stopped us to chat for a moment. Says the husband, "Do you think your kids might like my little kayak? It needs some fixing up, but I think you and the kids could do it. The wife says I haven't used it five years, so it's time to give it away." One of the things that struck me about this was that instead of throwing something away that is no longer used; instead of sending the item off to Goodwill/Value Village/Sally Anne's they were opting to give it away. How cool is that?

Second, after church one of the members was outside changing the Way Side Pulpit/Reader Board. A neighbor to the church asked her if anyone could use some potatoes, they had way to many. So, a neighbor to the church (who has no church connection, as far as I know) donated a bunch of potatoes to the church for the members to take home. How foolish of us to think that the Holy Spirit only works from within the walls of the church.

As you go forth this week, may be you be inspired to generosity by seeing the example in others. May you be such an example, too.

Blessed Be,

Joel

Thankful for the Example of Others

Saturday marks the celebration of All Saints Day. On Sunday we celebrate All Souls.
This week, I invite you to ponder: in your life who are the people who have been examples of how to live? Who has mentored you? How do we give thanks for these examples? How do we, in turn, provide examples for others?

Blessed be,
Joel

Thankful for Wisdom

Do you look for Wisdom wherever it might be? I find myself thankful for encounters with Wisdom, especially those unexpected encounters. Take the following as a for instance: I was on retreat mid-week this post week. Pay off the experience was watching a short clip from a National Geographic photographer (Dewitt Jones). He shared to following experience from when he was first hired by National Geographic. [Bear in mind this is my paraphrasing].

The boss of his department asked to see Jones. Jones went to see his boss wondering what this was all about, and what he may have done. In his reflecting, Jones was quite clear that he was pondering how he was going to prove himself worthy of working for the National Geographic. "Jones, the Geographic hires the best photographers in the business. There is no need to go proving yourself. My expectation is that you improve yourself everyday. ... Are we clear? Good. If I ever find out your here to prove yourself, you're fired."

"Not here to prove yourself, but to improve yourself." What wise words. I've been pondering them ever since.

Where are you encountering Wisdom? What has got you pondering? Do you find yourself thankful?

Blessed be

Joel

You can watch the film here.

Canadian Thanksgiving Starts Or Month of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian readers. We hope you are enjoying day.

For this month we are focusing on giving thanks. This seems an appropriate topic between the Canadian and United States Thanksgivings.

For this week I'm thinking about relationships and covenants, and finding myself thankful for both. Perhaps this is in part due to participating in two weddings in the weeks. Healthy relationships and covenants help us to grow, stay honest to ourselves, and strive to be the best we can be.

How are you thankful for the relationships and covenants in your life?

Blessed be
Joel

Sabbath Time

On our boat, lately we have had conversations about time management: how do I not over extend myself so I have some down time? Sound like a familiar conversation?
So imagine our surprise when we show up at church song the following hymn by William Henry Davies "What Is This Life." (Words below).

What a reminder that we are all paid in sun rises and sun sets, if we but take a moment to appreciate them. What a reminder that Sabbath Time is so important for our well being, for our souls.

Blessed Be,
Joel

What Is This Life
What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare - no time to stand beneath the boughs and stare as long as sheep or cows;
No time to see, when woods we pass, where squirrels hide their nuts in grass - no time to see, in broad daylight, streams full of stars, like stars at night;
No time to turn at Beauty's glance, and watch her feet, how they can dance. A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.

William Henry Davies (1869-1941)

When Has Night Ended

Perhaps this is a better story for the spring, but with kids now needing to rise at dawn (which will quickly become pre-dawn) in order to get to school, I think it is appropriate for now. This was shared as apart of Sunday's service, so I don't have a citation. Anyone know where the following story comes from?

Is it still night?
Am old rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when the night had ended and the day begun.
"Could it be" asked one of the students,  "when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?"
"No" answered the Rabbi.
"Could it be" asked another student, "when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a fig or a peach tree?"
"No" answered the Rabbi.
"Then when is it?" They demanded.
"It is when you can look in the face of any man or woman and see that it is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot see this, then it is still night."

So here is to see those around us add our brothers and sisters.

Blessed be,
Joel

Hope: Fry Size

Two weeks ago I mentioned the plight of the star fish and my concern regarding their seeming demise. I still have concern about the ecosystem without star fish. However, this morning these guys and gals gave me a bit of hope for the future. This school went as far as I could see into the water and just kept coming.

