Vigilant and Faithful Servants
August 9, 2025
Responder: Linda
Presider: Juanita
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87935930592?pwd=qZlKA506MIS9okXQQxBkaKsyhsZJDV.1
Opening Song: Earthen Vessels lyrics video
https://youtu.be/r0XieYiJD2Y?si=_PDDDfweie9nh12v
Presider:
In the name of God our Creator, Jesus our Brother and the Holy Spirit. R: Amen.
Presider:
The grace and peace of our Gentle God,
and our brother Jesus, the Christ be with you.
R: And also, with you.
Expressions of Gratitude:
Presider: We ask for the grace to continually acknowledge our need to grow in goodness, peace, and caring for ourselves and others.
Presider: God, you created us in your likeness, living among us, naming us as your own.
R: Strengthen us to bring honor and glory to your name.
Presider: God, you sustain us in our daily lives, offering your love and grace, guiding us as your children.
R: Lead us to transformation and action.
Presider: God, you promise us eternal hope, raising us up, calling us to new life in you.
R: Lead us to acts of heartfelt compassion for others.
Presider: Loving God, whose glory it is always to be merciful, may your Word take root in us and bring forth an openness of heart in all our words and deeds. Amen
Presider: Opening Prayer:
By the wisdom and grace of God, may we bridge that chasm between the treasures of God and the things we are accumulating; may the treasures of our own hearts mirror the treasures of God.
Creator God, we thank you for the gift of time you have given us. May we use these precious moments you have entrusted to us wisely and creatively. May we make ready the wedding feast of your Son, welcoming and serving others at our own humble tables as we await the great banquet of your kin-dom.
Patti: May the scriptures we read today become living bread.
May your spirit empower them to shape us in Jesus’ likeness.
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom 18: 6-9 Lucia
The night of deliverance had been foretold to our ancestors so they could know the power of God’s promise and joyfully take courage. This was the expectation of Your people, O God: the saving of the righteous and the ruin of their enemies; for by the same act which You took vengeance on our foes, You made us glorious by calling us to You. Devout parents begot faithful children, whose Passover sacrifice was offered behind closed doors. And this was the covenant they all made with God: that the holy people would share all things -blessings and dangers alike.
The Word of our God R: Thanks be to God
Psalm 33: Happy the people who are chosen to be God’s own. Marita
Rejoice in the Beloved, O you, holy ones! Praise is the grace of the loving.
Praise the Beloved with strings and reeds; Give praise with dance and leaps; sing a new song, and shout with joyful heart!
For, the Beloved dwells in every heart that is open and free; Into our hands, into our hearts, does the Beloved surrender, that we might do with love what we will, Do we not know, that the nations are not saved by military fight, just as generals are not saved by their own strength? All such arms are outward expressions of greed in fearful hearts; They will reap only despair and destruction. (Psalms for Praying: Nan Merrill)
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19 Kathy N.
Faith is the confident assurance of what we hope for, the conviction about things we do not see. Because of faith, our ancestors were approved by God. By faith, Sarah and Abraham obeyed when they were called, and went forth to the place they were to receive as a heritage; they went forth, moreover, not knowing where they were going. By faith, Sarah and Abraham lived in the promised land as aliens in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with their children and grandchildren, who were heirs of the same promise; for they were looking forward to the city with foundations, whose designer and maker is God. By faith, Sarah received the ability to conceive even though she was past the age, for she thought that the One who made the promise was worthy of trust. As a result of this faith, there came forth from one woman and one, man, themselves as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands of the seashore.
All of these died in faith. They did not obtain what had been promised, but saw and welcomed it from afar. By acknowledging themselves to be strangers and exiles on earth, they showed that they were seeking a country of their own. If they had been thinking back to the place from which they had come, they would have had the opportunity of returning there. But they were searching for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, and has prepared a city for them
By faith, Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. Abraham who had received the promises were ready to sacrifice his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac will your descendants be called.” He reasoned that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, and so he received Isaac back as a symbol.
The Word of our God R: Thanks be to God!
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia Misa Delgado Book1 by Lester Delgado
https://youtu.be/uilfwfd-U_g
Our God of vigilance be with you. And also with you.
