amidst the powers a benediction. a reading from the book of jeremiah: thus says the lord of hosts,...

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 29.4-7, 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


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



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




And we're 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

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.


All: seek shalom.


All: spirits open to the thrust of grace.

Responsive Litany


All: rooted in grace.

Leader: Kick at the darkness

All: living in the light.

Responsive Litany

Responsive Litany


All: with eyes wide open.


All: because the exile will be long.


All: because the darkness will not have the final word.

Responsive Litany


All: because the powers are taken captive at the cross.


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

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.

for the full text of this liturgy please visit

www.empireremixed.com

amidst the powers a benediction. a reading from the book of jeremiah: thus says the lord of hosts,...

Documents