Poetry – Manor Road United Church

Poetry by Rev. Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea

We Are the Fire

We are the fire

Story, nature, spirit work, source, authority, crisis context, inside the tent, outside the world, leadership heart, prophesy, receive the spirit

We are the fire

The elders prophesied

Prophecy, two, power for all, turn up the volume, prophetic voice

We are the fire

The Spirit rested on them

Curious, spirit work, in concert, and solo, the lord came down, put on the spirit, beyond human expectation

We are the fire

The Day of Pentecost had come

Role of the holy Spirit, pouring out the spirit, sign, instrument, mission church, wait for the spirit, empowered by the spirit, Jerusalem witnesses, in Judea and Samaria, waited until Pentecost, promise, spirit outpouring

We are the fire

Jesus was standing there

The last day, feast of tabernacles, let anyone who is thirsty, out of the heart, living water flows, open self to others, power through vulnerability

We are the fire

Out of heart shall flow rivers of living water

Human need, let thirsty, come, invitation, everyone, thirsty for meaning, power, to be human, something more than we have, more than we are now

We are the fire

We Rise Again

We rise again

Faith, expectant, completion, creative, redeem, God action, Call of grandparents, revelation of today, God people, on their way, fulfill, the promise, celebration, ascension, pentecost, beyond anxiety, life purpose

We rise again

Restore the Kingdom

Forty days, Jesus spoke, God kingdom, remain in Jerusalem wait, baptized with Holy Spirit, restore

We rise again

They were gazing up

Restore, justice now, care in our hands, hope now, live in uncertainty, return, the promise, share the power, look beyond, myopic power

We rise again

Keep alert, like a roaring

Christ suffered, people suffer, never alone, walk with Christ, blessing on the way, God cares

We rise again

I have made your name known

Glory, joy, radiance, delirious peace, Tingles, tears, new horizons, perceive, can be seen

We rise again

All mine are yours

We look backward and forward, heard about Jesus, appearance to disciples, whispers of the promise, coming paraclete, celebrate the birth of the new church, exploding into mission, with spirit gifts, pause of a moment, hear the Jesus prayer, today

We rise again

We Are the Ancestor

We are the ancestor

Eternal, grateful, opportunity, read, master pieces, the quiet time, before dawn, and the end of day, labour intense, the journey takes time

We are the ancestor

The God who made the world

Living in a centre, intellectual pursuits, Athenians understand, loved learning, waking hours, hungered for more, leave no stone unturned, deeper existential restlessness, find the unknown God, a source of pride, find the rest and peace

We are the ancestor

God made all nations to inhabit the whole earth

The infinite abyss, within the soul, reserved for God alone, our heart is restless, until is rests in you, the wellspring of life, quest for the ground of being, creating space, spiritual sensibilities, reach beyond, know this God, God created, sustains heaven and earth, guardian over space and time, find rest in God

We are the ancestor

Do not fear what they fear

Writing to a people, facing, persecution, prior to beginning, loyalty, avoid persecution, write the letter, stand firm in their faith, present sufferings, oppressed by the empire, imitating Christ, identity in the midst of trials

We are the ancestor

If you love me, you will keep my commandments

Love me, keep commandments, conflate, indicative mood, imperative, how we should live, the ways things are, vested interest, not lock the doors, all God’s children, God is love

We are the ancestor

I am coming to you

Humility, overcome, commonsense, assumptions, ideas, suffering is a test, today is prepared, accept persecution, normal prelude, comparable to what Peter describes

We are the ancestor

We Are the Right Hand

We are the right hand

Portrays, first sermon, Stephen, challenge, imagine, complain, stone, first martyr, bear witness

We are the right hand

I see the heavens opened

Courtrooms, witness speak, what they know, experience, call to be, affirm, I am a Christian

We are the right hand

Then he knelt down

Passages, bear witness, opportunity, bring good news, famous wisdom, grace, summary, lecture, prophetic speech, fulfill, promise, provide, call before

We are the right hand

Come to him a living stone

Mystical imagery, intersects, Christocentrism, capacity of Scripture, juxtaposition, ideas, images, follow one thread, vision of eucharistic community, spiritual reality

We are the right hand

Do not let your hearts be troubled

Sundays of Easter, guide for disciples, taught, physical presence in their midst, John’s farewell, prepare believers, consider, believers union, hope for life, Jesus as saviour, relationship between Jesus and Abba, the sending one, theology of prayer

We are the right hand

I go and prepare a place for you

Jesus words, beginning, countless times, edge of a grave, death is not the end, beginning of the way, disciples are incredulous, so are most in the pews

We are the right hand

We Are Generous Heart

We are generous heart

Portrait, blossoming, abundance, wonders and signs, radical transformations, communal life

We are generous heart

They would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need

Idealize, things in common, sale of property, share wealth, Christian unity, sacrificial giving

We are generous heart

All who believed were together and had all things in common

Growth, sacrificial sharing, built the faith of early Christians, devoted themselves to the apostles, teaching and fellowship, bread breaking, prayers

We are generous heart

You have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls

This passage, submission, valorize suffering, oppression of the powerless, compassion, suffer with

We are generous heart

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep

Attentive shepherd, I am, declare, God protect, God’s own

We are generous heart

I am the gate

The gate, entrance, sheepfold, open gate, voice is known, gatekeeper, shepherd

We are generous heart

We Are the Road

We are the road

Repentance, wade in the water, package, bundle, portray, longing, human heart, life, offer, sacred words, new community

We are the road

The promise is for you

Peter, three thousand, inquirer, call, new life, descent into the water, portray, rising up, new birth, transform, Christ eyes, walk in the mission road, reconcile, justice, call to discipleship, radical change, share the table

We are the road

Welcome the message

Call to the water, promise, forgive, heart, justify, faith, action of water, heal, mend restore

We are the road

Live in reverence

Christ, spirit, diverse, person, encourage, explore, diversity, flesh, depth, breadth, experience God love, vision, Christ work, impact, history, our story

We are the road

They were going to the Emmaus village

Narrative, freight, baggage, surplus, Jesus mind opener, understand, discipleship of equals, baptism and eucharist

We are the road

Jesus known in the bread breaking

Midday on the road, which way, GPS, back to fishing nets, routine, the road of will return, human condition, remember, cease to regret, avoid excessive expectation, human condition, post alleluias, life breaks through, bread is reborn

We are the road

We Are the Key

We are the key

Resurrection, foundation, Christ faith, Paul speak, early Christians, proclamation, rise again

We are the key

Listen to what I say

What is made, resuscitate, resurrect, Jesus lives, raised, new, transformed life

We are the key

I saw the Lord

Some questions, Jesus body, question, at the tomb, flee in terror and fear

We are the key

Blessed be God

Proclamation, great mercy, new birth, living hope, J.C lives, praise, human community, God mercy with us, live in joy

We are the key

Jesus came and stood among them

Easter morning, witness, Jesus, ascension, return to God, appear, commission, disciples, crucified, risen one

We are the key

They saw the Lord

Human mind, searches, order, understand the world, come, awareness, impulse, pushes, love, mystery stories, mystery of the heart, make sense, shore up, evidence, leap of faith

Love wins

We are the key

We Are the Rolling Stones

We are the rolling stones

People survived, the sword, find grace, wilderness, hearer, God called, God people, rescue from sin, persist, call, holy people

We are the rolling stones

The Lord appeared to him from far away

Literal sense, wilderness, exile lives, survived, Babylon, God calls, promise, shall build again

We are the rolling stones

Jesus is in the building

You shall plant

God loves, love beyond, love near, love bridge, generations, restores, possible, foundation

We are the rolling stones

Christ is your life

Writer, counter, how to live, die and rise with Christ, where is Jesus, where are we?

We are the rolling stones

Mary came to the tomb

Tomb raiders,

Easter stands, ascension, resurrection, witness, first day, still dark, footrace, to the tomb, Mary reports, John tells

We are the rolling stones

I have seen the Lord!

