amidst the powers a benediction

a reading from the book of jeremiah: thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom i have sent into exile from jerusalem to babylon:

build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.

but seek the welfare of the city where i have sent you into exile … seek the shalom of the city … and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

for thus says the Lord of hosts: only when babylon’s seventy years are completed will i visit you, and i will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. for surely i know the plans i have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for your harm, to give you a future with hope. jeremiah , 10-11

Bruce Cockburn “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” Stealing Fire ©1984 Golden Music Group Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by You never get to stop and open your eyes One day you're waiting for the sky to fall The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all When you're lovers in a dangerous time Lovers in a dangerous time

Bruce Cockburn “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” Stealing Fire ©1984 Golden Music Group These fragile bodies of touch and taste This vibrant skin – this hair like lace Spirits open to the thrust of grace Never a breath you can afford to waste When you're lovers in a dangerous time Lovers in a dangerous time

Bruce Cockburn “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” Stealing Fire ©1984 Golden Music Group When you're lovers in a dangerous time Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime – But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight When you're lovers in a dangerous time Lovers in a dangerous time

Bruce Cockburn “Lovers in a Dangerous Time” Stealing Fire ©1984 Golden Music Group And we're lovers in a dangerous time Lovers in a dangerous time

Responsive Litany Leader: Who are you? All:We are lovers in a dangerous time. Leader: Where is the danger? All: We are the church amidst the powers. Leader: What are you looking for? All: Liberated imaginations, lives of shalom.

Responsive Litany Leader: So what’s the problem? All: When you’re lovers in a dangerous time sometimes you’re made to feel as if your love’s a crime.

Leader:It is criminal to close down your options All: in a world of infinite choice. Leader:It is criminal to say ‘enough’ All: in a world of more. Leader:It is criminal to love your enemy All:in a world at war. Leader:It is criminal to give yourself freely All:in a world where everything has its price. Responsive Litany

Leader: When you’re lovers in a dangerous time All: Sometimes you’re made to feel as if your love’s a crime Leader: Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight All: Got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

Leader: Refusing to be enslaved to the powers, All: We are subjects of the Kingdom. Leader: Refusing their deathly domination, All: We serve a Risen Lord. Leader:Refusing to bow the knee to idols, All: We are children of the God of all creation. Leader: Refusing the false comfort of the powers, All: We kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight. Responsive Litany

Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:seek the welfare of the city. Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:seek shalom. Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:spirits open to the thrust of grace. Responsive Litany

Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:rooted in grace. Leader:Kick at the darkness All:living in the light. Responsive Litany

Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:with eyes wide open. Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:because the exile will be long. Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:because the darkness will not have the final word.

Responsive Litany Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:because the powers are taken captive at the cross. Leader:Kick at the darkness, All:because the light has come.

[silence is kept]

Leader:Who are you? All:We are lovers in a dangerous time. Leader:Who are you? All:Spirits open to the thrust of grace. Responsive Litany

Leader:What do you want? All:To seek the shalom of the city. Leader:What do you want? All:To redeem the powers in Jesus’ name. Responsive Litany

As we leave this place today, we confess together: Leader:The cross, All:we shall take it. Leader:The bread, All:we shall break it. Leader:The pain, All:we shall bear it.

Responsive Litany Leader: The joy, All:we shall share it. Leader:The gospel, All:we shall live it. Leader:The love, All:we shall give it.

Responsive Litany Leader:The light, All:we shall cherish it. Leader:The darkness, All:God shall perish it.

Responsive Litany Leader:Christ the Son of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path: and the blessing of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer and Comforter, be among you, and remain with you always. All: Amen, thanks be to God.

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