Living as the Vine and Branches in the Era of COVID-19: A Worship Liturgy

13 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Liturgy, Pop, Quarantine Liturgy and Prayers

Tags

1 Corinthians 12, Body of Christ, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Easter 5B, Easter 6A, John 15, Liturgy, Prayer, Prayers, Vine and Branches

yellow-vines-on-gray-concrete-wall-1029609

This week, I’m going off lectionary to continue to preach on the challenges of COVID-19. I suppose I feel called to preach on the John 15 text that we see in Easter year B. As part of the sermon, I will be using the 1 Corinthians 12 “Body of Christ” text as well.

Entry into Worship
Like a vine wrapped around a fence,
the Divine thrives in our world.
Like each flourishing branch of the vine,
we, too, blossom in our connection to God and neighbor.
Even though we may be worshiping in individual spaces,
Through the Spirit, we are forever united.
When the complete vine suffers, we all suffer together.
When humankind struggles, we all struggle together.
May we see our well-being as a piece of the whole
and as connected to God and neighbor.

Invocation
God of Connections, in this world of isolation, bring us closer together in ways we’ve never previously experienced. In this world of heartache, call us to use words and deeds to bring comfort to our neighbors. Grant us the lens to see our siblings across this world as a part of our realm. May we balance our desire for fierce autonomy with a growing sense of the covenant we have with you and neighbor. Amen.

Prayer of Reconciliation
Loving God, Divine Connector,
Right now, we have few opportunities to look into the eyes of our neighbors-
from friend to stranger
and from those who bring us comfort to those who bring us uneasiness.
Because of this physical distance, we are forgetting the great connection between all of us.
We make decisions based only on our needs.
We dismiss concerns, ailments, and the despair of our neighbors.
We forget their health is connected to our health,
and their prosperity is tied with ours.
In this season of wilderness, may we see that loving our neighbor as ourselves is a piece of your Great Commandment,
and may we begin to see how the well-being of all are linked. Amen.

Assurance of Grace
The God of Humankind, our Great Connector, continues to open our spirits to the needs of our neighbors. God continually pours grace upon our souls, calling us to new beginnings and hope-filled futures. Amen!

Reflection on Giving
The Divine Connector, Christ, the Great Vine, calls us to see how our actions impact the lives of others. God our Connector directs us to how our treasures, talents, and time are best used in this season. Even in this time of quarantine and wilderness, we are being asked to give as we can to our neighbors, our community, and our congregation. By our contributions, we promote healing between neighbors and gratitude for what God has given each of us.

In this spirit of thanksgiving, we pray together,

Holy Binder, you yearn for your children to join together for the well-being of all. You desire that each of us shares our gifts for the unity of your kin-dom. With gratitude, we celebrate the treasures, talents, and time we contribute to our church and community. May our work and our gifts nourish each branch on the Great Vine. Amen.

Benediction
May God, the Great Connector, open our souls to the ones across our cities.
May Christ, the Great Vine, open our hearts to the ones across our states.
May the Holy Spirit, the Great Soul, open our minds to the ones across our country and world.
We are many branches on the one Great Vine.
Love and care for the people connected to this Vine as if each of our well-beings depend on it.
Amen.

Easter 5A in Quarantine: Refuge in God

06 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Liturgy, Pop, Quarantine Liturgy and Prayers

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Easter, Easter 5A, Easter 6A, John 14, Liturgy, Prayers, Psalm 31, Quarantine

woman-leaning-on-glass-window-1101726

Texts used this week include John 14:1-21 and Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

Entry Into Worship
Your space was prepared for you.
In this time, you are where you need to be.
Embrace the Spirit sent by God
In our quarantine dwellings.
Receive the gift of refuge, knowing that God is near.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Release the worry and abide in God.

Invocation
Divine Architect, as we abide in our homes, we wonder what will come next. We grieve what we have left behind, and we mourn the life we are no longer living. Fill us with a new Spirit, that we can vision a future filled with joy. May we spend this time rejoicing in the power of Divine Hope, knowing that your presence is forever with us, God. Amen.

Prayer of Reconciliation
Have we forgotten about you God? Have we turned our eyes away from your presence? In this time, we have welcomed crutches to endure this time of loneliness and uncertainty. We have forgotten that you are our Great Supplier of Hope and Root of All Faith. May we begin to invest our trust in you instead of false idols. May we begin to adopt the practice of gratitude in our daily lives. Amen.

