This week’s service is brought to us from the Cabinet of the New England Annual Conference, and includes readings, prayers, and music from across New England, and featuring a sermon from our Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar. Many thanks to all those who participated and organized this beautiful effort on this special day in the season of our Church: Pentecost - when all are united through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us join in worship.
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Sunday, May 24th, 2020 || Seventh Sunday of Easter Pastor Christy Wright We invite you to light a candle at 9 AM and join us in prayer NEW: AVAILABLE AFTER 1 PM ON SUNDAY, MAY 24TH. Audio worship is also available at (978) 990-5000, access code 719365#. Just dial in, enter the access code on your keypad, and you will hear the service begin with Melissa’s prelude. Scripture Reading John 17:1-11 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” Sermon This week’s scripture reading may seem a bit repetitive and difficult to understand because I definitely had to re-read it several times; the writer of the Gospel of John really enjoys circular arguments and rewording the same idea in multiple ways, so it’s only natural for this piece of scripture to feel confusing. So it might be helpful to remember that this is a continuation of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. The last couple of weeks, we’ve talked about how Jesus gave the disciples a glimpse into life without him being around, at least physically. But as we learned, Jesus taught the disciples well, showing them the Way, and providing them with an Advocate who will walk alongside them, even and especially when the going gets rough. In this week’s passage, Jesus is praying that his mission on earth might fulfill the Creator’s plan to its fullest extent, that glory might shine from the creation of the universe until the end of time and beyond. Jesus also offers a prayer for the disciples, a petition on their behalf that they recognize who they are and whose they are, in union with each other and with the Holy Spirit. He asks for protection, and most of all, that the disciples may be one as Jesus is One with the Creator. If we remember back to the first chapter of John, we hear the confusing and yet profound declaration that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We later come to find out that Jesus himself is the Word made flesh. Jesus, in this case, is God, but at the same time, isn’t. This poignant mystery is one that Jesus invites us into as he prays for the disciples in his time, as well as the disciples to come. This prayer for oneness is a desire that we all have. Over the past several years, I’m sure we’ve all noticed a certain polarization creep into our society: a deeper political divide than any of us may have ever witnessed before. We can see it in the news, online in social media, in campaign advertisements, on bumper stickers, and even in our daily interactions with others in public. It is a truly distressing time, one that makes me worry for the wellbeing of our world, even when we move forward after the age of the pandemic. But when we look toward our divisions, when we identify the problem, how can we navigate a solution? If our greatest desire is for oneness, what does that look like? Maybe we should all believe the same things. Maybe we need to all follow the same path in life. Or is oneness defined as playing nice, not offending, not rocking the boat? We may picture ourselves being of the same mind, agreeing on all the same things, and generally looking, acting, and being the same. When Jesus prays for the disciples to be one as he is One with the Creator, it may be a different definition of unity than we might first assume. The biblical scholar Linda Lee Clader offers an incredible insight that gave me great pause this week. She said, “Some ancient theologians who studied these very verses talked about Jesus’ oneness with the Creator in terms that suggest movement - a kind of interweaving or even a dance among the Creator, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What if the answer to Jesus’ prayer for unity was not about solidifying into a monolithic block but, rather, was about joyful interplay, glorious dancing?” What I love about this explanation is that it allows for breathing room that is so often not present within modern definitions of unity. The truth is that, as humans, we are diverse, messy beings, and we all bring flaws to the table. Even the least idealistic vision of unity is out of reach, and even, I’d argue, truly not healthy. Instead, Jesus offers a vision of oneness that allows for individuality, while still being an integral part of the other. Jesus’ prayer reaches through the centuries to us, a prayer that echoes across generations. This dance is one that we are constantly navigating, doing our best to communicate our moves, gently leading without being too pushy, and most of all, trying not to step on one another's' toes. But when we do, which we inevitably will, we are called to assume the best of one another and are called to offer grace and love, not only through the Divine, but also when we model grace and love among our