Texts: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
Gather in silence
Call to Worship
In silent sanctuaries, in hour hopes or apartments,
wherever we are in these moments of worship,
early each morning, God waits to greet us with joy and
wonder.
We awake to find ourselves enveloped in grace.
During these days of isolation and worry,
in this time of uncertainty and feat,
Jesus challenges us with the possibility of faith.
Even in these times of safe distancing
and caring for others, as well as ourselves,
we can offer healing and hope to others.
In the shadowed evenings when fear lurks outside,
and we long to hear the lullabies of grace,
the Spirit is with us.
The Light of life is shines on us
from early morning until we say our prayers,
comforting us in the shadows of sleep.
Prayer of the Day
One thing we know,
Listener to our hearts:
you are the One
who journeys with us
in these days of
confusion,
and who waits for us at
our final destination.
One thing we know,
Healer of our lives:
when we find ourselves
in valleys veiled in shadows,
you are walking alongside us
even though we may never notice.
One thing we know,
Comforter of our souls:
when we are weakened
by the burdens of our lives,
when fears disrupt our
lives,
you come to us, to rest
your strengthening peace upon us.
One thing we know,
God in Community, Holy in One:
once we could not see you in every moment,
but now our eyes are opened wide,
and so, we pray together, saying,
(The Lord's Prayer)
Song sing, recite, chant, listen to a favorite
or comforting hymn or song of faith
Call to Reconciliation
In these days, when we have more time to be worried and fearful, God
longs for us to sit by the still waters of love. But our isolation confuses us, our loneliness
heightens our doubts, our doubts seem to lessen our ability to be children of
God. Let us bring our prayers to the One who will restore us with
goodness and mercy, as we pray together, saying,
Unison Prayer for Forgiveness
Like Cinderella, Loving God, we
sit in the ashes of our hopes, but you see us as your beloved
children. We pay strict attention to all who hoard but ignore the opportunities
we have to share with others. When we
think you are as limited in being able to move and act and live as we are, you
continue to burst forth to bring hope and newness into the world.
Have mercy on us, God of
forgiveness, and open our eyes to your presence among us. As you
look at our hearts, may we see others in a different way, not as enemies
or strangers, but sisters and brothers of the same family, kin
to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
The Spirit of the Lord has come upon us, bringing hope, life, and
forgiveness for each person.
Now we will go forth as God's children, sent to bring
the good news to everyone we meet. Amen.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:1-13
Before the reading: O strength of the weary, O hope of the lonely
O joy of our hearts, O love of your people.
Speak to us now through your word. Amen.
Psalm of the Day Psalm 23
Song sing, recite, chant, listen to a favorite
or comforting hymn or song of faith;
one based on
the 23rd psalm might be appropriate or could replace the reading.
A Letter to the Church Ephesians 5:8-14
The Gospel John 9:1-41
After the reading: The grass
withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands
forever. Amen.
Reflection of the day
How quickly things change!
Just a few weeks ago, we gathered for our Ash Wednesday service, to hear
familiar readings, to be marked with the ashes from palms we had used on Palm
Sunday in previous years, and to be reminded of our mortality, with the familiar
and strangely comforting, ‘from dust you came; to dust you shall return.’ Then, most of us went home that night,
scrubbed the smudges off our heads or the backs of our hands, had our snack,
turned on the television, and finally crawled into our beds.
And now? Now we are
learning to live Lent in a completely different way, perhaps to finally realize
what Lent is all about – that journey with Jesus towards his death; a reminder
that the journey we began the day we were born takes us toward our death. Now, we are seeking to discover if we have
that same trust, that same courage, that same obedience as Jesus did, to follow
God as we journey down the dusty road of life.
And now? Now we are
struggling to learn to live in a completely different way. Compelled by our hopes to stay healthy, as
well as encouraged by wise authorities to do so, we are spending far more time
at home than we ever did. Now, more
people are working from home, having children or grandchildren in the house for
hours in the day we did not expect, seeing our everyday routines overturned,
and discovering even the simple chore of wanting to go to the store to get a
few things offers major challenges. All
those things that we took for granted just a few weeks ago, now cause us to
ask, is it worth the risk? Are we
willing to take the risk?