Assurance of Grace
The steadfast love of God journeys with us forever – in the peaks and valleys of our pilgrimage. May we embrace the grace which stems from God’s love. Amen!

Reflection on Giving
In God, we seek our refuge. In our Divine Architect, we find our wisdom. Even in this season of the unknown, God is caring for us. And we are called to give what we have to care for our church, our community, and our world. We are nudged to give what we can to share the Good News of God’s unconditional and steadfast love for each of us.

In a spirit of thanksgiving, we pray together-

Holy God, Divine Architect, in your presence we find a peaceful refuge. In your presence, we are called to keep your commandments to love our neighbor as ourselves. Give us the courage and strength to carry your light into our communities and world with the talents, time, and treasures you have bestowed upon us. We pray in the name of Jesus the Christ, our Compass in unsure times, Amen.

Benediction
As we dream of a future with hope,
We seek our refuge in God.
We find enduring comfort in the Holy Spirit.
We embrace the peace furnished by Jesus the Christ.
We will not let our hearts be troubled or afraid
as the steadfast presence of the Divine is in our midst
giving us the vision to look ahead to the future with love and hope.
Amen.

Good Shepherd Sunday in Quarantine – Easter 4A

02 Saturday May 2020

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Pop, Quarantine Liturgy and Prayers

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Easter, Easter 4A, Good Shepherd, Good Shepherd Sunday, Liturgy, Pandemic, Quarantine, worship

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Entry Into Worship
What is abundant life
And where do we see it in our homes?
How can we see bounty in the wilderness,
As boundaries restrict us from living our “fullest” life
Do we perceive God’s generosity?
On what in our lives is God’s light shining? To what type of service is God calling us next?
May worship be a tool of discernment, a flashlight in the shadows, and a celebration of God’s generosity of Spirit.

Invocation
Holy Shepherd, Divine Leader, we look towards you in this time of quarantine. From nights in isolation to our days of fog and bewilderment, we search for your healing presence. We seek your wisdom and guidance in the coming weeks as we look towards the future. May your Spirit of Hope permeate our souls as we wander in the shadow-filled valleys. Amen.

Prayer of Reconciliation
Loving God, Divine Shepherd, we listen for your voice, but get drawn by some distracting voices squawking nonsense. We allow these loud voices to lead us instead of your wisdom. May we focus on and enact your intentions for our world, our country, our communities, our church, and our own lives. May your steadfast love and mercy call us on healthy paths which cares for all of of your children. Amen.

Assurance of Grace
The gift of God is grace which pours over us and leads us to still waters. May we embrace second chances in God’s mercy which will accompany us throughout our entire lives. Amen.

Reflection on Giving
The Good Shepherd, our God, requests that we learn from Jesus the Christ’s example. Through Jesus, we see the ways we are to serve one another. Through Jesus, we see the leader who is willing to ensure that all neighbors live the abundant life. What can we sacrifice to ensure our neighbors’ needs are met? What can we give to ensure that our congregation is able to fulfill its mission and share the good news during this pandemic? This is our opportunity to see where God is calling us to share our treasures, time, and talents.

In a spirit of gratitude for the gifts that God gives to us, we pray together,

Divine Shepherd, your presence is the rod and staff which brings us peace. We know we are called to follow your lead. Open our souls ready to live into a spirit of abundance instead of a mindset of scarcity. Open our hearts to your flock – your children across our communities and world who are struggling. Open our minds to the possibilities of how we can share our gifts during this challenging time. May we continue to focus on your voice as we discern what is next for us. Amen.

Benediction
As we leave our time together today-
May God find you pillows of comfort on which you will rest your head.
May God lead you to places and in ways that will keep you healthy and safe.
May God restore your souls during the long days and nights of quarantine.
We will not fear, for you are with us God.
You will follow us to the ends of the earth and remain with us in our homes.
Your goodness, mercy, and steadfast love will accompany us,
And we will dwell in your loving embrace our whole life long.
Amen.

