Praying for Bolivia, Chile and Peru

Monday Morning Worship, Chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, June 29, 2009
Worship leaders were Martin Junge and Maria Chavez as we prayed for Bolivia, Chile and Peru.

Music: El Condor pasa

Welcome

Song: Tatanaka Mamanaka (TM 173, in Aymara language)

Call to Worship
We come together connecting to ancient dreams:
The world at peace. The world made whole.
We join this morning to be nurtured by your vision:
The world at peace. The world made whole.
We come together to listen, to worship you and to pray:
The world at peace. The world made whole.
We come together to be inspired and strengthened as witnesses:
The world at peace. The world made whole

Psalm (from Psalm 145)
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
The LORD is faithful to all his promises
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.

Song: Gloria a Dios (TM 56, in Spanish)

Reading of the Gospel: Luke 18:36-43 (in Aymara)
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
42Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Reflection

Moment of silence

Prayers of intercession
God, we come before you with our deafness and blindness. Heal us with your power, so that we can listen and hear. Heal us with your power, so that we can see:

Response: A ti Señor te pedimos (TM 29, in English)

God, we come before you with our longing for peace and wholeness. Nurture us, so that our longing translates into attitudes and actions in our daily life.
Response: A ti Señor te pedimos (TM 29, in English)

God we pray this morning for the people and the churches in Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Give people and the churches, as well as societies in general and governments your dream of peace with justice, so that discrimination, racism and segregation are challenged, and social and economic inequalities are not taken as normal anymore.

Response: A ti Señor te pedimos (TM 29, in English)

God, we specially pray this morning for the indigenous people in these countries. Centuries of marginalization and oppression have not been able to erase their dignity and aspiration of being subjects of their lives and in their societies. We thank you for that witness. We pray particularly for the indigenous people in the Amazon region of Peru, defending their right to participate in the decisions regarding the use of their own land and their resources.

Response: A ti Señor te pedimos (TM 29, in English)

The Lords Prayer (each in his or her own language)

Song: Danos un corazón TM 228, in Spanish

Blessing and Sending
May God bless us with wisdom
to care for creation.
May God bless us with love
to share what is given to us.
May God bless us with hope,
to live inspired lives.
Go in peace and be witnesses of hope.
Amen

Liturgy for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay

Morning prayers, Ecumenical Centre, Geneva,Monday, June 22, 2009
Praying through the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay

This order for morning prayer was written by Guillermo Kerber.
The preacher was Julio de Santa Ana

Welcome
Song: Tenemos esperanza (Bishop Federico Pagura, Homero Perera) Agape 72

Prayer
(Bishop Aldo Etchegoyen, Argentina)

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Sung: Kyrie eleison - Ore Poriahu (Trad. Paraguay) Agape 69

Readings
From the Letter to Hebrews 12, 1-4 ( read in Spanish)
English version (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Song Hallelujah

From the Gospel according to John 6, 16-21 (read in Spanish)
English version (NIV)
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

From Matthew's Gospel
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified saying, “It is a ghost!”” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water”. He said, “Come”. So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But, when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Meditation – Prof. Dr. Julio de Santa Ana (Uruguay)

Silence

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.
(Silence)

Gracious God, have mercy with the people in those countries, especially with the poor and most vulnerable, in their uncertainty, fear and distrust as they face their future. Give 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 the churches in those countries, so that they remain a prophetic voice unbound by political and economic alliances and with all people there. Accompany the “Living letters” delegation that will visit Uruguay and Bolivia next month. Grant peace to these countries and their citizens, O Lord.

Sung response: Nada te turbe (Taizé)

Let us pray for ourselves, for our families, organizations and churches
(silence)

Merciful God you have called us to labour in your vineyard and without you we can do nothing. Grant us your gracious presence in our forthcoming meetings and work, that what we do will build up your Church. We pray especially for the meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission between Christian World Communions and the World Council of Churches. Let your Holy Spirit govern and direct us so that we may work together for your Kingdom.
Sung response: Nada te turbe (Taizé)

Let us pray for our homelands and for all the nations of the world
(silence)

Heavenly Father, behold and visit, we pray, the nations of the earth. 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 with different talents may find with one another the fulfilment of their humanity through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Sung response: Nada te turbe (Taizé)
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 Jesus Christ, Our Brother and Lord.
Amen

Final song Aqui estoy Señor

Sermon on faith and fear by Julio de Santa Ana

Sermon preached by Prof. Dr. Julio de Santa Ana in the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre, Geneva, 22 June 2009

