august 16th, 2020 – new orientation

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loving God,
     You have given us life
     with all of it’s possibilities for growth
You made us in your own image,
     Responsible and creative,
     open to great visions and capable of great imagination
In Jesus Christ you have shown us what we might be.
     When you raised him to life you showed us that
     death is not the end for those who put their trust in you
 
Thank you for this new life in Christ,
     and for the hope of its future glory.
This day, we thank you especially for this community.
     We thank you for all that it means to us.
     We especially remember with gratitude
     the ways that you have taught us and shaped us through this church
     We thank you for a community of faith in you
     and all that we see of you through these people
 
O gracious and holy Father,
     give us wisdom to perceive you,
     diligence to seek you, 
     patience to wait for you,
     eyes to behold you,
     a heart to meditate upon you,
     and a life to proclaim you
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord.
     Amen.
 
 
Hey Everyone,
 
I hope all of you are doing well. It’s good to be with you through the technology of waves and wires. And I hope this past week you had at least one moment that brought a smile to your face and that this weekend has given you some opportunity to have some downtime.
 
As I mentioned last week we’re going to do our last Driveway Drop-by on August 26th. The idea is to have an evening of short driveway visits with other people from the connection community. You can sign up as either a host or a traveller, you can sign up as a household or by yourself or with a couple of other people in your bubble. So if you’re interested in being a part of this you can click the link to register, which is just below the link for this liturgy.
And just before we get to our liturgy we have story time with Beverly…
 
 
Hi everyone.  And a big howdy to all the boys and girls listening today.  Today I’m reading another short story from the Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd Jones.  It is the story of Zacchaeus taken from Luke 19.  Let’s listen.  
 
There was once a man who didn’t have any friends.  You are probably wondering why.  Was it because he was so short?  (That’s not a reason not to like someone.) Was it because he had a name that was hard to say?  (Well, neither is that.)  Even though he was short and he did have a funny name, that wasn’t it.  No, people didn’t like Zacchaeus because he stole their money.  
 
Zacchaeus collected taxes, but Zacchaeus took more than he was supposed to and kept the extra money for himself and made himself rich.  Everyone knew what he was up to and it made them cross and grumpy.  They didn’t like Zacchaeus one bit.  So they made sure he knew it by doing things like avoiding him.  And walking on the opposite side of the street.  And pretending not to see him.  And whispering things like, ‘There’s that nobody who thinks he’s somebody!” loud enough so he could hear.  
 
Anyway, one day, a huge crowd gathered by the road. Jesus was coming to their town and everyone wanted to see him.  
 
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, too.  But everyone was too tall.  He tried jumping up and down, but that didn’t work.  He couldn’t see a thing.  Zacchaeus had a good idea.  “I’ll climb that sycamore tree!” he said.  So he did.  
 
From the tree, Zacchaeus had the perfect view all the way down the road.  Another minute and suddenly Jesus was at the tree.  He stopped and looked up.  Zacchaeus saw Jesus and Jesus saw Zacchaeus.  
 
“Zacchaeus,” Jesus said.  “I’d like to come over to your house.”
 
“Zacchaeus almost fell out of the tree!  Come over to his house?  No one ever wanted to come anywhere near his house, let alone inside it.  
 
The people saw this and, needless to say, it made them grumpier than usual.  They mumbled and murmured and muttered, “Why is Jesus being kind to that big sinner?  Doesn’t Jesus know about him?”
 
Zacchaeus scrambled down and took Jesus to his house.  He was in a big hurry because he didn’t want Jesus to change his mind.  Perhaps Jesus hadn’t heard about him.  Perhaps Jesus didn’t know about how he had been stealing.  And how no one liked him.  And how he didn’t have any friends.
 
But Jesus knew – he knew all about Zacchaeus and the stealing and everything – and he still loved him.  
 
Zacchaeus was ashamed.  “Lord,” he said, turning pale, ‘what I’ve done is wrong.  But now I want to do the right thing.  I will give the money back to everyone – four times what I stole!”  And that’s just what he did.  
 
Jesus smiled.  “My friend! he said.  “Today God has rescued you!”
 
Jesus loved Zacchaeus when nobody else did.  He was Zacchaeus’ friend, even when no one else was.  Because Jesus was showing people what God’s love was like – his wonderful, never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love.  
 
Have a great week everybody.
 
 
Thanks Beverly.
 
Now if you’ve had the chance to listen to our last few liturgies, we’re in a series that is focusing on spiritual formation, and in particular the practice of praying the psalms. Now, I just want to point out that the thinking of theologian Walter Brueggemann has shaped many of the ideas that I’ve used to frame our approach to the psalms, and I talked a lot about his ideas in previous liturgies so I’m not going to go into a lot of detail this week.
But the psalms are shaped by the full spectrum of life experience. And so in our series we started with psalms written in a season of well-being. These are psalms of orientation where life is good, things make sense, and there is a gratitude for God’s ordering of life.
 