Come and see, unexpected, upset, only way, come and see difference, followers, unlike other people, come and see how they love the word

We are the rolling stones

We Are the Sacred Memory

We are sacred memory

The servant song, my servant, humiliation, exaltation, servant of the Lord, servant songs, interpretive issue, these passage

We are sacred memory

He was wounded

Interpretive poles, collective, individual interpretation, Israel called, king embodies, corporate personality

We are sacred memory

The one shall see light

The servant here has a mission, refer to prophet, Moses, King Cyrust of Persia, the servant past, present, the figure, the writer, who would come to embody, more fully, the Lord’s Servant, identity of the servant

We are sacred memory

This is the covenant

Use words, complex witness, scriptural complexity, presence, variety of ways, God speak, God ways, in the world, theologies produce, the danger exists, the perennial question, Jesus of Nazareth, God work, salvation, pitfalls, hopefulls, day by day, for us and for all

We are sacred memory

Receive mercy

Use words, complex witness, illuminate, narrative, produce, faithful, danger, danger, offer, question, life, death, of Jesus, equals salvation, for us, then and now

We are sacred memory

Meanwhile standing near the cross

Narrate, condemnation, execution, burial, application, God son, King, climatic

We are sacred memory

It is finished

The rituals, customs, congregation, reflect, on those who died, past year, grief, done, continue, Jesus was buried, form and language, stark and spartan, no flowers, no banners, slowly, God silence, buried, tomb, this side of Easter

We are sacred memory

We Are the Walk

We are the walk to Jerusalem

Life is a house, building blocks of life, body and human life, work in progress, the stone that the builders rejected, chief cornerstone

We are the walk to Jerusalem

God has given the voice of a teacher

Suffering servant, this cup pass from me

We are the walk to Jerusalem

This is the gate of the Lord

Praise God, for the marvelous, made the cornerstone, integrity, God presence, trouble outside the gates

We are the walk to Jerusalem

Go into the village

Luke’s story, Jerusalem journey, look for a colt, the Lord needs, Jesus has power to predict

We are the walk to Jerusalem

God has opened my ear

Comfort here, relationship, in the face of oppression, giver of life, sustain the weary, bow down, desperation, exhaustion, encourage words, source, enable to speak

We are the walk to Jerusalem

Christ humbled himself

Lyric, purpose, Christ story, incarnation, crucifixion, exaltation, history, theology, divinity, Christ pattern

We are the walk to Jerusalem

He took the cup

Spirit of the age, God presence, God absence, forsaken, crying, loud voice, awaken, wilderness, oasis, prophet, proclaim

We are the walk to Jerusalem

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus offers, into the God hands, heart of things, letting go, remember me, in your kingdom

We are the walk to Jerusalem

We Are the Bones

Dry bones strewn, across the valley, great gifts, these bones refashion, great clatter, strapped with sinew, flesh and skin, four winds

We are the bones

Can these bone lives

Return to the land of Israel, the descendents, marched to Babylon, dusty hopelessness, dry bones, exiles find their way home, the bones, the whole house of Israel

We are the bones

I will cause breath to enter you

Granted as much, despairing refugee, hope for return, in the valley of dry bones, source of hope for human beings, deliverance

We are the bones

The Spirit is life and peace

The Christian life is a material life, setting our mind on the spirit, spirit and flesh, soul and body, concreteness, messiness, instruments of God’s grace and peace

We are the bones

Take away the stone

The raising of Lazarus, illness, death and burial, emergence from his tomb, recalled from death to life, searching, reflection

We are the bones

Jesus wept, terseness, Jesus began

We are the bones

We Are the Well

We are the well

Long, complex, narrative, Israel’s wilderness sojourn, story of thirst, testing, critical question, God’s presence, providence of God

We are the well

The people were thirsty

Moses, theology of sufficiency, God walked along, people complained, lack of food and water, manna and water provided, God provides

We are the well

Strike the rock, and water will come out

Provisions, Moses is a surrogate for God, God sign of presence, thirsty and hungry people, quarrel with Moses, test the Lord

We are the well

Endurance produces character

Justification by faith, relationships, own experience, negative, positive, empower to Joy, full relationship, to do list, half empty, half full

We are the well

A Samaritan woman came to draw water

Encounter with Jesus, well woman, Jacob’s well, Samaritan woman, unbelief, belief, ask for a drink, break open the locked doors, true light, enter the dark world, truth speak

We are the well

The water that I will give them will never be thirsty

Pick a story, preaching life, life time, bucket list, ready for filling, living water, deep drink, from the well,

We are the well

We Are the Blessing

We are the blessing

Form the bridge, primal history, Israel story, rush hour in the bible, call, Abram and Sarai promise, Chosen God people, break heart and delight God

We are the blessing

Go from your country

Ancient, today, grafted to the chosen, Special agents, blessing, human family, blessed to be a blessing, world hope

We are the blessing

Abraham and Sarah went on their way

First human, creatures, broken past, God world, take life, craving, on one hand, and the other, clothing, exemption, Plan B

We are the blessing

The promise came

Primacy of grace, relationship, community, full members, mother and father of the nations, unity

We are the blessing

How can anyone be born again?

Stir imagination, Jesus in Jerusalem, Intro Nicodemus, Sanhedrin, Came to Jesus by night

We are the blessing

God so loves the world

Loaded words, wonder, repertoire, world, story, living compassion, night and day

We are the blessing

We Are the Open Eyes

We are the open eyes

Narrative, scenes, God placement, Adam, garden, formation, helper, disruption, temptation, serpent, judgement, expulsion, man, woman

We are the open eyes

In the garden

Knowledge tree, good, evil, planted, connect, sharp, contrast, question, human vocation, permit, prohibit, responsible, restore

We are the open eyes

You may eat

Tree, appears, connect, God, human, flourish, broken command, compromise, trust, intimacy, trust erosion, wayward, estrangement, alienation, distance

We are the open eyes

Receive the free gift

Paul, powerful, magnitude, sin, abundance, Christ grace, Christ power, nature, human dilemma, humans being, deep, wide, hope

We are the open eyes

Jesus was led

The point, Jesus mission, tempt, proposal, divine commission

We are the open eyes

Live by the God word

Narrative, Jesus tempt, forty days, lent, transform, the stones, disbelief, compel faith, intro Jesus, invite to be grace

We are the open eyes

We Are the Mountain

We are the mountain

The law, God tells Moses, ascend the mountain, receive the tablets, God reveals

We are the mountain

Come up to the mountain, compose, ethical ear, contemplative eye, hear God voice, God speak, Moses, hear, companions, ascend, guide, called, God word, behold, appear, God glory

Sacred fire, human knowing

We are the mountain

I will give you tablets of stone, seams woven together, integrity, God word, God see, God listen, life live, pray hard

We are the mountain

Made known the power, transfiguration, Christ future, foretaste, Christ power, Christ coming, God promise

We are the mountain

His face shone like the sun, metamorphosis, great God fact, bible, text, life, Christ mystery, Christ presence

We are the mountain

Get up and be not afraid, challenge, promise, preach, abundance, trajectory, tradition, Christ glory, messianic secret, Peter stammers, Christ humour, magnificence, vision glory

We are the mountain

We Choose Life

We choose life

God words, Moses hears, deliverer, choice, promise, choose life, blessings

We choose life

Call heaven and earth to witness today

Bondage, God covenant, God law, now stand, enter, promised land, land live, crossroads, hope now

We choose life

Love the Lord

Choosing life, God ways, holy way, preserve covenant, God friend, celebration day, God creation, God rest

We choose life

God gives growth

Work, factions, frictions, formations, wisdom, good, bad, the ugly, knowledge gift, equip humans

We choose life

Remember that your brother and sister

Prophet law, followers, anger, oath, righteous hope

We choose life

Let your word be yes

Legal, righteous, new element, eschaton prophet, age end, realm of God realize the realm

We choose life

We are the Light of the World

We are the light of the world

Gusto, divine, indictment, true nature, fasting, judgement, long tradition, prophetic proclamations, worship, justice, eyes of God.

We are the light of the world

Shout out loud

Religious, Torah, sacred, seek God, God ways, life path, know God, God near, humble, day of atonement

We are the light of the world

Share your bread with the hungry

Ritual, oppress, welcome, quarrel, listen, self sacrifice, bow down, lift up, private, public, broken, heal

We are the light of the world

I came to you in my weakness

Wisdom tool, gain, God knowing, divide, danger, rescue, God wisdom

We are the light of the world

You are the salt of the earth

Disciple call, describe, prescribe, Earth salt, ignite goodness, suffer loss, care, seek justice, show mercy, be peacemakers, courage stand

We are the light of the world

You are the light of the world

Who are we? What to do? Ignite the fire, be light of the world

We are the light of the world

We are the Deliverer

We are the deliverer

World watch, Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, came to life, oppression, new light, bring joy, hope, prosperity, nation, turning point, new footsteps, dramatic turn, emerging consciousness, pioneer work, emancipation, from bondage

We are the deliverer

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

Truth statement, declare, turning point, oppression to liberation, God hears, anguish, yoke, is broken, exile no more

We are the deliverer

Multiplied the nation

Burden, no more, accession, Immanuel Child, human, David, create a wondrous hope

We are the deliverer

We belong to Christ

Divisions no more, human city, God city, church vision, common mind, sacred way, communion with God

We are the deliverer

Follow me, and I will make you fish for people

Season of Epiphany, making known, light does shine

We are the deliverer

Immediately they left their nets and followed Christ

Perspective, beginning something, comforting, sense of familiarity, rhythms, Jesus steps, Jesus call

We are the deliverer

We are the Listener

We are the listeners

Culture, destiny, potential, go beyond, the life dream, social mobility, alive and well, abundance, promise, superheroes, super powers, longing to be discovered, become more, social patterns, deep seated sense, destined for greater things, called beyond, finitude, children of God

We are the listeners

The Lord called me before I was born

Higher calling, intimate care, God bestows, before birth, the servant, called, equipped, restore, salvation, saving work, set apart, through grace, nation prophet, God prepares, God plan

We are the listeners

You are my servant

Called by God, election, God chose us, Christ children

We are the listeners

The Testimony of Christ is our strength

Division, threaten church, Christ identity, tension, division

We are the listeners

I saw the spirit descending like a dove

Gospel, hear something, retell, key moments, call, John the Baptist

We are the listeners

We have found the messiah

Forgiveness, name, identity, baptism, a beginning, an ending, a fresh start, hope, peace, joy, evangelism, salvation moment, share the story, welcome, come and see today

We are the listeners

We are the Fire

We are the fire

Call, prophet, speak, heal, light breaks, radiant, return, famine, feast, abundance, honor, restore

