Season of New Creation

May 1, 2011

A Season of New Creation

We are now in the Easter season, the season of resurrection, of the New Creation. In these coming weeks I want us to see the “Season of New Creation” as an active time where “Creation” is a verb. Creation is God’s activity, and the activity that we are constantly invited to take part in. I believe that the more we engage in creativity, the closer we grow to God and the more we become Christ-like.

“At SCUCC, Creativity is our primary Spiritual Discipline -- Our way of knowing ourselves and God, and engaging in the adventure of following Christ.” That is the introductory phrase from the bookmark introducing this series.  I propose that this is one of the unique gifts we have to bring onto the landscape of the UCC and here in Scottsdale. This series will explore this proposition.

I hope we can begin by talking about the series as a whole: the arts we can focus upon, artists we might invite to take part in worship, ways we can draw spiritual connections from creativity. I have already talked with Jack Evans about bringing his love of haiku to us some week in this series. When we have gathered a pool of ideas and resources, then we can begin to put the pieces into the shapes that best make sense for each service.

Below are the weeks of the series as I have sketched them out along with scriptures from which to look for God artistically at work and play. As always, any additional ideas regarding scripture are very welcome.

May 1     God is the Artist                  Job 38:4-11

May 8     Artists in God’s Image        Colossians 3:8-11

                                                                Exodus 35:4-19

May 15   Art Saves the World           Genesis 6:11-22

May22    The Power of Art                 1 Samuel 16:14-23

May 29   Artful Vision                         John 8:1-11

June 5    Art Changes the World      Revelation 21:1-5a, Isaiah 65:17-25

June 12  Pentecost – The Creative Spirit Arrives!  SCUCC Artfest            Acts 2:1-12

 Thoughts for May 1:

We begin by considering that God is an artist. The Age of Enlightenment theists envisioned God as an engineer who constructed this elaborate machine called the universe, set it in motion and then stepped back to watch it all run. God the Engineer is distant, uninvolved, and totally independent of the machine-universe. God the Artist, though, is intimately involved with the work of art that is us and the universe. What God creates is an expression of who God is, what God loves and values. That God continues to create, to make art, means that God is still intimately involved with us (and invites us to co-create).

Job 38:4-11

‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

   Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

   Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

   or who laid its cornerstone

when the morning stars sang together

   and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

‘Or who shut in the sea with doors

   when it burst out from the womb?—

when I made the clouds its garment,

   and thick darkness its swaddling band,

and prescribed bounds for it,

   and set bars and doors,

and said, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther,

   and here shall your proud waves be stopped”?

Job has demanded that God give him a reckoning for the abuse Job has suffered. Instead of answering directly to Job’s demand, God kind of tells Job off. God recounts the activity of creation and reminds Job that God is about larger things than just what Job can understand. Now, as a rationalization for suffering this falls kind of short for me, but we are not dealing specifically with that subject here. What intrigues me is that God claims that the divine activity is all about creation.

Good News: God is pleased and delighted with Creation.

Subject: God’s first identity is as an artist.

Experiential Field: We experience God when we participate in creating art.

Art-making is prayer, being in communication with God. Because artists express themselves in their art, we can know God in Creation, and in creating.  I believe we have an innate need to create, to make our mark. From ancient times we made cave paintings even before we had language. Being an artist is one of the ways we reflect the divine image in which we are made (which is the specific topic for next week).

As this is our first week, I’m willing to share my experiences as an artist. If we have contacts with other artists (poets, story-tellers, architects, bakers, care-givers, etc.), I’m certainly open to inviting them. I hope we can find ways to invite those who are worshipping to engage, to taste, the kind of art we highlight each week.

Feaster Sunday

Easter Sunday: Feaster Day!

John 21:1-14

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus taught about the Kin-dom of God around the table. It was there, eating as equals and family, that a radical new vision of the world was enacted. And it appears that after Jesus’ crucifixion it was around the table that the Followers of the Way experienced the presence of Christ. In Acts we are told that the reputation of the early Christians was: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.” It is completely appropriate that we celebrate the resurrection around the table. Hence, a “Feaster Celebration!” Besides watching a game and stuffing ourselves silly, the table can be the place where we experience a love and a life that continues to transform the world.(I understand resurrections as that transformation that is greater and more persistent than death. Resurrection is the process of being transformed into a new life.)

Our worship could be a menu: Appetizer, a salty bruschetta of broken dreams (coming to the tomb to finish the burial rituals – facing death); First Course, a salad of hope (empty tombs, confusions, questions); Second Course, a refreshing gazpacho soup of shared experience (each disciple has a different experience of meeting the risen Christ, and so do we); Entrée, a hearty breakfast [great term, to break our fast, breaking our fast of despair, violence, hatred, etc.] of Christ-grilled fish and warm bread (communion in its best sense, the meal where Christ shows up and makes us all equal, healed, and renewed). Dessert is fresh fruit, the fruit of carrying this good news in to the world, the fruit of our works and engaging the world with transformative, resurrecting love.