Our scripture readings speak to people living in such times,
struggling to discover how to live in risky times, seeking to discern where our
God is in such moments, in such days as which we are living.
The reading from the first book of Samuel is a political one. The current leader, Saul, has not only proven
to be a disappointment to the people, but especially to God. So God
sends the prophet, Samuel, to find the heir apparent. But it is not the person Samuel expects. It’s not the oldest son of Jesse, which was
the way things would be done back then; and it’s not the strongest; and it’s
not the smartest. It’s the youngest son,
it’s the kid given the least favorable job, it’s the person overlooked when the
casting call first is issued. Long
before Jesus ever showed up and reminded us of this sacred truth, God takes the
risk of making the last first, moves the person at the end of the line to the
front, takes the server at the banquet and lets them give the keynote
address.
And in doing so, God simply challenges Samuel, Jesse and his sons,
the nation of Israel, and everyone who hears this story thousands of years
later to imagine the possibility of a God who is willing to take a risk; of a
life which imagines the possibility of a faith in such a God.
That’s also what happens in today’s gospel reading. There is a fellow in this story. He finds himself cut off from the rest of society. He is isolated by his family; he does not
have a home to go to; his heritage has abandoned him; he cannot find comfort
and hope from a faith community. Sound
familiar in these days – with folks self-quarantining, keeping a safe physical
distance from one another, our churches having to close out of an abundance of
caution?
And then along comes Jesus.
Yes, it is a healing story. And
we trust that God continues to do healing through the doctors and nurses on the
front lines of this pandemic; in the researchers seeking a vaccine; in the lab
people overwhelmed by the numbers of tests sent to them. But more importantly, in the moments in this
story, in the conversations Jesus has with various folks, the possibility of
faith is offered to all. The possibility
of believing that, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves, faith is there
right beside us. Like the folks in the
story, do we dare to take a risk in the possibility of such faith.
How do folks find such faith, be willing to take such a risk? In a time when folks were spiritually
isolated because of choosing to follow Jesus, when folks were being distanced
physically because of that belief, the author of the letter to the Ephesians,
has a word for them, and for us. In the
midst of such an upheaval in life, in finding ourselves in the shadows of fear
and worry, the writer challenges us to find the light God offers to us, to
become children of that light.
How are we to live in such days as these? That author from long ago says that we do so
be seeking to do good, to do what is the right (just as we know what is right
to do), and to do what is true? We are
to live in such a way that pleases God.
What does that mean? Well, we
will not hoard hope, anymore than we will toilet paper; we will not buy up all
the water, anymore than we will grab up all the grace; we will not cling to
life, the way we cling to false promises.
We will be children of light. We
will take the risk of faith being a possibility for these times, as we share
life, grace, hope with all around us.
And as we do, we can take words of hope and comfort from those
ancient words that may be the most familiar from all of Scripture – the beloved
23rd Psalm. Usually used
these days at funerals, the words offer the same challenge we have been talking
about. Are we willing to take a risk on
the possibility of faith? Are we
willing, in these anxious times, to rest in God’s cradling arms? Are we willing to drink deeply from the waters
of live, and not the brackish water of panic?
Are we willing to be led by the hands of hope and grace into the sure
future God has for us? This psalm is all
about faith, the possibility of placing our times, our hearts, our love in the
hands of the One who sustains us in every moment.
Dare we take that risk?
God is the health care
folk
all around us:
encouraging us to stay
home;
reminding us to wash our
hands
so we can help others be
safe;
teaching us how to be
mindful
and watch over ourselves
and others.
even as we shelter in place,
we will not give in to
fear,
for God is with us,
in those who call us and
care for us,
in those who shop for
us,
and those who treat us.
around a lonely table,
in a houseful of family,
in a hospital with
strangers,
God feeds us with grace,
pouring out hope upon
us,
filling us with peace in
sleepless night.
i know, without any
doubt,
that God's gentleness
and compassion
are walking right beside
us,
showing us the way home
to the One who holds
us
in Love's Heart forever.