We are the fire

Arise shine for your light has come

We are the fire

Hope, future, vision, stand, God light, new dawn

Nations shall come to your light

Work, courage, radiate, prophet, preach, first voice, in despair, arise shine, light has come, God light

We are the fire

Understanding of the mystery of Christ

Mystery, Jesus speak, heal, mend, renew, broken lives, God reveal, human beings, love and mercy

We are the fire

Go and search diligently for the child

Reveal, fear, compassion, child, harm, protect, eye of the storm, still point

We are the fire

They left for their own country by another road

Gift, precious, kneel, homage, Christ child, reach with hand

We are the fire

We are the Gift

We are the gift

Relationship, teach, history, struggle, Peter, Paul, the Law, Council, Jerusalem, Christ faith

We are the gift

Here is my servant, wrath, love, bridge, old, new, testament

We are the gift

Honour the chosen, Servant song, who, God servant, God people

We are the gift

You know the message, Jesus Baptism, God work, God shows, no partiality

We are the gift

Jesus came to be baptized, celebration, mystery, tradition, water, restore, transform, God human

We are the gift

“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

God power, theophany, mountains, springs, rivers, God reveal, God people, God speak, Heart speak

We are the gift

We are the Beginning

We are the beginning

Exuberance, day breaks, singing, bird song, dawn, day light, hope, child sign, to be born, converge, wake up, put on Christ, captivity is past, so real, God deliverance

We are the beginning

Listen! Lift up our voice

Christ birth, break into song, hosts of heaven, Gloria in excelsis Deo, heaven sound, prophet, angel song, God glory, desire, come to pass

We are the beginning

Break forth into singing,

Exultation, return, exile, faith, holy one, ancient promise, history, beyond, ruin, restore, whole humanity, embraced, divine love, expected child, human world

We are the beginning

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors

Proclaim, divine, exalted language, Jesus, anointed Son, provide the vehicle

We are the beginning

In the beginning was the Word

The mysteries of the universe, fill the understanding of today, reason and justice, grip the remotest loneliness star

We are the beginning

And the Word became flesh and lived among us

God child, watch, excitement, Christmas memories, Yearn for word and the light, here and now. O Christmas Tree, light our way

We are the beginning

We are the Sacred Light

We are the sacred light – in the silent night

Take your stand

Take your stand, save, hold firm, the word

We are the sacred light

A shoot shall come

A shoot, stump, Jesse, spirit, knowledge, delight. Justice for the poor wolf live with the lamb, knowledge of God

We are the sacred light

Stand and shepherd

Ancient, stand, strength, live, be our peace

We are the sacred light

The word became flesh

We are the sacred light

I am the voice in the wilderness

The word became flesh, among us, testify, light, the voice, in the wilderness

We are the sacred light

God sent Gabriel

Gabriel, greets

We are the sacred light

Do not be afraid

Shepherds, angel, appeared, do not be afraid, good news, born, saviour, swaddling clothes, heavenly host, manger, peace

Let’s go to Bethlehem

Go to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, spread the word, child

We are the sacred light

Saw a star

Where is the child, saw the star, Jesus was born, opened their treasures

We are the sacred light

Return to their country by another route

We are the sacred light

We are the Midwives

We are the midwives

Prophetic, yearning, hope, God promise, birth, Immanuel, God with us, proclamation, stranger, familiar

We are the midwives

Look, the young woman is with child

Captured by Advent, divine, confront, contrary, deep, high, tempt, fear, trust, pregnant, invasion, strange, hear

We are the midwives

Ask a sign

Meaning, nativity, encounter, God gives, hidden, sign

We are the midwives

We receive grace

Provide, foundation, trigger, range, salvation, event, response, prominent, creed

We are the midwives

The Lord appeared to Joseph

Singular, multifaceted, reality, truth, reign, consumption, deliverance, perception

We are the midwives

He will save the people

Joseph’s nightmares, imagine, dream, flee, refugee, imagine, find, sanctuary, home

Silent night! Holy Night!

We are the midwives

We are the Blossom

We are the blossom

Sacred, God people, rejoice, prophet, dry places, wilderness, create, order, be glad, singing, the land belongs to God, grace is for all

We are the blossom

The wilderness shall be glad

God prepares, Messiah coming, behold, promise, presence, make room, God breaks in

We are the blossom

Be strong, and do not fear

God reach, human, take heart, God cares, in barren times, renew, restore, earth care, strength for hand and knee, future, be strong, ignite courage

We are the blossom

Strengthen your hearts

Desert blooming, rejoice, stand firm, bear burdens together, patient, endurance

We are the blossom

See I am sending a messenger

Iconostasis, art, image, light, beacon, Mary, mother, Baptist John

We are the blossom

Prepare your way

God call, time, space, heart, Jesus is real, belong, deep moments, eyes see, Christ root, heart hear, faith in action

We are the blossom

We are the Root

We are the root

Realm of God, Lord Spirit, rests on them, wolf and lamb together, spirit with us, God kingdom, now, Jesus life

We are the root

A shoot shall come

Hope, peace prince, current, David house, tree like, roots sprout, David line emerge, David peace, peace time.

We are the root

The spirit of wisdom shall come

Renewal, human possibility, divine gift, spirit of YHWH, David, God hope, renew, new life, make possible, Bethlehem, king emerge, counsel, knowledge, fear of the Lord, promise, spirit bearer

We are the root

Live in harmony

God search, accept human, stable of humanity, come in search, season of Christ birth, incarnation, enables, encourages, Christ has accepted us

We are the root

Prepare the way of the Lord

Advent, preparation, regular times, dwell ahead of time, God promise, Jesus birth

We are the root

Make the paths straight

Who are we, what are we to do, look at the back closets of the minds, Matthew’s time, temple before and after, the bridge forward

We are the root

We are the Mountain

Hearing words, call on others, listen with us, seeing the word, seeing beyond seeing, see reality, see depth, human imagination, anticipation, Judah, Jerusalem, revealed by God, God’s servants, God shares the word, God people, behold the word

We are the mountain

Let us go up to the mountain

God word, enacted, intent, God word, become deed, promise, fulfilment, let there be light, see the poor, prayer is action

We are the mountain

Beat swords into ploughshares

Paint, picture, justice, mercy, walk with God, the last days, new future, the future is now

We are the mountain

Wake from sleep

Circle, birth, death, rebirth, Judaic roots, God creation, recreation, look backward to see forward, God way, new heaven, new earth, between times

We are the mountain

Keep awake

Wake, watchful, work to see, to grasp, to hold, to mend, to heal, work outside, work inside, rapture opens the way, Jesus voice, hope spirit, no one knows the hour, great expectations

We are the mountain

Be ready for the child comes

Living is compassion, our neighbour shares our humanity with us, see beyond barriers, land, language, God image, companion, walk, share our shoes, be blessed community

We are the mountain

We are the Shepherds

We are the shepherds

Bring people together, scattered, north, south, east, west, come all you people

Great expectations

We are the shepherds

Gather the remnant, the task, assurance, God is giving, bring them back, God at the helm, promise born, word is here

We are the shepherds

Raise a righteous branch, the people, scattered, after, exile, wars, invasion, leadership derailed, leadership restored, scattered return

We are the shepherds

May you be strong

Prayer for community, thanksgiving, redemption, revelation, reign of Christ

We are the shepherds

Today you will be with me in Paradise

Reign of Christ, when we look, when we look down

We are the shepherds

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Fountain, rejoice, Jesus’, death and life, the thief death and life, Remember me, in kingdom

We are the shepherds

We are Creating Hands

We are creating hands

Text, prophet, vision, heaven, earth, art, new, born, create, imagination, transform, habitation, woven, relationship, holistic

We are creating hands

Create new heaven and new earth

Move, this way, vision, picture, answer, word of God, create, past will be past, new things, memory, common, new picture

We are creating hands

The wolf and lamb shall feed together

Prophet vision, context, turned away, my way, renew the God way, break in, world turns upside down, new heaven earth

We are creating hands

Do not be weary in doing what is right

Thessalonians, letting down, community, reconnect, Paul’s letter, responsible, get back to work

We are creating hands

I will give you words and a wisdom

Invited to be terrified, promise of God, no hair of your head will perish, a hand that carries, endurance gain your souls, confident, safe in sacred hands

We are creating hands

By your endurance you will gain your souls

Christ promise, word speak, word create, word given, beginning, word hear, testimony, faith gift, Christ word, kingdom word, destruction, construction, unshakeable, small breath, these words, endure, soul gain

We are creating hands

We are the Poetry

We are the poetry

Think, past, glorious, human, present, whats next?, restore, frustrate, back to land, hand work

We are the poetry

Take courage, all you people of the land

Image, temple, rebuild, blue prints, tools, architect, stone cutters, carpenters, many hands, build again

We are the poetry

The promise I made

Responsible, failure, blame, God, complaint, forgive, renew, hope with us

We are the poetry

Strengthen your hearts

Message, comfort, false teaching, sound word, Day of the Lord, keep hope alive, hardships, hope ships

We are the poetry

Those who belong to this age

God is alive, forgotten, remember, overcome, defeat, restore

We are the poetry

God of the living

Faith commands, love another, promise, love never ends, love that lives on, resurrection, illusions, foundations, immeasurable, endure, death and life

