Sunday May 11, 2025: Join Us Today for our Emmaus Celebration at Christ Church United Methodist or on Zoom: 

All are Welcome!

We begin with welcoming at 3:45

In Person in Classroom 8 at Christ Church United Methodist

1717 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, 

Or Join Us on Zoom using this link: (copy and paste it into your browser and remember the passcode is 1234

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5193158573?omn=83564917450

Passcode: 1234

Or open Zoom and type in the Meeting ID (all numbers): 519 315 8573

Passcode: 1234

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Liturgy by Denise and Jane:

Sophia

Today is mother’s day. Of all of the different mothers to honor today, for this liturgy, we will focus on Sophia, or the Buddhist, Tara, the personification of the female attributes of God including mystery, wisdom, mercy, compassion, creativity.

Song – Sophia Wisdom by Jann Aldredge-Clanton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJoXojehwVk

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 First Reading – Denise

This beautiful word "mother" is so sweet and kind in itself that it cannot be attributed to anyone but God. Only he who is our true Mother and source of all life may rightfully be called by this name. Nature, love, wisdom, and knowledge are all attributes of the Mother, which is God. Even though our earthly birth is low and humble-and so simple compared to our spiritual birth-she is the one responsible for the birth of all babies that are Sophia born to their physical mothers.

The kind, loving mother, aware of the needs of her child, protects the child with great tenderness. This is the nature of motherhood. As the child grows in age and stature, she adapts her methods, but her love never changes. And when the child is even older, she allows him to be chastised to counter his vices and develop his virtues and graces. Whenever a human mother nurtures her child with all that is beautiful and good, it is God-the­ Mother who is acting through her.

Julian of Norwich – The Showings translated by Mirabai Starr

Second Reading – Jane

Mary is the Mother of compassion. Her faith is compassionate. She ... shared in her Son’s mission of salvation, even to the foot of the Cross. At Calvary, in her overwhelming grief, she understood the prophecy of Simeon: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Lk 2:35). The suffering of her dying Son, who had taken upon himself the sins and infirmities of humanity, pierced her own heart. Jesus suffered in the flesh, the man of sorrows, disfigured by evil (cf. Is 53:3ff). Mary suffered in spirit, as the compassionate Mother who dries our tears, comforts us and points to Christ’s definitive victory.

Mary, Mother of Sorrows, remains at the foot the cross. She simply stands there. She does not run away, or try to save herself, or find ways to alleviate her grief. Here is the proof of true compassion: to remain standing beneath the cross. To stand there weeping, yet with the faith that knows that, in her Son, God transfigures pain and suffering and triumphs over death.

In contemplating the Sorrowful Mother, may we too open our hearts to a faith that becomes compassion, a faith that identifies with those who are hurting, suffering and forced to bear heavy crosses. A faith that does not remain abstract, but becomes incarnate in fellowship with those in need. A faith that imitates God’s way of doing things, quietly relieves the suffering of our world and waters the soil of history with salvation.

(Pope Francis homily during the closing Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, September 15, 2021,  Esplanade of the National Shrine in Slovakia) 

Gospel – Steve: In Praise of Wisdom

1 All wisdom is from the Lord,
    and with him it remains forever.
2 The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,
    and the days of eternity—who can count them?
3 The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,
    the abyss, and wisdom[e]—who can search them out?
4 Wisdom was created before all things
    and prudent understanding from eternity.[f]
6 The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?
    Her subtleties—who knows them?[g]
8 There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,
    seated upon his throne: the Lord.
9 It is he who created her;
    he saw her and took her measure;
    he poured her out upon all his works,
10 upon all the living according to his gift;
    he lavished her upon those who love him.[h]

Sirach

Homily - Denise

We have covered a number of different interpretations of what mother God might be. How have you imagined, experienced her? in nature? in observing, experiencing mothers? 

What do we bring to the table?

Liturgy of the Eucharist

All: On the night before he died, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to his friends saying This is my body, broken for you.

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to his friends and said, this cup is the new covenant of my lifeblood shed for you and as often as you do this, you do this in memory of me.

Acclamation

With this ceremony, we have converted bread and wine to Christ’s body and blood. So we can proclaim. 

All: Christ is here 

God is with us

His Spirit will never leave.

Denise: Now, Mother, gathered at your table, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, our hands and feet to do your will here on earth. Pour out your Spirit upon all these gifts that they, and we, may be the presence of Christ in the world. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation.

All: (Holding up the bread and wine)

For it is through her, with her, and in her, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, O Gracious Mother, now and forever.

All: 

Our Benefactor, who art in everything

Blessed be Thy presence.

Thy self come, Thy love abound,

In me as well as in all others.

Give us this day awareness of You.

And forgive us our shirking,

As we forgive the shirking of others.

Dissuade us from temporary distractions,

But guide us to oneness with you.  

: Let us offer to one another a sign of our peace and love.

Invitation to Communion

Denise: Our Mother, whom created the universe and all who are in it, has joined us now in the presence of this bread. Our Mother, who redeems us and calls us by name, now meets us in this cup.

So come, Beloved Friends, and take this bread, drink this wine. In them, God comes to us, so that we may recognize we are part of Her, as She is part of us.

Communion Song – Sophia by Matt Maher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=834B6Lu5CKQ

She's so, you know
Makes me want to be like Jesus
I am your hands
Tell me what your plan for this is

In your sacred heart, I burn for you
Could I burn with her in a flame of truth
Where all my burdens float like an angel feather?

Sophia, you know me
Sophia, you see through me
Sophia, dance with me
Help me make it through the night

Dark night, so bright
Now I see the way of passion
Let go, my soul
Now it only longs for your affection

In your sacred heart, I dwell with you
Could I dwell with her like the angels do
Where all my burdens float like an angel feather

Sophia, you know me
Sophia, you see through me
Sophia, dance with me
Help me make it through the night

Help me make it through the night
Help me make it through the night

Sophia, Sophia
Sophia, Sophia

Sophia, Sophia
Sophia, Sophia

Closing

This part of our service is done. Though as Fr Angelito would say 

This mass is never ending. We take the fruits of it with us to influence our thoughts and behaviors throughout the 2 weeks until we come again. And then, we say Thanks be to God for the blessings it has bestowed on us. Amen