Only Speak the Word

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. 

 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. Luke 7:1-17

Loving Creator author of our faith

you made all people your children

you gave us each a heart for love

and fashioned a world of plenty.

We have all been overwhelmed

we have faced this disease with fear

we have tried to blame and shame

yet you have called us to be faithful.

An soldier from an invading army

asked for your healing touch

humble and faithful he showed heart

and his faith was blessed with healing.

May we be like the ancient centurion

no matter our status or our class

fill our hearts with humility and faith

that we might carry your love now. Amen

Good Trees

Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.

 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.” Luke 6:39-49

Creator of abundance and full life

you give all creatures good hearts

providing all the nutrients to grow

planting us deep in the good earth.

We think we know how to grow

judging and diminishing others

completely living for ourselves alone

not sharing your abundant goodness.

Yet we have seen life whither away

from our careless selfish ways

you have promised to make us good

if we would but live for others.

Help us to bear the good fruit of love

make us live in service to others

let us not be blind to our own faults

so that all might thrive abundantly now. Amen

Measure for Measure

Jesus said, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father 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; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:27-38

Loving Creator, provider of all life

you give us all we need in great measure

family, community and love overflowing

shelter and peace even in hard times.

We have been living in troubled times

some have hoarded goods in fear

others have held back love and compassion

others have made huge profit from us.

Yet you would have us share all we have

pressed down, shaken together abundance

running over with joy and expectation

because in blessing others we will be blessed.

Help us to return love for hatred today

empower us to live compassionately

turning the cheek and praying for enemies

so that we might carry a measure of your love. Amen.

Blessings and Woes

Now during those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. 

 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:12-26

Great Creator you bless us daily

with new dawn and sunlight

with gifts of family and clan

and with love that knows no end.

We bring woes into this world

by defiling out mother earth

by hoarding the plenty given

and by turning our backs on others.

You came into this world and remain

to instruct us and lead us on the road

you have promise to bless us always

and to dry the tears of our sorrows.

Help us to be a blessing today

by sharing the gifts you have given

by walking gently and with kindness

may we spread your love's blessing today. Amen

Stretch Out Your Hand

One sabbath while Jesus was going through the cornfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. But some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?’ Jesus answered, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?’ Then he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath.’ On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, ‘Come and stand here.’ He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?’ After looking around at all of them, he said to him, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:1-11

Loving Creator author of our wholeness

you want to end hunger and sickness

you offer healing with each new dawn

and turn the earth to face brother sun.

We build prisons and fill them full

we hide away the broken and abused

we run from the stranger and neighbor

and wonder why we feel so bound.

Yet you sought out the damaged

you healed the sick and fed the hungry

you still seek the hurting ones today

and stretch out your heart in healing.

Let us be those who reach through bars

who help to feed and house everyone

make us your healing hands in our time

so your freedom and love ring out now. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Giulani

Fourth Sunday of Easter 4/25/2021
The Collect

 O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 The First Lesson Acts 4:5-12 

The rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is `the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." 

 Psalm 23 

1 The LORD is my shepherd; * 

I shall not be in want. 

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures * 

and leads me beside still waters. 

3 He revives my soul * 

and guides me along right pathways

 for his Name's sake. 

4 Though I walk through the valley

 of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; * 

for you are with me; your rod 

and your staff, they comfort me. 

5 You spread a table before me 

in the presence of those who trouble me; * 

you have anointed my head with oil, 

and my cup is running over. 

6 Surely your goodness and mercy 

shall follow me all the days of my life, * 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 

The Epistle 1 John 3:16-24 

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. 

The Gospel John 10:11-18 

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

A Litany for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

Loving Creator you care for all

you gather up those who are lost

you seek out the hurting wanderers

and bring us all back to your home.

Good Shepherd, help us hear your voice today.

The world is full of false shepherds

people who want to lead us away from you

products that say they can solve our problems

yet you are the source of all our healing.

Good Shepherd, help us hear you voice today.

Our world is full of noise and distraction

we are overwhelmed by tugs in all directions

you are the source of all light and love

and put out feet back on your sacred ground.

Good Shepherd, help us hear your voice today.

When loss and pain overwhelm us, Lord

Guide our way and gather us home again.

When light seems to have faded from us

Bring your beacon to gather us in again.

In days of plenty and days of famine

Gather us all together and hold us close.

O Jesus Christ you laid down your life

that we might live with you forever.

Make us the sheep of your pasture

And the people of your loving fold. Amen.