Blessed be,
Joel

Sailing Community

We've been watching (and participating) in the ways the boating community not only helps each other but extends care and concern. For instance,  down our dock we (and others) have been helping a couple who has been struggling with his diagnosis (and very rapid decline) die to a rare brain illness.

Community comes together for celebratory reasons, too. What better way to share this wonderful way of life than helping a young family. Connie McBride shares such an experience on her Simply Sailing Online site this week: Friend Ship. Enjoy.

Blessed be,

Joel

Where Have All the Starfish Gone

Change is an inevitable part of life. As we grow our bodies change. As toddlers,  we bonk our heads on counters and tables we could pass underneath the day before. As teenagers, we grow fast enough we don't know where our bodies end. Entering mid-ages our hair turns a different color and becomes sparse (if we continue to have any).

But perhaps we don't expect the world around us to change all that much. After all, what is our four score and ten in the geologic timeframe?

When we started this ministry of Winds of Grace, one of my family's favorite activities was looking to see what we'd find at low tide. In particular, we'd marvel at the purple sea stars on the pilings. We'd even shake our heads at an empty crab pot, save for a huge orange sea star that was still eating our bait.

Last year or so I read about the wasting disease affecting the sea stars in the Pacific Ocean. At the time, scientists didn't know what was causing the problem.

This year, since about February, we haven't seen any of our sea star friends. Have you?

With concern, but still sending blessings your way,
Joel

Renewing One's Spirit

How do you renew your spirit? What do you do that allows the Spirit to move through you and renew you? Where are those times in which you are surprised by this renewal?

This had been an emotionally intense summer: one that has been full of great joys and sadness. When the people of one's ministry also become one's friends, the joy is greater and the sadness deeper.

The above questions are ones I've been asking those who find themselves moving into the roles of caretakers. They are questions I've been asking myself, too.

My suspicion is that for many of us, being on the water renews us. Watery activities are the places we are reminded of our baptism, as it were.

And it was upon the water yesterday afternoon, in a small boat, with the challenges of sailing in almost no wind, and hearing the bow "chuckle" as we moved through the water, that I found myself unexpectedly, gracefully renewed.

May you, too, find these moments of renewal and grace.

Blessed be.

Joel

Breath in the Spirit

Breath in the Spirit of God.
Breath out the Spirit of God.

Be still and know that I am God.
          ~ Psalm 46:10

We have had a very busy month. There is a part of me that always longs for summer to be a break from activities, a time out, a chance to breath, refresh and renew. In part I think this comes from spending so long with an academic calendar.

This summer, due to a number of reasons, I have not had much of a chance to slow down, to breath, to renew. It feels like we have been on the run. I should note that everything has been very worthwhile doing and rewarding in its own way, it is just we have been busy, busy, busy. 

Perhaps you've felt that way, too? Do you find yourself asking,  "It's Monday already?! How did that happen?!"

In times like this I remind myself "Breath. Enjoy the moment. This, too, is what life is about."

May you continue to find ways to enjoy your summer amidst all that life brings. 

Blessed be, 

Joel

A Happy Independence Day Weekend

Hope you get a chance to enjoy the water this weekend.

Blessed Be,

Joel

What can sailboat do?
It can bring people
together and that's when
miracles happen.
     ~ Pete Seeger

Peace Eagles

I first noticed vultures flying over water on a trip to the South Carolina coast years ago. Sure, up to that point I'd seen them flying (often circling) over a protagonist in a western film,  but this was my first live experience. For some reason, vultures don't tend to live in eastern Washington. Consequently I was surprised to see one flying of the road in front on me a few years ago, and then to see them circling above Deer Harbor,  Orcas Island. As I ran across another sailor commenting upon them,  I thought I'd share these few facts:

