Sermon notes by Guillermo Kerber from Uruguay - football, religion and hope

On football, religion and hope
Some sermon notes by Guillermo Kerber - sermon preached on June 21 2010 in the week we were praying for Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay

Football plays a key role in these countries.
More than a role, closer to a religion.
Eduardo Galeano, an Uruguayan writer asks, “What do football and God have in common? The devotion of the believers and the rejection of many intellectuals” and then he quote among others Rudyard Kipling and Jorge Luis Borges.

Sociologists have studied football as religion. The power of belonging, stadiums as new cathedrals, with thousands of passionate believers, not one but 11 or 22 priests, pastors. Sacifice, idols.

A theological approach to football, as some have done, if your team lose, the suffering servant of Isaiah, if you win, the triumph of Christ.

As religion, football also has its positive and negative dimensions. The paradox of football is that, while being a clear example of non-violence, its rules leading to success without violent, many times is related to violence on the field also outside (hooliganism), as Prof Dennis Muller, ethicist and theologian from Lausanne, states (Football, its gods and demons). “IN every supporter there is a potential violence” (Müller)

Footbal has become a globalized sport. Even in USA, not a football fan, 130,000 tickets for the World Cup matches were sold.

Lookint at some matches you can see the beauty of the movement of the bodies, team building, hope of supporters, and wisdom.

Wisdom in Proverbs is a “she”. Wisdom plays with creation, as footballers play with a ball.

How much do we, adults, play? We think we are serious, theologians, pastors, intellectuals, professionals, and we don’t play. But wisdom, a “she” “is the mistress of the art of thought” (Prov). It is difficult, for our male-based dominant culture to accept all the attributes she has according to Proverbs.

In a difficult world, in a difficult situation in the WCC, we need wisdom, we need to play, we need hope, we need to “discern the signs of the times”. Let’s pray the Holy Spirit, let’s pray to Her, so that we can find our ways

Morning prayers for the beginning of the Football World Cup

It so happens that as the soccer world cup started the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle turned to South America.
While I was attending the WCRC assembly in Grand Rapids my colleague Guillermo Kerber from Uruguay led morning service concetrating on football and God's playfulness. Wish I had been there!

Morning prayers Ecumenical Centre Geneva

Monday, June 21, 2010
(Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay)

Welcome

Song: Coritos #2

Opening prayer
(Bishop Aldo Etchegoyen, Argentina)

1. O God, Lord of the wind and the sea,
of the mountains and the valleys,
of the world and of the church:
In the midst of fear and insecurity
give us trust and hope in you

2. We live in a world where the gales of power
blow strong enough to shake life itself,
where from the arrogant and the interests of the powerful
roll the waves of injustice and violence.

1. We pray for those suffering
because of their poverty, their ignorance, their limitations,
because of their colour or status, social or sexual.
We think of your church sailing on a sea
where the waves of racism, militarism, sexism
and economic marginalization hurt human life.

2. Take care of your church and put in it
a sincere love for those who suffer,
a clear vision of your will,
healing pastoral words for the needy
and a valiant, prophetic proclamation
against those who create violence and pain.