Easter 3A in Quarantine: God Sightings

24 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by mictori in Pop, Quarantine Liturgy and Prayers

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Tags

Easter, Easter 3A, Emmaus, Liturgy, Luke 24, progressive Christianity, Quarantine, worship

God sightings

Entry Into Worship
When the light of today dims into the horizon,
God will accompany us into tomorrow.
As our health wanes and our hope lessens,
God will fill our lives with new possibilities.
As loneliness overtakes our hearts,
God’s embrace will fill us with comfort.
In these long days facing the unknown,
God’s peace will last with us into eternity.

Invocation
Holy Winds of Hope, as we continue in uncharted territories, may your breezes nudge us to look around us. As the wilderness surrounds our souls, may we still see your presence in the flowers in front of us, with our kin sheltering with us, and in the star-filled sky above us. We need not seek far; we can sense you in the voices echoing on phone calls and video chats. With gratitude, we share our joy that you are near, today and always. Amen.

Prayer of Reconciliation
God of Steadfast Presence, as we grow to know these shadows next to us, we focus on the lack of light. We stop seeking the light that comes from you and which brings us peace. We direct our attention to loud voices of distraction instead of the stillness of you, God. Our minds are wrapped around news feeds and tomorrow’s concerns. We focus on everything else and miss the God-sightings in our midst. Open us to your presence next to us. Grab our attention so that we sense you in front of us now instead of barely noticing you in our rearview mirror. Amen.

Assurance of Grace
We are forgiven for the ways we have missed God next to us. God understands the mind and heart of humans, and God will appear to us again and again. Amen!

Reflection on Giving
If we keep searching, keep exploring, we will notice God’s presence near us. And we will detect the needs of our siblings across our communities as well. We will discern God’s call of the ways we need to care for this congregation as well as the people outside of the church’s walls.

This has been a time for us to seek God in the wilderness and to listen to the ways that God is asking us to be creative in ministry, communication, and care. What is God asking us to do next? In what ways will the gifts we contribute this week further the mission and ministry of our congregation in this time of exile?

We give thanks for God’s calling and for the treasures, time, and talents provided by God. With gratitude, we pray together:

Divine Presence, in these times of wilderness, you shine your light upon us. You help us to realize our purpose and give us wisdom on the best ways to utilize our gifts. Open our souls to possibilities on how we can minister and share your love with our church and community – even when we are miles apart. Amen.

Benediction
In the steps we take today, tomorrow, or sometime this week, God of Hope,
May we see your presence directly in front of us.
May we feel your presence in the winds above us.
May we smell your presence in the flowers around us.
May we taste your presence in the food surrounding us.
May we hear your presence in the laughter which comes from within us.
For you are always a part of our exiles, our promise lands, our dreams, and our eternities. Amen.

Written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian. Feel free to use/adapt this liturgy with attribution.

Easter 2A in Quarantine: Peace Be With You

14 Tuesday Apr 2020

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Liturgy, Pop, Quarantine Liturgy and Prayers

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Tags

anxiety, Coronavirus, COVID-19, John 20, Liturgy, Matthew 8, peace, Peace Be With You, Quarantine

light-sea-dawn-landscape-33582

Entry into Worship
Peace floats on the breezes
And peace sails on the calm waters.
Peace is heard in the dove’s coos
And in a child’s laughter.
Today, we pray for peace-
A peace which transcends the restlessness in our world,
A peace which fills our souls with hope.

Invocation
Divine Architect of Peace, the waves of anxiety crash upon us daily. Will we have enough? Will we survive? When will “normal” return? We are riding the swells of the emotional seas. God of Peace, in this great storm of life, calm the waters. In the howling wilderness, settle the gusts. For you are our source of peace, our deliverer of serenity. Amen.

Prayer of Reconciliation
Holy Tranquility, we listen to the news instead of seeking your serenity. We read article after article instead of meditating upon your presence. Your child spoke “Peace be with you,” and we turned our backs. Help us to focus on the hope of resurrection and renewal instead of the world’s destructive preoccupations. May we focus our care in ways that are constructive for our neighbors across this community, country, and world during this pandemic and times of isolation. May we turn our worry into acts of mercy and justice. Encourage us to seek help for overwhelming anxiety so that we can live whole and healthy lives. Amen.

Assurance of Grace
Even when we turn our backs to God’s peace, God continues to send holy calmness in our direction. May we continue to open our souls to this steadfast peace which already surrounds us. Amen!