"Turkey vultures in captivity live 25-30 years.
"They cannot smell impending death.  They can, however, smell dead stuff up to a mile away.  They are one of only two species of birds that can smell.  Their “noses” are built in such a way that they can also tell from which direction the smell is coming.  When you see them circling in the air, they are simply riding the updrafts, looking for food (things that have already dies, not Marshall Dillon on his last legs).  They also can be just playing or gliding around because it’s fun.
"They are nature’s cleaners.  They can eat diseased animals and, because of the strength of their stomach acids will discharge non-diseased poop. Their urine has a high strength uric acid component and they urinate on their legs to kill the pathogens that might be present due to standing in dead carcasses.  Of course, they probably don’t know they’re doing this.  They just know the pee feels nice and cool on their legs and feet.
"They’ve been known to gorge themselves when the opportunity affords.  To the point where they’re too heavy to take flight right away.  They can, however, puke up what they ate to lighten their loads if necessary.  They also puke on themselves if they get too stressed.  When you come across some roadkill with a bunch of vultures lunching on it, slow down!  These guys are not crows and can’t take off as quickly to avoid getting smacked as crows can.  And you don’t want a 6 lb. vulture with a 6′ wingspan coming through your windshield.
"The Cherokee Nation calls the “Peace Eagles” because they are as big as eagles but never kill anything.  Given a choice, they prefer fresher rather than older dead meat and prefer dead vegetarians to dead carnivores.
"They’re family-oriented: live together and share a roost tree; monogamous; and will share a carcass with each other.
"Have been recorded flying between 15 and 45 miles per hour.
"A group of vultures is called a “venue”.  A large group of flying vultures is called a “kettle”.
"Why does an aquarium have vultures?  Because, although technically not shore birds or even sea birds, they do live around the coast and are frequently spotted on the beach dining on dead seagulls so they’re part of the overall aquatic/estuarial environment."

May you,  too,  enjoy the natural world around us.
Blessed be,
Joel

Isn't this what we are dreaming about?

I've been busy this week - sorry I didn't get something out on Monday. In the meantime, here is John Welsford making a point about how paying for "toys" can support a large community (something I touched on a while back from Antino Dias).

Furthermore: doesn't this video sum it up?

Blessed Be,
Joel



Twenty Eight Feet: life on a little wooden boat from kevinAfraser on Vimeo.

Compassion

 I don't know about you, but this last week has seemed remarkably busy. Preparing for Pentecost, the end of the school year activities and what with getting boats cleaned up and ready for the water ... occasionally we loose sight of things. So, this morning found me spending time catching up with devotional reading, when I ran across the following (see below). I must say, that quite often, I find folks sharing compassion with one another in this boating context. If only we carried this forward into all our aspects of life - both personal and organizational.

Blessed Be,

Joel

What should you do?
Do good by doing compassion
to everyone
you know needs it.
Expect adversity.
Bear adversity with love
     ~ Mechtild of Magdeburg

Here is some plain and simple advice. it is easy to be good to those who are good to us. It is easy to be compassionate and giving when things are going our way. We can be sweet when life feels sweet to us. it is not easy when circumstances are hard. This is the true test of our openheartedness. And yes, the universe does test us! So expect adversity. This isn't negative. This is a realistic appraisal of life. It has ups and downs. If we can bring a sense of equanimity, a sense of balance, to life's trails, the trails will be less burdensome. Adverse conditions, like all conditions, can and do change. And we will come out lighter, without bitterness, if we bring a calm acceptance to these unavoidable times.
     ~ Diane Mariechild. Open Mind. (HarperSanFrancisco, 1995), May 31.

A Flower Communion Prayer for Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost is a coming this Sunday (June 8th). I thought these Flower Communion prayers by Norbert Capek appropriate for the way they remind us of the importance our various gifts bring to the whole world.

Rev. Dr. Capek started Flower Communion in 1926 in Prague as a closing ritual prior to the summer recess. Everyone would bring a flower on their way to church (from their own garden or from along the road-side). These flowers would make a wonderful bouquet. At the end of the service, the congregation would leave with a different flower.

Consecration of the Flowers
Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask thy blessing on these thy messengers of fellowship and love.
May they remind us of the value of comradeship, of doing and sharing alike.
May we cherish friendship as one of thy most precious gifts.
May we not let awareness of another's talents discourage us, or sully our relationship, but may we realize that whatever we can do, great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do thy work in this world.
~ Norbert Capek

Blessed Be,
Joel

Food for Thought: Community & Connections

Boating often brings us together. There is something about the water, and being on and in it that unites us. We become more open. We make friends with people with whom we might not ordinarily rub shoulders. Bonds are formed that span time and distance. These bonds help us in times of need. If it sound like I'm describing the church, perhaps I am. Maybe that is what all good community is.

