Table of Contents
Liturgy for Contemporary Service in the Courtyard
April 25, 2024, 6 pm
Located in the Labyrinth Courtyard, entrance on 2700 block of Sixth Avenue. The Labyrinth will be open for walking throughout the day and after the service.
Thank you for joining us this evening for this outdoor worship service. Please follow along in this simple liturgy. Services take place on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, except for January, February, July, and December.
Regular text will be said by the leader, text in bold can be said in unison. Please participate as you feel led, or feel free to rest in quiet contemplation.
We are glad you are here.
Prelude
INGATHERING MUSIC
ASHES IN THE SEA
ANTOINE DUFOUR
MEDITATIVE INTROIT
EARTH SONG
FRANK TICHELLI – VOCES 8
sing, be, live, see
this dark stormy hour
the wind, it stirs
the scorched earth cries out in vain
oh war and power, you blind and blur
the torn heart cries out in pain
but music and singing have been my refuge
and music and singing shall be my light
a light of song, shining strong
hallelujah, hallelujah
through darkness and pain and strife
I’ll sing, I’ll be, live, see
peace
Welcome
The worship leader or a clergy person welcomes all to the gathering.
Opening
We begin with a few moments of silence, to center ourselves and enter into God’s presence.
Officiant: Alleluia, Christ is risen!
All: The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Officiant: Let us pray together.
All: As the darkness of evening closes in,
Blessed One, you are our Light,
Keep this community in peace and safety.
through the hours of the night to come.
As lamps fill our homes with brightness
send also the illumination of your Holy Spirit
to enlighten and cheer our hearts.
Grant us tranquil evening hours,
sleep in good conscience,
and a peaceful waking, renewed by your love,
through Christ, our Defender and Daystar. Amen.
Adapted from Simple Prayers for Complicated Lives, by Jennifer Phillips; New York: Church Publishing, 2006
The Officiant now lights the candles at the Altar as we meditate in silence.
Officiant: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5.
Song of Praise
All: The whole bright world rejoices now, Alleluia.
The birds do sing on every bough, Alleluia.
Then shout beneath the racing skies, Alleluia,
To him who rose that we might rise, Alleluia.
And all you living things make praise, Alleluia,
He guideth you in all your ways, Alleluia.
The Psalms (Canticle For Easter)
Led by Lector
We read the Canticle responsively, one verse read by the leader, the next (in bold) by the congregation.
A Song of the Wilderness Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, * the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, * and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, * the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, * and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! * Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, * and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, * and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness * and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool * and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, * with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, * and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Lesson
Led by Lector
A Reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel 36:24-28
I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Reflection
A personal meditation on experiencing resurrection or renewal of life
Music
Fall In Love With The Earth
Alyssa Creasy, John Creasy, Ken Medema, Andra Moran, Bryan Sirchio, Beverly Vander Molen
Now we know creation calls on us to change
And the changes that we need will not be small
There are many ways we know we need to grow
And if there’s one that matters most of all
Maybe it’s as simple as this
It’s time for humankind
To fall in love with the Earth
With the morning sunlight scattered through the trees
And the gentle wind that ruffles children’s hair
And the noisy music of the flying geese
Surrounded by these wonders everywhere
Maybe it’s as simple as this
It’s time for humankind
To fall in love with the Earth
Now our hearts and minds must all be rearranged
And the honest truth is there is no easy way
Our economies and systems must be changed
Tomorrow’s children count on us today
Maybe it’s as simple as this
It’s time for humankind
to fall in love with the Earth
Prayers
Prayer leader: God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader Loving God, in this season of resurrection we give you thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made.
All Give us thankful hearts, O God.
Leader We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
All Give us thankful hearts, O God.
Leader We thank you for the Easter promise of new life, symbolized by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
All Give us thankful hearts, O God.
Leader We ask you now to keep us mindful of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to the service of love,
and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days.
All Give us thankful hearts, O God.
Leader We pray in the name of the one who died and rose for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
All AMEN
Adapted from The General Thanksgiving, Book of Common Prayer
Creative Response
read by DARIEN DELORENZO
A Creation Care Poem by Susan Brecht
The light of God surrounds me, guiding me on my path.
It opens my eyes to wonder, as the world around me bursts into colour.
It fills me with joy and awe
at the beauty of God’s creation.
Leaves shimmer and dance in the breeze
as the light of God shines on them.
The rocks above grace the skyline.
The light dances on the water
as it cascades down the mountain.
The light of God surrounds me,
as birds soar overhead,
and ground squirrels scamper across my path.
I see that all nature is filled with God’s light.
It is a part of everything.
The light of God allows all the worries and cares I carry with me
to fall away,
as I rest in the present moment,
at one with nature and God.
The light of God surrounds us all.
Open our eyes to see and give thanks.
The Blessing and Dismissal
Officiant: May God bestow upon us Easter blessings. May God make us one in love and service. May God Grant us freedom and peace. In the name of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.
Leader: Let us go forth rejoicing in the promise of life renewed.
All: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
THE GROUND
OLA GJELIO – TENEBRAE CHOIR
Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Osana in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domina. Benedictus qui venit. Osana in excelsis. Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi. Dona nobis pacem
Heaven and earth are full of your Glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is he who comes. Hosanna in the highest.
Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Grant us peace.
Worship Leaders
Officiant: Wanda Porrata
Music: Frank Borik
Reflection: Diane Lopez-Hughes
Lector: Ellen Hargus
Prayer: Jen Jow
Creative Response: Darien DeLorenzo
Thank you for worshiping with us tonight.
After the service we will be going over to Barrio Star celebrating Dine Out for Life to End HIV. Proceeds of 25% go to SD LGBT Community Center. Please RSVP with Jen Jow 619-840-2327.
Would you like to participate in a future service? We practice community-led worship. Whether you would like to read something, contribute a spoken piece or musical offering, or help with organization- you are welcome! Please email jowj@stpaulcathedral.org.