Again, my thought on communion is that particularly this communion is all about abundance. I kind of think that especially on this day we do not have the option of taking a measly crumb of bread to represent all of Christ’s love and grace for us. Donuts! Brioche! Lavosh! Sourdough! Farm bread! Hot Cross Buns! Cinnamon sticky buns! All sorts of bread and far more than we need or think we do: that is the grace we encounter in a resurrection feast.

Good News: Christ is Alive! Death loses, life wins!

Subject: Even in a troubled world, there is reason to celebrate and feast.

Anchor: The Feast of Love

Experiential Field: We experience the love and presence of Christ when our celebrations include all, embody the Kin-dom, and extend the invitation all Creation.

Easter to Pentecost Thoughts

I've been spending some time thinking about the days from Easter to Pentecost. So here are the thoughts:

Easter might be "Feaster!" Jesus celebrated the Kin-dom of God around the table, feasts were his chosen celebration of the way the world ought to be. Jesus' followers experienced his ongoing presence when they shared meals, especially after his crucifixion.  So our Easter celebration should be a great feast! I'm thinking of the ending of the movie, "Chocolat" where they all gather outside the church and finally enjoy the chocolate and joy that Vianne has brought to their lives.  Each part of our worship experience might be a different course.

Scripture stories of resurrection feasts are the meal at Emmaus

Luke 24:28-35

28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. ²⁹But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.³¹Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. ³²They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ ³³That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. ³⁴They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ ³⁵Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

and John 21:1-14 where the risen Jesus cooks breakfast for the disciples:

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. ²Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.³Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ ⁶He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. ⁷That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. ⁸But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. ¹⁰Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ ¹¹So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. ¹²Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. ¹³Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Good News: Christ's living presence is experienced in the community of the table.

Subject: Sharing food and joy is sharing Christ.

Anchor: Food, glorious food!

Jesus practiced the Kin-dom of god around the table, that was where he created a new reality. The Kin-dom of God was Jesus' art work. I see Pentecost as a season of making art (in all sorts of forms and shapes) culminating in a big Art Festival on Pentecost Sunday.

Just so you can see my process, I am including my brainstorming mind-map. Again, starting places, not set in concrete plans.

Palm Sunday - April 17

I am sharing a script for a worship drama I wrote a few years back that tells the story of that last week of Jesus' life from the Gospel of Mark. I think this could be a powerful experience for everyone, especially if we make it "Studio-friendly." We could talk about images, music, and other ways of making the experience more experiential. In the script I have included the traditional Lenten hymn we used the last time this was presented. this is to help us remember the "feel" of the moment, not to dictate what we could use.

            This worship drama was written for a Palm-Passion Sunday service, but it could be used for any time during Holy Week. It uses the events of Jesus’ last week as related in Mark’s Gospel.  Additional hymns or songs can be interspersed among the readings, as well as choir numbers or other special music as appropriate.

            Four voices read various parts through the drama, although each reading could be a different voice if there are enough readers available. The congregation also responds as the crowd.

Voices in Jerusalem

Worship for Palm-Passion Sunday

 In the Bible, the Hebrew word, “kol: means voice. It refers to the outer voices we hear with our ears, but also to God’s voice which we hear with our hearts. This worship drama is based on the Gospel of Mark, the earliest telling we have of these events. The scripture itself will be heard, as well as “listening in” on the voices of some of the participants in those events. The shofar is an ancient musical instrument, used by the Jewish faith even to this day. We hear the voice of the shofar in today’s worship connecting us as Christians with God’s ancient but timeless work for redemption especially in Jesus who is the incarnation of God’s continuing work of atonement and reconciliation.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Transport us to Jerusalem today, O Spirit, that we may spend some time with Jesus. Help us to hear his teaching, feel his healing, and follow his example. Let us meet Jesus in our hearts that we may take Christ into our world today. Now we open our lives so that you may take us where we need to go, making Jesus Christ real for us not only in Passion but in the Compassion of God’s Love for all. Amen.

 (A moment of silence to calm our heads and open our hearts.)

*The shofar sounds a tekiah, a wake-up call to our spirits, calling us into worship

 Procession with Palms         

The Story from Scripture        Mark 11:1-10

 Voice 1: I am one of Jesus’ disciples. And I have a question. Why did Jesus want a little colt? The Messiah ought to come to the throne on a mighty war horse! Didn’t he know how ridiculous he looked on the back of that donkey?

Voice 2: What a great day! I haven’t had this much fun in ages! Did you see that rabbi Jesus enter the city? He came in like a crazy little king. Pilate comes charging in on his chariot, leading his army. Jesus trotted in followed by a bunch of peasants. We all grabbed branches and waved them high, shouting and cheering. What a great day!