This link tells the story of one group of boaters who are sharing and building this kind of support for others. I thought you'd like to know, and perhaps be inspired.

Blessed be,
Joel

Food for Thought: Environmental Conundrum Summed Up

This about sums up our options of an environmental nature. We might add that it makes sense to build what we do not only in terms of short range economy of resources, but also in terms of economy of the long hall. In essence, to be pondering how "quality" fits into the plans. How do we move beyond a "throw it away" culture? I think the answer lies, in part, with issues of quality. Speaking of boats, is the build of quality enough to still be sound (our soundly repaired) in twenty years?
Something to ponder.
Blessed be,
Joel

Getting Outside

This has been an absolutely beautiful week. It has been joyous to just be outside. My wife and I even went for a sunset stroll down the spit last night. And then when I read the lectionary passage from Acts - well ...

The God who made the world and everything in it, God who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is God served by human hands, as though God needed anything, since God God-self gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor God made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and God allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for God and find God -- though indeed God is not far from each one of us. For 'In God we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are God's offspring.' (Acts 17:24ff)

Wait a minute. What am I doing inside? I'll see you out on the water!


Blessed Be


Joel

Food for Thought: Power Tools & the Enviornment

Around here, we've been hearing news on the radio and via the internet of the unstoppable West  Antarctic Ice Sheet melt. The ice sheet has reached the tipping point and is going to melt (its been unstable sense the 1970's), eventually increasing sea levels about 4 to 12 feet (other sources have mentioned as high as 4 meters). Time to buy or build a boat? Maybe it's not time to panic buy yet, in the worst case scenario these scientists are talking about a couple hundred years, the best case about 900.

However, the way we live has an impact on those around us (included in "those" is our environmental surroundings - land, water, creatures, etc.). But it also has an impact upon us.

The way I live impacts me.

As an example: have you noticed those who work with power tools on a daily bases later in life needing hearing aids? But there are also all sorts of other connections being made between health issues and sitting all day, too.

Harry Bryan has a blog post on Off Center Harbor titled "My Thoughts on Power Tools" that is worth taking a read. Even if you don't own a boat building shop, it is interesting to see his thought process at work. In case the link doesn't work because you need to be a member (which I think is worth it), here is a brief synopsis.

The dream shop "was constructed in 1976 and, although the original plan was to wire the building for electricity, the ancient bandsaw and the 12” Parks planer ended up being powered, through belts and pulleys, by a 1961 Vauxhall Victor four-cylinder car engine.  For the builder of small craft, a bandsaw and thickness planer can do most of the work of taking rough lumber to where hand tools can compete with their powered alternatives.  Our opposition to the building of a nuclear power plant nearby postponed our connection to the grid, and in the meantime, we came to enjoy the challenge of trying to sustain a business without electricity.  We have gradually added 110-volt power, through an inverter, from batteries charged by sun and wind. But the system is small and we must continually husband its output.
"Two beliefs have always influenced our decisions.The first is the impossibility of unrestricted growth in a finite space. Not only does this apply to our small shop, but if the earth has not already reached its carrying capacity, the exponential growth of population and the energy used by that population must inevitably bring on a crisis. While I wish it were not so, I believe that we have already exceeded the earth’s carrying capacity, and most of our politicians, along with their economic advisors, are dead wrong to insist that more growth will bring us to better times.
"The second guiding conviction, to quote E.F.Shumacher (author of Small is Beautiful) is that, “To talk about the future is useful only if it leads to action now.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson urged the same message: “Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed.”

The Vauxhall Victor has sense been replaced by a Kubota, which is filled 5 gallons (about $20) a time. So a question is always asked, "Does it make sense to use the ship's band saw to cut this keel timber?" Yes, that is a good use. "... this plank?" No ... for that a peddle powered band-saw works better.

Part of what Bryan reflects upon is the perceived vs. actual gains. What is the set-up time needed? What is the cost of the tools? How much faster is a power tool than a hand tool in a job by job situation? (Here he gives an example of shingling his shop roof with a hammer or an air-compressor-nail-gun; the difference (if all goes smoothly) is about an hour. And then there is the noise and dust to consider. [Other folks have mentioned how nice it is to talk to someone while working, instead of everyone wearing ear protection.]