1. O God, Lord of the wind and the sea,
may your strong mercy calm the whole earth
in the name of Jesus Christ

All: Amen

Readings
From the Book of Proverbs, chapter 8, 1- 30 (excerpts) (NJB)
“Is not Wisdom calling? Is not Understanding raising her voice? On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossways, she takes her stand; by the gates, at the entrance to the city, on the access-roads, she cries out, 'I am calling to you, all people, my words are addressed to all humanity. Simpletons, learn how to behave, fools, come to your senses.
Listen, I have something important to tell you, when I speak, my words are right. My mouth proclaims the truth, for evil is abhorrent to my lips… For Wisdom is more precious than jewels, and nothing else is so worthy of desire.
'I, Wisdom, share house with Discretion, I am mistress of the art of thought. I hate pride and arrogance, wicked behaviour and a lying mouth. To me belong good advice and prudence, I am perception: power is mine! By me monarchs rule and princes decree what is right; by me rulers govern, so do nobles, the lawful authorities.
I love those who love me; whoever searches eagerly for me finds me. With me are riches and honour, lasting wealth and saving justice. I walk in the way of uprightness in the path of justice, to endow my friends with my wealth and to fill their treasuries.
'Yahweh created me, first-fruits of his fashioning, before the oldest of his works. From everlasting, I was firmly set, from the beginning, before the earth came into being. The deep was not, when I was born, nor were the springs with their abounding waters. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I came to birth; before he had made the earth, the countryside, and the first elements of the world.
When he fixed the heavens firm, I was there, when he drew a circle on the surface of the deep, when he thickened the clouds above, when the sources of the deep began to swell, when he assigned the sea its boundaries -- and the waters will not encroach on the shore -- when he traced the foundations of the earth, I was beside the master craftsman, delighting him day after day, ever at play in his presence, at play everywhere on his earth, delighting to be with the children of men.

Song: El cielo canta alegría, Alleluya (Argentina, Thuma Mina 54)

From the Gospel according to Matthew 16, 1-4 (NJB)
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to put him to the test. They asked if he would show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “In the evening you say, ‘It will be fine; there's a red sky’, and in the morning, ‘Stormy weather today; the sky is red and overcast’.
You know how to read the face of the sky, but you cannot read the signs of the times!
It is an evil and unfaithful generation asking for a sign, and the only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.'
And he left them and went off.

Meditation – “On football, religion and hope” – Guillermo Kerber (Uruguay)

Prayers of intercession

 This week, according to the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, we are invited to pray for the people and the churches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Let’s pray for them.
God of Mercy, have mercy with the people in these countries, especially with the poor and most vulnerable: indigenous peoples, women, children, and the elderly, in their uncertainty, fear and distrust as they face their future. Give your Wisdom to their governments democratically elected, so that they may discern what needs to be done in the name of justice, peace and care for creation. Sustain and strengthen through your Spirit, the churches in those countries, so that they remain a prophetic voice unbound by political and economic alliances and with all people. Grant just peace to these countries and their citizens, O Lord.
Ore Poriahu (Paraguay) (Thuma Mina 46)
 Let us pray for ourselves, for our families, organizations and churches
God of Grace, you have called us to labour and play in your vineyard. Without you we can do nothing. Grant us your gracious presence in our forthcoming meetings, works and holidays. Inspire us so that all our decisions at the personal and institutional levels follow your Wisdom.
Ore Poriahu (Paraguay) (Thuma Mina 46)
 Let us pray for our homelands and for all the nations of the world
God of Playfulness, behold and visit, we pray, the nations of the earth. Let the world rejoice with the beauty and passion of the Football World Cup. But especially enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, injustice and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness and justice with fairness, and that men and women from different cultures and religions, and with different talents may find with one another the fulfilment of their humanity.
Silence

Song: Santo, santo, santo, santo (El Salvador) (Thuma Mina 117)

The Lord’s Prayer (in your own language) (stand)

Blessing
The Lord bless our eyes that we may see clearly
The Lord bless our mouth that we may speak the truth
The Lord bless our ears that we may hear those who speak to us
The Lord bless our hearts that we may be open to the poor;
The Lord bless our feet that we may walk with humility and courage,
In the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

All: Amen

Final song : Tenemos esperanza (Argentina – Uruguay)

An order of service for communion

Morning Worship and Eucharist
in the spirit of Leuenberg and Porvoo

Monday 5 July 2010
The Ecumenical Chapel, Geneva

The Ecumenical Prayer Cycle focuses this week on
Colombia, Ecuador and Venzuela

An open invitation to the Eucharist is extended to all,
with due repect for churches’ varied positions on intercommunion.
Co-presidents: Revds Karin Achtelstetter (Lutheran) and Theodore Gill (Reformed)
Preacher: The Venerable Colin Williams (Anglican)


Welcome

Gathering

Sing praises and give thanks to God, all you who are faithful.
Let us give thanks to God, and praise God’s holy name.