Reflection on Giving
In this season of uncertainty, we often want to hide in the caves of scarcity. Instead, God calls for us to give in a spirit of abundance. Through these gifts, we are able to reach many people outside of the church’s walls. Through these treasures, our mission continues – even when the world slows down.

With hearts of hope and openness, we pray together…

Divine Tranquility, may we embrace your steadfast peace. Through your peace, may we confidently give our treasures, talent, and time in order for the work of the church to continue. Through your peace, may our congregation utilize these gifts wisely to reach a world filled with anxiety and uncertainty and to share your hope and love. Amen.

Benediction
As this morning starts a new week, may we embrace the peace of God-
A peace which will carry us through moments of turmoil,
A peace which will connect us with God and neighbor,
A peace which will ask us to be still, and get to know God,
A peace which surpasses our understanding.
May the hope of God, the peace of Christ, and the love of the Spirit
chase away despair and encourage us to embrace divine serenity.
Amen!

Written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian. Feel free to use/adapt this liturgy with attribution.

A Maundy Thursday Communion Liturgy in Times of Quarantine

07 Tuesday Apr 2020

Posted by mictori in Communion Liturgy, Liturgy, Pop

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Tags

Communion, Communion Liturgy, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Holy Thursday, Holy Week, Liturgy, Maundy Thursday, progressive Christianity, Quarantine, sheltering-in-place

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Service of Communion

Christ gave us the mandate to love one another.
Christ gave us the peace that we will never be left alone.
Christ gave us the picture that we are connected as vine and branches.
Christ gave us the assurance that no one will take away our joy.

God is with you!
God is with us all!
Open wide our hearts.
We open them to new possibilities.
From our dining room tables to our home offices.
this is the time to give God our thanks and praise.

Our homes may be filled with young voices,
or our homes may be filled with overwhelming silence.
This table might be brimming with family,
or we may be sitting by ourselves at the empty table.
But the table is never truly empty. The silence will not be the last sound you hear.

Jesus the Christ has created a realm of love for each of us-
one in which we will be reunited with loved ones,
one in which we are assured of God’s comfort.

It was a night filled with teachings and memories.
Undoubtedly, tears were shed and laughs raised.
This was the night before Jesus died.

Jesus took bread.
As he blessed it and broke it,
he said to his friends
Whenever you eat this bread, eat in remembrance of me.

Later, Jesus blessed a cup filled with fruit of the vine.
Friends, this is the new covenant. Drink this to remember me. Drink to remember our time together.

Spirit of God, surround the bread. Surround the cup.
Surround the elements – no matter what form they take.
Surround us – no matter where we are.
Bless us in our eating and drinking.
Bless our connection – near and far.

Even with physical distance between each one of us, our covenant with God will keep us together. Amen.

A Shelter-in-Place Palm Sunday Liturgy

02 Thursday Apr 2020

Posted by mictori in Current Events, Lent Prayers, Liturgy, Pop

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Tags

Isaiah 61, Liturgy, Matthew 21, Online Worship, Palm Sunday, progressive Christian, progressive Christianity, Shelter in Place

passion-3807311_1920

I am using the Matthew 21:1-11 text plus Isaiah 61:1-4.

Entry into Worship
In the spirit of the springtime,
we raise our palms and flowers.
In grateful praise,
we celebrate God’s beautiful creation.

With gratitude,
we breathe in the warming air
and smell the floral scents
dancing in the breeze.

For creation and for our Creator,
we sing songs of praise and thanksgiving.
No matter our location-
we join together this day.

Invocation
Glorious God,
This is the day that you have made! From our front porches to our basements, from our bedrooms to our kitchens, we see your light, and we sing our songs of Hosanna. As world events distract our minds, assist us with focusing on your presence here and now. We give thanks for your enduring and steadfast love. Hosanna, Glorious Creator! Hosanna in the highest! Amen!

Prayer of Reconciliation
On Palm Sunday, we remember the words of Scripture:
“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Through the life of Jesus, we were given steps to follow.
Through the life of Jesus, we too see how we also came along to carry your name, Gracious Creator.

Instead, we worried about our own names and reputations. We concern ourselves with our own paths and not the one of Jesus. We sing “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” and we run away from following Jesus. Build up our courage. Give us resolve to try again tomorrow, knowing that we have been called to follow Jesus’ steps: to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind-up the broken-hearted, and to comfort all who mourn. Amen

Assurance of Grace
The Spirit of God is among us, giving us grace and imparting strength. May this courage take hold of our hearts. Let us try again this very moment. God will call us again and again to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen!