We are the poetry

We are the Dream

We are the dream

Embrace, comfort, encourage, weeping, quieting, mend, lament, watcher, wait for God, hear lament, answer

We are the dream

Stand at the watch post

Lament, devastation, broken, justice, how long, listen, save

We are the dream

There is still a vision

Invade, lawless, disorder, abandon, take notice, prayer, human lament, give ear to my prayer, in suffering, faithful, silence, human misery, devout pleading, restore

We are the dream

Always give thanks to God

Understand, passage, possible, language, suffering, restore, confidence, God presence

We are the dream

He climbed a sycamore tree

Powerful, tax collector, Jesus call, offer half of possessions, to the poor, seek out Jesus, along the road

We are the dream

Today salvation comes to this house

The story, Zacchaeus runs ahead, climbs a tree, hurries down from tree, stand before Jesus, running, climbing, up and down, stand, meet Jesus today

We are the dream

For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost

Bend in the story, outsider, insider, welcome, outcast, incast, healing, restore, invite, run into the arms of Jesus

We are the dream

We are the Spirit

We are the spirit

Raise, throws down, hymn to God, in my sickness, work, message, prophets, woe, long shadow, threat, hope

We are the spirit

O children of Zion, be glad

Oracles, destruction, invade, devour, incarnation of hunger, land of plenty, wilderness, humankind, devastation, wake, instruments of life, summon of the people

We are the spirit

You shall eat in plenty

Immediate, divine response, comprehend, mind of God, army, throw down, build up, God raises, have mercy, light in the darkest grave, turn of fortune, new creation, bumper harvest, people of Jerusalem, God sign, benevolence, grace

We are the spirit

I am already being poured out as a libation

Perspective, human struggle, life’s meaning, heart, pastoral, author, separation, boundary, life, death

We are the spirit

Two people went up to the temple to pray

Good teacher, eternal life, heart question, steadfast love, weakness, humanity, sustain, God’s people, God pours, spirit, call, save

We are the spirit

Two men went up to the temple to pray

Appropriate, address, prayer, candor, simplicity, absolute trust, God mercy, model prayer, tax, steal, money restore, repent, bribe, trust, Find mercy, today

We are the spirit

We are the Heart

We are the heart

Punctuate, initiate, platform, doctrine, message, new idea, respect, first glance, rise in ordinary, how long

We are the heart

I will make a new covenant

Pregnant with possibility, signs, future, brimming with promise, exile and return, judgement, grief stages, time stops, severed past, the voice, the whisper, hope now

I will write on their hearts

We are the heart

I will write on their hearts

Bold, God speak, covenant, silence in the rubble, dark, foreboding, day of the Lord, new time, build, plant, coming, fertile time, God watch, today

We are the heart

All scripture is inspired by God

Admonish, false, truth, write a letter, sacred, faith teachers, foundation, emerge

We are the heart

Pray always and not to lose heart

Widow, layers, key words, persistence, resistance, deliverance, All we know in the life of prayer is asking, seeking, knocking and waiting, kingdom come

We are the heart

I will grant justice

Early church, protection, persecution, loving presence, requests, love, patience, persistent prayers of the heart

We are the heart

We are Radical Gratitude

We are radical gratitude

Do theology, stranger question, raise folk, come to worship, get us into, God words

We are radical gratitude

When you come into the land

Liturgical acts, confession, affirmation, corporate memory, act of gratitude, God’s particular grace, ends in celebration, embrace, extends beyond Israel, own life, rooted in memory,

We are radical gratitude

The aliens, reside among you, wandering Aramean, was my ancestor, shaped by journey, bounty, come into the land, voice gratitude, claim story, their story, our story

We are radical gratitude

You shall take some of the first fruit

Goddess of memory, mother of imagination, mother of faith, God’s promise, belong to God, never forsake people in the middle of the journey, this do in remembrance of me

We are radical gratitude

Do not worry about anything

Paul’s radical revision, observance of the covenant, hard questions, followers of Jesus, daily life

We are radical gratitude

They found him by the sea side

Perspective on a text, predictable pattern, hearing a word, testimony, scripture, question, hearer, provoke

We are radical gratitude

I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry

Comprehend everything, the way, the truth, the life, kingdom inside our hearts, bread of life, word made flesh

We are radical gratitude

We are the Earth

We are the earth

Hope, praise, joy, cheery songs, silence, whispers, devastation, trauma, holy city, promised land, the temple, silence falls over the land

We are the earth

Jerusalem lives among the nations

Radical suffering, resonates, Babylonian captivity of Judah, global genocides, neighbourhood shootings, personal tragedy, silent grief

We are the earth

The road to Zion is hard

Memorial, what to speak, how to speak, incredible promise, find a focus, bring hope, encouragement, bring comfort, to broken hearts

We are the earth

Paul, an apostle for the promise of life

Draw strength, pursue enriching lives, service to God

We are the earth

Increase our faith

Modern ears, inside and outside the Christian family, faith, strange, dangerous, increase faith, small, power to heal

We are the earth

Come here at once and take your place at the table

The key, tell the story, compare, one who serves, friends, kneel and serve , night of arrest, wash feet, increase faith, tiny, to do great things

We are the earth

We are the Deed

We are the deed

The land, life and death, agrarian society, prize land, legal, protect land, family, prize space, where we live, home, value, human agency, God’s mission

We are the deed

The word came to Jeremiah

Prophetic symbol, Jeremiah bought a field, simple act, location, city of Jerusalem, Babylonian army circle the city, Jeremiah confined, exchange through proxy, we are the proxy

We are the deed

Buy my field that is at Anathoth,

Real estate transaction, Abraham bought land to bury Sarah, Boaz redeemed a field, also tarnished real estate deals, real estate is blessing or curse

We are the deed

Be generous, and ready to share

Active, courageous, choice, true life, starting point, challenge, inspire hope, shape human conversation, in the world

We are the deed

There was a poor person

Parables of rich man and Lazarus, reversals of fortune, promised in Magnificat, sermon on the plain, stewardship of goods, balancing the scales, excess emptiness

We are the deed

When someone speaks compassion, they will repent

True faith, great chasm, judge, great teacher, faithful, action, compassion, impoverished, find comfort, suffering, healing

We are the deed

We are the Balm of Healing

We are balm of healing

The lament of Jeremiah, Judah’s pathos, intensity rhythm, poetry, keep pace, God anguish, human community, the people’s voice, speak now

We are balm of healing

We hear the cry of the people

Every generation, hear, lament, with new ear, suffering, timeless, centuries, culture, prophet life, difficult, burden, joy gone, grief is here, heart sick

We are balm of healing

The health of the people restored

On the one hand, lament is from the people, God’s beloved, vulnerable, far, wide, in the land, include, engage, the world beyond the walls, this shapes us

We are balm of healing

I urge that prayers be made for everyone

Everyone, universal, prayer, salvation, prayer and intercession, mirror God, participation, salvific will

We are balm of healing

There was a manager

Dishonest steward, imitate, behaviour, commend, danger of money, rival to God

We are balm of healing

Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much

Profit and loss, love of money, consider our wealth, economics, impossible to serve God and mammon, motivation, relationships that we forge. Serve God, love people

We are balm of healing

We are the Earth

We are the earth

Lament, foe, threat, looming, horizon, privilege, resonate, threat, empire, warning, search, for the beacon, the sign post, the way forward

We are the earth

A wind comes

Hot wind, spirit, barren, wilderness, way forward, wound, people, vulnerable, fair

We are the earth

The whole land shall be

Vulnerable, repentance, God voice, onslaught, nature, hot wind, intense, nature, wind that winnows, separate wheat from chaff, wind cleans, wind scatters, wind, breath of God

We are the earth

Christ strengthens us

Gratitude, mercy of God, Martin Luther, grace, anxiety, scriptures, righteousness, gift from God, faith and love, who acts, believes, advocate

We are the earth

The sheep are found

Good pub, ready made party, Jesus is eating and drinking in the Good Pub, seeks out, lost and found, let all in, who is in, who is lost, who is found, be the Christ Community today

We are the earth

Rejoice with all, for all is found

Sin, forgive, repent, change, mind, all found, twist, turns, truth, surpiese, hidden, discovered, sweeping clean

We are the earth

We are the Potter

We are the potter

Immanence, transcendence, genius, apostle, gift, proclamation, import, significance, divine authority

We are the potter

Come down to the potter’s house

Argument, basic, gifted individual, aptitudes, seek, expression, called, given, generation to generation, original thought, conventional wisdom, apostolic message, foolishness, solitude, labour, solitary venture, community of faith

We are the potter

Working at the wheel

Distinctions, background, steward of the tradition, foolish, lonely, community, prophet, apostle

Jeremiah’s call, Israel’s purpose, the chosen people, tradition, handed down, prophet words, seem familiar, greeted, skepticism, political, military, religious, ethical

We are the potter

Appeal on the basis of love

Wonderful letter, brevity, most human, salutation, Hellenic grace, Hebraic peace, suave urbanity, onesimus, useful, writer

We are the potter

Carry the cross

Faithful discipleship, faint of heart, blessing and righteous, guests, host wedding banquet, realm of God, great supper, feast, held for the poor, crippled lame, the blind from near and far, cost of discipleship, the cross looms, before followers, the cross emerges before us

We are the potter

Become my disciple

Working out our discipleship, what we give away, what we keep for ourselves, impartiality, church as a community, pastoral care, high level of trust, spiritual director

