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TRANSCRIPT
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Worship at Five Oaks – November 2015(to be associated with Tom Sherwood's workshop on the topic
"Beyond Church: Engaging Young Adults Who Don't Participate in Organized Religion.")
IntroductionChristianity and the Church have a tradition of proclamation. Christians "keep the faith" by passing it on; and we have a history of passing it on through preaching, proclaiming, and publishing. But there is another theme in Scripture and church history, a more meditative, contemplative theme: Listening. The theme of this worship service is:
"Listening is the language of love."
Hymn VU 578 verses 1 and 2
As a fire is meant for burningwith a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission,giving glory to God’s name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs,but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations,finding neighbours everywhere.
We are learners; we are teachers;
we are pilgrims on the way.We are seekers; we are givers;
we are vessels made of clay.By our gentle, loving actions,
we would show that Christ is light.In a humble, listening Spirit,
we would live to God’s delight.
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Readings from Scripture and other Wisdom about Listening
In the Bible, in Proverbs 12:15, it says:“Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice.”
And in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, it does not quite say that there is a time to listen; but if we turn the page and turn to chapter 5 verse 1, we read“To draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools.”
“Listening is the language of love…” I wrote in my Ottawa Citizen column back in the 90s. It was Mothers Day. “Mothers are some of the people who listen to us as we grow and become,” I wrote. “Listening is the language of love.”
"Open my ears that I may hear," we have sung through the decades. (That is the second verse of "Open my eyes that I may see" – VU 371.
“Help us to grow as a listening, discerning, learning people,” we pray.That is from the prayer in our United Church document “Call to Purpose” adopted by the General Council in 2006. And it is our prayer today:
“Help us to grow as a listening, discerning, learning people.”
“Therefore consider carefully how you listen,” says Jesus to his followers in Luke chapter 18.
And James, the brother of Jesus, writes,“Dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” (James 1:19)
“Let anyone who has an ear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”We hear that phrase seven times in the Book of Revelation, in chapters 2 and 3. “Let anyone who has an ear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
“We believe in God… who works in us and others by the Spirit,” we say in A New Creed.
It is ἀγάπη, I have written –“Listening is spiritual hospitality. Listening is the language of love.”
“Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” “Amen.”
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Song Listening is the language of love.Listening is the language of love.
Listen! And your brother will hear what your words obscure.Offer an ear and your sister will hear what only heart can say.Silence lets a friendship grow and a faith become.A quiet embrace doesn't need a word to warm a heart of stone.
But ego needs and audience, and talking boosts the confidence.We try to change the world with our words.Silence is more articulate.Quiet can better concentrate,and love's unspoken language is heard.
Lean in to hear the fragile hope of a dream expressed.Welcome the chance to encounter another's fears confessed.Silence is a sacred place of hospitality,an invitation for others to tell of the world they see.
But ego needs and audience, and talking boosts the confidence.We try to change the world with our words.Silence is more articulate.Quiet can better concentrate,and love's unspoken language is heard.
Listening is the language of love.Listening is the language of love.
Listening is the language of love.
Prayer(from Call to Purpose, adopted by the 39th General Council, 2006)
God of all creation, we offer you our thanksgiving
for a time rich with connections, among each other and with you.
Dieu de toute la Création, nous t’exprimons notre gratitude
pour ce temps riche de contacts, les uns avec les autres et avec toi.
We thank you for moments when we have experienced
what it is to be united even in our differences. Nous te remercions
pour ces moments où nous avons fait l’expérience de l’unité malgré nos différences.
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Help us to grow as a listening, discerning, learning people. Aide-nous à grandir comme un peuple qui écoute et apprend avec discernement.
Help us to give up patterns and structures that enslave us and others. Aide-nous à renoncer aux habitudes et aux systèmes qui nous asservissent
et qui oppriment les autres.
Help us to acknowledge our fear and lean into your hope and your courage.
Aide-nous à reconnaître nos peurs et à nous appuyer sur ton espérance et ton courage.
Help us to grow in our trust in each other and in your Spirit.
Aide-nous à grandir dans la confiance les uns envers les autres et en ton Esprit.
Fill us with your grace and with your wisdom, with your patience and with your love.
Emplis-nous de ta grâce et de ta sagesse, de ta patience et de ton amour.
Propel us into your future, rooted in the richness of our past. Enracinés dans notre riche passé, propulse-nous vers ton avenir.
In Christ we pray. En Christ, nous t’en prions.
Amen.
MV 156 "Dance with the Spirit"all, or simply:
Listen to the Spirit early in the mornin',Listen to the Spirit throughout the long day.Work and hope for the new life a-born-in'.Listen to the Spirit to show you the way.
Commissioning and Hope
One: "Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."ALL: "Help us to grow as a listening, discerning, learning people."