own relationships. In praying for unity, Jesus wants us to recognize that the answer may not be what we expected, and we may, in fact, miss it if we’re on the lookout for something else. So take a look around: How might Jesus’ vision of oneness come to fruition in the areas of life that seem so divisive? How are you witnessing unity in unexpected ways? Are you ready to dance with one another, and with God? May we be one with God and each other, just as Jesus is one with the Divine and Holy Trinity. Hymn: They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love FWS 2223 1. We are one in the Spirit 3. We will work with each other We are one in the Lord We will work side by side We are one in the Spirit We will work with each other We are one in the Lord We will work side by side And we pray that all unity And we’ll guard human dignity May one day be restored And save human pride Refrain Refrain And they’ll know we are Christians By our love, by our love 4. All praise to the Father Yes, they’ll know we are Christians From whom all blessings flow By our love And all praise to Christ Jesus God's only Son 2. We will walk with each other And all praise to the Spirit We will walk hand in hand Who makes us one We will walk with each other We will walk hand in hand And together we’ll spread the news Refrain That God is in our land Refrain Covered under ONE LICENSE: #400013-P A Blessing For Friendship, Written by John O’Donohue in To Bless the Space Between Us May you be blessed with good friends, And learn to be a good friend yourself, Journeying to that place in your soul where There is love, warmth, and feeling. May this change you. May it transfigure what is negative, distant, Or cold within your heart. May you be brought into real passion, kindness, And belonging. May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them, be there for them And receive all the challenges, truth, and light You need. May you never be isolated but know the embrace Of your anam cara.* *Celtic for “soul friend” And now, may the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever God may send you; may God guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm; may God bring you home rejoicing at the wonders God has shown you; may God bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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Sunday, May 17th, 2020 Sixth Sunday of Easter Pastor Christy Wright We invite you to light a candle at 9 AM and join us in prayer NEW: Audio worship is also available at (978) 990-5000, access code 719365#. Just dial in, enter the access code on your keypad, and you will hear the service begin with Melissa’s prelude. Scripture Reading John 14:15-21 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be among you. “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Sermon In my previous work life, I was in search of a steady job in the food industry. I had worked as a bartender at a winery, a cook at a retreat center, and then a manager at a coffee shop, and I knew that my love for food and cooking was continuing to be a theme in my life. At the time, I was browsing the internet and noticed a chef whose work I really enjoyed, Brendan Pelley, had just opened up a new restaurant in Northern Massachusetts. One of my friends had worked with Brendan while cooking at a restaurant in Boston. Recognizing the connection, I reached out to my friend to ask his advice about applying for a job. I was curious to see if I had the necessary experience to start as a line cook. I knew that I had a lot to learn, but I also knew that I would bring passion and a deep love for food to the table. My friend responded that not only did he think that I had what it took to be a line cook, but also that he’d directly reach out to Brendan and advocate for me. He sent Brendan a message, explaining that while my experience cooking in a restaurant setting was limited, I was more than prepared to take on the challenge. I had the knowledge of a seasoned home cook with a great palette for balancing sweet, salty, and acidic flavors while still developing proper technique and honing my knife skills. I was like a sponge, ready to learn and make mistakes and learn more. Though I never ended up taking a job at the restaurant, what made the most impact was that my friend was willing to “go to bat” for me and walk with me through this journey. He was a true friend and companion, counseling me not only on my growing edges, but also encouraging me in my strengths. That feeling of being advocated for, of knowing that someone has our back, of becoming a better person because of someone else’s presence, is something we all carry with us. This week’s passage calls to light the Advocate whom Jesus promises will be with us through it all, a presence that mediates relationships, strengthens our faith, and develops our character as we become more like Christ. Last week, we heard about Jesus’ comforting words to not let our hearts be troubled. We recall the love Jesus shared with his disciples as he began to prepare them for what was to come: his own death and resurrection. We remember Jesus’ Way: the way of love, grace, and service to God and others. This morning’s scripture reading is a continuation of one of Jesus’ last messages to his disciples before he died, and in many ways, it is a pre-Pentecost message before the glorious account of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the ancient church. This Holy Spirit moment is a promise, one that will be fulfilled from that moment on - even within us. Jesus starts by reminding the disciples of his commandments, for which we have to turn back to John 13:34, where Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” When we reflect on the love Jesus has for us, the ways in which his grace has saved our lives - for some in a very literal way - we witness a companionship and devotion that can only be mirrored by our own gratitude and love, not just toward Jesus, but also toward one another. When Jesus’ love for us pours forth like water from a spring, the abundance of that love overflows in our lives, and people start to notice. Jesus is still in the thick of his “Farewell Discourse,” where he is preparing the disciples for the suffering that is to come. He acts as an advocate for the disciples, equipping them with models of ministry that have the power to change the world. He shares his wisdom, and most of all, he appeals to God that God would send them another Advocate, but this time, it would be an Advocate that would be with them (and us) forever. This Spirit of Truth meets the disciples where they are, in the midst of the unknown as Jesus reveals that he will be killed. Jesus is acknowledging that nothing will ever be the same, that there is no going back, that just as it seems like the world is about to end, the Holy Spirit will enter, the Spirit of Creativity and Creation, the very same Spirit that hovered over the waters in Genesis, Chapter One. This same Spirit will act as an advocate for the disciples and for us today, especially as we find ourselves as the church dispersed and scattered. We may feel hopeless in the face of all that is going on in our world today, but when we remember Jesus’ words, peace is embodied in our response: love. Just as Jesus advocates for us in the darkest of times, we too can be advocates for each other with uplifting phone calls, surprise cards in the mail, and even through sharing our recipes with one another. How is Jesus reminding you of his advocacy today? How has the Holy Spirit intervened on your behalf? And how is the Divine calling you to respond? May we recognize the beauty of Jesus’ love for us as it overflows and empowers us to love one another. May we remember all the ways Jesus has advocated for us, had our back, and inspired our actions. And may we be moved to advocate for one another, just as God advocated and loved us first. Amen. An Invitation to Christ, adapted from Dimitri of Rostov, Russia, 17th century Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness. Come, my Life, and revive me from death. Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds. Come, flame of Divine Love, and burn up the thorns of my sorrows, Kindling my heart with the flame of Thy love. Come, my Sovereign, abide in my heart and reign there. For Thou alone art my God and Love. Amen. Hymn: Holy Spirit, Truth Divine UMH 465 1. Holy Spirit, Truth Divine Dawn upon this soul of mine; Word of God and inward light, Wake my spirit, clear my sight. 2. Holy Spirit, Love Divine Glow with in this heart of mine; Kindle ever high desire; Perish shelf in thy pure fire. 3. Holy Spirit, Power Divine Fill and nerve this will of mine; Grant that I may strongly live, Bravely bear, and nobly strive. 4. Holy Spirit, Right Divine King within my conscience reign; Be my Lord and I shall be Firmly bound, forever free. Covered under ONE LICENSE: #400013-P And now, may the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever God may send you; may God guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm; may God bring you home rejoicing at the wonders God has shown you; may God bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2020 || Fifth Sunday of Easter Pastor Christy Wright We invite you to light a candle at 9 AM and join us in prayer Scripture Reading John 14:1-14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.” Sermon As I’m spending a lot of time at home recently, I took up the hobby of hand embroidery. I had always been amazed by the works my friends had shared with me, and I wondered if I would be up for the challenge. So, with the help of my mom who had done hand embroidery years ago, we gathered all of the materials: hoops, cloth, thread, and needles. I also bought a book online, and as soon as it was delivered, I dived into its depths, but became quickly overwhelmed. All of the diagrams and patterns weren’t actually all that helpful. Sure, the photos of the finished products were beautiful, but I couldn’t figure out how to make the stitches come out correctly. What was the scale of the stitches? What sort of tension did you need to keep on the thread? And how exactly did you make that stitch? My labored attempts resembled thready frisbees that my dog Cosmo had gotten ahold of. Feeling very lost, I asked my mom to show me the way she did it. We did a demo piece together, and she showed me the French knot, which involves twisting the thread around the needle before bringing it back through the fabric; the