We are the potter

We are the Land

We are the land

When children remember the beach, water’s rush, knock you down, recall the baby pools, the water of ocean, splash and play, make castles, dug holes, real water, land meets the water

We are the land

Hear the word

Parable, pastoral, living water, managed water, chosen people, brought out of Egypt, through wilderness, changed Gods, to the God of the ancestors

We are the land

I brought you into a plentiful land

Courtroom, familiar, prophet, literature, wayward, people, interrogation, leaders, mediate, divine presence, lead, God people, pursuit of sacred purpose. Blind guides who distract, priestly lineage, follow God ways, discern, the way forward

We are the land

show hospitality to strangers

Worship centres, arts in music and drama, extended families, sanctuary place, fondest dreams, maelstroms, contentiousness, family unpacked, love is patience, love is kind, love understands

We are the land

Sit down at the lowest place

Be a blessing to others, many times, first memory, hearing, mystery of faith, seek the elders

We are the land

When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind

Jesus says, turn toward the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, Jesus challenge reaches across the boundaries of place and time, share the table, boundary breaker, banquet for all

We are the land

We are the Womb of Life

We are the womb of life

Political saw, out of hand, routine version, familiar, institution, capable, deluded, danger, self, republic, sardonic, reluctance, accept the job, refuse, appropriate, commendation

We are the womb of life

I consecrated you

Perspective, call, ministry, prophets, initial, embrace, appointed, task, speak, divine, word, serve, prove God, summons, legitimize, prophet, false, glib, eager, name, God word, least, most, hear, pleasing, optimistic, peace word, Jeremiah, lasting peace

We are the womb of life

Now I have put my words in your mouth.

True prophets speak, against the data, displeasing word, upsetting, foreboding word, proven true, over time, isolating, countercultural, dimension, true prophecy, false, unwelcomed, speaker, Word from God, marginalize, endanger, prophet, campaign, for that job

We are the womb of life

You have come to the city of the living God

Notice, development, passage, begin, lapse, dishonour, Christian, habit, favour, self comparison, Judaism, God of wrath, God of grace, God mercy, judgement, consider God

We are the womb of life

He laid his healing hands on her

Woman, crippled, spirit, stand up straight, healing, Jesus calls, set free, ailment, lay hands, response, stand up straight, petitions, illness, strain, see the sun, sky, the stars, look down, to look up, just a glance, heal on the sabbath

We are the womb of life

You are set free

Dominion, begin, God kingdom, like, where Jesus is, foretaste, coming kingdom, blindness, hearing, broken, disfigured, God reign, good for all, good for all, God future, manifest, find ourselves

We are the womb of life

We are the Vineyard

We are the vineyard

Prophecy, during war, parable, vineyard, passage, woes, success, failure, condition, society, crisis, injustice, righteous

We are the vineyard

Build a watchtower

Insatiable greed, rich, powerful, reflected, joining, house to house, field to field, latifundia, no place left, for common people, morally bankrupt, innocent find their rights

We are the vineyard

Sing my love song

Isaiah employs the parable method, engage hearers, judge, in the situation, ears to hear, vintner comes, charge, vineyard unattended, yield wild grapes, destroy the vineyard, lord of hosts, Israel vs Judah, consequences, judgement

We are the vineyard

Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses

Reading, writer, idea of faith, courage to endure, stiffen the spines, struggle with hostility, larger story, promise reaching back, ancient ancestors, elusive, present, form of hope, strangers live in hostile culture, reaching, yet to grasp

We are the vineyard

I came to bring fire

Guide our feet, way of peace, Jesus appears, bring fire, reconcile, peace bless, sick heal, teach greet, balm, alienation, invitation

We are the vineyard

See a cloud rising

Claim of course, implication, responsible for knowing, vincible, interpret time, should have known, respect patters, signs of weather, God’s kingdom, common wealth promise, negligent crowd, sharp division, gain hearing. Open the way

We are the vineyard

We are the Rescuers

We are the rescuers

YHWH has saved, glory fills the sky, all the nations, one day stream, judge between, sovereign, powers of empire, beware Assyria and Babylon, Judah rises, allegiance for all, faithful remnant will return

We are the rescuers

Hear the word of the Lord

Justice, delivers, denounce, power, remember the poor

We are the rescuers

Listen to the teaching

Rulers, people, greed, injustice, guilt, sister, daughters of pride, excess, prosperous, people who ignore the poor

We are the rescuers

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen

Dog days of August, Midway, Lughnasadh, patience, school return, normal reborn, menancing, martyrdom, plunder, possessions, hostility, culture, steadfast, persevere

We are the rescuers

Sell your possessions

Much to fear, terror, war, economy, climate, unemployment, hunger, poverty, homeless, escape, walk the hood, news casts, be afraid, Jesus comforts, do not be afraid, give the kingdom

We are the rescuers

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

We are the rescuers

Creative people artist, author, mathematician, scientist, fresh insight, great surprise, offer service, listen to the colours, painting, a gift to and from the painter, eye on the maker, while some asleep at the switch, look long and hard, for the people thirst, carpenter who heals

We are the rescuers

We are the Summer Fruit

We are the summer fruit

Compact, dense, judgement, Amos, create, prophetic witness, summons, love, God, love neighbours, the poor, unjust world, overcome, hardened hearts, social evils, escapes, God’s call, wordless embrace, path of justice, craft a message, words of life, overwhelm and overcome

We are the summer fruit

See a basket of summer fruit.

Demonstrate, stake, issue, invent, life, social, unjust, unthinkable, renew, not hear, listen, God word, prophet, witness, capacity, create, the way, confront, heart barrier, religious noise, hear justice words

We are the summer fruit

This is what the Lord GOD showed me

Summer fruit, famine, feat, God word, dissonance, harmony, God covenant words, abundance, earth darkens, worship songs, desolate, consolation

We are the summer fruit

He is the image of the invisible God

Christological hymn, person of Jesus, knowledge, morality, cosmic, ethical, reconciliation, God root, time and creation

We are the summer fruit

Mary, listened

Journal, mission, Preach the Gospel at all times—if necessary use words”, Mary, Martha, sisters of Lazarus, approval, Jesus words

We are the summer fruit

A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home

The taxi driver, driven, disease of the internet age, cause of inattention, focus, prime time, close friends, gather, place of being, worried and distracted, touch with with the one thing, good part, connect with the source, peace and energy

We are the summer fruit

We are the Time

We are the time

Avenues, explore, wonderful, communicate, God power, restore Naaman, broken, renew, choice, first step

We are the time

Go, wash in the Jordan seven times

Frontline, deliver, good news, relief, suffering, society, attributes, heralds, God power, God presence

We are the time

The flesh was restored

Witness, providence, healing, reach, Israel, God people, covenant, elected, creation, benefit, exemplify

We are the time

Restore a spirit of gentleness

One hand, other hand, paradox, corruption, intervention, spirit provide, God gift, freedom grace, truth, gentle spirit,

We are the time

Jesus sent the 70 in pairs

Good news, world hope, authority, mission, commission, 12, 70, world nations, human salvation

We are the time

‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Caution, blueprint, attention, abundance, optimist, prepare, harvest, gather, responsible, growth, plan, organize, anticipates, growth, pray,

We are the time

We are the Prophet

We are the prophet

End, beginning, spirit, now, break through, science, technology, mystery, sacred, blessing, life chariots, fire, horse, new day, I will not leave you

Hard words, left, right, answer, truth, scripture, bible, consider, discern, lectio, divina, gamble, discover, Elijah, Elisha

We are the prophet

The water was parted, reject, accept, reaction, invitation, old school, new ideas, grovel, shovel, marvel, invent, build, faith, bridge

We are the prophet

Stand firm

Christ, freedom, free, wonder, words, gospel, mission, life, reveal, freedom, imperative, open, way

We are the prophet

Journey, galilee, finish, begin, face, Jerusalem, Mose, Elijah, Miram, Ruth, warn, prophet, courage, rugged, risk, partner, mission, reject, accept, walk, the Jesus way

We are the prophet

Go proclaim God’s Kingdom, God love, passage, reject, accept, violent, embrace, contrary, marry, identity, mission, radical, love, piety, Gods eyes, sacrifice, edifice, provoke, disturb, plant, build, Jesus road

We are the prophet

We are the Mountain

We are the mountain

Heart, text, faced with community, immersed, trappings, flash, bang, bluster, political, Elijah, sound, sheer silence, sensation, bombastic, time out, frenetic pace, embrace stillness, silence, Gods word, come to us

We are the mountain

Stand on the mountain

Inquire, nature of revelation, reading, narrative, divine presence, outward, manifestation, sound of silence

We are the mountain

Suddenly an angel touched him

Revelation of God, spectacular phenomena, accessible, intelligible, human framework, experience, quiet heart, hear God

We are the mountain

You are children of God

Jew, Gentile, faith, hear now, life, money, concern, modern, society, life ethic, hope

We are the mountain

He stepped out on land

In the boat, out of the boat, step into life, step out of life, step into Jesus, driven, demon, scarcely human, live among the dead, naked, violent, alone, Jesus steps out, confront, opposite life, beyond reach, redeem, healing love, Christ with us