Reflection on Offering
Whether we are in front of computers or with smart phones in our hands, God is using technology to draw us closer. God is also using new avenues for us to contribute our talents, time, and treasures to the church. Our Creator uses every means to draw us closer and share what we have.

In this time and space, as we support our staff and care for our congregants, our giving sustains the work of the church. Please give as you can as our ministry continues in this most unique of situations.

And with gratitude, we pray together:

Gracious God, for treasures collected, for time given, and for talents shared, we express our thanks. Encourage us to use our offerings to sustain and expand the work of the church. Amen.

Benediction
Whether we are expressing our joy for Jesus the Christ on Facebook
or continue Christ’s work as we plan online,
we are entering a new world, excited to share the good news of God’s love and grace.

Let us share this love on every platform, through every phone call, and in various letters-For the Spirit of God is with us, bringing us joy, and helping us find new avenues to the future. Amen!

*****

Are you looking for a communion liturgy? Head over to Gifts in Open Hands for a beautiful Communion for Palm Sunday during quarantine/shelter in place. Thank you Maren C. Tirabassi for your writing!

Quarantine Worship – Lent 5 and John 11

24 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by mictori in Current Events, grief, Lent Prayers, Liturgy, Pop

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Tags

Coronavirus, cry, grief, Jesus wept, John 11, lament, Lent, Lent 5, Liturgy, Quarantine, Quarantine worship, worship

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Entry into Worship
Some enter worship with bubbles of joy in their souls
and some come to this time with dread-painted spirits.
Some enter worship with pitchers full of hope
and others only bring bowls of despair.

You may be carrying a myriad of emotions
or feel like your emotions have run dry.
This is the space to bring your fullest selves-
whether withered or flourishing.

No matter where you are spiritually or physically,
Your tears and laughter are welcome here.

Invocation
Cradling God, as emotions swell in our minds
and our souls feel a disconcerting ache,
be our source of comfort.
In this boundless night of our existence,
be our light.
In a wilderness that has no end,
be our guide.
May we encounter your fountains of hope in this exile.
Amen.

Prayer of Reconciliation
We are overflowing with emotions right now God.
Some we understand. Others we do not.
And with this overabundance of feelings
comes an overabundance of reactions.
Some are healthy. Others hurt.
Forgive us for acting out of our grief.
Assist us in understanding our emotions in new ways
so that we don’t hurt our neighbors again. Amen.

Assurance of Grace
Jesus got angry. Jesus wept. Jesus grieved.
Like Jesus, our full humanity will shine in this world-
from our lamenting to our laughter.
Like Jesus, the Divine Image will be seen in us
through our tears and our grins. Amen.

Reflection on Giving
In our individual spaces, we recognize the privileges and gifts we bear-
the time that we give,
our special talents,
and our financial treasures.

While the world may seem like it’s slowed quite a bit,
our building still stands,
some programs have become virtual,
and our staff still sustains the work of the church.

With the gifts you give,
the endeavors of the congregation progresses in transformed ways.

So we pray together…
May God bless the gifts we’ve been given
as they will be used to continue our mission
whether within or outside of the church’s walls.
We thank you for technology that we use each day
to promote the mission of the church-
bringing good news and hope to the children of God.
Amen.

Benediction
Cradling God-
May our tears bless the ground on which we walk.
May our breath sustain our bodies which houses our souls.
May our beating hearts remind us of your love for us all.
Through our hearts, our breathing, and our tears, let us care for your children in this Lenten wilderness.
Amen.

Mental Health Litany of Wholeness

29 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by mictori in Church Life, Health, Liturgy, Pop

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Addiction, anxiety, depression, Health, John 14, Litany, Liturgy, Mental health, Mental Health Issues, mental health worship, Panic disorder, PTSD, wellness

Scripture John 14:26-27

One: “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. 27Peace 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.”

Entry into Healing

One: When the world is topsy turvy around me, and I can’t see reality clearly. When the medications haven’t clicked in, and I find myself in a manic state, or when depression is weighing me down. Is this a panic attack coming on?!?

(Sets a medicine bottle on altar/table)