Celtic Evensong & Communion May 21, 2017-5:30 p.m. Community of Faith United Methodist Church Welcome. To prepare for worship and allow for private prayer, we ask that silence be observed upon entering and that you turn off cell phones. Offering plates are not passed through the congregation at this service but are located at the entrances to the church and the offering will benefit the Food Distribution Ministry. We are aware that persons here come from several faith traditions and are delighted for your presence. The mixture of faith traditions that makes up this community are cherished. We are glad you are here. PRELUDE GATHERING THOUGHTS Listening for God in All Things John Philip Newell In Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality The prayers in the Carmina Gadelica, mean simply the songs and poems of the Gaels, and can seem romantic if we forget the harshness of the conditions under which they were forged and handed down. The sea was frequently dangerous and took the lives of many islanders, and much of the terrain was inhospitable. When crops failed, there was terrible hardship and famine. Nevertheless, creation was regarded as essentially good. One of the prayers of blessing, for instance, reveals how, before a journey or a parting, the people would pray for guidance and protection for one another, almost by invoking creation s graces. The goodness of sea be thine, The goodness of earth be thine, The goodness of heaven be thine. Not only was creation regarded as essentially good, despite its harshness and destructive potential, but there was also a sense of God s grace being released through love of the elements: The grace of the love of the skies be thine. The grace of the love of the stars be thine. The grace of the love of the moon be thine. The grace of the love of the sun be thine. The people believed that the grace of healing had been implanted within the goodness of creation, too. OPENING ACCLAMATION Beneath the mists of time, Before the world began, Beyond our understanding: In the beginning God Response: Iona Gloria (Words: Liturgical traditional, Music: Traditional)
Fathering history, mothering creation, parenting earth s people from the beginning God. Response: Iona Gloria Expecting the right moment, Preparing the right way, Revealing the right person For each new beginning God. We believe in one God Maker and Mover of Heaven and Earth. Response: Iona Gloria HYMN Creation Sings W&S 3018 Tune: Londonderry Air A PRAYER FOR THE EVENING based on Colossians 1:15-20 O Christ, your cross speaks both to us and to our world. In your dying for us, You accepted the pain and hurt of the whole of creation. The arms of your cross stretch out across the broken world in reconciliation. You have made peace with us. Help us to make peace with you by sharing in your reconciling work. May we recognize your spirit disturbing and challenging us to care for creation and for the poor who most feel the effects of its abuse. O Christ, the whole of creation groans. Set us free and make us whole. SCRIPTURE READING Luke 12:13-21 Silence is observed after the reading REFLECTION PRAYERS FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS People People God of love hear the cry of those who yearn for love; fractured families, broken homes, neglected, unwanted, alone. God of love, Hear our prayer. God of justice hear the cry of those who yearn for justice; persecuted and oppressed, exploited, ill-treated, broken. God of justice, Hear our prayer.
People People God of peace hear the cry of those who yearn for peace; in battle zones and broken states, frightened, fearful, anxious. God of peace, People Hear our prayer. God of healing hear the cry of those who yearn for healing; physical and spiritual, hurting, weakened, depressed. God of healing, Hear our prayer. God of mercy hear the cry of those who yearn for mercy; convicted, in need of your grace, contrite, humble, bowed down. God of mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen. MUSIC FOR MEDITATION During the instrumental, the hymn and at any time hereafter, you are welcome to come forward to light a votive candle as a symbol of your prayer. Tapers and votive candles are in front of the chancel step as well as behind the chairs. Please free to go to any of these places to light a candle. HYMN God, That Madest Earth and Heaven UMH 688 Tune: Ar Hyd Y Nos THE GRACE Luke 6:35-38a Love your enemies, and do good, expecting nothing in return. Be merciful, just as God is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Amen. THE PEACE Christ, the Good Shepherd, bind us with a bond of love that cannot be broken. My sisters and brothers, the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. The ministers and people greet one another in the name of the Lord. After exchanging the Peace, please be seated. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Great Creator Spirit from whom all life comes forth here we gather again with bread and with wine seeking your presence, longing once more to be nourished hungering for wholeness in our lives for unity on earth and for peace among the nations. Here we gather with bread and with wine but with more than bread and wine. Here we gather with creation s elements all around us, With earth, air, fire, and water still expanding through the universe,
With the glory of the sun The whiteness of the moon The glittering of heaven s lights off flowing waters. Here we gather with bread and with wine but with more than bread and wine. Here we gather with the firm fecundity of the earth the growing and greening of trees creatures of the day and night birds of the air all full of your glory all bearers of your presence all part of the great harmony that we long to touch and taste and become one with again. Here we gather with bread and with wine but with more than bread and wine. So with everything that we see and sense around us with visible and invisible energies that pulse with life we join our souls in the song that vibrates through the whole of creation, Holy, holy, holy God, your presence fills all things. THE MEMORY OF JESUS Into our brokenness came the memory of wholeness into our fear came the messenger of love Christ born among us one with us child of heaven son of womankind
bearer of forgiveness healer of our nature teacher of wisdom prophet of peace rejected by the religious crucified by the state companion of our soul lover of the earth. THE BREAKING OF BREAD With his disciples at table on the night of his arrest, Jesus blessed the bread and said, This is my body, broken for you. With his disciples at table on the night of his arrest, Jesus blessed the wine and said, This is my lifeblood, poured out for you. Come upon us with your Spirit, O God, and upon this bread of the earth. May it feed our longings for peace. Come upon us with your Spirit, O God, and upon this cup of unity. May it set us free to love. PRAYER FOR UNITY Broken bread, poured out wine, sings of Christ self-giving. Broken bread, poured out wine, food for the journey into wholeness. In this bread, we choose to be fed by you, O Christ. In this wine, we choose the way of peace. Blessed is the One who comes to strengthen us. Blessed is the one who comes to unite us. Blessed is the One who leads us into the Heart of God. Blessed, blessed, blessed.
