Like a Mighty Stream, Let Justice Roll. Absalom, Jehu and Beyond THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST TOGETHER WITH THE RITE OF HEALING 10:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2017 AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION & THE UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS
Welcome On the behalf of all the members of the Union of Black Episcopalians and African Descent Lutheran Association through the world, we bid you welcome. We are gathered in this space as a one people reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We gather to celebrate the many traditions and heritages of our Episcopal and Lutheran identities. We come from intimate rural parishes and sprawling urban ones, as longtime church members and newcomers to the faith. As we gather, we bring our diverse gifts: gifts of music, dance, prophecy, teaching, preaching, and friendship. We present these gifts in the form of our most precious offering to God, our very selves, that all we do may be for God s glory in the unity of Christ s church. We gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God as we are united one to another in the stream of baptism. As we come together at the font and renew our baptismal vows, we affirm the promise of our faith: that we are made in God s image to do God s work, that we are members of Christ s one body, and that, empowered by the Spirit, we are participants in a divine mystery. The covenant that we remember today is a sign of God s unfailing love for all creation, as well as a call to take our part in God s transforming work. On this joyful occasion, we invite all present in this place, to pray for guidance for our community of faith, our Presiding Bishops, the Union of Black Episcopalians and African Descent Lutherans as we seek to envision the reign of God in our midst. May our celebration today unite us as a sacramental community, and may we leave this place filled with new energy for God s work in the world. HEALING LITURGY PAGE 2
THE GATHERING OF GOD S PEOPLE MINISTERS: PRESIDER: PREACHER: ALL OF US! THE REV. CN. GLENICE ROBINSON-COMO CANON PASTOR, CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, HOUSTON, TX THE RT. REV. CARL WALTER WRIGHT BISHOP FOR THE ARMED FORCES AND FEDERAL MINISTRIES GATHERING OF THE COMMUNITY GATHERING HYMN: OH FREEDOM! PROCESSIONAL HYMN: IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST THE GREETING Presider Blessed be God, our strength and salvation. People Blessed be God, for ever and ever. Presider Be with us, Spirit of God; People Nothing can separate us from your healing love. Presider Breathe on us, breath of God; People Fill us with your life-giving power. Presider Speak in us, wisdom of God; People Bring strength, healing, and peace. Amen. Presider Dear people of God, we come together as followers in the way of our Savior Jesus the Anointed One, seeking healing and wholeness. We come together in joy mindful of the burdens we carry, the hurts and sorrows we have. We come together in gladness never forgetting God s love. We come together with praise for each other and those who travel with us on this journey. No one is far from you O God, so we gather knowing that our lives are caught up in the life, death and resurrection of Christ and in him we are made holy. We bring our doubts and our fears, our hopes and our longings, praying that by the power of the Holy Spirit that which is broken may be mended and made whole once more. HEALING LITURGY PAGE 3
Deacon We are reminded by the Apostle James of Jesus abiding love for us as he writes, Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up. Presider Let us therefore through the invocation of the Holy Spirit, commend one another to the grace and promise found in Christ Jesus, that through the power of our prayers and the anointing with oil, we may be raised up in body, mind and soul. SONG: SEND DOWN THE FIRE X3 Tune: 1989, 1990, GIA Publications, Inc. Text: 1989, 1990, GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E-803754 THE BLESSING OF THE OIL OF ANOINTING Oil is presented to the Presider and Deacon with these words. Presenters We present this oil to be set apart for the anointing and renewal of God s holy people. Presider We receive this oil to be hallowed as a symbol of Christ s forgiveness, healing and grace. The Presider and Deacon place the oil on the altar. Facing the assembly the Presider says. Presider Blessed are you, Lord God, Creator of the Universe, you anoint us with the oil of gladness. People Blessed be God for ever. Presider Blessed are you, sovereign God and eternal Creator. Daily your Spirit renews the face of the earth, bringing strength out of weakness, hope out of despair and life out of death. By the power of your Spirit, may your blessing rest upon those who will here be anointed with this oil in your name. Let it be for us a sign of your acceptance and adoption, your equipping and empowering. Form in us in the likeness of Christ, that we may be witnesses of your astonishing love, and fill us afresh with life in all its fullness. Through your anointed Son, Jesus the Christ, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit we lift our voices of thanks and praise: People Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation, now and for ever. Amen. SONG OF PRAISE: COME LET US WORSHIP Come let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Come let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Give him honor. Give him praise. Come let us worship the Lord; Let s give him praise. Worship Him. Give God the Glory. Give my God the praise. Worship Him. Worship Him. Come let us worship the Lord; Let s give him praise. HEALING LITURGY PAGE 4