Texts: Hebrews 12, 1-4; John 6, 16-21; Matthew 14: 22-33

There is a trend among Christian believers that makes us think about faith without recognizing most of the time the relationship that exists between faith and some aspects of reality. These aspects are different from what makes us believe. However, we need to be be aware that they are somewhat close to faith.
Generally we think about faith as a theological virtue, as the driving force of our Christian existence. We think of faith as God-given reality, necessary for the existence of Christian communities. Therefore, faith is a fundamental component of what makes us believers. However, generally we do not consider some aspects which are in tension with faith, and which may weaken it in many cases.
I must say that during the last years I have become aware of the tense relationships that I am talking about. Some situations experienced by Christian communities in Latin America brought me to read the Bible while trying to be attentive to ways which help clarify why their faith, in different circumstances, was endangered, threatened, challenged. I want to share now, with this community at the Ecumenical Centre, some of the lessons learned by groups of Christians and few reflections that have grown up in my mind. I need to say that, although the motivation was something which happened in Latin America, it is something that may also take place in other contexts.
One of the aspects that strikes me is the relationship that appears between faith and fear in some narratives of the New Testament. We often say that faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. We claim that faith is the rock where Christian life is anchored. Therefore, there are frequent cases of Christian communities repeating these words. It is a traditional affirmation. Nevertheless, it happens that there are many Christian groups who, at the same time as they repeat these words are actually giving up their faith. For example, it is happening to many Christians who, while saying loudly that they want to be followers of Jesus are not ready to give account of their faith.
Unfortunately, what frightens them, what makes them to be fearful, has more power than their faith. I do not want to make a negative observation. Rather, it makes me consider some narratives of the Gospels where stories are told of Jesus walking on the waters of Lake Gennesaret. In the text of the Gospel of Matthew that I read, it says that, when the disciples saw him walking over the sea, “they were terrified”. Jesus told them: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid”. After the answer, Peter questioned Jesus: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come on the water”. Jesus did so; Peter got out of the boat and started to walk on the sea. But, after a moment, Peter was frightened again and began to sink; he cried: “Lord, save me!” Jesus helped him and said: “You of little faith; why did you doubt?”

This narrative reminds me that often we are like Peter and the other disciples: we say that we have faith. But facing the challenges that we experience, we are afraid. Our faith becomes smaller, irrelevant: we are like the disciples, persons of “little faith”.
This is a narrative of the Gospels (it can be read in the story told by Matthew, Mark and John) that helps to understand the situation of many communities of faith in our own time. Faith is linked with fear. The tension between both cannot be denied nor neglected. Trying to understand these texts, we can say that the opposite of faith is fear, rather than agnosticism. Faith is something that transcends knowledge; it looks to be an existential bet, a wager where we apply all of ourselves. Juan Luis Segundo, who was a theologian from Uruguay (like me), used to say that faith is the gate which opens the way to hope. I share the distinction that he used to make between theological faith and anthropological faith; they are different indeed, but both types of faith require the overcoming of fear.

It seems that it should be easy, natural, to do it. But it is not so. Like Peter, when he was walking over the sea, we are very often more attentive to the signs of the storm around us than to the words of Jesus. In cases of this kind we can be called “people of little faith”.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews we find the text of chapter 11, where there is a long list of men and women who were firm in their behaviour, keeping their faith: even before Abraham such persons bore witness to their faith. They persevered and were stubborn, steadfast in their attitude of faith.

After remembering some of those who preserve their faith, we are challenged to be like these people. We are called to run with perseverance the race which is before us. The most important condition is that we have to do it looking to Jesus: he has been, continues to be and will be the one who has manifested that kind of faith that overcomes fear and death. Such affirmation is made in chapter 13 of the Epistle to the Hebrews: “The Messiah Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8).
We are called to give witness to our faith in situations that are not favourable. Sometimes our faith is at stake because the storms of life threaten our existence and the winds that rock the boat seem to turn our small ship; other times we may have the impression that powerful institutions want to impose their logic and their traditions, and that we cannot face them. There may be moments also where we become aware of how small and petty we are as we consider the power of those who want to bend us. In situations like these we may be tempted to leave aside our faith becoming afraid. Then, we may be called: “You, of little faith”.
How to be faithful to Jesus, the “pioneer and perfecter of faith” (as the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews called him)? The text of the Epistle of Hebrews give us a clear orientation to fulfil this objective, which I think is coherent with the one that we find in the narratives of the gospels, where the disciples are called to keep faith and do not give up.

Let us pray;

Beloved God and Father of all:
We thank you for the gift of faith. Help us to live it with courage, facing the difficulties that are unavoidable to the situations we have to experience. We ask you, our God, that the balsam of your grace be especially with those who feel that their faith is threatened. Give them that spiritual force that confirms their faith.