Through the Roof

Once, when Jesus was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. And he ordered him to tell no one. “Go,” he said, “and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray. 

 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.” Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.” Luke 5:12-26

Loving Creator you send your love

shining into the dark and cold places

life appearing from the dead ground

color splashed where there was none.

You inspired friends to open the roof

lowering a broken friend to Jesus

and you inspire us to push onward

for love has much work for us to do.

We are broken and weary this season

our failures, abuses and selfishness

has brought our mother earth to crisis

so many losses to disease and hate.

Inspire us today to lift up a friend

give us you love so we may persist

make us those who put others first

mending the your sacred hoop here. Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:1-11

Loving Creator you begin with abundance

filling our lives and all of creation

with the good gifts to nurture everyone

you sustain us with your renewing love.

We greedy humans have overreached 

damaging the forests, gardens and seas

forgetting our dependence on all creation

rarely grateful for your loving care.

Yet you came among us and do still

filling our nets and lives with hope

pouring justice over us live waters

drenching us with justice and freedom.

Make us your warriors for love and care

may we see creation with your eyes

help us be those who mend the circle

so that fear and destruction leave our world. Amen.

She Got Up to Serve

After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea. Luke 4:38-44 

Creator, you are the author of justice

and offer healing and wholeness to all

you turn the world for  daily renewal

and turn us from fear to your love.

We live in a time of great anxiety

when justice has been for some only

where cruelty and abuse is overlooked

and some have no voice or safety.

You stand here in turmoil and disease

you are with us as we cry out for justice

you are in our lonely and hard times

bringing healing and new life for all.

Raise us up now so we might serve

heal our weary bodies, hearts and minds

make us be your hands that feed the people

and our bodies carriers of your justice now. Amen.

Silencing Demons

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” And a report about him began to reach every place in the region. Luke 4:31-37 

Loving Creator of storm and light

you formed us in your sacred image

you seek us out in our broken places

and heal us from within and without.

This has been a long, heartbreaking year

a time of great loss and a time of fear

we have been quarantined and masked

yet the world has lost too many souls.

We have all faced many demons

the one who haunt us from inside

the abuses and horrors from others

a society torn apart by violence.

You have promise to silence our demons

and to heal the broken and dark places

come dwell with us today, dear Lord

so that we might carry healing to the world. Amen.

A Prophet's Hometown

Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. 

The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Luke 4:14-30 

O wondrous Creator, living and true

you anoint humble people with prophecy

you bring good news to the oppressed

healing, release, freedom and blessing.

We often turn a deaf ear on the familiar

we take for granted the car of those closest

we chase after celebrity and the polished

when your gifts of love are right at hand.

Despite our hard hearts you whisper love

despite our broken spirit you give us faith

in place of our tears of sorrow you give joy

no matter how we reject you, you love us still.

Turn our hearts today to hear your soft voice

still calling us to take hold of your promises

let us be those who listen and are restored

so that we might serve others in your name. Amen.

Third Sunday of Easter

Third Sunday of Easter April 18, 2021

Collect

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

The First Lesson Acts 3:12-19 

Peter addressed the people, “You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. “And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” 

Psalm 4 

1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; *

 you set me free when I am hard-pressed; 

have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 

2 "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *

 how long will you worship dumb idols 

and run after false gods?" 

3 Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; * 

when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me. 

4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; * 

speak to your heart in silence upon your bed. 

5 Offer the appointed sacrifices * 

and put your trust in the LORD. 

6 Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!" * 

Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD. 

7 You have put gladness in my heart, * 

more than when grain and wine and oil increase.

 8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; * 

for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety. 

The Epistle 1 John 3:1-7 

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 

The Gospel Luke 24:36b-48 

Jesus himself stood among the disciples and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 

A Litany for the Third Sunday of Easter

Loving Creator, who draws the whole world

you ache to share your love with all creation

you bring good news into our darkest days

and have compassion for all our sorrows.

Lord, help us to be witnesses to your love.

Jesus came among his dear, frightened disciples 

they were witnesses to unbelievable trauma

their faith had been shaken by recent events

as our hearts have been broken by this pandemic.

Lord, help us to witnesses to your love.

In every people and every generation

you raise up people and call everyone

to turn again, forgiven and faithful

so that the world might know your healing.

Lord, help us to be witnesses to your love.

We are often terrified like the disciples  

Help us to tell the story from our hearts.

The days ahead are uncertain and scary

Give us your strength and power today.

You came to your anxious  beloved disciples

Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and be with us.