We are the mountain

Declare how much God has done for you

Demonstrate, Jesus’ power, testimony, healed restored, leave, arrive, renew, body, spirit, reckon, God call, follow Jesus, hear call now, Go where I send thee

We are the mountain

We are the Wisdom

We are the wisdom

Where is God, seek, heart, revelation, rumble beneath, stands, God wisdom calls, wise, journey, temple, synagogue, ashram, divine, faith, practice

We are the wisdom

Wisdom calls with understanding voice

Proverbs, calls, all that live, world heart, spirit, world, public, private, competing voices, cry out, grasp, life mystery, God is Church, God is beyond

We are the wisdom

At the crossroads, she takes her hand

Wisdom as the architect of God’s creation

Architect of God’s creation, wisdom fingerprints on creation, when world began, delight, humanity, trained eye, expert ear, hear the pattern, piece of music, trained heart, insight of the teacher, the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork, where cast our eyes, see God glory, universe of sacred light

We are the wisdom

Access to grace

Now, made right, God’s sigh, faith, God’s promises, real peace, privilege, where we stand, confident, joy, face problem, realize trials, find patience, realize strength, Holy spirit, God love

We are the wisdom

I still have many things to say

God, creator, God the Christ, God the Spirit, belong, declare, disciples, wrestle, interrelation, believe, struggle, identity, doctrine, person, substance, three, good news

We are the wisdom

When the spirit of truth comes

Jesus, truth, relationship, western, individual, covenant, relationship, point to Christ, omniscience, omnipotence omnipresence

We are the wisdom

We are the Builders

We are the builders

The whole earth, rumble, showdown, two teams, build a city, go down, confuse their language, kneel, confusion, understanding

We are the builders

The whole earth had one language

God, humanity, heaven tower, Noah, Moses, people of Israel, human team

We are the builders

Come let us make bricks

Progression, digression, all of humanity, God’s intentions, God purpose, human detour, confuse, scatter, understand, clarify, God’s ways, God gifts, God love

We are the builders

They spoke in other languages

Awesome power, revealed, band of disciples, together, Jesus life, human, spirit talk, living Christ, minority, majority, gather early

We are the builders

Love one another. Start now, show me, Christ life, revelation, incarnation

We are the builders

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Love me, love is God is, grace, compassion, keep love, command now, word keep

We are the builders

We are the Anchor

We are the anchor

Story, perplexing, talk, slave, free, honest, follow Paul, companions, most high God, proclaim, way of salvation, gathered, audience

Go to the place of prayer

Many days, annoyed, divination, outrage, inrage, love rage, apology, heal, mend

We are the anchor

The doors opened wide

Owner, seller, first step, law, loss, value, complain, Roman order, Jewish customs, challenge, economics, offense, invite, threaten, welcome

We are the anchor

The water of life is a gift

Revelation, revolve, predominant, Christ nature, affirm, assertion, comprehensive, eternal, root, cause, shoot, offspring, regard, humanity, oecumenius, Immanuel, language

We are the anchor

You have sent me to love all

Pass on the message, faith to those, encounter with Christ, given, diversity, religious, last words, first thoughts, farewell, dilemma, unity, God, Christ, Jesus desire

We are the anchor

You loved us before the foundation of the world

Love, divine, bond, gift, disciple, magnetic grace, God seek, ingredient, love strong,

Anchor faith

We are the anchor

We are the Open Gate

We are the open gate

Lydia, woman making her way, sought, God of Judaism, seller of purple goods, God worship, stand before us, narrative, contemplative Mary, active Martha, her heart God set, work is done

We are the open gate

Come over to help us

Came to the riverside, secluded place of prayer, expected to meet, other women, seekers, pray together, particular day, outside the city gates, met by Paul, companions, missionaries, looking for anyone, God seek, God in the hidden prayer place, at the river side, Lydia found God, God find

We are the open gate

We set sail

Almost, recall, a moment, in history, improbable events, controversy, early church, Paul, course correction to Philippi, Spirit prevented Paul from going the wrong way, making detour

We are the open gate

Its gates will always be open

Eastertide, Jesus constitution of the church, mark the time, transition from presence to last days

John’s account, Jesus promise, Spirit sent, bestow spirit, sacrament, indwelling

We are the open gate

Those who love me will keep my word

Break open, relationship, unfinished encounter, beyond language, communion between the human and divine, challenge, advocate, break the news, clarify the hidden, teach, new knowledge, Christ revealed, Jesus of history

We are the open gate

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you

Holy spirit reminds us, Jesus is salvation, Zaccheus, tax collector, Peter flimsy faith, reclaim, Jesus looks at us, word made flesh, cut from the same piece of cloth!, on the way, kind of peace, face a new tomorrow

We are the open gate

We Get Up to Meet Peter

We get up to meet Peter

Commandments party, Cornelius receives the spirit and is baptized, name of Jesus, mission to the world, Dietary laws, gift of the spirit, pivotal realization

We get up to meet Peter

I was in the city

Revelation, convert, Jerusalem Church, proposition, take a step change, called, come, heal, preach, baptize, God speak throught him

We get up to meet Peter

I heard a voice

Struggle, clean and unclean, legitimate, Israelite descent, beautiful gate, stressed, ancestors, sacred history, genealogy, overcome, revulsion,

We get up to meet Peter

I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem

Heaven is eternal, cosmology, socialized, people are born, people die, come and go, death connected to, heaven is our imagining it, sorrows come and hope grows, heaven vs earth

We get up to meet Peter

You will look for me

Recall a moment, Jesus’ statement, all is coming to fulfillment, lay down life of the sheep

Messianic role, work of completion

We get up to meet Peter

I give you a new commandment

Newness of the commandment, in the source, feeds this love, humility, transformation, God compassion, meaning of the cross and resurrection, love on another, embody the truth, loving action of Christ, I have loved you that you also love one another, Christ love take deep root in us, helping the world, God breathing through Christ life.

We get up to meet Peter

We are the Open Eyes

We are the open eyes

Sudden, shift, conversion of Paul, Peter’s miracle, Tabitha story, Peter’s healing, beautiful gate, power of God, foretold by the prophets

We are the open eyes

There was a disciple

Tabitha the moment of miracle, call on Jesus name, hear it, justify the miracle, economic output of Lazarus, Jesus brings

We are the open eyes

He knelt down and prayed

Raising Tabitha, challenge, belief, the message, return to life, clothed in meaning

We are the open eyes

There was a great multitude

Revelation, clear tensions, between community, worships the lamb of the world, or the emperor, Propaganda, rescued from danger, enjoyment of peace

We are the open eyes

How long will keep us in suspense?

Debate, that Jesus is having with opponents, celebration of Hannukkah, lighted lamps

We are the open eyes

Are you the Messiah?

Affirming the divine narrative, sovereignty, love, honour, ancient pattern, finds perfect expression, Christian commitment, messiah, transformed, word, assurance

We are the open eyes

We are the Open Road

Damascus Road, transform, personal encounter, changed, life, conversion, Christ appearance,

We are the Open Road

All who belong

Pre-ascension, Christ appeared, lifted up, road to Emmaus, Paul, mission

We are the Open Road

He fell to the ground

Continue, apostle, persecutor, life giver, Paul’s experience

We are the Open Road

I heard the voice

Revelation, apocalyptic, symbolic text, reveal, hidden, vulnerable, power, God grace, suffering with us, Cross road

We are the Open Road

Jesus stood on the beach

Disciples gather, nightfall, sea shore, fishless, fishers, Jesus on the beach, Jesus calls, Cast net again, other side, fishful, fishers, It is the lord, jump into the sea

We are the Open Road

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

We are the Open Road

Christ, past, present, days to come, darkness, light shines, in hunger, in failure, in denial, Christ shines, push darkness away, curtain comes down, real life begins, present and beyond

We are the Open Road

We are the Ancestors

We are the ancestors

The grandmothers, the grandfathers, the aunts, the uncles

Meaning, obey, human, authority, today, challenge, obedience, discern, heal

We are the ancestors

We must obey God

Hold responsible, Empire, executioner, listening, apostles, believers, great numbers

We are the ancestors

We are witnesses

Capture, tension, religious, political, captain, temple, apostles, non violent, afraid, force

We are the ancestors

Made us to be a kingdom

Firstborn, coming, clouds, every eye, see, death, resurrection, past, present, future

We are the ancestors

Jesus came and stood among them

Seeing, touching, empirical, verification, experience, evidence

We are the ancestors

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Gospel of John, true followers, blessed are those who have not seen, come to believe, skeptic, new life

We are the ancestors

We See Jesus

We see Jesus

Launch, new creation, new life, new heaven, new earth, cosmic, new order, God power, matrix, transform, Embody, creative power, space change, progression

We see Jesus

Create new heaven and new earth

Three dimensions, joy, create, transformed, re-order, hope for life

We see Jesus

They shall plant and eat the fruit

God joy, create, old space, old Jerusalem, mi diose s alegre, (my God is joyful), new space

Creative power

We see Jesus

God shows no partiality

Easter, sermon, miracle stories, Jesus rising, resurrection, Jesus rising, transmuted, humanity, endowed, grave, message, universal, imortality

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb

Written, told, bring judgement, hopeless, faithless, prophet, prophets, God talk

We see Jesus

I have seen the lord

Mary speak, tomb life, weeping, good bye, hello, grief, angel, stranger, commission, stories, sending, believe, Reunion, impulse, cling, release, living, water, bread, find, voice