Lazy Daisy, which involves stitching “petals” and tacking them down; and numerous other techniques. By showing, rather than merely explaining through words or diagrams on static paper, I was able to witness for myself and gain clarity as to the best way of accomplishing each stitch, and was even able to move from the basics toward improvising a bit, allowing creativity to take over. My mom’s gentleness in working with me and patiently correcting some of my tangled mistakes, displayed the love and grace that is inherently built into the craft of hand embroidery. Hand embroidery is a surprisingly forgiving hobby, one that is creatively fulfilling and easy to learn - as long as someone shows you the way. This morning, we read of a conversation Jesus had with his disciples that displayed that same love and grace, forgiveness and clarity. In this passage, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the reality that is to come: he will be killed on a cross, and on the third day, he will rise again. This section of scripture is often referred to as the “Farewell Discourse,” where Jesus begins to give notes on what to expect and how the disciples are to respond to the events that are to come. Though the disciples don’t understand what’s going on, Jesus starts the conversation with the powerful phrase, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (vs. 1). “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Everything else that follows hangs on these words. Jesus implores the disciples to set their hearts in his hands, and the passage reaches through history to remind us to set our own faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Don’t give into the fear; don’t allow yourself to fall into anxiety. Does worry add any days to your life? “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus also reminds the disciples that he “is the way, the truth, and the life.” What does it mean that Jesus is “the way”? By now, the disciples have spent a couple of years with Jesus, following his teachings and learning with him how to respond to oppression, violence, illness, and death. And Jesus, who is the Word become flesh, the very incarnation of God, is showing the disciples the way toward eternal life. You see, Jesus’ story is not just about the fact that he was born, died, and rose again. So often, we focus on the Christmas story, on the beautiful Nativity scene with great nostalgia. And then we move swiftly through Lent, through Holy Week to Good Friday and Holy Saturday before rushing into Easter. Jesus’ story is somehow collapsed into these big events. But what would happen if we focused on Jesus’ ministry, expanding his life to contain all of the miracles, the lessons, and the relationships? How would we become acquainted with “the way”? What would happen if we lived out Jesus’ way in our lives together, rather than merely reading about it in the pages of the Bible? What would happen if “the way” became real and enfleshed in its Spirit-filled compassion for the world? As we continue in quarantine, we keep our social distance for the sake of others. Despite the inconvenience, boredom, and particularly isolation, this is how Jesus has called us to love one another for the time being. This is the way we protect one another: by being apart. But we can still follow the way of Jesus through our phone calls, our cards and letters, and our love for one another. May our hearts not be troubled, knowing that even in the midst of the pandemic, we can still love one another as Jesus has loved us. Though we are alone, we need not be lonely. May we reach out to those in need, remembering Jesus’ own ministry, which has spanned across centuries, in love and compassion for others. And may we remember that we too, are forever held in love and compassion through Jesus Christ, our Physician, Guide, and Companion. Amen. Hymn: Victory in Jesus, UMH 370 1. I heard an old, old story How a Savior came from glory, How he gave his life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; And I heard about his groaning, Of his precious blood’s atoning, Then I repented of my sins And won the victory Refrain O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever! He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew him, and all my love is due him; He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood 2. I heard about his healing, Of his cleansing power revealing, How he made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see; And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, “Come and heal by broken spirit,” And somehow Jesus came And brought to me the victory Refrain 3. I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory, And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea; About the angels singing And the old redemption story, And some sweet day I’ll sing up there The song of victory. Refrain Covered under ONE LICENSE: #400013-P And now, may the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever God may send you; may God guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm; may God bring you home rejoicing at the wonders God has shown you; may God bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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