Then last week we reflected on psalms that were written when life had been turned upside down. These are called psalms of disorientation; seasons of anguish or loss, anger, questioning, disillusionment, all in the forms of lament. 
And now this week we’re going to be led by psalms of new orientation. These are psalms that were written as resolution of disorientation began to come about. Written after a moment where there is a surprise of a new gift from God or a new vision of possibility that began to unfold. 
 
Now the movement from orientation to disorientation to new orientation is not a formula but rather an expression that recognizes that our lives are never static. We are always moving from one place to another. Either towards orientation or away from it. Sometimes it happens quickly and other times it spans for months, or even years. And not all of us will ever be in the same space so we need to respect one another’s experiences and questions and joy and new places of hope even if they are not places that we find ourselves in.
 
In the end, Jesus is there with us in all circumstances and offers his presence in whatever place we find ourselves in; to laugh with us, to weep with us, to listen to our complaints, to hear our questions, and to receive our praise and thanksgiving.
 
Now in disorientation, there’s always a plea of some sort to God. It might be a lament, voiced as a complaint or a question or disappointment or anger or feeling of abandonment. But the doorway into new orientation is in the moments where that plea begins to turn into praise. So psalms of new orientation were often written to express thanksgiving for God’s presence and rescue. Thanksgiving songs. But the psalmists also wrote hymns of praise that acknowledge God’s goodness, kindness, faithfulness, love, and steadfastness for and towards his people. It’s interesting to note that several of the psalms categorized as psalms of new orientation also have a component of lament embedded in the writing. I appreciate this because it recognizes that the move from disorientation to new orientation is not a single, straight line. Life is unpredictable, things happen. The joy of new orientation may be overcome with despair and fear of the unfolding events of the day. And then those same fears might be met with the peace of Jesus, whose presence sparks renewed faith. It’s always an unfolding movement.
 
So for this liturgy, instead of talking about the psalms of new orientation I thought it would be interesting to let two psalms – Psalm 30 and Psalm 40 – guide our prayers. And both of these psalms are psalms of new orientation. And also, since psalms of new orientation were often songs of thanksgiving and praise, I thought we’d let our songs be the beginning point for our prayers. Songs that we’ve done in our community, songs that we have been recording over the last four months.
 
So the way it will work is that a portion of the two psalms will be read and then there’ll be a song that follows the reading. Now you may wish to just listen or sing along with the songs or hum them. And as you hear the readings and songs, pay attention to any words or phrases that jump out to you, and if you are able begin to use them as a starting point to form your own prayers.
 
So let’s take a moment to quiet ourselves and then we’ll begin…
 
 
Praise the Father
Who is the one to whom you belong
     Who in your weakness has made you strong
Who fills your heart with joyful song
     It is the Lord our God
 
Praise the Father, Praise the Son
     Praise the Spirit, three in one
Who was, and is, and is to come
 
All praise and honour and glory and power
     Oh praise his name forever
 
Who is the one with whom you wilt be
     From highest mountain to darkest valley
Who is the one who in you dwells
     It is the Lord our God
 
Praise the Father, Praise the Son
     Praise the Spirit, three in one
Who was, and is, and is to come
 
All praise and honour and glory and power
     Oh praise his name forever
Oh praise his name forever
Gord Johnson
 
Psalm 40
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the LORD.
Oh, the joys of those who trust the LORD,
    who have no confidence in the proud
    or in those who worship idols.
O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them.
 
 
The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing less
     than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
     but wholly lean on Jesus’s name.
 
When darkness veils his lovely face
     I rest on his unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
     my anchor holds within the veil.
 
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
     All other ground is sinking sand 
All other ground is sinking sand
 
His oath, his covenant, his blood
     support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
     He then is all my hope and stay
 
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
     All other ground is sinking sand 
All other ground is sinking sand
Edward Mote
William B. Bradbury
 
You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
    Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand  —
    you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    As is written about me in the Scriptures:
I take joy in doing your will, my God,
    for your instructions are written on my heart.”
I have told all your people about your justice.
    I have not been afraid to speak out,
    as you, O LORD, well know.
I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
    I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the great assembly
    of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
 
 
Psalm 27
Lord, you are our light
     and our salvation
Why should we be afraid
 
Lord, you are our shelter
     protector and defender
Why should we be afraid
 
Hear us O Lord, answer our prayers
     Have mercy on us
Our hearts have heard you say
 
Come, come with me
     Our hearts will say Lord we are coming
Lord you say,
     Come, come with me
Our hearts will say Lord, we are coming
     O Lord
 
Lord, you are our light
     and our salvation
Adam Bourassa
Amy Bourassa
 
LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
    Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles surround me—
    too many to count!
My sins pile up so high
    I can’t see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
    I have lost all courage.
Please, LORD, rescue me!
    Come quickly, LORD, and help me.
May those who try to destroy me
    be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who take delight in my trouble
    be turned back in disgrace.
Let them be horrified by their shame,
    for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”
But may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!”
As for me, since I am poor and needy,
    let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
    O my God, do not delay.
 
