Gathering Our Spirit with God's Spirit

Last week’s decorations can stay -- signs all around the room, seating stations, etc. Each one has a different feel – water, candles, sand, wood, stones, whatever. In this case, though, there is bright, bright light and whiteness in the center of the room. A group of nine chairs is set up in front, for Haiti mission team to sit and share stories.

• “Shambala” by Three Dog Night plays
• A Journeyer steps up to light the lamp and another rings the bell
• Rick (E), Leslie (L) make announcements

Worshiping with Our Children

• A Journeyer leads our children in talking about how God created all of the universe – and when we care for another person, or for animals, or for nature, we are showing God our love for God.  

Welcome and Breathe

• Rick welcomes, has us breathe...

God’s Spirit and Our Spirit

• Haiti slides run on screen 
• During slideshow, two Journeyers read from Genesis in the style of a responsive prayer

Reader One:  I am so far behind right now. That whole thing with Susan at work is driving me crazy and if I don’t take care of it I have no idea what she’s going to do. She must think I am such an idiot. But hey SHE’S the one causing all this trouble. And on top of that, I know she’s right about me not knowing what I’m doing – I DON’T know what I’m doing – I’m a wreck… 

Reader Two:  In the beginning of everything that exists, God created everything – the skies and the planets. At first the earth was chaos, and dark, and darkness covered the face of the deep dark places, and the spirit of God swept over the face of the waters. And then God said, “Light.” And light broke in. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” 

Reader One:  I cannot stand him. He makes me furious. I try to get him to see it and I just feel futile. I try to get my life together and it seems random and I feel like I flop around from moment to moment. I don’t know what I’m doing or where I’m going. I’m exhausted. 

Reader Two:  God created day, and night. And the sun came up, and the sun went down. And God said, “Sky.” So there were rain and clouds above, and seas and rivers below. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down. And God said, “Land.” And God called the land “earth.” God said “Plants.” And there were trees and fruit and seeds and shrubs and flowers. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down.  And God said, “Sun and moon and stars.” And so there were lights in the sky – the sun for day, the moon and stars for night. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down. 

Reader One:  There's nothing we can do to help this planet. There's nothing we can do to care for all the animals and children and trees that need it. The skies – the Gulf – I feel sad and angry and fearful. Compassion fatigue. And who put this whole thing together anyway? I don’t know what’s going on or what we’re doing. 

Reader Two:  God said, “Fish and birds.” And every kind of fish in the sea and winged creature in the air appeared. And God said, “This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” The sun came up, and the sun went down.  And God said, “Animals.” And so there were mammals and reptiles and insects of every kind. And God said, “’This is as I hoped it would be. This is good.” 

Reader One:  I've blown it. There is nothing in me that can love God or love anybody else. I just don’t care anymore and I don’t see the point. 

Reader Two:  And then God said, “Let us make people who look like us. Who are like us. And let them be the crowning achievement of what we are doing.” So, God created people – like God, in the image of God, male and female. And God blessed them. And God said, “This is exactly as I hoped it would be. This is very good.” 

• Another Journeyer reads from the Jesus story called Matthew

Jesus was teaching his people – in his time, and in our time – with this story:

God’s messenger appears. God’s presence is all around. And everything stands in front of him. He separates everyone, into two groups. He says to those in one group, “You’ve entered the beautiful place. Congratulations. This is what God has been building and is always building. And here is how you ended up here: 

“I was hungry and you found food for me and fed it to me and showed me how to earn a living; also, I was obsessed with food, - and you helped me see that I wasn’t eating healthily or facing the issues in my heart that were causing me to eat all the time. 

“I was thirsty and you brought me to water and taught me about how a well works and helped me dig a well with my community; also, I ran after everything in the world hoping it would satisfy me, and it didn’t – and you helped me look at myself and stop running.

“I was a wanderer, and you took me in, and gave me a place to stay and you fed me; also, I was lost and hopeless – and you took me in, and listened to me, and helped me see that it is alright. 

“I had no clothes, and you brought clothes to me; also, I had so many clothes I could never wear them all and I kept hoping the clothes would make me feel worthy – and you helped me let go of that fear. 

“I was sick and you sat by my bed and gave me medicine and changed my bedpan; also, I was soul-sick – and you sat by my bed and gave me hope and changed my perspective.

“I was in prison, and you came and talked to me through the thick glass in the visitation booth, and gave me hope and love; also, I was in the prison of my busyness and worry and anxiousness and control – and you helped me let go, and trust, and be gentle with myself and others.”

The people in that group look at God’s messenger and ask, “When did this happen? We didn’t see you.”

God’s messenger says, “You did it all the time. And every time, I was there.” 

Giving -- To Help God Do God's Work in This World  

• Member of Haiti team says offering prayer
• "He Might Ask the Same of You" by Kendall Payne plays as ushers pass the baskets and set them at the foot of the cross
• During song, Haiti photo slideshow plays on screen

Telling The Story and Our Story

• Haiti team members share some of what their trip felt like and what they learned
• While team is talking, photos from mission trip continue to play on screen

Go Out to Serve with Courage and Grace

• A Journeyer leads a responsive prayer taken from the Jesus story called Mark

Leader:  Jesus said, “The most important commandment is this:

Journey:  Love God. 

Leader:  Love God with all our hearts.

Journey:  Love God with all our minds.

Leader:  Love God with all our souls. 

Journey:  Love God with all our strength.”

Leader:  Jesus said, “The other commandment to follow is the same thing as the first one:

Journey:  Love others and love ourselves.

Leader:  Love other people, they who are in the image of God.

Journey:  Love ourselves, we who are in the image of God. 

Leader:  Everything we need to know and do is in these rules.” 

Journey:  Help us, God, to love you, for you are with us and within us. 

Leader:  Help us, God, to love ourselves, for you are with us and within us. 

Journey:  Help us, God, to love others, for you are with us and within us.

And all of Journey said "Amen."

• The same Journeyer dismisses us
• “Shambala” by Three Dog Night plays again as folks depart