In the name of Jesus,

AMEN.

Copyright (c) Julio de Santa Ana

Prayers and reflections from and for Brazil

These prayers were written by Elaine Neuenfeldt, Simei Monteiro and Rudelmar Bueno de Faria for worship in the Ecumenical Centre Geneva on Monday 11 June.

Reflecting and Interceding
(Following each reflection there is a prayer after which a sung response is sung)

Reflection - The challenge of living in cultural diversity
Our country is known for its cultural diversity. And this diversity is our richness. And in this diversity we experience pain and suffering. Our identity assembles in our bodies a mix of oppression and sovereignty. We carry this simultaneity in our daily life, and we struggle with this. Because of this JUSTICE is fundamental in our reality. We can only experience reconciliation in the diversity, if we experience justice. And the process of living together, in an inclusive and divers community is learning from each other how share and heal this memory of colonization, but full of resistance and conflict. This is a process of healing memories.

We pray for ...
learning from each other, in dialogue and sharing,
Merciful God, hear our prayer ...
Sung response

Reflection - Land and food
Brasil has an immensity territory. But the productive land is in the hand of few farmers. New technologies are presented as the solution for poverty. The sugar-alcohol sector is deeply rooted in the exploitation relations of the work and environment and the use of slave work. As a sign of resistance against transgenic products we can see the campaign in defense of the native seeds, and agro ecology as sustainable and viable response, supported by the practices of the peasant’s community’s challenge the monopolizing advances of the biotechnology companies. The women of the Via Campesina are working with the concept of food sovereignty and justice. Through their testimonies all the society faces the reality of the paper and cellulose monopolies and its artificial forest or green desert.

We pray for
Indigenous peoples who have lived on the land for thousands of years, but whose ways of life have been threatened or ended in the name of development and greed.
Landless peasants who struggle to make a life for themselves and their children.
God of Justice, hear our prayer...
Sung response

Reflection: Violence
Violence and police corruption are a serious problem in Brazilian cities. There are 50,000 homicides each year in Brazil, which is one of the highest rates in the world. A large number are concentrated in the favelas. However, residents do not just suffer at the hands of criminals; violence often arises from the police themselves. Such killings are registered as "acts of resistance". Also, human rights defenders, particularly those working on issues of police violence and land conflicts, suffer intimidation and violence. Domestic violence is also a daily reality in many homes. As signs of resistance we can share: the national domestic violence law signed in Brazil in 2006, Maria da Penha, which shares the perspective that domestic violence is a violation of the human rights of women and stipulates a national, integrated set of public policies to eradicate this grave problem; and some initiatives for platforms and participatory processes for citizenship in public policies.

We pray for:
The hundreds of thousands of children who are forced to live and work on the streets; that they may know your gentle touch and love; An end to political violence, torture and brutality by police and others who are charged with the well-being and safety of the people;
Respect for human rights, so that no one can deny others their basic liberty with impunity.
God of Peace, hear our prayer.
Sung response

An order of morning prayer for Brazil

Ecumenical Centre Morning PrayerMonday, 15 June 2009
Praying for Brazil through the ecumenical prayer cycle
this order of prayers was put together by Simei Monteiro and Elaine Neuenfeld

Prelude
Call to worship

Let there be the Word of God,
in every heart impearled.
The living Word
is told and heard for the healing of the world.

Let there be the Love of God
In Jesus Christ unfurled.
The Cross of death
gave life its breath
for the healing of the world.

Let there be the Wind of God.
Through all times it has whirled.
The Spirit moves,
reviews, renews
for the healing of the world.

Let there be the Church of God,
committed, true and bold.
The bread we share
in deed and prayer
for the healing of the world.

Song Agape # 54

Thanksgiving
God, we give you thanks and praise for:
The strength of the church in Brazil, the work of the National Council of Christian Churches, the witness of Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians, the work and commitment of ecumenical groups with the popular and contextual reading of the Bible and those who work to spread the Gospel on the streets and in the favelas.
Those who work for the liberation of the people, and for social, political and economic justice.
The beauty and biological diversity of the Amazonian rainforest – for parrots and the golden-headed lion tamarin, for the medicinal plants and the wisdom of the people who live at the margin of the Amazon (ribeirinhos); for the social movement in defense of the forest, rivers and indigenous land.
Feijoada, strong coffee, rice and beans - for daily bread, bread of justice, bread for all.
Carnival, popular fiesta, spread in all our regions, giving the diversity of colors, songs and when rich and poor dance together.

