Gathering Our Spirit with God's Spirit

The Garden is still up front; there is a big display of stuff (stuff we buy, stuff we collect, stuff we spend ourselves getting). 

• “I’m Not Worried at All” by Moby 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 by saying that many people think of God as a big mean old man who is always watching to see if we’re behaving. But Jesus said that God is a loving parent who will give us everything we need. (Hugging a baby doll?)

Welcome and Breathe

• A Journeyer welcomes, has us breathe

God’s Spirit and Our Spirit

• Shelton G. talks about giving money to his church
• A Journeyer reads a poem from The Tao of Gardening by Pamela K. Metz [not on screen -- yet]

“Investment” 

When a gardener invests 
in the gardening process, 
she understands that 
this is the way of all things. 

Fully engaged, she knows 
that she, too, is part 
of the process of life, and death. 

Knowing this, she is free 
to engage her energies: 
working, and resting; 
investing, and harvesting; 
until the cycles are complete… 
and ready to begin again. 

• Dave Madden and string quartet perform two songs
• “Urban Chaos” clip by Carl McL. plays
• Another Journeyer reads Psalm 51 passage

I have so often felt out of step with you, God. As if I've been wrong since I was born. But what you really want is truth from inside out. So, come into my heart. Conceive a new, true life in me. 

And religion isn’t what you want. Me going through the motions isn’t what will please you. A flawless performance means nothing to you. 

I learned to truly turn to you, and trust you, once my heart was broken open, when my pride was shattered. 

That’s the sacrifice you're looking for. Heart-shattered lives are ready for love. And that’s the right sacrifice to bring to you. You will honor that. And I will sing your praises. 

• Shane Claiborne video plays [if it’s possible, start it at 14 seconds in, when Shane starts talking]

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

• A third Journeyer reads the poem “Investment,” ON SCREEN  
• Reader Three then leads an offering prayer; FIRST, SAY, “WAIT TO TURN IN COMMITMENT CARDS”
• Dave Madden talks about why he made the record the way he did, and how it’s Journey-esque, then sings one song as the ushers pass the baskets and then bring them to the cross, behind the pile of stuff

Telling The Story and Our Story

• A Journeyer reads from Matthew 4

And then Jesus was taken into the wild place by God’s Spirit for the Test. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Shadow took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread. Do a miracle. Please yourself. And everyone else will be impressed with the miracle, and they will follow you.” 

Jesus answered by quoting his Scriptures: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." 

Then the Shadow took him to the Capitol City. It sat him on top of the Temple, 200 feet above the Temple courts, overlooking a valley 600 feet deep. The Shadow said, "Since you are God's Son, jump. People will see how miraculous and powerful you are. They’ll follow you. And you'll be famous." 

Jesus countered with another citation from his Scriptures: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God." 

For the third test, the Shadow took him to the peak of a huge mountain. It gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were – all the money, all the security, all the control, all the obedient people. Then it said, "They're yours—all of it. Just be sure you know that I gave them to you, and they're yours." 

Jesus’ refusal was sharp: "Get away from me, Accuser!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from the Scriptures: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve God only. Love and serve God with absolute single-heartedness." 

The Test was over. The Shadow left. And in its place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs. 

• Rick talks
• Leslie prays for the miracle of our hearts becoming free
• Everyone brings their commitment cards to the garden; Madden plays music

Go Out to Serve with Courage and Grace

• A Journeyer leads us all in reading a prayer

“A Franciscan Blessing”

God, bless us with discomfort at easy answers,
half truths, and superficial relationships,
so that we may live deep within our hearts.

God, bless us with anger at injustice,
oppression, and exploitation of people
so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

God, bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain,
rejection, starvation and war,
so that we may reach out Your hand to comfort them
and to turn their pain into joy.

God, bless us with enough foolishness
to believe that we can make a difference in this world,
so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. 
Amen.

• Reader Five dismisses us to go plant, and let God be at work in our gardens
• “I’m Not Worried at All” by Moby plays again as folks depart