THE LORD S PRAYER The Lord s my Shepherd Scotland Psalm 23, J. L. Macbeth Bain, arr. John L. Bell 1. The Lord s my Shepherd, I ll not want. He makes me down to lie in pastures green: he leadeth me the quiet waters by. In pastures green: he leadeth me the quiet waters by. 2. My soul he doth restore again; and me to walk doth make within the paths or righteousness, even for his own Name s sake. Within the paths or righteousness, even for his own Name s sake 3. Yea, though I walk in death s dark vale, Yet will I fear none ill: For thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still. For thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still. 4. My table thou hast furnished In presence of my foes; My head thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. My head thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. 5. Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me: And in God s house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be. And in God s house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be.
THE GIVING OF BREAD & CUP All are welcome to come forward to receive Communion. Gluten free bread is available by asking the celebrants. MUSIC DURING COMMUNION PRAYER TO THE SPIRIT Great Creating Spirit, who swept over the depths of the unknown to give birth to creation in all its splendor. Great Creating Spirit, Who conceived new life in the womb of Mary To give birth to the Child of Peace. Great Creating Spirit, Who hovers over the waters of the human soul today To give birth to healings and visions that have never been before. Come to us as an earth community. Come to us as nations of the world. Grant us wholeness. Grant us healing. Grant us together a new language that we may be one. HYMN Be Thou My Vision UMH 451 THE BLESSING OF PEACE John 14:27 Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do now let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. Go in peace. Postlude Please feel free to depart during the Postlude and to join one another for a reception in the narthex following the service
Alone with none but Thee, my God, I journey on my way; What need I fear, when Thou art near, O king of night and day? More safe I am within Thy hand, Think if a host did round me stand. Columba s Affirmation My life I yield to Thy decree, and bow to Thy control in peaceful calm, for from Thine arm no power can wrest my soul. Could earthly omens e er appeal A man that heeds the heavenly call! My destined time is fixed by Thee, and death doth know his hour. Did warriors strong around me throng, they could not stay his power; No walls of stone can man defend when Thou Thy messenger dost send The child of God can fear no ill, His chosen dread no foe; We leave our fate with Thee and wait Thy bidding when we go. Tis not from chance our comfort springs, Thou art our trust O king of kings. --- St Columba (trans. unknown) Welcome to this time of worship. Community of Faith holds a Celtic Evensong Service the third Sunday of each month except for June, July & August. Contemplative worship experiences are offered twice a month in our neighborhood as our neighbors at Epiphany Episcopal hold a contemplative worship the first Sunday of the month at 5:30 PM. Acknowledgments: Iona Abbey Worship Book (The Iona Community, 2001) p. 138; A Wee Worship Book, Glasgow: Wild Goose, 1999; Gathering thoughts from Listening for God in All Things in John Philip Newell s in Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality (Paulist Press, 1997) Celebrants: Musicians: The Reverends Beth LaBella-Foster & Rob Vaughn Mary Ann East; First Light Ensemble consisting of Sharyn Byer (flute), Claire Smith (flute) and Alexandra Molnar-Suhajda (harp) Ministers - The Entire Congregation Lay Leaders Rory Maynard, Greg Carter; Music Director: Mary Ann East Community of Faith United Methodist Church 13224 Franklin Farm Rd. Herndon, VA 20171-4034 Phone: 703-620-1977 E-Mail: Office@cofumc.org Web Site: www.cofumc.org Rev. Rob Vaughn, Cell 703-283-2153 Rev. Beth LaBella-Foster, Cell 214-704-0567