We see Jesus

We are the Wounded

We are the wounded

He shall bear their iniquities

Passage, servant song, suffering, exaltation, intrigue

We are the wounded

A man of suffering

We are the wounded

Reformation, treasures, heritage, vision, rooted, mission, gift, embody, deep, rivers, relationships

Are you the King

Prose, novel, realism, story, divine, revealer, prologue, passion, death

We are the wounded

“It is finished”

Tenebrae, God work, Jesus, deep hour, suffering, world hope, betrayed, mocked, condemned, lift, cross, king, rule, universal, sacrificial love, crucified, death no more, evil vanquished, yeah though we walk through the valley of shadows, we will fear no evil

We are the wounded

We are Jerusalem

The city on the hill

This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

Life is a house, accompany, magnificent life, building blocks, building, the stone, cornerstone

We are Jerusalem

O Give thank to the Lord

Marvelous things, Rejected, invited, cornerstone, world people, integrity, God presence, lurking, coming, at the gates

We are Jerusalem

Go into the village

History of Israel, journey to Jerusalem, enter the village, power, predict future, Jesus

We are Jerusalem

God had given me the tongue of a teacher

Suffering servant, Jesus prayer, cup pass, palm, passion, sin, forgive

We are Jerusalem

Every keen should bend, in heaven and on earth

Single lyric, incarnation, crucifixion, exaltation, imperial guard, Christ proclaimed

We are Jerusalem

This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood

Spirit of the age, horror, absence, Jesus cry, cry, loud voice, despair, prophet, Moses, God word, mission, church

We are Jerusalem

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Two prayers, cross, forgiveness, forgive them, into your hands, did they know what they are doing?,

We are Jerusalem

We are the Way

We are the way

Belongs, concern, prophet, God people, exile, lost, found, lost God, find God, crisis, God in disaster, kind of future, God now, fidelity, goodness, omnipotence, identity, promise, be with us

Make a way in the sea

Desperate, situation, God words, spoken, God people, Comfort, comfort, says your God, God’s people, encourage, consolation, hope word, the sick world cries

We are the way

I am about to do a new thing

Hebrew people, timeless one, today, experience of exile, grim shadow, past tragedies, past ghosts, shame, swirl, vision cloud, darkness, despair, sudden death, broken relationships, cruelty, healing, Jesus Christ, divine forgiveness, new life, God love.

We are the way

Press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call

Protestant theologians, strong statement, faith righteousness, Paul letter, true nature

We are the way

There they gave a dinner for Christ

Approach, passion, death, Lazarus’s home, Mary reactions, Judas response, Jerusalem entry, Mary’s preparation, money waste, give to the poor

You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.

We are the way

Mary anointed Jesus feet

Poor with you, justify, complacence towards the poor, for the poor, never cease out of the land, always treasure the life of the poor, prelude, postlude, Mary’s act, world lives, shadow cross, compassion, extravagant generosity, in worship, abundance to heal and mend today

We are the way

We are the Story

We are the story

The words, the phrase, the memories, the yesterday, today, and tomorrow

God, saving, new places, new possibilities, passage, Joshua, wilderness, wandering, forty years, escape, oppression, enter, promised land

We are the story

They kept the Passover

Which fruit has a deeper story?

Reproach, Egyptians, text, refusal, believe, enter, possess the land, milk and honey, real, manna, fertility, slavery no more

We are the story

They ate the produce of the land

Crossroads, past, forgives, presents, opportunities, services, futures, reflect, lent, relationship, first Passover in Canaan, exodus, pause, renew, covenant

We are the story

So we are ambassadors for Christ

Apocryphal, Christ died for us, mercy, forgiveness, glad, grace, genuine, repentance,

We are the story

The younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country

Urgent, need, repent, prodigal, son, metanoia, turn around, lost, found

We are the story

Finally Luke, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

God has a dream, help me, alienation, invitation, sorrow, to joy, war, to peace, justice, goodness, compassion, love, caring, swords beaten into ploughshares

We are the story

We are the Waters

We are the waters

Streams, rivers, lakes, bays, oceans

Modern, world, lent, crave, perched, alert, anxious, seek, God’s face, rush, regrouping, recreating, recomposing, hustle, work, struggle, compromise, completion, find, spent, drained, thirst

We are the waters

Come to the waters

Religion of the market, traditional, fear, the new sects, new danger, juggernaut, never-ending, machine, enough

We are the waters

Everyone who thirsts

Word from God, visiting a market, mass media, ancient market square commerce, people rushing, buy, struggle, sell, standing at the margins, begging, handout, taste, daily bread

We are the waters

All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea

Already, the churches’ life, read the scripture, figures, antitypes, the Israel of God, wandered in the desert

We are the waters

A fig tree was planted

Warnings, urgency, of the times, disruptive, economics, religious, traditions, and human destiny, completed transformation, endure, judgement, impress the point, common assumption, people of Israel, pain and affliction, ancestors

We are the waters

The trees bears fruit.

Faith is taking your best step, leave the rest to God, missional side of this Gospel, witness, working out of God’s kingdom, task, labour, witness, wait, labour, future, my kingdom come, thy will be done

We are the waters

We are the Land

We are the land

The valley, the mountain, the riverbank, the seashore

Passage, divine, conversation, God talk, creator, promise, heir, descendants, star child

We are the land,

Count the stars

Generosity, difficult, accept, God trust, blessed, beyond measure, miraculous, God hope, Abraham and Sarah wonder

We are the land

Give you this land

Surprise, quarrel, understand, female, male, unlimited God, relationship, superior, formidable, barrenness, hope sign

We are the land

Christ will transform

Imitation, moral exemplar, earn, salvation, works, legitimate, window, into, Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad, Gandhi, Lazarus, Anne Frank

We are the land

See me when the time comes

Metaphor, inward, outward, journey, Lent, deliberate, reflection, obstacles, spiritual life, Jesus is moving, city of David, kingdom, struck, common people, die to live

We are the land

‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Good news, holy spirit, poured, human community, new tapestry, ancient, prophet, new humanity, flesh and hope, plenty, core, room

We are the land

We are the Wanderers

We are the wanderer

Crossroads, detour, left, right, up, down, backwards, press on

Find God, hidden, revealed, quiet corner, the lament of midnight, the ballad of the morning

We are the wanderer

A wandering Aramean was my ancestor

Confess, affirm, memory, gratitude, God grace, rooted

We are the wanderer

The Lord heard our voice

Mother of imagination, mother of faith, promise, roots, wandering Aramean, memories, the stuff of faith, people, fed, remember, road, table

We are the wanderer

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek

Lament, presence, human beings, forty days, miss the mark, weeping willows, sorrow, mend, heal, transform

We are the wanderer

Jesus was led by the spirit in the wilderness

Nature of evil, nature of Christ, power of temptation, return to the Jordan, led by the Spirit, evil is personified

We are the wanderer

“It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'”

Identity of Jesus, become witness, narrative, baptism, if you are the Son of God. Saving purpose, Return to the Lord your God

We are the wanderer

We are the Providers

We are the voice

Speaker, words, tongue, speech, bring, the law, down, mountain, understand, strange, perceive, Moses, protect, shines, commissioned, deliver,

He came down from the mountain

Nurtured, cross theology, find ourselves, creeds, speak, self denial, humility

We are the voice

He gave them the commandment

God shine, face, veiled, terrified, chatter, confused, threat

We are the voice

We act with great boldness

Bondage, intellect, blindness, freedom, hope, boldness, encounter, spirit of the lord, softened hearts, reveal, transform

We are the voice

Jesus took Peter, James and John

Tale, rising, theophany, mountaintop, mystery, law, prophets, relationship, live, here and now, transfigured

We are the voice

A voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Listen, voice, this, chosen, teacher, look, plead, God voice, challenge and judgement, new voices, in distress, what grace,

We are the voice

We are the Providers

We are the providers

Called to preserve, to redeem, to mend, to heal

Feast, manifestation, appearance, public, descent, miraculous, first signs, revealed, show, identity

We are the providers

God sent, to preserve

Manifest, look, disclosure, identity, climax, Joseph, story, brother, God sent, preserver life, saving, people of Egypt, famine, preserve, Jacob family

We are the providers

God sent, to keep alive

Reveal, interpret, providence, turn away from evil, do good

We are the providers

God chooses us

Christian doctrine, resurrection, body, salvation, flesh and spirit, reborn

We are the providers

I say to you, listen.

Sermon on the plain, ethnic generosity, living, hostile world, listen, love, enemies, sow generosity, reject, accept, response, violence, heart, problem, strike, embrace, good news, poor healed

We are the providers

Be merciful, just as God is merciful.

Fruitful horizon, radical faith, great reward, become, amazing grace, body mind, spirit, practice, makes better, change, love, work hard, transforms, narrow path, open way.