You Lord, offer the healing and peace we need

Pour your spirit of love into our hearts today.

Well Pleased

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:15-22 

Gracious Creator you delight in creation

you call your children each by name

filling our sleep with dreams and visions

guiding us all on the good road of love.

No matter how far we wander away

you are always calling us back home

setting us on our feet once again

and healing all our grave infirmities.

We have wandered and been isolated

in this year of world wide pandemic

yet you showed us we could be the church

wherever and whenever we found ourselves.

Help us to remember your love for us

and being love may we share that love

may compassion and kindness be are way

so you may delight in the work of your people. Amen

Share with Anyone

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'” John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.” Luke 3:1-14 

Loving Creator, you shared you son

you put your beloved in this world

that we might learn to share and love

so that we might follow your beloved path.

We want to bear good thriving fruit

yet we hoard and extort from the weak

we do not live your loving generosity

we won't give up our hold on great wealth.

You sent John as a herald to the religious

to help them turn and be your people

the tax collectors and soldiers were baptized

the most wealthy the most reluctant to turn.

Help us to turn to you today and share

the love and generosity you have given us

the healing and forgiveness that is for all

so the world might know you walk with us still. Amen.

That All May Be One

Jesus prayed, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:20-26

Great Creator maker of all nations

we are woven from one sacred strand

a beautiful tapestry of your joy

spun together so that all may thrive.

We would pull away and be separate

reveling in our individual qualities

unaware and diminished by not seeing

our beauty enhance by those around us.

In your time on this island home

you prayed for all of us to be one

knowing our greedy shortsightedness

would pull us away from those we need.

Help us to lean in to strangers and neighbors

recognizing your marks of love in them

help us to be rewoven tightly together

so the world might know your joy and love. Amen.

Praying for Them

Jesus prayed to the Father, “While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:12-19 

Great Creator, lover of all peoples

you hold us in your hands always

surrounding us with our daily needs

and teaching us the path of goodness.

You prayed in your darkest hour

for the safety and sanctity of your friends

you held them close in every moment

and forgave them all their stubbornness.

We are often wandering off and confused

unable to ask for or know our needs

yet you are always holding us close

bringing us truth and hope in darkness.

Draw close in these days of challenge

where the world is turning too fast

guide our feet and our hearts in truth

so that we might serve your people here. Amen.

All Mine are Yours

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:1-11 

Loving Creator who calls us children

you have planted us in your garden

interdependent and thriving together

so that we might see your love in motion.

You care for us even when we run away

you seek us out in our dark places

you know our need for loving connection

you planted it in our hearts from the beginning.

The world would have us be very independent

this age is fostered on greed and conquering

yet you have molded us onto vessels of hope

instruments of your peace and  your love.

Help us to stand and work along side one another

help us to grow strong as we lean on each other

make us strong so that the world cannot destroy

the gifts of love and mercy given from You. Amen.

Second Sunday of Easter

Second Sunday of Easter 4/11/21

The Collect

 Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

The First Lesson Acts 4:32-35 

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 

Psalm 133  

1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, * 

when brethren live together in unity! 

2 It is like fine oil upon the head *

 that runs down upon the beard, 

3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *

 and runs down upon the collar of his robe. 

4 It is like the dew of Hermon * 

that falls upon the hills of Zion. 

5 For there the LORD has ordained the blessing: * 

life for evermore. 

The Epistle 1 John 1:1-2:2 

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 

The Gospel John 20:19-31 

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." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. 

A Litany for the Second Sunday of Easter

Loving Creator who lives within your creation

you seek to bring us enough for every day

you renew the face of our fragile earth

and restore the beauty your hands have made.

Give to us peace, in our time, Dear Lord.

We are yours, yet we so  easily wander off

distracted and confused we strike out

we compete and destroy one another

trying to create our own perfect creations.

Give to us peace, in our time, Dear Lord.

we often despair and lose our faith

you promise to show us your wounded hands 

we struggle to trust the stories of others

you came and let Thomas touch your side.

Give us your peace, in our time,  Dear Lord.

In our weakness and fear we often doubt

yet you shower us with love no matter what.

We often fight and struggle to conquer others

and every morning you breathe your peace on all.

Help us to live in the light of your love

make us the instruments of your peace.

Help us in our belief so we might serve others

make us your peace upon this earth today.

Friday in Easter Week

Jesus said, “I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

 “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” John 16:1-15

Creator you put your heart in us

you give us wise elders to teach us

you walk with us on this road

and promise to send your spirit.