Voice 3: I waved a branch today, too. And I laughed. But even more, I hoped. I hoped that maybe this Jesus means to change things. I’m just like one of those peasants following him. They know how hard life is. Jesus knows, too. So hoping that just maybe he might be a new messiah I joined the crowds that shouted:

CROWD: HOSANNA! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! HOSANNA! HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST! HOSANNA! HOSANNA!

           *The shofar sounds a shevarim, reminding us of the brokenness of life..

            (A large metal bowl or platter is placed on the altar. Coins are poured into it noisily.)

 Voice 4: That Jesus is nothing but trouble! He came into the city today and went straight to the Temple. He started yelling and pushed over the tables where the coins were exchanged and sacrificial doves were sold. He scared people away by saying we had made the temple into a den of robbers! He said it should be a house of prayer for all nations. All nations! Are we supposed to let just anybody in?

Voice 1: That Jesus is trouble! He goes around forgiving sins and healing and teaching that everyone can know God. No one made him a priest. Nobody gave him permission. Who gave him any authority to do these things?

Voice 2: That Jesus is real trouble! We tried to catch him saying something wrong. We asked him if it was legal to pay taxes to Rome. Instead of taking the bait, he asked whose image was on the coin. When we took one out and showed him that Caesar’s image was on it, he looked at us as if to say that it was clear where our true allegiance lay. Then all he said was to give to Caesar what belonged to Caesar, but to give to God what is God’s. He made us look like fools and sell-outs. Jesus is serious trouble!

            The Story from Scripture        Mark 11:15-18

            (A large scroll is placed on the altar.)

Voice 3: That Jesus is amazing! I am a scribe, so I know the Law. I asked Jesus which commandment is first of all. Even the elders have debated this. But Jesus spoke right up and said: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Voice 4: That Jesus is amazing! For years I’ve felt invisible. I am poor and a widow, but I serve God as best I can. I gave my last two pennies, knowing that two cents won’t keep me in food or shelter. I gave them because God will have to keep me now. But Jesus saw me bring my offering to God. He said my gift was greater than all those others. That Jesus is amazing, he was the only one who saw me!

            The Story from Scripture        Mark 12:41-44

      (Plates of bread and a pitcher of wine are brought forward  and set on a table at the front.)

 Voice 1: So much of what Jesus did, he did around the supper table. He even welcomed us women to eat with him. Women have always had to wait to eat until the men are done! But Jesus wanted us all there together, as equals. I could see that while Jesus claimed us all as friends, he was making real enemies in Jerusalem. I was afraid that no one was taking this danger seriously. So at dinner one night, I came in and anointed Jesus for his burial. Some of the men were outraged. Jesus said I would be remembered for my vision.

Voice 2: So much of what Jesus did, he did around the supper table. We were celebrating Passover together, all of us. Passover reminds us how God set us free from bondage in Egypt. Jesus said the unleavened bread was his body. The cup left for Elijah, the symbol of our hope for God to act, Jesus said that was his blood. It is to be a new covenant for everybody.

Voice 3: Jesus meant everybody. He said one of us would betray him, and he told Peter that he would deny him, and that we would all run away. And still, Jesus shared the meal, and the covenant with us all. What Jesus did at the supper table was to claim every last one of us as his family, no matter what.

 The Story from Scripture       Mark 14:22-25

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

 Communion Prayer (Unison)

Let us pray. God of Justice and Compassion,

As we remember Jesus’ life, we hope to continue in Jesus’ Way.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Feed us on the living presence of Christ, that we may love all the world just as Christ loves.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until all are welcome at this table, and all your children may feast united together. Amen.

 (The bread on the front table is broken, and the wine poured out.

            Communion is shared with all who wish to take part.)

 *The shofar sounds the teruah, a groaning and yearning for God’s restoration of the world.

 (A black cloth is draped on the altar. )

                                                The Story from Scripture        Mark 14:32-38

 Voice 4: I was one of those Jesus invited to pray with him. But there was a gentle breeze that night, and we had eaten so much. I knew he was troubled. I wanted to be there for him. I watched him as he prayed. He cried. I fell asleep. Why couldn’t I stay wake with him?

Voice 1: I am Judas, and I know what you think of me. Don’t ask me why I did what I did. I’m not sure that I even know. What seemed so clear in the day became confused in the night. I led the thugs and guards to the garden where they could capture Jesus. I stayed at a distance and watched for a long time. I think I hoped they would hear us come as Jesus was praying and be able to escape. But they all fell asleep, all except Jesus and he was wrapped up in prayer. Finally the guards compelled me to act. I knew it was all coming apart. Jesus didn’t flinch. I kissed him for all he had meant to me. I kissed him to beg forgiveness. I kissed him, the guards grabbed him, and every one of his disciples deserted him.