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 58:1-12
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.
"Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

Aleluia by Simei Monteiro

Gospel Reading Matthew 11:1-6
Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities. When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."

Reflecting and Interceding
(After each intercession and “God, hear our prayer” we will sing Kyrie)

Affirmation of Faith

L: Let us affirm our faith

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD of the magistrates
nor in the god of the generals or of patriotic oratory.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD of gloomy hymns
nor in the god of courtrooms
or of preambles or constitutions
and epilogues to eloquent speeches.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD of good fortune of the rich
nor in the god of fear of the wealthy
nor in the god of happiness of those who rob the people.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD of false peace
nor in the god of justice which is not of the people
nor in the god of venerable national traditions.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD of vacuous sermons
nor in the god of formal greetings
or of loveless marriages.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD made
in the image and likeness of the powerful
nor in the god invented as a sedative
for the misery and suffering of the poor.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD who sleeps within church walls
or lies hidden in church safes.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD of the commercialized Christmas
nor in the god of slick advertising.


I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE GOD made out of lies
as fragile as clay pots
nor in the god of the established order
which rests on disorder
and acquiesces in it.

THE GOD I BELIEVE IN was born in a cave.
He was a poor.
He was hounded by a foreign king
and wandered through Palestine.
He made the people his companions
and gave bread to the hungry,
light to those in darkness,
freedom to those who lay in bondage
and peace to those who prayed for justice.

THE GOD I BELIEVE IN
put human beings before law
and love in place of old traditions.
He had no stone on which to lay his head
and mixed with the poor.

His only dealings with learned people
were when they questioned his word.
He appeared before judges
who tried to find him guilty.
He was seen with the police
as a prisoner.
He entered the governor’s palace
to be flogged.

THE GOD I BELIEVE IN
wore a crown of thorns.
His tunic was woven entirely of blood.
He had escorts to clear his way before him to Calvary,
where he died, between thieves,
on the cross.

THE GOD I BELIEVE IN
is no other than
the son of Mary,
Jesus of Nazareth.

Every day he dies
crucified by our selfish acts.
Every day he rises from death
by the power of our love.

Song Momento Novo

Blessing

L. Let us ask for God's blessing

All: May God the Father grant us the grace that changes us.
May God the Son grant us the grace that saves us.
May the Spirit of life grant us the grace that makes us free.
And as we go on our way may we celebrate peace.

An order of worship praying for Kenya and Tanzia

Worship in the Ecumenical Centre Monday 11 May 2009
Praying for Kenya and Tanzania in the ecumenical prayer cycle

Musical preparation
We listen to a recording of Baba Yetu
Words of Welcome

Celebrant : Christos anesti!
All: Alithos anesti! (Greek)

Celebrant: Christ is risen!
All: Christ is risen indeed! (English)

Celebrant: Christ est ressuscité!
All : Christ est vraiment ressuscité! (French)

Celebrant: Christus ist auferstanden!
All: Christus ist wahrhaftig auferstanden! (German)

Celebrant : Cristo ha resucitado!
All: En verdad ha resucitado! (Spanish)

Celebrant :Yesu Amefufuka !
All: Amefufuka hakika! (Swahili)

Celebrant: Al-Masih qam!
All: Haqqan qam! (Arabic)

Song ~ Agape 98 ~ Utukufu in kiSwahili, English and then again in kiSwahili

Psalm 98
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have gained him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Song ~ Agape 10 ~ Bwana awabariki in Swahili, English, German

Prayer
God of Love, God of compassion, in the midst of death and evil you mercifully look after us: protecting, providing and smiling, constantly reassuring us of your care. Grant that we may know that your love is life. Teach us to number our days aright that we may acquire a heart of wisdom, through Jesus Christ whose life has become our light.
Amen

Please stand for the gospel reading and to sing:
Hale, Hale Hale lu-ja Hale, Hale Hale lu-ja Hale, Hale Hale lu-ja, Haleluja Haleluja!

John 15.9-17
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

Sing Hale, Hale Hale lu-ja Hale, Hale Hale lu-ja Hale, Hale Hale lu-ja, Haleluja Haleluja!

Meditation by Rogate Mshana

Prayers - our prayers of intercession today are based on the Lord's prayer.
We remember especially the people and churches in Kenya and Tanzania this week, praying for all who work for the good of civil society and peace with justice in these countries.

