CCG Hybrid Sunday Service,'The Sound of Sheer Silence' August 13, 2023

Christ Church Gabriola

A Collaborative Anglican – United Church

Open to All

(Photo by Javardh, Unsplash.com)

The Sound of Sheer Silence

August 13, 2023

Facilitators:  Pat Armstrong and Shelagh Huston

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Welcome & Announce

Centering & Stillness                                                                                                   (Kent Nerburn)

"In solitude silence becomes a symphony. Time changes from a series of moments strung together into a seamless motion riding on the rhythms of the stars. Loneliness is banished, solitude is in full flower, and we are one with the pulse of life and the flow of time….”                                                                                                     

(invitation to sit in silence)

Lighting of the Christ Candle  

One:  Christ is our Light.

All:    Thanks be to God!

(the Christ Candle is lit)

Hymn: Let Us With A Gladsome Mind                                      VU #234

Greeting
One:   The grace of Christ Jesus, the love of God, 

           and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:       And also with you                                                                       

Opening Words
One:  Blessed are you who listen to the indwelling Divine Guest whispering the Word that is etched upon every open heart.

All:    Blessed are you who create a sacred garden within…  through times spent in silence communing with the Friend.

One:  Blessed are you who cultivate your heart-soil with prayer and kind actions. 

All:    For your contemplation will become blessing; you will radiate 

          peace and beauty as you live and work in the world.  

One:  You will become a mirror reflecting the light and love of the Beloved to all you meet.

Opening Prayer                                 

One:  O friends, let us open our minds and our hearts to explore the Mystery; our inner beings, our outer challenges; 

All:    let us face the obstacles and veils to freedom and wonder. 

One:  Be not afraid of change!  For still ponds become stagnant when           

All:    Blessed One, enliven us with living streams of your mercy.

One:  Cast off our outworn garments of fear and judgment, an  not quickened and nourished by hidden streams. adorn us with the light of awakened consciousness!

All:    O Divine Guest, dream your Dream in us!

One:  Instruct us in the wisdom of the heart, our interconnecting                 center with Divine Love,

All:    that we may join with You in the great song of creation!
One:  Amen.                                                                                         

Passing of the Peace

One:    The peace of Christ be with you! 

All:      And also with you!

You are invited to turn to those directly around you and share Christ’s peace. 

Reader: By the gift of your Spirit, calm and quiet our souls that we may hear your Word today and be lifted up to walk with you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen

One:  May the wisdom discerned from these words of Scripture bring             us closer to God.        

All:    Praise be to God.    

1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)       Reader: Paddy Waymark

At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’

Psalm 85:8-13 (NRSV)      Reader: Paddy Waymark                                            

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

   for he will speak peace to his people,

   to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,

   that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;

   righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,

   and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The Lord will give what is good,

   and our land will yield its increase.

Righteousness will go before him,

   and will make a path for his steps.

Gospel Reading: Reader: Paddy Waymark

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel. 

Reader: God be with you.  
All:      And also with you

Reader:           The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew

All:       Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

            Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

            All:        Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection: Listening Beyond Words   Shelagh Huston ( PDF and Audio version attached)

Hymn: Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ                                 VU #573

Offering Invitation

Help us, O Great Artist, to weave our work and our lives into a tapestry that radiates beauty, light, and love.  The offering will now be received.

Doxology                                                                                                                            CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Offering Prayer                                                                                             

One:  Rejoice!  For what was broken will be made whole!  
All:    Let us give thanks to the Beloved, who is merciful and kind!
One:  And may these gifts bring light, love, and beauty to all the world.  

          Amen.

 

A Statement of Faith                                          (Daniel Sire, progressivechristianity.org)

I believe in God, the source of all life, wholeness, and love.

I believe that God is revealed in Jesus Christ.

I believe that in his life, Jesus reveals God in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and justice.

I believe that in his death, Jesus reveals God’s determined presence in the world even in the face of hatred, violence, and pain. I believe that in his resurrection, Jesus reveals God calling us to abundant life both now and forever; life beyond our fearful and fragile imaginations.

I believe that God lives among us, within us, and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I believe that God moves us to be together in communities of faith, hope, and love.

I believe these things not out of certainty but out of faith; as one who trusts in the reality of God revealed in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Prayers of the People   Betty Schultze                                                                                          

One:  Loving God,

All:    Hear Our Prayers

The Prayer of Jesus             (adapted from a prayer written by Rev. Bret S. Myers)

O God, may your peace and justice dwell among us.

May your love and compassion live within and between us.

Nourish us daily with the necessities of life;

Sustenance for our bodies, and inspiration for our Spirits.

And may the forgiveness we give be that which we receive;

The kindness we show be that which we perceive.

Lead us on virtuous paths, and distance us from evil.

Gift us with hope that leads to renewal and reconciliation.

For your world is our world,

And your reign, our reign;

Then, now, and always.  May it be so.

Hymn: Travel On, Travel On    VU #647

Blessing                                                                     

One:  Awaken, O friends!  Radiate the light you are!
Right Side: Do not let fear keep you from the truth of your being,

Left Side: nor illusions veil the innate beauty of your soul.
One:  Awaken!  Know that you are a holy chalice of light and love, for 

          the Divine Guest dwells within you.
All:    You are the holy temple of the Beloved;
One:  “You are the light of the World!”
All:    SHINE!

 

(Unless otherwise noted, the liturgy for today’s service is drawn from Nan C. Merrill’s “Meditations and Mandalas:  Simple