A reading from the Holy Scriptures according to Luke 12: 32-48
Jesus said to his disciples: Do not live in fear, little flock. God is pleased to have given you the Kin-dom. Sell everything you have and give it to charity. Make yourself purses that do not wear out, for a never -failing reassure in heaven which no thief can steal or moth can destroy. Where ever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.
“Let your belts be fastened around your waists and your lamps be burning ready. Be like household workers awaiting the owner’s return from a wedding, so that when the householder arrives and knocks, you will open the door without delay. It will go well with those workers whom the owner finds wide awake upon returning. I tell you, the householder will put on an apron, seat them at table, and proceed to wait on them.
Should the owner happen to come at midnight, or before sunrise, and find them prepared, it will go well with them.
Jesus said to the disciples, “You know as well as I that had the home-owner known when the thief was coming, the intruder would never have broken in. Be on your guard, therefore. The Promised One will come when least expected.
Peter said, “Do you intend this parable just for us, Teacher, or do you mean it for everyone?” Jesus said,” Isn’t it a faithful and farsighted steward whom the employer will make a supervisor to dispense the workers’ rations at the proper time? And won’t such a worker be well rewarded whom the owner upon returning finds busy? Assuredly, the owner will put the worker in charge of the entire estate! But if the workers thinks, my employer is slow in returning, and begins to abuse the other workers, to eat and drink and get drunk, that worker’s employer will return unexpected; the worker will be severely punished, and ranked among those undeserving of trust. The worker who knew the one who did the owner’s wishes but did not work to fulfill them will get a severe beating, whereas the one who did not know them and nonetheless deserved to be flogged will get off with a few blows. Much will be required of you who have given much. More will be asked of you whom more has been entrust.
The Good News of Salvation! R: Glory and Praise to Our Savior Jesus Christ!
Homilist: John
Profession of Faith
(adapted from the Ionian Creed) Rita Alternate with Cathy P.
We believe God is present
in the darkness before dawn;
in the waiting and uncertainty
where fear and courage join hands,
where conflict and caring link arms,
and the sun rises over all struggles.
We believe Jesus, our brother
is with us in our midst, sharing our humanity.
We affirm a faith that takes us beyond safe places
to experience vulnerability and action,
within the margins of society.
Presider: We believe the Spirit is present in our lives inspiring us for God’s beloved community of hope.
Intentions: Janet
As we prepare for our sacred meal, we are all called to serve one another. We bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words, “I bring to the table…
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
SIGN OF PEACE: Gerry
Christ Jesus, you said to your friends: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our failings, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kin-dom where you live for ever and ever.
Amen.
The peace of Christ be always with you.
R: And also, with you.
Let us offer each other a sign of Christ’s peace.
Our table is set, let us now offer our gifts to God.
Offering of the Gifts:
Galen: Blessed are you, God of all creation, for through your goodness
We have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, It will become for us the bread of life.
R: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who shared himself in our humanity.
Janet: Blessed are you God of all creation, through your goodness
We have received this wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Jay Cee: With humble spirit and loving hearts may you, O God, accept us and may the offering that we bring to this table be pleasing to you.
Prayer over the Gifts
Presider: God, take our hands; take our lives,
Take these simple gifts we bring, that we might share in a common desire to help prepare the feast for all your people. We ask this through Jesus the Christ. Amen
(adapted from All Desires Known – Janet Morley p. 137)
Eucharistic Prayer
Presider: God is with you. R: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts. R: We lift our hearts to God and to one another.
Presider: Let us give thanks to our God. R: It is good to give God thanks and praise.
Presider: Holy One, through your all-inclusive spirit of kinship, you call us into a vision of a Beloved Community.
We gather together to give you thanks and praise
You are the one God, living and true, from the beginning of all time and throughout all eternity.
Marita:
God, you are the source of life and goodness. You fill your creatures with every blessing. You lead your people throughout the world to the transforming vision of your love. May we be strengthened to build communities of justice, peace, and inclusivity in our church and in our world. For this we are always grateful and we place our hope and trust in you.
Presider: Therefore, with people of all faiths
in every part of the world, we join with all of heaven as we proclaim:
Holy: Kevin Keil
https://youtu.be/aQ7_z45lw4g?si=X5Hu1c56AYvUV47C
Presider: Holy One, we acknowledge your greatness, your wisdom and your power.