Our Father who art in heaven,
Beloved God, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all the peoples of the earth,
bring peace and righteousness to all the peoples. In your grace, may equity grow. Turn our hearts to you in healing and transformation.

hallowed be thy name.
Be present to all peoples,
that we may open our eyes and recognize you
in our history, in our cultures, in our struggles.
Deliver us from enchantment by the false goods of money, markets and status. Help us to praise you in our faith and actions,
that, seeing our loving service in your name,
others, too, may bless that name

Thy kingdom come;
Where people resist injustice,
live in solidarity,
and seek a more human social order,
help us to recognize the ferment of your kingdom already at work. Bless those who are poor, those who suffer for the sake of justice,
Those who promote and defend human rights.
Bless the children of our countries,
and protect them from terror and oppression.

Thy will be done,
Yes! That your wisdom would be our wisdom!
Deliver us from adjusting to unjust systems,
Move our hearts, and the hearts of women and men everywhere to act in love,
that we may resist the seductions of power and greed and may live in right relationship with all.

on earth as it is in heaven.
God, present in every movement of creation,
let us be responsible stewards of your garden of life.
striving for sustainability.
And as the firmament in all its mystery and glory
displays your cosmic will,
so may our lives display the mystery and glory of love,
your will for life on earth.

Give us this day our daily bread,
That no one may be threatened by hunger, malnutrition, scarcity, give bread to those who have none,
and hunger for justice to those who have bread.
Teach us what is enough for today,
and to share with those who have less than enough, for in this, it is Jesus whom we serve.

and forgive us our debts
Don't let us lose our lives,
as persons and as peoples,
because of our debts.
Let not the poorest pay for the benefit of the richest,
in unfair demands, punitive interest rates and excessive charges. But forgive us, and let justice prevail.

as we forgive our debtors.
As we live by your grace and sharing of your very self,
deliver us from systems of aggressive and divisive individualism.
Break our chains of selfishness, open our hearts to those who need our solidarity,
and deliver us from illusion,
that we might practise what we preach.

And lead us not into temptation,
Deliver us from being bewitched by power,
and keep us faithful to you;
for you are our help, where else can we appeal.
Money will not save us, nor the market, nor our powerful friends. Strengthen us to resist the false attraction of easy answers, magic fixes,
abuses of power,
and the delusion that there is any way apart from justice in which God's justice can be done.

but deliver us from evil.
From every evil that objectifies the earth, all living beings, and our neighbours; from every evil that degrades creation and destroys societies
from every evil that encourages us to think that we are God.
So may we learn from you to refrain from judgment,
to accord respect to all God's creation, and so be privileged to hear the witness of those the world treats with indignity.

Because yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.

The Lord's Prayer sung in French

Blessing

An Orthodox morning prayer for Easter time

Monday 27th of April, beginning of the Staff Planning Days

We pray for the churches and people in Eritrea and Ethiopia

Celebrant: Come, receive light from the resurrection light, and sing to Christ who is risen from the dead!

All : (Sing) Thy resurrection, O Christ our Savior ….

During this song the lights are still lit.
The Celebrant lights a candle and all the participants take a light from him. During this process, the celebrants are singing “Christ is risen from the dead” (in Greek)

Celebrant: Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, let those who hate Him flee from before His face
Sung: (English) ‘Oh Christ is risen from the dead and thru death He did trample, trample upon death and thus bestowed on those in the tombs the gift of eternal life’

Celebrant: As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish as wax melts before the fire
Sung: Greek
Celebrant: So the sinners will perish before the face of God but let the righteous be glad
Sung: German
Celebrant: This is the day which the Lord has make. Let us rejoice and be glad in it
Sung:French
Celebrant: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Sung: English
Celebrant: Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
Sung: Greek
Celebrant: Christ is reason from the dead, trampling down death by death …
Sung: German

Celebrant: Wisdom, Let us attend. Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace unto all!
All: And to your Spirit

Celebrant: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark 16, 1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

The Great Litany
In peace, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison” (three times initially and then once after each intention)
For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
For this holy house and for those who enter with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful dwelling in them and governments marked by peace and justice, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
For the faithful witness of Ethiopian and Eritrean Christians, their ancient traditions, and the new possibilities for proclaiming the faith of the risen Christ….
“Kyrie eleison”
For reasonable weather, for abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
For travellers by land, by sea, and by air; refugees and those who have been displaced from their homes and villages, for the sick and the suffering affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases; for captives and their salvation, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord
“Kyrie eleison”
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace
“Kyrie eleison”
Let us pray
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We venerate Thy Cross, O Christ, and we praise and give glory to Thy holy Resurrection; for Thou art our God, and we know no other than Thee; we call on Thy name. Come, all you faithful, let us venerate Christ’s holy resurrection. For, behold, through the Cross, joy has come into all the world. Let us ever bless the Lord, praising His resurrection, for by enduring the Cross for us, He has destroyed death by death.

