We are gathered today on the occupied territory of the Sana and Tonkawa People who have stewarded this land for generations.
Taizé Worship
Welcome to worship at Treehouse. Tonight we will worship in the style of the Taize Community in France, an ecumenical monastic community committed to peace. This style of worship is quiet and contemplative, with a “grand silence” in the middle for your own prayer, meditation, or reflection. Allow your spirits to settle into the mystery and stillness of this worship. God welcomes you here tonight.
Psalm 149
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing God’s praise in the assembly of the faithful!
Let Israel celebrate its maker;
let Zion’s children rejoice in their king!
Let them praise God’s name with dance;
let them sing God’s praise with the drum and lyre!
Because the Lord is pleased with his people,
God will beautify the poor with saving help.
Let the faithful celebrate with glory;
let them shout for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
to get revenge against the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
binding their rulers in chains
and their officials in iron shackles,
achieving the justice
written against them.
That will be an honor for all God’s faithful people.
Praise the Lord!
Luke 6:20-31
Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said:
“Happy are you who are poor,
because God’s kingdom is yours.
Happy are you who hunger now,
because you will be satisfied.
Happy are you who weep now,
because you will laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One. Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
But how terrible for you who are rich,
because you have already received your comfort.
How terrible for you who have plenty now,
because you will be hungry.
How terrible for you who laugh now,
because you will mourn and weep.
How terrible for you when all speak well of you.
Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets.
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.
The Grand Silence
You are invited to enter into a time of silence, prayer, and contemplation. If you are unsure how to do this, you might a) try speaking to God as if speaking to a friend; b) quiet your mind by slowly repeat a phrase from one of the songs or readings from tonight; or c) allow your mind to wander back over your day, asking yourself where you felt most full of life and where you felt most drained, then considering how God was present in both of those experiences.
Prayers
Faithful God, source of every blessing:
teach us to love our enemies,
to bless those who curse us,
to pray for those who persecute us,
to turn the other cheek,
to share our possessions,
to give to those who are in need,
and to do to others
as we would have them do to us,
so that we may join that company of blessed saints
who feast with you in heaven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sending Prayer
Blessed are you who make room at your table
for in that way even tax-collectors shall be redeemed
Blessed are you who seek out lost sheep
for your seeking you find more than a lamb
Blessed are you who touch the leper
for you make a home for the excluded
Blessed are you who welcome the prodigal
for you express the fullness of the love that is God
Blessed are the silenced
for you hear the cry of God
Blessed are you who make friends with your enemy
for you know the way to lasting peace
Blessed are you who turn the other cheek
for you show more strength than the oppressor
Blessed are you who break bread with the stranger
you will have a foretaste of the kingdom
Blessed are you who heal on the Sabbath
you will reveal what is important to God
Blessed are you who seek company with the outcast and unclean
for you shall be accompanying Jesus
Blessed are you who overturn the tables
you are the freedom fighters of love
Blessed are you who love your neighbour
for you already live in the realm of God
Blessed are you who walk the way
for you shall move within the company of heaven
Blessed are you who carry a cross
for you shall see God’s wisdom
Blessed are you who wait for the morning
for you shall see the renewal of life
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