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Presider God is with you. People And also with you. Presider Let us pray. Silence is kept for a time. Presider O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: People By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. All are seated. WE HEAR THE SACRED STORIES. FIRST READING: A READING FROM THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS 5:9-14 So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean. But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean? He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, Wash, and be clean? So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. Reader Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God s people. All Thanks be to God. PSALM OF THE DAY: Psalm 13 ANTIPHON: THANK YOU LORD Voice 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me for ever? Voice 2 How long will you hide your face from me? Voice 1 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind, and grief in my heart, day after day? Voice 2 How long shall my enemy triumph over me? ANTIPHON Voice 1 Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God; give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death; Voice 2 lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over this one, and my foes rejoice that I have fallen. Voice 1 But I put my trust in your mercy; my heart is joyful because of your saving help. Voice 2 I will sing to the Lord who has dealt with me richly; I will praise the name of the Lord Most High. ANTIPHON HEALING LITURGY PAGE 5
SECOND READING: A READING FROM THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Reader Hear what the Holy Spirit is telling God s people. All Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA! MASS OF SPIRITUALS All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E-803754 THE PROCLAMATION OF THE HOLY GOSPEL Deacon Hear the Good News of our Savior Jesus the Christ according to Mark 5:22-24, 35-43. People Glory to you, O Christ. When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live. So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader s house to say, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further? But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, Do not fear, only believe. He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping. And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha cum, which means, Little girl, get up! And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON THE RT. REV. CARL WALTER WRIGHT BISHOP FOR THE ARMED FORCES AND FEDERAL MINISTRIES HEALING LITURGY PAGE 6
AFFIRMATION [FROM SOUTH AFRICA] Presider We stand to affirm our faith. Deacon It is not true that this world and its inhabitants are doomed to die and be lost; People This is true: for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him shall not die, but have everlasting life. Deacon It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction; People This is true: I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Deacon It is not true that violence and hatred shall have the last word, and that war and destruction have come to stay forever; People This is true: for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, in whom authority will rest, and whose name will be Prince of Peace. Deacon It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil that seek to rule the world; People This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo, I am with you always, to the end of the world. Deacon It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the church, before we can do anything; People This is true: I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young people shall see visions, and your old folk dream dreams. Deacon It is not true that our dreams of liberation of humankind, our dreams of justice, of human dignity, of peace, are not meant for this earth and its history; People This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers shall worship God in Spirit and in truth. Amen. Iona Abbey Worship Book (Glasgow: Wild Goose Publications, 2007), p. 82. www.ionabooks.com. Used by permission. PRAYERS FOR HEALING & WHOLENESS Deacon Let us stand and name before God those for whom we offer our prayers. The People audibly name those for whom they are interceding. A person appointed then leads the Litany. Leader God the Creator, your will for all people is health and salvation; People We praise you and thank you, O Lord. Leader God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly; People We praise you and thank you, O Lord. Leader God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence; People We praise you and thank you, O Lord. Leader Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being; People We praise you and thank you, O Lord. Leader Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole; People Hear us, O Lord of life. Leader Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence; People Hear us, O Lord of life. HEALING LITURGY PAGE 7
Leader Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit; People Hear us, O Lord of life. Leader Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience; People Hear us, O Lord of life. Leader Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved; People Hear us, O Lord of life. Leader Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world; People Hear us, O Lord of life. Leader You are the Lord who does wonders: People You have declared your power among the peoples. Leader With you, O Lord, is the well of life: People And in your light we see light. Leader Hear us, O Lord of life: People Heal us, and make us whole. A period of silence follows. Presider Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. EXCHANGE OF THE PEACE Presider The peace of Christ be always with you. People And also with you. The people greet each other with a sign of Christ s peace. WELCOME RECOGNITION Those who have served in the armed forces are recognized for their service. OFFERTORY ANTHEM: GOD IS SO GOOD CHOIR GATHERING AT CHRIST S TABLE: THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Presider God is with you. People And also with you. Presider Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give thanks and praise. Presider Empowering God, you established your creation like a watered garden, and when your people s hopes lay in ruins you answered their call and removed the yoke from among them. You guided them continually and satisfied their needs in parched places. In the death and resurrection of Christ you repaired the breach between us and you and opened the way of peace and healing for all your people. And so we gladly thank you, with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, singing the hymn of your unending praise: HEALING LITURGY PAGE 8
