M3M: November 6, 2008 Trusting that God Will Provide
Opening: #14 Blessed Be the Holy One
Prayer: May We Be Filled (see insert) [I will bring copies of a chant written by Joan Brundage.]
Table: #24 Fill Me With Bread
Sanctus: #31 Holy, Holy, Holy One 1
Closing: #71 We Are Children of the Fireball
A Reading from the Christian Gospel Matthew 14: 13-21 (The Message)
When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way by himself. But unsuccessfully – someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a load of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.
Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We are out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”
But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”
“All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.
Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.”
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
People: Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Hindu Tradition Hymns from the Rig-Veda, Translated by Jean LeMee, R.V.I.11.1-8
Spirit-boundless as the ocean-
Charioteer of charioteers.
Lord of Strength and Lord of Bing,
Has been exalted by the hymns.
Spirit! Confirmed in your friendship,
We have no fear, O Lord of Might!
We glorify you with praises,
Invincible Lord of Victory!
Many are the gifts of the Spirit,
His blessing-never exhausted,
For he showers his worshippers
With fullness of knowledge and light.
Conqueror of cities, young seer,
Born with unlimited power,
The Spirit sustains every act,
And is acclaimed for His thunder.
Lord of the clouds, uncovering the
Miser’s hoard of light and knowledge,
The fearless gods are on your side,
Thrusting forward to the attack.
Singing your praise, O Mighty One!
I come full of grace to the water
And the workers of Truth stood by
Witnessing, O Lover of Song!
By your arm, Spirit, You defeat
The artful withering of Death.
May the Wise who witness Your act
Be inspirited by You, O Spirit.
To Spirit Who rules by His might
We have joyfully sung praises.
His blessings flow a thousandfold
And ever more abundantly.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
People: Thanks be to God.
A Reading from the Continuing Revelation of God to People of Faith
Julian of Norwich (1342-1415), The Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love
Often our trust is not full.
We are not certain that God hears us
Because we consider ourselves w2orthless and nothing.
This is ridiculous
And the very cause of our weakness.
I have felt this way myself.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
People: Thanks be to God.