Prayer from the Armenian Orthodox Church
Awesome and marvelous is the mystery of our salvation. He, who is from the Father without beginning, in an ineffable manner was incarnate of the Virgin. He endured the cross and by his voluntary death granted us the gift of life.
For Christ, the eternal God, arose from the dead, the creator and the resurrection of all mankind; the hosts of angels and all the vigilant angels in heaven unceasingly praise him; with them we cry aloud and say: glory to thy awesome resurrection O Lord.

Easter Proclamation

Celebrant : Christos anesti!
All: Alithos anesti! (Greek)

Celebrant: Christ is risen!
All: He is risen indeed! (English)
Celebrant: Christ est ressuscité!
All : Il est vraiment ressuscité! (French)

Celebrant: Christus ist auferstanden!
All: Er ist wahrhaftig auferstanden! (German)

Celebrant: Khristos voskrésye!
All: Voistinu voskrésne! (Slavonic)

Celebrant :Si Cristo ay nabuhay !
All: shianga eye naboo hi!(Filipino)

Celebrant : Christoo weer tellen dar
All: Om, Christoo weer tellen dar!(Tamil)

Celebrant : Cristo ha resucitado!
All: En verdad ha resucitado! (Spanish)

Celebrant :Yesu Amefufuka !
All: Amefufuka hakika! (Swahili)

Celebrant : Nitsangana tami’ny maty i Kristy !
All: Nitsangana marina tokoa izy! (Malagasy)

Celebrant: Christos haryav I merelotz!
All: Orhvial e Haroutiunn Christosi! (Armenian)

Celebrant : Christus is opgestaan !
All : Hij is waarlijk opgestaan ! (Dutch)

Celebrant: Al-Masih qam!
All: Haqqan qam! (Arabic)

Celebrant: Christ is Risen
All: Christ is risen from the dead….

A bright new flower has appeared this day out of the new tomb. Souls, have blossomed and are, adorned with diverse hues, and have become green with life. The florescence of divine light has bloomed in the spiritual spring. He who died for us in love, has raised with him our fallen nature. The light of the resurrection has shone in the darkness of the shadows of death. And the seraph with wings spread sat shining on the rock.
Christ is risen from the dead ! He trampled down death by death, and by his resurrection granted life unto us. Glory unto him for all ages. Amen

Awesome and marvelous is the mystery of our salvation. He, who is from the Father without beginning, in an ineffable manner was incarnate of the Virgin. He endured the cross and by his voluntary death granted us the gift of life.
For Christ, the eternal God, arose from the dead, the creator and the resurrection of all mankind; the hosts of angels and all the vigilant angels in heaven unceasingly praise him; with them we cry aloud and say: glory to thy awesome resurrection O Lord.

Recessional Hymn – Roll Away the Stone
They have been saying, all our plans are empty.
They have been saying, ‘Where is their God now?
Refrain – Roll away the stone, see the glory of God, roll away the stone.

They have been saying, no one will remember; they have been saying ‘power rules the world’ Refrain

They have been saying no one hears the singing, they have been saying ‘all our strength is gone’. Refrain

They have been saying, all of us are dying, they have been saying ‘all of us are dead’ Refrain

A water liturgy for the time of Lent

This service was put together for worship in the Ecumenical Centre on Monday 2 March 2009. Many of the prayers come from the WCC assembly worship book "Em Tua Graça" and the motivation for doing a service on water comes from the Ecumenical Water Network's Seven Weeks for Water.

Learn how to make your own rain stick from recycled material. We were lucky enough to have one amongst our amazing variety of instruments.

Longing for Water and for Justice

~ Water Stick ~ Welcome ~ Water Stick ~

Prayer
Holy Spirit, Life-giver, who moved over the waters in creation, who led your people through the waters of the Red Sea to liberation, and who comforted your exiled people by the waters of Babylon, draw us together as we gather in your name.

Tears
Sing: By the Rivers of Babylon
By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down
And there we wept when we remembered Zion (twice)

Carried us away to captivity, required of us a song
How can we sing Jehovah's song in a strange land (twice)

By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down
And there we wept when we remembered Zion (twice)

Longing and searching
Psalm 42
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me continually,
‘Where is your God?’

We sing two verses of Psalm 42 (sung lightly, as a dance)
Comme un cerf assoiffé brame,
Recherchant le frais des eaux
O Seigneur, ainsi mon âme
Soupire après tes ruisseaux !
Elle a soif du Dieu vivant
Et s'écrie, en le suivant :
O mon Dieu, quand donc sera-ce
Que mes yeux verront ta face ?