For God turns mourning into dancing, and clothes us with joy.
O Lord our God, we will give you thanks forever and ever! Amen.

Sing: Cantai ao Senhor Agape 12
Verse 1 in Portuguese, 2-3 in English, 4-5 in French

God of justice and of mercy,
You turn our mourning into dancing, our darkness into light, our sorrow into joy.
We give you thanks.

Forgive us our sin, we pray.
Empower us by your Spirit to follow in Christ’s way,
displaying and proclaiming the good news of your abundant goodness.

We bring our prayers for the world and the church, the rich and the poor, the strong and the struggling. We bring prayers for our families and friends, and for those unknown to us but well-known to you. This week we pray especially for the people, the churches and the cultures of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
In the name of Jesus: Amen.

The Lord’s prayer (we each pray aloud in our own language)

Ministry of the Word

Galatians 6:7-14

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right. For we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised – only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them,
"The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'

… "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless: do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Sing: Thuma mina Agape 91
All three verses in Zulu

Meditation
The Venerable Colin Williams

Sing in Spanish: Santo, santo, santo Agape 81


The Sacrament of the Eucharist

Peace be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift up our hearts to the Lord!

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is fitting and right to give God thanks and praise.

It is truly fitting and right, Holy, Almighty and Eternal God, that we should give you
thanks and praise, at all times and in every place, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For you sent him to offer salvation to the world;
through his death you made possible the forgiveness of our sin,
and through his resurrection we realize your gift of abundant life.

Therefore the angels offer praise at your throne; with the company of the heavenly host, we unite our voices in celebration and join in the song without end.

Sing: Santo, santo, santo Agape 81
In Spanish.

O Christ, you invite us to gather at your table, to share the bread and wine with you.
By the power of your resurrection, you open our minds to your presence.

O Christ, the bread and wine communicate your life, death, and resurrection to life.
You transform our humanity by your love.

In the midst of suffering and brutality, you awaken us to hope and the promise of peace.

Lord God, send your Holy Spirit to unite us in Christ and make us your faithful people.

Words of Institution
This is the account of the holy supper of our Lord as delivered by the apostle Paul:
I have received from the Lord that which I now deliver to you, that on the same night that he was betrayed our Lord took bread; and, when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way, he took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Drink from it, all of you, in memory of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again in glory.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again!

Lord our Creator, we praise you, for you love us and we are your children.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, alive in our midst.
We praise you for the Holy Spirit who gathers us together despite our differences.
We praise you for calling us to unity, and for making us one.
We recall your goodness toward us, for you have opened the gates to your kingdom
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

And now, ministering in Christ’s name, we take this bread and this wine to be set apart by prayer and thanksgiving to the holy use for which he intended them.

Most gracious God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you our thanks.
Sanctify by your Word and Spirit these your own gifts of bread and wine,
that we may by faith receive Christ crucified for us, and so feed upon him
that he may become fully one with us, and we with him.

And here we offer and present to you ourselves, our souls and bodies,
to be a reasonable, holy and living sacrifice;
and we ask you mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,
as, in fellowship with all the saints in heaven and on earth,
we pray that you may fulfill in us, and in all people, the purpose of your redeeming love.

This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be the glory and the praise, both now and forever.
Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you all!

[The congregation exchanges signs of peace.
Those who wish to commune or receive a blessing
come forward to surround the Lord’s table.]

Ubi caritas

Thanksgiving

Lord, we give you thanks for your great mercy given us in this sacrament, through which we are made partakers of Christ. So enrich us by the power of your Holy Spirit that the life of Jesus may be made manifest in us, and the remainder of our days may be lived in your love and service. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.


Sending

For the simplicity of this bread and wine, praise to God our maker.
For the simple gift of Christ’s presence here, praise to the Lord.
For the Spirit that surrounds us always, praise to the Triune God.
Amen.

Go forth in peace, to love and serve the Lord.


Sing: Komm, Herr, segne uns Agape 45
Verse 1 in German, 2 in English, 3 in French, 4 in German

This service was put together by Thedore Gill and Karin Achtelstetter