CROWD: WE ARE THE GUARDS WHO HAVE COME TO SEIZE JESUS. WE BROUGHT

SWORDS AND CLUBS, EVEN THOUGH HE TAUGHT PEACE. GRAB HIM NOW!

Voice 2: I have heard blasphemy and torn my robe. I am the high priest who questioned Jesus. We knew he was trouble from the moment he showed up in Jerusalem. He just got bolder and bolder. When I asked him if he was the Messiah, he said he was! Rome is nervous enough at festival time, at least we can quiet this rabble-rouser.

Voice 3: I can’t believe what I did! I can’t believe the words that came pouring out of mouth! They grabbed him and questioned him and condemned him right there. They spit on him and taunted him as I watched from the courtyard. I am Peter, the Rock, the one who would never be shaken and I DENIED I EVER KNEW HIM! Not once but three times…

                                                The Story from Scripture        Mark 14:66-72

                                                (The sound of a rooster crowing twice is heard.)

 Hymn                                                 Go to Dark Gethsemane vs. 1-3       

                                                (A large, noisy chain is brought in and placed on or in front of the altar.)

                                                The Story in Scripture             Mark 15:6-20

 Voice 4: I am Pilate, Roman Governor of Jerusalem and Palestine. I hate the festivals when hordes of peasants come pouring into the city. You just know someone will bring up this “messiah” myth and start talking rebellion. This Jesus was a sorry example. How anyone would think he could be a king is beyond me. He didn’t even seem to be a militant or a rebel. Too much noise and too much trouble. That is what got Jesus killed. Rome does not tolerate insurrection of any kind. Jesus became the example of Rome’s complete power over these peasants.

CROWD: EARLIER THIS WEEK WE WAVED OUR PALM BRANCHES AND SHOUTED, HOSANNA! NOW WE CALL, CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY! CRUCIFY!

Voice 1: We made ourselves a king today! I’m one of Pilate’s soldiers and he gave us the “King of Jews” to crucify. So we found an old purple blanket and made it his robe. We made a crown of thorns and had a royal coronation. We pledged our loyalty and never laughed so hard. Then we got to work.

 (A purple cloth is placed around the cross on the altar.

A crown of thorns may also be placed there.)

 Hymn                                                 To Mock Your Reign, O Dearest Lord          

 (After the hymn, a drum begins beating slowly. It increases in intensity

throughout this section, culminating at the end of the scripture reading.)

 Voice 2: I have never felt a cross before. I’m the Simon they forced to carry the cross-beam Jesus dropped. He was so weak. It cut my hands and left splinters under my skin. I was afraid that when we got to Skull Hill they would nail me right up there with him. I ran away as soon as they let me go, the pounding ringing in my ears.

CROWD: JESUS, YOU SAID YOU WOULD DESTROY THE TEMPLE AND REBUILD IT IN THREE DAYS! MESSIAH! KING OF ISRAEL! SEE HOW YOU HAVE BEEN LIFTED UP!

Voice 3: I don’t know how Jesus had breath left enough to cry out like that. All his followers ran away like sheep. Not one came to stand with him. As a Roman soldier, I’ve seen men cry on the cross before. But he cried that even God had forgotten him. It’s enough to make you believe in something greater than yourself.

 The Story in Scripture                  Mark 15:21-24

 (Silence – Christ has died.)

 Prayer of Confession (In Unison)

      Too often we leave you on the cross, O Jesus. We have heard you teach and felt your healing touch. But somehow we prefer you hanging silent. Open our hearts to reach out wherever people suffer that we may minister to you. You faced the forces of violence with peace and love and conquered them by compassion. Open our hearts to feel the love of God who desires peace above blood. Forgive us our ability to be by-standers when Christ needs us to act in love. Too often we leave you on the cross, O Jesus. Forgive us still. Amen.

                                

The Lord’s Prayer

 Hymn of Response                            When I Survey the Wondrous Cross             

(A white linen cloth is draped on the altar.)

 The Story in Scripture                        Mark 15:42-47

 Voice 4: I am Mary, the one you probably do not know. I watched it all happen. I saw the others run away. I saw Jesus crucified. I watched him cry out and breathe his last. I saw Joseph take his body. I know where the tomb is that they have laid his body. The Sabbath is starting, so we can’t touch the body now. But I will watch the tomb until Sabbath is over and then I will finish the burial rituals. Jesus deserves that last act of compassion. Will you watch with me until Sabbath is over?

*The shofar sounds the tekiah gedolah calling us

to repentance and signaling the end of our worship.

Sounding the Shofar

Tekiah: a long, unbroken blast

Shevarim: three shorter blasts

Teruah: ten short, staccato blasts

Tekiah gedolah: a single blast, held as long as possible