Mon seul pain, ce sont mes larmes
Et nuit et jour, en tout lieu.
Au milieu du bruit des armes,
On me dit : Que fait ton Dieu ?
Je repense à ta maison,
Où j'allais en procession,
Chantant avec les fidèles
Tes louanges immortelles.

Palm 63
O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

Sing verse three of Psalm 42
Quel chagrin donc te dévore ?
Toi mon coeur, rassure-toi !
Espère en Dieu, car encore
Tu pourras louer ton Roi !
D'un regard, assurément,
Il guérira ton tourment :
Mon Dieu, je sais que mon âme
Près de toi reprend son calme !

Litany of commitment (read in Spanish)
By the rivers in Fortaleza, we sat down and cried for the cholera victims
In those who lived there we saw sadness and didn't know what to say.
People who lived there did not have songs on their lips
They wanted joy but with neither water nor health, there was no way to be joyful

How could we sing praise to the Lord in the midst of such suffering?
If we forget you, may we go thirsty.
May our lips be dry if we forget you, if we don't bring back water, health and joy.

Judge, Lord, our elites, for their neglect and greed have long mistreated us.
But remember Fortaleza, your children in Ceara, Harare, Bangladesh ... who suffer from thirst and cholera;
don't let the earth go dry

Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.
Amen (copyright Napoleao Marcos Mendes In Esperança Viva, CLAI, 1995)

We keep silence, listen to the sound of the rain stick and then rise to sing a different setting of Psalm 42 in Agape 92 verses 1-3

Isaiah 41:17-18 (read in French)
When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them,
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.

John 7: 37-38 (read in French)
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” ’

Meditation

Prayers of intercession (read in French and German)
Spirit of creation, you hovered over the formless void and separated waters from waters:
we ask your guidance in our stewardship of water, that it may enhance the goodness of your world.
We pray for all the people of the earth, that we may realize our place within nature
and live in harmony with all the elements and organisms that are your abiding gift.

Sung response

Spirit of encouragement, you offered signs of hope despite the flood,
providing creatures the safety of an ark and extending an olive branch for the dove to carry home:
we pray for those who have suffered through the rising tide
of tsunamis, typhoons, hurricanes and floodwaters of every kind.
We pray for those who mourn, that they may be comforted in the knowledge of your eternal care.

Sung response

We pray for the poor and for all who work together to rebuild societies in hope of a better world.
We pray for a generation that has failed to confront global warming and rapid climate change;
save us Lord from the harsh storms of nature, but most of all save us from ourselves

Sung response

We pray for spiritual resources to aid us in reaching out to others, meeting them where they are,
so that we may offer a cup of fresh water to the thirsty, and the word of life to all.
Pray in our prayers, loving Spirit, that our own spirits may be revitalized
Just as gentle healing water brings new growth to a parched and barren land.
In the name of the triune God we pray.
Amen (copyright WCC in Em Tua Graça)

The Lord's Prayer in our different languages

Blessing
May God the Father grant us the grace that changes us
May God the Spirit grant us the grace that saves us
May the Spirit of life grant us the grace that makes us free
And as we go on our way may we celebrate peace

(copyright Antônio Carlos Soares de Santos, Brazil)

Sing Agape 64 ~ O healing River

Sabeel's reflection on the situation in Gaza

SABEEL’S REFLECTION ON GAZA

The Narrow Gate of Justice

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

On Saturday, December 27, 2008, as the children of Gaza were about to leave their schools to return home, the Israeli air force carried a massive air attack against the people of Gaza. In less than 4 hours, over 150 people were killed and 200 injured – men, women, and children. By the end of the fourth day, over 390 Palestinians were killed and almost 2,000 injured. On the Israeli side, 4 were killed and no statistics are available on the number of injured.

FACTS ABOUT THE GAZA STRIP:

Population: 1.5 million. 75% of them are refugees. 45% of them are under 14 years.

Area: 360 sq km, 139 sq miles.

Population density: 4,167 people/sq km (The highest in the world.)

80% of Gazan households live below the poverty line, subsisting on less than $3 per person a day. 80% of all Gazan families would literally starve without food aid from international agencies.

The Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, similar to that of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, started with the 1967 June war. In September 2005, the Israeli army pulled out of Gaza and removed its illegal settlements. However, the illegal Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip did not come to an end. Israel maintained its tight control over Gaza’s borders (air, land, and sea). To make things even worse, Israel imposed a siege on Gaza in June 2007, thus tightening its border restrictions and causing the humanitarian conditions to deteriorate further. Under the brutal siege, every aspect of the lives of the people of Gaza was controlled. They were totally dependent on Israel for fuel, electricity, cooking gas, medical supplies, food supplies (even flour), building material, etc. Israel made sure that the Palestinians would remain alive at barely the survival and basic subsistence level.

On November 14, 2008, UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon issued a statement that said, “The Secretary-General is concerned that food and other life saving assistance is being denied to hundreds of thousands of people, and emphasizes that measures which increase the hardship and suffering of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as a whole are unacceptable and should cease immediately.”

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

FIRST: A word about tahdi’a (the period of calm or truce). It is important to note that among the terms of tahdi’a was the understanding that Israel would lift the siege of the Gaza Strip, and gradually extend the truce to the West Bank. This Israel did not do. It only partially lifted the siege and allowed a trickle of vital commodities into Gaza which kept the people at the level of mere survival. Israel’s raids into the West Bank continued on a daily basis and scores of Palestinians were arrested or assassinated.

The International Herald Tribune reported on December 19, 2008 that it was Hamas’ understanding that after the tahdi’a Israel would open the crossings and allow the transfer of goods that have been banned since the siege was imposed. There was never a return to the 500 – 600 truckloads of goods shipments that used to go into the Gaza Strip before the siege. “The number of trucks increased to around 90 from around 70.” The facts and figures tell the real story. Sadly, however, many western leaders have shut their ears, eyes, and mouths against the cry of the oppressed and they fell into the deceptive snares of Israel. Most of the world judges Israel by what it says and not by what it does; while they close their ears to the comprehensive and workable 2002 Peace Initiative adopted by all the Arab leaders including the Palestinians. Even Hamas has agreed to a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders as expressed to President Carter on his latest visit to Syria.

SECOND: So long as Israel holds the Palestinians in general and the Gazans in particular under occupation, they (the Palestinians) have the right, according to international law, to resist the “seemingly never ending” belligerent occupation and struggle for their liberation. Israel, therefore, cannot demand from the international community sympathy and political support and from the Palestinians calm and security, while it maintains its inhuman and illegal occupation. It is only when Israel ends its occupation that it can have a legitimate right to defend its borders. Israel stands in violation of international law and is the aggressor due to its belligerent occupation.

THIRD: The Arab leaders and governments can do more for peace. Many people accuse them of a conspiracy of silence. Most of the Arab people are ashamed of the positions of their governments because they have not used their resources collectively to end the occupation. Sabeel is not talking about the use of force although many of our Arab people do. We believe that the Arab governments could have contributed much more towards a resolution of the Palestine-Israel conflict through nonviolent means. Tragically, this did not happen.

FOURTH: Although Sabeel wishes that Hamas and other Palestinian factions had chosen a nonviolent way to resist the Israeli siege, we feel that the disproportionate use of military force against the Gaza Strip and the number of casualties that it produced must be strongly condemned. It is a shame that once again many western leaders have failed to see the deeper issues that are involved. They chose to stand with the occupier rather than with the occupied, with the oppressor rather than the oppressed, and with the powerful rather than with the weak. It is important to continue the resistance against the belligerent occupation. But we call on our Palestinian people to abandon the armed struggle and to choose a more potent and effective way – the way of nonviolence. We can do it and we can win. The Palestinians are capable of setting an example for the rest of the world. This is what we must do; and this is what can restore to us our human pride and dignity.

In fact, we must look to a world where wars, and weapons of violence and destruction would be banned and where oppressed nations would choose the higher moral ground and resist the evil of belligerent occupations by nonviolent means. We hope for a world where a reformed United Nations would never be held hostage by powerful nations, but would enjoy the freedom to establish justice for the oppressed of the world.

FIFTH: We believe that the real message of the Palestinians to the world is a genuine cry for freedom and liberation. The Palestinians did not initiate the violence. The prolonged illegal Israeli occupation is the real cause for the violence in our area. Israel has shut the door on justice. The only way that can guarantee a lasting resolution of the conflict is for the United States’ new administration to dare and open the door of justice. We believe that it is the narrow gate of which Jesus Christ spoke. It is the gate that leads to a life of peace and security. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” This is the narrow gate of justice. This is the basis of international law. The way of military domination, occupation, violence, and wars is the wide gate that leads to destruction; while the gate that seems narrow and hard is the one that leads to justice, peace and security for both sides. We have tried the wide gate and it has only brought us destruction. It is high time to try the narrow gate of justice so that we might find life.

Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

Jerusalem

December 31, 2008

www.sabeel.org