 
Come as You Are
Come out of sadness
     from wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted
     let rescue begin
There’s rest for the weary
     rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t cure
 
So lay down your burdens
     Lay down your shame
All who are broken
     lift up your face
O wanderer come home
     You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
     lay down your heart
Come as you are
 
Lay down your burdens
     lay down your shame
All who are broken
     lift up your face
O wanderer come home
     You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
     lay down your heart
Come as you are
     Come as you are
Ben Glover
David Crowder
Matt Maher
 
Psalm 30
I praise you, LORD, because you have saved me
    and kept my enemies from gloating over me.
I cried to you for help, O LORD my God,
    and you healed me;      
  you kept me from the grave.
I was on my way to the depths below,
    but you restored my life.
 
 
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is risen today
     Earth and heaven in chorus say:
Alleluia
 
Raise your joys and triumphs high
     Sing ye heavens and earth reply:
Alleluia
 
Love’s redeeming work is done
     Fought the fight
The battle he won
     Death in vain forbids him rise
Christ has opened paradise
 
Alleluia, O hear them sing
     Alleluia, death has no sting
 
Christ the Lord is risen today
     Earth and heaven in chorus say:
Alleluia
 
Raise your joys and triumphs high
     Sing ye heavens and earth reply:
Alleluia
 
Love’s redeeming work is done
     Fought the fight
The battle he won
     Death in vain forbids him rise
Christ has opened paradise
Charles Wesley
Latifah Alattas
 
Sing praise to the LORD,
    all his faithful people!
Remember what the Holy One has done,
    and give him thanks!
His anger lasts only a moment,
    his goodness for a lifetime.
Tears may flow in the night,
    but joy comes in the morning.
 
 
The Sun Will Rise
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
     bringing life to the earth as it springs from the ground
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
     Won’t you dry all your tears, lay your burden down
Won’t you dry all your tears, lay your burden down
 
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
     bringing life to the earth as it springs from the ground
The sun will rise, the sun will rise
     Won’t you dry all your tears, lay your burden down
Won’t you dry all your tears, lay your burden down
John Arendt
David Gungor
 
I felt secure and said to myself,
    “I will never be defeated.”
You were good to me, LORD;
    you protected me like a mountain fortress.
But then you hid yourself from me,
    and I was afraid.
I called to you, LORD;
    I begged for your help:
“What will you gain from my death?
    What profit from my going to the grave?
Are dead people able to praise you?
    Can they proclaim your unfailing goodness?
Hear me, LORD, and be merciful!
    Help me, LORD!”
 
 
Dare
Caught in the tide
     Pulled by the sea
Fighting the waves, hope giving way
     will doubt prevail
 
Then you are there
     voice speaking peace
Hope by your side, love in your eyes
     doubts fade away
 
Lift up my eyes to see
     Hold out my hands to receive
Hope in my heart, dare to believe
     He is alive, He is alive
Lift up my eyes to see
    Hold out my hands to receive
Hope in my heart, dare to believe
    He is alive, He is alive
 
Those who are spent
    those who can’t see
fighting the waves
    Hope giving way
You’re not alone
 
Lift up our eyes to see
     Hold out our hands to receive
We’ll open our hearts and dare to believe
     That He is alive, He is alive
 
Lift up our eyes…
     We hold out our hands…
We open our hearts…
     We do believe
That you are are alive you are alive
     You are alive, you are alive
rob Priestley
John Erik Gustafson
 
You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance;
    you have taken away my sorrow
    and surrounded me with joy.
So I will not be silent;
    I will sing praise to you.
LORD, you are my God;
    I will give you thanks forever.
 
 
Your Love Remains
Through the darkness, through the fire
     Through my wicked heart’s desire
Your love remains, your love remains
 
Though I stumble, though I falter
     through my weakness you are strong
Your love remains, your love remains
 
O my, my soul it cries
     O my, my soul it cries out
Soul it cries out, soul it cries, it cries out
 
Through my failure, through my heartache
     Through my healing in my pain
Your love remains
     Your love remains
Though I stumble though I falter
     Through my weakness you are strong
Your love remains, your love remains
 
O my, my soul it cries 
     O my, my soul it cries out
Soul it cries out, soul it cries, it cries out
John Arendt
David Gungor
 
O God,
   when I think of tomorrow
  I do not know what it will bring,
So please help me to be ready for whatever may come.
 
If I am to stand up,
   help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still,
   help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low,
   help me to do it patiently.
If I am to do nothing,
   let me do it gallantly.
 
I pray for the coming day,
   for those twenty-four hours.
For the ability to cooperate with others
   according to the way Jesus taught us to live.
“Your kingdom come,
   your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
May these words that he taught us
   become more than words.
 
May your Spirit inspire me
   as I move through the day,
  interacting, making choices,
and taking in what’s around me.
 
And at the end of the day may I look back
   and recognize your presence in my life.
Amen.
John Veltri

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