SANCTUS: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY MASS OF SPIRITUALS All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E-803754 Presider Eye has not seen nor ear heard, beckoning God, what you have prepared for those who love you. In Jesus you are the salt that preserves us with you forever, and you are the light that transforms the darkness of death. On his last evening with his disciples your Son took the broken body and spilt blood of the cross and turned them into the glory of resurrection. Come among us now and turn the brokenness of our lives and fragmentations of your world into the wonder of your new life. Take these gifts of bread and wine and make them for us the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ; Presider Who, at supper with his disciples, took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Presider After supper he took the cup of wine. Again he gave you thanks, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. Presider Great is the mystery of faith. People Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Presider Inspiring God, you instill in us the wisdom of your Son s cross, and you send us the Holy Spirit who searches the depths of your heart and the depths of ours. Shape your people in the image of your Son to be repairers of the breach; send us to be beside those who cry, among those who are afflicted, alongside all whose foundations lie in ruins. Bless your church that it may bear the marks of the risen and ascended Christ. Presider Raise up saints to embody your truth in our midst, loose the bonds of injustice, undo the thongs of the yoke, and let the oppressed go free, until the day when you are all in all, one God. All this we ask through Jesus Christ your Son, through whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours, now and for ever. AMEN. HEALING LITURGY PAGE 9
THE LORD S PRAYER Presider The Risen Christ is in our midst, and so standing with our sisters and brothers before us and behind us, let us pray in the way our Savior taught us. People Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen. BREAKING OF THE BREAD The Presider breaks the consecrated bread. Presider Jesus said "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry; whoever believes in me will never thirst. People Taste and see that God is good; happy are they who trust in the Lord! All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E-803754 INVITATION TO COMMUNION Presider At Christ s table we are healed and made whole. So come to this table all you who were far off and you who are near, you who carry hurts and hopes, you who are able and differently abled. Come! It is Christ himself who invites us to meet him here. SHARING OF SACRED ELEMENTS During Communion there are stations on the edges of the assembly for the laying on of hands in prayer and anointing with oil. Please make your way to the station nearest you once you have received communion. LEVAS II 203: THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD REFRAIN: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole, There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. ANTHONY TURNER, SOLOIST 1. Sometimes I feel discouraged 2. If you cannot preach like Peter, And think my work's in vain, If you cannot pray like Paul, But then the Holy Spirit You can tell the love of Jesus, Revives my soul again. REFRAIN And say, 'He died for all!' REFRAIN 3. Don't ever feel discouraged, For Jesus is your friend; And if you lack for knowledge He'll ne'er refuse to lend. REFRAIN HEALING LITURGY PAGE 10
LEVAS II 191: HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW DORIAN LAKE, SOLOIST 1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. REFRAIN: I sing because I m happy, I sing because I m free, For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. 2. Let not your heart be troubled, His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. REFRAIN 3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. REFRAIN POST COMMUNION PRAYER Presider God is with you. People And also with you. Presider Let us pray. People God of all compassion, by the dying and rising of your Christ you restore us to yourself and enfold us in your love. May we who have been refreshed with the bread of life and the cup of salvation be renewed by your healing Spirit and made ready for the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. COMMISSIONING Presider For these few days we have celebrated the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over the powers of sin and death. We have proclaimed God s mighty acts and we have prayed that the power that was at work when God raised Jesus from the dead might be at work in us. As part of God s Church throughout the world, I call upon you to live out what you have here proclaimed. Deacon Empowered by the Holy Spirit, will you dare to walk into God s future, trusting him to be your guide? People By the Spirit s power, we will. Deacon Will you dare to embrace each other and grow together in love? People We will dare in love. Deacon Will you dare to share your riches in common and minister to each other in need? People We will in hope. Deacon Will you dare to pray for each other until your hearts beat with the longings of God? People We will dare in prayer. Deacon Will you dare to carry the light of Christ into the world s dark places? People We will dare in Christ. Presider May God in Christ fill you with enough hope, love and light to carry Christ with you into the world, daring to risk for the sake of the one who makes us holy. Amen. THE BLESSING The Presider then blesses the people. HEALING LITURGY PAGE 11
CLOSING HYMN: BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC Tune: William Steffe, Public Domain Text: John Howe, Public Domain. All rights reserved. Reprinted under ONE LICENSE #E-803754 THE SENDING: Deacon Go forth into the world, sharing the Good News of God s love. Alleluia! Alleluia! People We go in the name of Christ. Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Like a Mighty Stream, Let Justice Roll. Absalom, Jehu and Beyond AFRICAN DESCENT LUTHERAN ASSOCIATION UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS HEALING LITURGY PAGE 12