BETHLEHEM UNTOLD: We Sing Stories of Hope (Heart of the Rockies Christian Church)
Heart of the Rockies Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
ADVENT MUSIC SUNDAY
BETHLEHEM UNTOLD: We Sing Stories of Hope
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Prelude
Welcome - Melissa St. Clair
"Hope," in the immortal words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, "is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
Responding to the call of our siblings in Palestine, Friends of Sabeel North America - a nonprofit Christian ecumenical organization seeking justice and peace in the Holy Land through education, advocacy, and nonviolent action - is again this year calling upon all communities of faith and conviction to stand firm in truth and preach against apartheid this Advent season.
They call this invitation “Preach Palestine,” and we’ve committed to doing so in light of the resolution we co-sponsored at this summer’s General Assembly that calls for an end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories consistent with international law and UN resolutions. More on that in a moment!
We recognize that the people of Palestine represent a variety of faith traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. We stand in solidarity with our siblings in the Abrahamic faiths as they endure discrimination and persecution. We stand against violence in all its forms by any and all perpetrators.
We can only Preach Palestine if we do so believing that people of every faith tradition and no faith tradition deserve basic human rights.
More precisely, today we’re going to Sing Palestine on this Advent Music Sunday as We Sing Stories of Hope.
Now, a word on that resolution from this summer’s General Assembly that has compelled us to share the stories you’ll hear today…From the one who presented it to the entire assembly, our own Daniel Mitchell.
A Word from General Assembly: Daniel Mitchell
Congregational Song “The Days are Coming, Said the Lord”
Tune: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette)
"The days are coming," said the Lord to people beaten down,
"The days are coming in this world when justice will abound.
My people, you will sing and dance, and hope will blossom forth,
For I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up on the earth."
O God, you sent the prophets here to people long oppressed;
You told your children, filled with fear, that one day they'd be blessed.
You said to cities lost, destroyed by violence, sin or war,
That they would soon receive the joy that they were longing for.
You promised justice in the land to those who were enslaved;
You said that one day, by your hand, your cities would be saved.
As sure as dawn would turn to day and as the sun would set,
Your children there could trust your way; you were not finished yet.
The days are coming, loving Lord, to sing of Jesus' birth;
Yet cries for justice still are heard throughout this sinful earth.
In Advent, may we work and wait, do justice, share and pray,
And so prepare to celebrate your joyful, coming day.
Prayer - Wendy Davidson
Children’s Time - Wendy Davidson
Time to Breathe
ADVENT MUSIC SUNDAY
Introduction - Melissa St. Clair
In November, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued an invitation to the global Christian community to forego any unnecessarily festive activities this Advent season. They are encouraging religious leaders and all the faithful “to focus more on the spiritual meaning of Christmas,” with all the focus directed “at holding in our thoughts our siblings affected by the war between Israel and Hamas and its consequences, and with fervent prayers for a just and lasting peace for our beloved Holy Land.”
They write, “Since the start of the War, there has been an atmosphere of sadness and pain. Thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children, have died or suffered serious injuries. Many more grieve over the loss of their homes, their loved ones, or the uncertain fate of those dear to them. Throughout the region, even more have lost their work and are suffering from serious economic challenges.”
This year in Bethlehem, there’s no Christmas tree on Manger Square, no parade.
This morning, we will join in honoring that request by dimming our own lights as an act of solidarity with all those who suffer, even if for an hour, as we hear accounts from Bethlehem Untold: We Sing Stories of Hope.
That’s not just a title, it’s an invitation - where do you hear hope in these stories and songs? What hope do you hold onto when despair is near?
One more thing: You may wish to express your gratitude for the gifts we’ll receive this morning through song. To allow space for everyone to respond in their own way, we invite you to applaud using ASL, or to fold your hands, or to place your hand on your heart.
SONG “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Morning Bells
(JEREMY: Turn off cross and baptistry lights)
Stories of Palestine (WITH IMAGE-Bethlehem Sign; Aida Refugee Camp; Tent of Nations): Ruth Meyers [Land: history, settlements, Tent of Nations]
READING: Penny Mitchell
The Sabeel movement grew out of a struggle to interpret scripture in light of the Palestinian experience under occupation. As local Christians studied together, they forged a Palestinian version of liberation theology, which upholds the Gospel call for freedom from political, social, and economic oppression.