You have formed us in your likeness,
and knit us in our mother’s womb.
You call us to serve you and one another.
You have entrusted to us the gift of your creation:
this precious earth with all its amazing life forms.
In each, and every being you place upon the earth, your covenant is revealed.
Gerry:
God, You so cherished the world, and your people, that in your love for us you took on flesh in Jesus. To transform the world, Jesus gave up divine privilege and chose a life of service and love. His acts define both his greatness and our discipleship. Help us to transform our privilege into actions for those who are oppressed, who struggle without homes, or suffer with hunger, illness, and loneliness. May we too proclaim the message of kinship that Jesus shared, having faith that nothing can separate us from your unceasing and eternal love.
Teresa:
We celebrate how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is also the revelation of our own eternal life in you. We ask that through this Eucharistic meal we be nourished and sustained. Through your Holy Spirit, continue to open our hearts to you and to one another. Gather all who share this one bread and one cup into the one Body of Christ.
Presider: We extend our hands over our bread and wine in unity with the Spirit:
Loving God, pour out your Spirit upon ``this bread and wine, so that these gifts may become the + Body and + Blood of Jesus. We celebrate this great mystery and everlasting covenant which Jesus left to us.
Presider: As we lift our bread, we remember how,
on the night before he died, Jesus took bread and gave God thanks and praise. He broke the bread and gave it to his friends saying:
Presider and All:
“Take and eat, this is my Body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
Presider: As we lift our cup we remember how,
after supper Jesus lifted the cup of wine.
He blessed and praised God, and shared the cup with his
friends saying:
Presider and All: “This is the cup of the new Covenant of my Love poured out for you. As often as you drink of it, remember me.
Presider: Let us proclaim the Mystery of our Faith.
Presider and All:
Christ is the Love in whom we believe, the Wisdom in whom we trust, and the Compassion that calls us to Justice.
Chrys: We thank you for the fullness of your grace, that never ceases. Send your Spirit sweeping throughout all human institutions. Transform our structures and traditions to create a world responsive to your vision so that we might complete the work of Jesus. Inspire us to confront patriarchal systems that discriminate against women and all those who are alienated. Inspire us to dismantle white privilege and truly live in ways where all people are treated equal, as they are in your sight.
Gina: Inspire all leaders throughout the world to model compassion, justice, peace, and love. Guide all members of our community, our priests, our Pope Leo, and our Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, to seek you with sincere hearts. May each of us be aware of our own moments of leadership so that we might embrace the challenges of these times and provide moral leadership to build the Beloved kin-dom
of peace for all Creation.
All:
Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God of all! May glory and honor be yours,
forever and ever. Amen
Presider: Bread and wine is transformed by Your Spirit and we are transformed when we open ourselves to Your Spirit. Every time we share this bread and wine we choose to be transformed. We choose to love as You love us.
Karen: We share this bread and cup to proclaim the gospel of justice and peace. Share the bread with the words: You are a messenger of light
Communion Song:
One Bread, One Body John Foley
https://youtu.be/WHAu3fLF7NI?si=G1pi1GjUeUQd0TO-
Prayer After Communion
Karla: Holy One, we know you as the voice of kindness within. We recognize you as the Source of our hope, our faith and our love. We are grateful for the gift of your Spirit, always adding beauty and balance to a fragile and needy world.
Like Jesus, standing where he stood,
and for what he stood
and with whom he stood,
we stand united in your Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of Jesus:
Cathy W: O Holy One, who is within, around, and among us,
we celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come. Your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us, and the celebration among us,
now and forever. Amen. -- Miriam Therese Winter
BLESSING
Penny: Please raise your hands as we bless each other
May the Presence of the Creator God comfort us,
May we be faithful disciples of Jesus,
May our hearts expand, reaching higher and further for a spacious and generous love,
And may we always be willing to see the other as a mirror of God in our lives. Amen.
Presider: As we leave this Liturgy and are sent forth, let us be open to the call of Christ for each of us in this coming week.
Dismissal: Nick
Closing Song: Rise Up by Maggie Wheeler and Golden Bridge Community Choir - with lyrics
https://youtu.be/jPXHphr0tT0?si=WUG9EhgRO-7Z3WcW
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