To judge whether or not to use (or purchase) a power tool, I have found it useful to use a factor of two. If a power tool can do the work twice as fast, with subtractions as noted in the above examples [set-up and take down time plus maintenance, etc.], then I will contemplate its use. A thickness planer, a bandsaw for heavy work, or a table saw to cut long rabbets in hardwood, fall into this category.  On the other hand, almost all crosscutting of wood can be done quickly and accurately by hand. 

Definitely worth pondering.

Blessed Be
Joel

Migration

[Sorry this didn't get out yesterday, the days events turned out to be busier than I expected.]

This week's Gospel Lesson (John 14:1-14, see Lectionary Texts for the 5th Sunday in the Easter Season) is often used at funerals. Maybe you remember the lesson as "Mansion(s)" rather than "dwelling places"? At funerals, I rarely bring this up, unless the dearly departed was an avid backpacker or loved the outdoors, but the "dwelling places" is a better translation. The idea is one of temporary shelter. Maybe even "tents" would be a better description?

I don't know if you've noticed, but the Hebrew people were not big on the sea (which often represented chaos to them). In addition, this is why when Jesus choose fishermen for his first disciples, there would have been some outrage and/or shock. Notice that only two of the four had a boat? As such, there are not lots of sea going examples. Tents and the life of a nomadic land people they understood deeply in their communal psyche. It would take a Phoenician (or their landed descendants the Philistines) to understand the sea.

What I'm getting at here, is that maybe "boats" (especially those with shelter) would be a better metaphor for what Jesus is trying to get across? After all, it is usually this time of year when there is a migration to the water (or upon the water - usually in a northerly direction as the temperatures warm up).

At any rate, it is what I'm pondering about this week.

Blessed Be

Joel

Food for Thought: Craft and Community

What does it mean to participate in community? What kind of community is the Kingdom/Kindom? This week's reading from Acts gives one example.

Is it possible that boats, boat building, etc. encourage us into good types of community, too? Those of us interacting with boats know that community goes hand in hand. We help each other, share advise, yarns, friendship, etc. But what about the economic aspects?

Yacht designer Antonio Dias shares some insights, through the following essays, into how he sees "craft" and boat building as ways to help form healthy communities:
Schooner Boat, Part I
Schooner Boat, Part II
Schooner Boat, Update
Schooner Boat, next iteration

When I first read these I was reminded of the writings of Wendel Berry and Bill Cooperthwaite.

Food for thought, indeed.

Blessed Be,
Joel

Thinking About Baptism

This reflection doesn't necessarily fit the Lectionary this week. However, I've been thinking about baptism, and my own theological understanding of baptism as of this week, knowing our understanding of non-understandable things change with time. In part, this reflective process had been spurred on by our son's mentoring/coming of age/confirmation process in which each student is asked to create their own creedal statement. As this is something we should all be reflecting upon from time to time, I've been reflecting upon it, too. (In my experience, as our faith matures so do our theological understandings.)
Thinking about community has also impacted my reflections. I'll share more on this on Wednesday.
In addition, I found myself pondering if I should be Pledging my Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America while representing the clergy "office" at the local yacht club's Opening Day Ceremony on Saturday.
Baptism brings us into a community, of course, a great community called the church, the body of Christ. I should note, in passing, that the church as the Body of Christ and the church the Institution (ala various denominations, etc.) often work hand in hand, and at other times, unfortunately, at odds with each other.
As such, my current thinking is along the lines of "citizenship." We become (or are reminded, really that we are) citizens of the Body of Christ, the Kingdom/Kindom of God. Hence, we are dual citizens: 1. The Kingdom/Kindom and 2. the nation to which we belong. Or are we?
I've wondered then if baptism is also in some ways an inoculation against the threats to the Kingdom/Kindom, threats that sometimes come from the various forms Empire takes (unjust economic systems, etc.).
To carry the metaphor further, some of us receive citizenship at birth, choosing how to live this out later in life. Others of us choose how to live this out when we are later in life, and decide to become citizens.
Anyway, just some rainy Monday reflections as I've been challenged to re-think/ponder where I am at this theological moment in time.
Where do you happen to be?
Blessed be,
Joel

Opening Day - Yacht Club Blessing - 2014, 3 May

As Opening Day for many of us is this coming Saturday, I thought I would share what I have used before as my "pastoral" portion of the ceremonies. May we continue to be renewed and refreshed upon the waters of this marvelous Earth.