The Rev. Naim Stifan Ateek, an Anglican pastor and indigenous Palestinian, worked with other Christian and Jewish theologians, clergy, and lay people to create an organization supporting this movement. In 1993 they agreed to call it Sabeel, drawing on an Arabic word, which means “the way” but can also signify a “spring” or “channel” of living water.
Hear these words of liberation from the ancient prophet Isaiah.
Read Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
For I, the Lord, love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my whole being shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
*SONG (IMAGE: South Africa Solidarity) “Sing Noel” Chancel Choir
[African Noel by Johnny Vinson is based on a Liberian folk song called “Banuwa.” The original words mean, “Don’t cry, little girl, don’t cry.” Throughout time, a new set of words was introduced to the same melody: “Sing Noel, Sing Noel, Sing We Noel”.]
(ALAN: Turn off chancel wall Christmas tree lights - right.)
Stories of Palestine (IMAGE—The Wall; Settlement): Alan Anderson
[Restrictions of Movement: The Wall; different areas—A, B, C; how to get to Jerusalem (ID, permit, fingerprint); Checkpoints]
READING (WITH IMAGE ON SCREEN): Coleman McClelland
Born in 1947 and raised in the verdant hills of Birzeit, one of the few remaining Palestinian Christian towns, located in the central West Bank, and later living in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Sliman Mansour’s artwork embodies steadfastness, reflecting the hopes and realities of a culture in the face of relentless military occupation.
Since the early 1970s, Sliman has translated his experiences of isolation, displacement, community and rootedness using imagery, symbols and natural materials in his work. What began as a boycott of Israeli art supplies during the first Intifada (1987-1993) soon became a rich and meaningful expression of Palestinian culture. Local natural materials such as coffee, henna, hay and mud all became tools of choice for Sliman. Using actual Palestinian land to create artwork allowed him to capture the essence of Palestinian rootedness juxtaposed with fragmentation in the political and geographical landscape – echoed in the cracks growing in the mud as it dries.
Sliman reflects, ‘I was molded by the Palestinian landscape. The land plays an important role in my art and in my nature as a human being. I said to myself ‘rather than drawing the land, I will draw with land.’ People would ‘inhale’ my artwork at exhibitions – they would feel the Palestinian heritage, by touch, by scent, with the senses.’
SONG “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Evening Bells
(RICHARD: Turn off chancel wall Christmas tree lights - left.)
Stories of Palestine (IMAGE—Church of the Nativity) - Cristina Mahon [Bethlehem]
READING (WITH IMAGE ON SCREEN): Elijah Dexter
Kelly Latimore started painting icons like the one on the screen while he was a member of the Common Friars, an emerging monastic order in the Episcopal Church. Their collective work is about being more connected: to ourselves, each other, our surrounding community and the land. This manifested itself as a place called “The Good Earth Farm” where they hold weekly services and meals, and grow produce for their community and local food pantries.
Latimore does not view iconography as an art form that simply follows an inherited tradition, knowledge, and practice. For him, it’s a creative process, meditation, and practice that brings about new self knowledge for the viewer and for himself. Who are the saints that are among us here and now? In some icons, he embraces the traditional forms and image but for many icons the image needs re-shaping, re-imagining, and re-wondering. His hope is that these icons do what all art can potentially do, which is, to create more dialogue.
By transcending our biases, listening and having inner silence about our convictions, our inherited traditions, or our favorite ideas we can become open to the patterns of work, knowledge and experience we may not have seen in the other or buried in ourselves. The other may have something to teach us about what we know, about who God is, the world we live in and who are our neighbors.
SONG “A Weary Couple” tune: Danny Boy; solo w/ choir
A weary couple lodged within a stable,
the only space where they could spend the night.
Were other travelers happy to be able
to keep her labor out of mind and sight?
But choirs of angels heard the mother’s weeping
and heaven rang with songs of peace on earth.
They went unheard by those in comfort sleeping,
for Jesus came among the outcasts at his birth.
An angel came to Joseph in his dreaming
and warned him so his family could flee.
As they escaped King Heron’s evil scheming,
the son of God became a refugee.
How many children die without such warning?
How many mothers will not be consoled?
their voices choked with anger, tears, and mourning,
for songs unsung and stories never to be told?
But still the angels sing their hymns of “Glory”
beyond our fears that never seem to cease.
