Good Friday ~ Worship

1. How will you pray and worship today?
Today several United Churches gathered in a Roman Catholic Church beside the smaller United Church, because of the size. Our Roman Catholic friends had been invited as well, by their Priest who welcomed us. This has been a tradition for some time, though taking turns it doesn't happen for several years. One of their Liturgy Committee members told us about the Stations of the Cross, Then one by one each was brought forward and someone spoke their meaning. We sang a chorus between each. It was a wonderful invitation to wade into the scene held before us and stand among the people in each Station. The hymns and prayers offered praise, Christ's pain, who in the Stations met us in our own pain of living and dying.

After, we went across the parking lot to the United Church together for hot cross buns and tea and coffee as today's disciples and in anticipation of the Rising.

At our own church last night we met in our Maunday Thursday Service, sitting at tables, eating bread, sipping wine, or grape juice. It was a darkened sanctuary with candles and very little light. Hearing scripture and offering prayers. There were those who washed each other's feet as the symbolic washing that Jesus did for his own 12 disciples. We prayed before entering and left with our minister reading of Psalm 22...until all had left.
(I doubt, however, the disciples at their last supper were as quiet as we were, but it seemed fitting for we knew what had come after, they did not know that yet.)

2. Share a powerful memory or memories of Good Friday past.
The last time the Priest, I recall, wondered if might borrow the service, or at least the sermon. We are still far apart, but gaining insight and acceptance of other Denominations and Faiths. More and more realizing the Truth that all are one, for we are all created equal by God, in God's love. The God who owns a genderless, colourless, wholeness so abundant we are continually startled by it. We make aim for the same wholeness by seeking new insights and further understanding within God's certain love.

3. How have you grown and experienced God's love during this past Lent?
Yes, learning to be still, patient, and to listen.

4. In whom do you see the face of the suffering Christ most clearly?
In all abused children, women, and men, especially those backed by any type of "God-backed" religion-ism. The god of violence contains human sinful needs, but not my God's love.

5. Where do you find hope for resurrection?
In people's smiles; in backing ways to Make Poverty History; in forgiveness; in the discoveries of small children totally mesmerized by one small thing. In adults who keep on learning about God's love and the creation we must strongly be about caring for. In hope itself!

In knowing The Rising leads into the Fires of Pentecost. So the poem below is circular. I find it harder each year to separate Good Friday, Easter and Pentecost as they are a circle the spirals up and down through human history. And our growing expanding understanding bring us into the white light.

Bonus: A poem...

White Light

Colour it whole, colour it wondrous,
Colour it breathing, colour it bright.
Colours of Creator and Created alike,
Behold! The Tree is gathering light!

Gather into the White Light, eat its bread,
Drink from its cup; life newly befriended.
Ask it to settle in your heart, mind, & soul,
White Light, mixes all colours till blended.

Wander in and among the love never ending,
Be drenched in it, imbibe its healing render.
Dance for joy, sing, for Light walks among us,
Know it, grow it; accept its touch so tender.

Among the tears and laughter of living on earth,
Remember the White Light is the Creator's gift.
Share it with all you meet, for they too belong
To the Kingdom within them; it contains no rift.

Whether coming to God the path I have, or not,
There is none alive who can judge which way.
God alone offers each a way needed to arrive,
Our judgment then would be of God's own sway.

God's love is free and given freely to each born,
The Created of Love's own soul, in gentle abide.
The Rising flew open our sight; is always present,
White Light renews energies birthed deep inside.

Spirit is as Advocate and Guide, Friend and Lover,
Near, each time we have need to rise above pain.
We are not alone, the flame of Her fiery Energy
Spirit, will descend and remind us all over again.

So...... Be not afraid to ...
Colour it whole, colour it wondrous,
Colour it breathing, colour it bright.
Colours of Creator, and Created alike;
Behold, I Am! The fiery White Light!

free flying spirit © 2009