Blessed Be,
Joel

I am profoundly aware that we yachtsmen/women stand upon the shoulders of all of those who have gone before us - especially the working fishing fleets. The first pleasure yachts were often recommissioned working craft. As such I would strongly encourage all of us to participate in the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet at ...


We are people who journey as vessels containing wellsprings of hope;
sharing, replacing, and adding new waters
     of proclamation, power, prophecy and prayer
          to the containers of our life and faith.
We pause and reflect on the movement of the tide of this journey,
     as it washes upon our shores* ...

Let us pray:
Blessed are you, Lord our God
     for you have created a wide and wonderful world in which we can travel
          - we can voyage - upon this watery world.
We ask your blessings upon us (and our vessels)
     upon our leavings and comings.
Be our ever near companion, O Holy Guide to all Travelers,
     and spread the way before us with beauty and renewal.
On our voyages may we take with us
     as part of our traveling equipment
          a heart wrapped in wonder and awe
     with which to rejoice in all that we shall meet.**

O Creator God, may the waters that covered us at our birth
once again remind us of our creation in you.
Remind us that we are vessels of the waters of hope
     and that your outpourings have power to heal
          and make whole our bruised world.
Let the living waters of creation, womb, baptism, and Spirit
     encircle us that we may remember we are yours and be thankful.*
Amen.

________
*from Elizabeth Lopez Spence. The United Methodist Book of Worship. (1992) #527 (adapted)
**Adapted from Edward Hays. "Blessing Prayer When About to Leave on a Journey." Prayers for the Domestic Church. (1979) 35.

Living as Resurrection People

This week's Lectionary Texts include the Easter Monday reading of the Walk to Emmaus:

• First reading
  • Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• Psalm
  • Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
• Second reading
  • 1 Peter 1:17-23
• Gospel
  • Luke 24:13-35

In reflecting on this season of Easter that we now find ourselves in, what does it mean to live as Easter - as Resurrection - people? Do we bring a sense of offering repentance to others, and to ourselves? Do we allow our own souls to heal their brokenness? Do we expect to encounter Resurrection?

May it be so. May it be so. Amen and Blessed Be.

Joel

Soup on Wednesday: Food for Thought - Taking What We Learn on Boats to Shore

With yesterday being Earth Day (isn't everyday?), I thought I'd post a link regarding taking what we learn from boating/cruising to our shore lives. So often I see people trying to outfit their boats to reflect their shore lives (i.e. big screen TVs to watch the game, etc.), that I found the post great reading.
The post is over on Simply Sailing (a weekly blog worth following): Simply on Land.
How are you doing with your earth care?
Blessed Be,
Joel

Easter Monday, 2014

On this Easter Monday, Luke's Walk to Emmaus is the text. Two set out on a journey, encounter a third, with whom they share what has happened. It is only after the two beg the third to stay for dinner, and the third breaks the bread of the evening meal, do the two realize it is Jesus, the Risen Lord who has been traveling with them.
Who are you encountering on the road? How are you looking to be surprised? Do you have an opportunity to break bread with someone?
Blessed be,
Joel

Easter - 2014

Happy Easter!

Invitation to Worship

L: Alleluia! Praise be to God! Christ has risen indeed.

P: We bring our joyful alleluias to this place today!

L: The tomb is empty, and new life hovers in this dawn.

P: We praise God for the mystery and the excitement of new life present in this day!

Hymn                    “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” #312

Opening Prayer: 

This is the day, Lord God, that you have made! Raising Christ from the dead, and raising us with Christ, you have fashioned for yourself a new people, washed in the flood of baptism, sealed with the gift of the Spirit, invited to the banquet of the Lamb! In the beauty of this Easter morning, set our minds on the new life to which you have called us; place on our lips the words of witness for which you have anointed us. We ask this through our risen Savior, Christ the Lord. Amen.

EASTER ACCOUNTS – “ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK…”

(Note that these accounts are arranged in probable chronological order.)

The First Account: ~70 CE

Words at the Tomb........................................................................................... Mark 16:1-8a

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

HYMN: Christ is Alive (v. 1-3)...................................................................................................................... #318

The First Account, Amended

Continuation ............................................................................................... Mark 16:8b-20

And all that had been commanded them they told briefly to those around Peter. And afterward Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were still mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after had had been risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of god. Andy they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.