For Christ has come, and God’s unfolding story
redeems the world to live in love, good will, and peace.
(Glory, glory, glory, Gloria!)
(HEATHER: Turn off big Christmas tree lights.)
Stories of Palestine - Joann - Sarah, Joann will send pics to add to slides
[The People: “living stones”, hospitality, perseverance]
READING | From the Kairos Document - Dave Peters
The Kairos Document is the word of Christian Palestinians to the world about what is happening in Palestine.
“Our word is a cry of hope, with love, prayer and faith in God. We address it first of all to ourselves and then to all the churches and Christians in the world, asking them to stand against injustice and apartheid, urging them to work for a just peace.”
We proclaim our word based on our Christian faith and our sense of Palestinian belonging – a word of faith, hope and love.
We declare that the military occupation of Palestinian land constitutes a sin against God and humanity. We urge the international community to stand with the Palestinian people in their struggle against oppression, displacement, and apartheid.
We hold a clear position that non-violent resistance to this injustice is a right and duty for all Palestinians, including Christians.
“Everything that happens in our land, everyone who lives there, all the pains and hopes, all the injustice and all the efforts to stop this injustice, are part and parcel of the prayer of the Palestinian Church and the service of all her institutions.”
SONG (IMAGES: Panoramic Wall; Keys; Checkpoint; Night Raids 2; Gaza) | little town by Ruth Meyers
(MELISSA: Turn off JOY lights.)
READING | The Sound of Hope by Rev. Sarah Speed Are - Erika Ko
We’ve been singing a sad song
for quite some time,
the melody syncing with our heartbeats,
the lyrics stamped to the front of our minds.
You say, sad songs are honest.
It’s hard to disagree,
for sad songs tap us on the shoulder.
Sad songs remind us
of the 100 different corners
heartbreak could be behind.
But I don’t have it in me
to sing a sad song forever.
So despite the news,
despite the aches in my body,
despite the phone call last night
that says she’s waiting for the test results,
despite yesterday’s shooting,
despite the unknown and unchanged,
I am going to sing a song of hope.
Like a canary in a snowstorm,
I don’t need another song of what is;
I need a song of what could be.
So sing with me.
Our voices may get drowned out by the wind,
but surely someone will ask:
Was that a flash of yellow in the snow?
Was that the sound of hope?
Advent Wreath Sung Response
Advent Wreath Lighting - Deanne & Brad
Voice 1: How does a weary world hope?
Voice 2: By telling stories of hope,
by lighting candles in the night,
and planting seeds in the winter that will
bloom in the spring.
By praying for children as they grow,
and picking up trash on the sidewalk.
By insisting that small acts can make a
difference.
Voice 1: There are a million ways to practice hope.
So today we light the candle of hope as a
reminder and a charge.
Voice 2: With God’s help, may we bring hope into
a weary world. Amen.
Stories from Palestine (WITH IMAGE: Yoga Group): Heather Fjare
[story of the school/music]
VIDEO ”We Shall Overcome” Palestinian Children
SONG ”We Shall Overcome” Choir
COMMUNION INVITATION Janet Wright
*COMMUNION SONG ”O Little Town of Bethlehem” Danni, violin & Ruth, piano
OFFERING INVITATION Jeff Wright
OFFERTORY “Dance at the Manger” Lorna, clarinet & Ruth, piano
*CONGREGATIONAL SONG: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" **Persons
O little town of Bethlehem,
So still in our minds’ eye
With candle lights and starlit nights,
And angels drawing nigh.
Yet in thy dark streets soundeth
The echoed wails of grief,
Of ancient fears, of bombs and tears,
Of agony and strife.
For Christ was born of Mary
And Joseph, born in love;
But soldiers came, in someone’s name,
With something left to prove.
So Mary brought up Jesus
In lands broken and cursed,
To preach and sing of no more kings,
Of peace to all the Earth.
How desperately, how desperately
That peace is needed now,
Which Love imparts to human hearts
To flower and to grow.
Our ears are numbed by anguish,
Cries from this world of sin.
Our weak souls yearn to feel the burn
Of Sacred Power within.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Reveal to us thy Way
Of justice, peace, and healing Grace;
Be born in us today.
We are the Christmas angels;
Help us glad tidings tell.
O walk with us, shine forth through us:
Each one, Emmanuel!
SENDING - Melissa
POSTLUDE