Cultivating Peace Series: Introduction to the Peace of Christ

Practices: Heartbeat and Breath Somatic Regulation

Photo: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2007. Original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.

Public Health Safety Note: Effective 5/29/2022, Sunday morning worship services will be outside in the Courtyard until increased COVID spread declines.

We Gather

“Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you, who, swift as the wave and pervasive as the air, quiet as the earth and shining like a star, breathes into us His Peace and His Spirit.”– Mary Rogers, adapted from the Gaelic

Prelude (musician)

Welcome and Acknowledgements (Pastor Kathryn)

Welcome! No matter who you are… No matter where you are on life’s journey… You’re welcome here! Welcome guests.

Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community. We honor this holy ground, unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people, standing in non-violence with hope for the safety and well-being of all beings.

Flowers For the Glory of God

Worship Team Musician Ian Pong, Liturgist Darlene Hamady, Pastor Rev. Kathryn Schreiber.

Invocation (liturgist)

May all Heavenly Beings surround us with the Peace of Christ.

May all Earthly Beings be refreshed with the Peace of Christ.

May each soul desire the deep blessing of the Peace of Christ.

May each living being commit to sharing the Peace of Christ.

O Peace of Christ, Eternal Presence, be with us! Amen.

As Pastor Kathryn lights the Christ Candle and Altar Votives, let us remember those who are not physically present, but with us in spirit or thought. Amen.

Light The Christ Candle and Altar Votives (Pastor Kathryn)

Votive Lighting Music (musician)

Time for Children “Breathing Peace” The scent of lavender is calming; God gives us many ways to relax and rest in beauty and peace (Pastor Kathryn)

Passing the Peace (all share gestures and words of peace) (Pastor Kathryn)

We Rest in God’s Grace

Prayer and Silence (Pastor Kathryn)

Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.

Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)

Be still. (Breathe slowly)

Be. (Breathe slowly)

(Breathe in silence) Amen.

Assurance of Grace (Pastor Kathryn)

When announcing the birth of the Christ Child angels sang of Holy Peace. As Jesus was offering his final blessing upon his disciples he offered them Holy Peace. Through Jesus Christ Holy Peace is always available to us. However, encountering it takes practice. Lots of practice.

Dear Ones, God keeps sending us guides for entering Holy Peace. Let us be grateful for this flowing river of grace-filled instruction and hope. Let us be open to being refreshed no matter what is happening in us, among us, beyond us. Amen.

Special Music (musician)

We Listen

Scripture: Luke 2:9-14 and John 14:25-27 (liturgist; version: NRSV)   

Luke 2:9-14  Angels announce Jesus’ birth….

An angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom God favors!”

AND

John 14: 25-27 Jesus’ last words before his ascension…

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.

Sermon: “Encountering Holy Peace” When we are anxious or overwhelmed how do we experience the Peace of Christ? This message will include an introduction to the “Peace of Christ” and conclude with two somatic regulation practices for reducing stress: “Hand on Heartbeat” and “Paying Attention to the Breath.”

Sermon Hymn: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Chalice Hymnal #254, all verses (musician)

We Pray

Pastoral Prayer (Pastor Kathryn)

Font of Mercy and Grace, when thoughts and emotions hijack our consciousness guide us away from unnecessary dangers to be with You. Call us to reconsider immediate realities and recalibrate. Kindly invite us back into the realm of Your Presence and the wondrous Holy Peace Jesus Christ forever offers everyone. Amen.

Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer (Pastor Kathryn)

Offering of Praise “Doxology” (musician; all)

We Transition

Closing Hymn: “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” Chalice Hymnal #540, all verses (musician)

Announcements (pastor)

• Next Sunday: St Aidan of Lindisfarne
• Gather Waters – New Holy Water Blessed on 9/11 during worship

Sung Benediction “Circle Me” by Simon de Voil (Pastor Kathryn will teach the chant acapella)

Postlude (musician)

The service is concluded.

Worship Resources:

(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.

(NIV) Scripture quotations taken from ®NIV Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!

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Online Publishing Date: August 19, 2022.

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Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is offered free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!

For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and YouTube channel: “Kathryn Schreiber”