Pentecost 1998: First Fruits

Seekers Church:
A Christian Community
In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

Pentecost 1998

First Fruits

There is a perverse playfulness in the world that will not allow us to take it for granted. It is a living and lively force with which we have to do.

Philip H. Pfatteicher, Liturgical Spirituality, pg 107.

Leader:: The whole world tells the greatness of God’s name,
glory that reaches beyond the stars.
People:: Even the babble of infants declares God’s strength.
The moon and the stars are set in their places.
Leader:: Cattle and sheep, wild beasts,
birds of the sky, fish of the sea —
Unison:: We join with the whole world
to declare the greatness of God’s ways.

From Psalm 8

Leader:: We remember God’s gift of the Holy Spirit,
and the harvest that follows that gift.
Voice 1:: All who allow the Spirit to guide them
are true children of God.
Voice 2:: O sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord all the earth!
Voice 1:: For God did not send to us the spirit of chaos
to drive us back into slavery.
Voice 2:: Let the heavens be glad
and let the earth rejoice!
Voice 1:: The winds of God’s Spirit beckon us
to share the lively journey of our brother Jesus,
to bear our own crosses,
and to taste, with him, the luscious freedom of resurrection.
Voice 2:: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it!
Let the field exalt, and everything in it!
Unison:: Then shall all the trees of the forest
sing for joy before the Lord.
For we have received the first fruits of the Spirit!

From Romans 8 and Psalm 96

Leader:: How easily we run through the garden of your delight
without a hint of joy.
Unison:: As a fish swims, unaware of lifegiving water,
we forget to be present
to the perverse richness of your love.
Jolt us awake with your Spirit!

Leader:: Asleep and unaware
or wide-eyed to the presence of Christ
our lives are filled with the breath of the spirit. Amen.

The first Sunday of each month we switch to a Communion Liturgy here.

Leader:: Go from this place
to share the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit
with every neighbor.
And the fruits of the Spirit are these:
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Enjoy, and Amen.
Leader:: So much to do, so much to be…
Voice 1:: How easily
we run through the garden of your delight
without a hint of joy.
Unison:: Hit us up ‘side the head, O God!
Voice 2:: So many of us,
raised in the culture of "Christianity"
trip over the perversity of your true love.
Unison:: O God, fill us with your love.
Leader:: And when we think we hear you call,
our somber selves get in the way
of your playful compassion.
Unison:: O God, show us how to serve
the neighbors we find in you.; Waking or sleeping, God is with us.
In love and abundance,
God preserves us, sustains us,
and brings us to each new season. Amen.