HYMN: Christ is Alive (vs 4-5)...................................................................................................................... #318

Another Account: ~80-95 CE

Words at the Tomb...................................................................................... Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go Quickly and tell his disciples, ‘for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him,” This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

HYMN: Easter People, Raise Your Voices.............................................................................................................. #304

Another Account: ~85 CE

At the Tomb................................................................................................... Luke 24:1-12

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came tot eh tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third ay rise again.” They the remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother o James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

HYMN: Christ the Lord is Risen Today (vs. 1-2)..................................................................................................................... # 302

Two More Accounts: ~ 85 CE

Walking on the Road.......................................................................................... Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded u. They were in the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them all the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which thy were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how the had been made known to them in the braking of the bread.”

HYMN: On the Day of Resurrection............................................................................................................... #309

Yet Another Account: ~85 CE

While they were talking................................................................................ Luke 24: 36-53

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

HYMN: Christ the Lord is Risen Today (vs. 3-4)..................................................................................................................... # 302

Another Account: ~80-90 CE

In the Garden  .................................................................................................... John 20:1-18

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have take the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together; but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings laying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings laying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not laying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.

            But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” she turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

HYMN: In the Garden (v. 1) ..................................................................................... # 314

Another Account: ~80-90 CE

Evening of the First Day ................................................................................. John 20:19-23

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

HYMN: Christ the Lord is Risen Today (vs. 3-4) .................................................... # 302

Silent Reflection (or Your Account 2012) 

HYMN: He Lives .............................................................................................................. # 310

Benediction:

Hear the Good News – The tomb is empty – Christ has been Raised from the dead. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Go in Peace and Celebration to share the Good News that has happened to us this day!

Go in Peace and with the Spirit as you Love and Serve the Risen Lord.

Amen.

Good Friday Serice of Tenebrae - 2014

This service of Tenebrae is usually done as darkness falls (in the evening) or after it is dark. Candles are lit, and then extinguished as each reading is read. You will need seven candles. People depart in the dark - and by tradition, there is no benediction until the Easter morning service.
May you continue to be blessed by God's movement in your lives over these Holy Days.

Joel

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER 

      (I have often started with a Lord's Supper communion service for those interested prior to the service starting.)

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP/INVOCATION

O God, by the example of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, you taught us the greatness of true humility, and call us to watch with him in his passion. Give us grace to serve one another in all lowliness, and to enter into the fellowship of his suffering; in his name and for his suffering; in his name and for his sake. Amen.

                                                                        W. E. Orchard, England, 20^th Cent. Alt.

HYMN: O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done.................................................................... # 287

TENEBRAE – THE SERVICE OF SHADOWS

Introduction

The Darkness of Misunderstanding

Words in the Temple....................................................................................... Mark 11:15-18

Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written,

‘My house shall be called a house of prayer

for all the nations’?

But you have made it a den of robbers.”

And when the chief priests and the scribes heard it, they kept looking for a way to kill him; for they were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was spellbound by his teaching.

HYMN: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (vs 1, 2 & 4)........................................ #626

The Darkness of Betrayal

Words in the Upper Room........................................................................ Matthew 26:20-28

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that one not to have been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

CHOIR: Adoramus Te Christe

The Darkness of Temptation

Words in the Garden............................................................................... Matthew 26:36-46

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trail; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See my betrayer is at hand.”

HYMN: Go to Dark Gethsemane (vs 1 & 2)......................................................... #290

The Darkness of Injustice

Words of the Trail...................................................................................... Mark 14:55-64

Now the Chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” But even on this point their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am; and

‘you will see the Son of Man

seated at the right hand of the Power,’

and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.

HYMN: Ah, Holy Jesus (vs 1 & 2)........................................................................... # 289

The Darkness of Denial

Words of the Courtyard................................................................................ Mark 14:66-72

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she started at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”  But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for  you are a Galilean.” But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

HYMN: What Wondrous Love Is This (vs 1, 2 & 3)........................................... #292

The Darkness of Rejection

Words Before Pilate.................................................................................. Luke 23:13-24

Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”

Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Baraabas for us!” (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.” But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.

CHOIR: WHEN JESUS WEPT

The Darkness of Crucifixion

Words on the Cross.................................................................................... Luke 23:33-46

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “he saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned to justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.

 

CHOIR & CONGREGATION: Were You There................................................... #288