Gathering Our Spirit with God's Spirit

The room has blocks of chairs, turned the wrong way, at weird angles, as well as big tables, stacks of tubs, and wooden boxes, also turned at strange angles, interrupting the flow of the room. Maybe the lights are weird too but if we were in harmony (as at the end we will be) it’d be right. 

• “If” by Joni Mitchell plays
• A Journeyer steps up to light the lamp and another rings the bell
• Rick (E) and Leslie (L) make announcements

Worshiping with Our Children

• A Journeyer leads our children in a special exercise. There's a long tray; it’s tilted so it’ll flow; at the end there’s a big bucket to catch the water. There are some rocks and twigs on the side, as well as a few leaves and three pitchers of water. Pour the water first and send leaf – see how the water flows? God is like that. Then the kids make little dams. Pour the water again and send another leaf – see how the water has to work harder and the leaf gets stuck? We can do that when we aren’t open to God. So, let’s ask God to help us be open.

Welcome and Breathe

• Rick welcomes, has us breathe...

God’s Spirit and Our Spirit

• A Journeyer reads from The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French monk whose job at the monastery was to work in the kitchen and to repair the other monks’ sandals. 

We must do our business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to God mildly, and with tranquility, as often as we find it wandering from Him.

It is a great delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as strictly to adhere to God by action in the time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer. This is the practice of the presence of God. 

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. 

• Video clip from The Karate Kid plays ("Wax on, wax off")
• Renee leads us in singing “Let the River Flow”
• Another Journeyer reads from the Jesus story called Mark, chapter 9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the inner circle of his followers, and they climbed high up onto a mountain. It was hard work and they went way up to where they were among the clouds. 

They stopped. And suddenly, Jesus’ appearance changed. They stared at him, and right before their eyes, he began to shine. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. 

Then the disciples saw two figures appear next to Jesus. Elijah, the greatest of the Jewish prophets, was there. So was Moses, the deliverer who had given the Israelites the Law of God. They were in deep conversation with Jesus, all glowing and blasting bright light all around. 

The disciples were terrified, amazed, overwhelmed -- of course. They didn’t know what to do or say. Simon Peter, the school’s leader, interrupted Jesus’ conversation with the spirits of the greatest leaders of all Judaism. 

"Rabbi, this is a great moment!” he said. “I think we should -- let’s -- let's build three religious booths -- one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah." He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing. 

And then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice said: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him." 

The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, not glowing, just the man who'd led them up the mountain. 

Now they had to climb back down.  

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

• A Journeyer reads from Faith and Feminism: A Holy Alliance by Helen LaKelly Hunt

When we cut the connection between spiritual values and values of social justice, we weaken both our vision and our power. 

• The same Journeyer says offering prayer
• Rick’s video for song “If” plays as ushers pass the baskets and then bring them to the foot of the cross

Telling The Story and Our Story

• Second video clip from The Karate Kid plays
• Rick talks
• Rick invites everyone who wants to rearrange the chairs into Flow

Go Out to Serve with Courage and Grace

• Leslie leads responsive reading

Leslie:  We feel your presence God; we sense you are at work. At least, a lot of the time. 

Journey:  We ask Your Spirit to guide us, God.

Leslie:  We want to be open to what you are doing. Sometimes we become afraid, or angry, or stuck. 

Journey:  We ask Your Spirit to guide us, God.

Leslie:  Shows us what You are doing. Show us how to respond. Show us how to let go, and become part of what You are doing. Show us how to step up and do what needs to be done. 

Journey:  We ask Your Spirit to guide us, God.

Leslie:  Teach us not to fight You so much, not to resist Your love, not to put so many things in the way. Teach us to help. 

Journey:  We ask Your Spirit to guide us, God.

Leslie:  When we are afraid, give us courage; when we are preoccupied, get our attention; when we do not know the way, show it to us; when we are ready, set us free.

Journey:  We ask Your Spirit to guide us, God.

• Leslie dismisses
• “If” by Joni Mitchell plays again as folks depart