God in Community, Holy
in One. Amen.
Offering moment
In your homes, alone or with others, think about the blessings of
grace, hope, kindness which have come your way in these days. Reflect on how, even while distancing
ourselves from others, we can still reach out to them to show God’s love and
presence in their lives. Then offer the
following prayer.
Prayer of Dedication/Offering
With you as our shepherd and by sharing our gifts, we can indeed
anoint others with grace, prepare feasts for the hungry, welcome the stranger,
and love those we consider to be our enemies. Bless these gifts, and use
our lives for others, we pray. Amen.
(You may wish to celebrate the Lord’s Supper this day. Whether alone, or with others; whether you
have bread, wine, or grape juice; whether you have crackers and milk; whatever
might symbolize the grace of God for you in these times, and which would remind
you of the Spirit’s presence in these moments, and Jesus’ love for you in these
days, use them. Or if you prefer, simply
use this as the pastoral prayer, remembering to lift up others at some point in
the prayer)
Communion song might be Let Us Break Bread Together
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
May the God of still waters be with you.
And also with you.
Lift your hearts to the One who gives you rest.
We open ourselves to God, who restores us.
Join together in glad songs of praise to God.
We rejoice in the One who is our comfort and hope.
You prepared a feast of wonder
for us, Imagination beyond power,
when creation burst forth:
green pastures radiant with sunflowers;
cool, still pools for rest and renewal;
paths formed by antelopes up
mountainsides.
Your heart overflowed with love
as you showed us what to do
that we might live with you in peace.
But looking at sin and death,
we said, 'surely these are the
ones we should follow,' and
trailed after them.
You would not reject us,
but sent prophets to pursue us,
calling us to return to you.
But we did not know
where they came from
and so ignored them.
Then you sent Jesus to us,
providing a Savior for yourself,
and for those who wander death's valleys,
so we might be brought home to you.
With all who once lived in the shadows,
but now walk in the light of grace,
we sing glad thanksgivings to you:
Holy, holy, holy are you, God our Shepherd.
All that is good and right and true sings your praises.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who prepares this Table for us.
Hosanna in the highest!
You are goodness, God of pastures and pools,
and Jesus Christ, your Son, is our mercy.
He came peacefully,
so our differences might be reconciled.
As he walked along,
he brought light to those
who could not see the way.
Seeing the foolish choices we made,
he decided to look at our hearts,
so we might be drawn closer to you.
Your anointed One,
he went into death's deepest valley,
coming forth as the Risen One,
bathed in resurrection's life.
Once we were children of the shadows,
but now we are heirs of the Light of Christ,
and so we speak of that faith we know as a mystery:
Christ died, his spirit broken on the cross;
Christ was raised, the Spirit of God coming upon him with
joy;
Christ will come, the Spirit shining upon us.
Here is the Table prepared for us,
God of still waters and deep love,
your Spirit transforming the simple gifts
of the bread and the cup into
that goodness and mercy which is always with us.
We take the bread, broken for our healing,
and share it with one another
so we may go forth and do all
that makes your heart race with joy:
bringing hope to those who are isolated,
listening to the voices of the fearful.
We take the cup which overflows with grace,
and take it to pour out on
all who journey in uncertainty,
all who long for community
in these times of
physical distancing.
And when our journeys have ended
around the Table prepared for us in glory,
we will join our hearts and voices
with those from every age and time
and forever sing your praises,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.
(Break the bread, crackers, whatever, giving thanks to God for the
body of Jesus, given for all. Then
share.
Whatever represents the cup, it has been blessed by this prayer,
share it with others, praying that the spirit of Jesus love and grace might be
in all).
Concluding song Amazing Grace
Sending
Sending
Now go to take the love of God into the world.
We will show others the way to God's fields of grace.
Now go to take grace of Jesus into the world.
We will seek to bring others to the still waters of peace.
Now go to take the community of the Spirit into the world.
We will work to restore the lives of all whom we meet.
(c) 2020 Thom M. Shuman