The sun shines and melts snow

your warmth enlivens the fields

we see your touch in every day

yet we ache for your nearer presence.

The pandemic and death are so near

and we are still in dangerous places

after the cross your disciples struggled

as we struggle now to find the way.

Pour your spirit out on all flesh

help love and healing be our path

make us those renewed with hope

so the world is made new in love. Amen.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. 

“If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:12-27 

O Creator you are love's beginning

you command us to love one another

making the world complete and whole

as we bend our hearts to every living being.

We are often too full of pride and self love

not seeing you eyes and heart in others

yet we would risk the decline of the world

when we refuse to live for all our relatives.

Many times you told you friends and followers

how to live the way of healing and redemption

too often they were careless and did not listen

and they did not love as you commanded them.

Make us anew today as your humble followers

make love our only truth and our only way

let your heart live in every one who draws near

so that the hoop might be mended in our time. Amen.

Wednesday in Easter Week

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:1-11 

O Loving Creator, source and vine

we are dependent on you and one another

all of live is designed to be connected

yet we often think ourselves alone.

You have promised us great abundance

if we but abide in your love daily

you love feeds and sustains everyone

yet we would pull away from your heart.

You gave up all so all might thrive

you suffered horrible pain and death

that we might be a  part of your love

help us to keep your commandments.

Let love be our sign and our only work

make our hands and hearts for service

bind us and weave us into your people

let love flourish and bear fruit today. Amen.

Tuesday in Easter Week

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’ 

Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way. John 14:15-31

Creator of all peace and relations

you give us generous life and family

you bless us with immeasurable love

yet we would war and fight each other.

You walked the earth with us humans

you laughed and cried with your friends

betrayed, cruelly flogged and crucified

you love us beyond our petty selfishness.

We have lived in this pandemic time

as if we are isolated and terribly alone

yet even in these times you call us all

to work for peace in our neighborhoods.

Help us to shed our individualism

and put on the mantle of your peace

let us be repairers of the breech and

let you love shower down on every one. Amen.

Easter Monday 2021

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 

 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” John 14:1-14

Gracious Creator who invites us

welcomes us into warm places

provides our safety and comfort

you are home wherever we are.

We have lived through Holy week

the passion and the darkness

we have lived through pandemic

and mourn the many we have lost.

We take comfort in your promise

that the ones we lost are held close

in a loving place prepared for them

and you make space for us as well.

Let us be those who make space

for those rejected and unloved

may we be your hands on earth

loving all those you send our way. Amen.

Easter Day 2021

Easter Day 2021

The Collect

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

The First Reading Acts 10:34-43 

Peter began to speak to Cornelius and the other Gentiles: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; *

 his mercy endures for ever. 

2 Let Israel now proclaim, * 

"His mercy endures for ever." 

14 The LORD is my strength and my song, * 

and he has become my salvation. 

15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *

 in the tents of the righteous: 

16 "The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *

the right hand of the LORD is exalted! 

the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!" 

17 I shall not die, but live, * 

and declare the works of the LORD. 

18 The LORD has punished me sorely, * 

but he did not hand me over to death. 

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; * 

I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the LORD. 

20 "This is the gate of the LORD; * 

he who is righteous may enter." 

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me * 

and have become my salvation. 

22 The same stone which the builders rejected *

has become the chief cornerstone. 

23 This is the LORD's doing, *

 and it is marvelous in our eyes. 

24 On this day the LORD has acted; * 

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

 The Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

 I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you--unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. 

 The Gospel 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 taken 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 lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying 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. 

A Litany for Easter Sunday in Pandemic

Great Creator you formed us each

in your image and likeness we are

and we have strayed often from you

yet you seek to find and redeem us.

Alleluia, Christ is risen from the tomb.

The year has been dark and confusing

disease and fear has surrounded us 

we ventured out cautiously and alone

tears flowing we go to the grave at dawn.

Alleluia, Christ is risen from the tomb.

You sent angels to greet the disciples

the empty tomb terrified them all

yet quietly with love you spoke Mary!

and she ran with joy to share good news.

Alleluia, Christ is risen from the tomb.

Let us be like Mary running with joy

For you have borne all out sorrows.

Help us to be your loving followers

your love is needed in our dark world now.

You have brought us from sorrow to joy.

Let us sing out loud,  Alleluia, Alleluia.

Dear Savior you have redeemed us all

help us to love and serve your creation. Amen! Alleluia!