We are the providers

We are the Blessed

The tree planted, the roots by the stream

Utterance, foundations, blessedness, radical trust, piety, heart, rooted, conversion, epiphany, reformation, trust, created, divine, benevolence, source, power, innovation, social status, security, reliance, accomplishment, confidence, keeping God, loyalty, trust

We are the Blessed

They shall be like a tree planted by water

Declaration, assertion, suffer, hard times, deep resources, flourish, drought, narrow, wide, pious, penalized, priority, God place, challenge, resonation, hearer, living faithful, difficult lives, strategy, expansive, understanding, blessedness, curse, immediate, culture, ultimate notions, human happiness, fulfillment

We are the Blessed

Send out roots by the stream

Passage, human heart, reservoir, roots, commission, turn away, turn toward, God, new covenant, write on the heart

We are the Blessed

We have hoped in Christ

Assertion, belief, faith, resurrection, first fruits, human, being, die, to live, alive in Christ

We are the Blessed

People came to be healed

Raw, unvarnished, faith rattling, declaration, God realm, crowd, blessing, poor, hungry, reviled, conversely, comfortable, prophecy, synagogue, bring, Good news, for poor, release captives, sight, fulfill, pointed, searing, unsettling, upsetting order

We are the Blessed

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Poverty, Jesus shame, then, now, homeless beggar, participation, disgrace, on the level, speak plainly, life truth, truth, candle, hear, community, lifelong, eucharist, pray, speak, serve, committed, member

We are the Blessed

We are Holy

We are holy

Sacred, the ground, the breath, the pulse of life

We are holy

Call of a prophet, preacher, invitation, empowerment, touching the mouth, proclaim the word

We are holy

Holy, Holy, Holy

Theophany, appearance of God, arrival of God, triune God, domesticates God, needs of humanity,
mystery of God, love, edification provision, incarnate

We are holy

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Reaction, doubt, unclean, empowerment, appointment, vocation, encounter, visible sign, invisible
grace, serve God

We are holy

Good news, proclaimed to you

Demonstrate, belief, Easter tradition, appearance

We are holy

Put out into deep water
Life altering, God word, spoken, heard, heeded, God work, incarnate, heaven voice, beloved

We are holy

Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people

Disciple, assent, Jesus, where we belong, back breaking labour, end of day, keep working

We are holy

We are the Prophet

We are the prophet

The voice, the word, the message

God call, provide, opportunity, vocation, life

We are the prophet

I have put my words in your mouth

Challenge, tempt, history, prophets, live, radical, social, political, familial, wilderness, testify,

We are the prophet

Do not be afraid

Event, fellowship, prophecy, reserved, invitation, radical grace, sordid base, shine, reckon, parent,

We are the prophet

I speak of patience

Discover, challenge, grace-filled, ode to love, status, linger, doubt, folly, pride, capacity, speak, prophetic tongue, love wins

We are the prophet

The gracious words

God present, universal, Elijah, Elisha, paradox, drought- stricken,, famine-ridden, God power

We are the prophet

Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing

life healing

Expectations, criticize, delight, connection, temple, temptation, Jesus today,

We are the prophet

We are the Quest

We are the quest

T.S Eliot
A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.
And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory,
…

That this was all folly

Arise shine for your light has come

Vision, restoration, return, exile, participate, work of God, bring, wealth, tribute, God’s favour, wisdom, divine teaching, heavenly city, ordained blessing

We are the quest

Lift up your eyes and look around

Divine light, tension, thick darkness, come to the light, divine favour for God’s people, conditional inclusion of outsiders, consonant, gracious, blessed way of life

We are the quest

The mystery is made known to you

God is God, reconcile, redeem, humanity, creation, sending, divine will, cosharers, voice, conceived, reunion

We are the quest

Where is the Child

Magi, Persia, star charts, fates in the night sky, mystical craft, comets, supernova,Jupiter and Saturn

We are the quest

They left for their own country by another road

Worship, wise, magi, travellers, out of town, worship, new born king, signs, prophetic confirmation, gift of God, promise of salvation, gift of joy, wise home, another way

We are the quest

We are the Return

We are the return

The return home, to human being, to grits and grace

To open hearts

They would return home

We are the return

Young Samuel, growing in stature, gift from God, barren, return, Nazirite, service, a robe, pilgrimage, blesses, given to go

We are the return

The child grew in stature

Grow into a great prophet, tribal, unified nation, grandeur of ceremony, solemn ritual, listen for a God word

We are the return

Clothe with compassion

Sanctification, justification, work of God, metaphors, relationship, spirit and life

We are the return

His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, separate, dedicate, service, dreams

We are the return

Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour

Authority, God word, Jewishness, grows, teachers, temple, first sermon, wisdom, filed, Sophia child

We are the return

We are Born

We are born – the first time, the second time, born anew

Renaissance

We are born

Take your stand

Take your stand, saved, hold firm, the word

We are born

A shoot shall come

A shoot, stump, jesse, spirit, knowledge, delight, justice for the poor wolf live with the lamb, knowledge of God

We are born

Stand and shepherd

Ancient, stand, strength, live, be our peace

We are born

The word became flesh

We are born

I am the voice in the wilderness

The word, became flesh, among us, testify, light, the voice, in the wilderness

We are born

God sent Gabriel

Gabriel, greets

We are born

Do not be afraid

Shepherds, angel, appeared, do not be afraid, good news, born, saviour swaddling clothes, heavenly host, manger, peace

Let’s go to Bethlehem

Go to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, spread the word, child

We are born

Saw a star

Where is the child, saw the star, Jesus was born, opened their treasure

We are born

Return to their country by another route

We are born

We are in Labour

We are in Labour,

The midwife, pregnant, birth,

Approach, Christmas, earth peace, good speak, invasion, hero leader, surprise place, astonish way

You, O Bethlehem

Suffered, displacement, hardship, tribute, poor tax, wage tax, land poor

We are in Labour,

Stand and feed his flock

Trickle down, effects, covet, seize, oppressed, pushed, off the lands, war, empty mouths

We are in Labour,

Came into the world

Birth, travel, Mary, Joseph, yield great, insights, guilt, shame, ancient, God law, taught care, moral integrity, reverence, stand, presence, God fear, wisdom walk, awe words

We are in Labour,

Blessed are you

Luke song, John Jesus birth, Mary Elizabeth, problem, confirm, encourage, Gabriel Word

We are in Labour,

He has filled the hungry with good things

Cross dressing, incense, burlesque, human pretensions, bold, daring, upside down, good news, threat power, prepare, incarnation, lampoon power, two pregnant women, laugh sing, unwed, manger child, roomless inn

We are in Labour.

We are the Restorers

We are the restorers

Rebuild, bridge makers, locksmiths, light bringers, healer

Travel, journey, prophet, yield, meaning, promise, suffering, judgement, exaltation, suffering, outcast, incarnation

We are the restorers

Do not fear

We are the restorers

God’s Exaltation of the Suffering and the Outcast.

God’s Exaltation of the Suffering, outcast, aware, wait, spiritual, political oppression, praise, renown, Mary song, lift up, lowly and the powerful, good future, Jesus nears.

I will bring you home

We are the restorers

Incarnation

Right systems of justice, heal the shame, rejection, promise, protects, rejoices, renews, prevail vigor

We are the restorers

Affection, trust, author, trials, command, rejoice, joy in the lord

We are the restorers

Infant, belongs to God, mark of Christ, change, inside out, what counts, challenge, instruction, opportunity

We are the restorers

We are the East

We are the east

The sun rising, the new day, the gift of new beginning

Prophet, exile, return, conflicts, people and God, divine, judgement, deliver, day of the Lord

We are the east

Prepare the way

Justice, injustice, seek, honour, dishonour, piety, prosperity, self-righteous, notice, expectations, surprise, arrives, punishment, warn

We are the east

Messenger of the Covenant

Make space, hospitable, welcome, abiding, presence, restore, message, prepare, purify

We are the east

Praying with joy

Emotion, intimacy, relationship, joy, rooted, tribulation, fellowship, collective, remembering, memory, Christ work, thanksgiving

We are the east

The voice crying in the wilderness

Unfortunate, theological, exegetical, interplay, divine, human, advent of the word, made flesh, wasteland, mediator

We are the east

Every valley shall be exalted every hill made low

Prophet, voice, wilderness, eremos, messianic, hope, good news, John the Baptist,

We are the east

We are the Branch

We are the branch

The limb, the shoot, the bud, the home of the bird, the next for the school, the timber for the beaver, the shade for the refuge

The Reality of Human Despair.

Human reality, promise, light of both, the experience, exile, waiting, destruction, lamentation,

We are the branch

I will fulfill the promise

Devastation, consolation, captive, temple, cry, anger, despair, terror, hope, return

We are the branch

Made to the house

Strange, humanity, procure, security, optimism, creatureliness, future

We are the branch

Thank God, enough

The Coming of Christ.

Window, grasp, coming, embryonic, render, night, day, lens

We are the branch

There will be signs

Promise, love letter, apocalyptic, radical, fearful, strange,

We are the branch

Stand before the son

Frightening, hope, expectation, redemption, dawning near, be alert, advent, bring, broken, hurting, selves, stand up and raise your hand, prepare, earth shattering, welcome, birth of peace

We are the branch

We are the Rising

We are the rising

Occupies, space, unlike, crowd, birth, prophetic, story, groundwork, identity, roots, humble, identity, despair, emotions, turbulent, hopeful

We are the rising

O Lord of hosts remember me

Hannah story, meaning maker, pride, identity, iconic, sensitivity, God, involved, concerned, woman, wants, child, gift, barreness, remember, promise, dedicated, God, service,

Hannah prayed

Embodies, patriarchal, pour out the soul, interior, God consciousness, hannah’s prayer, anguish, yearning, prayer of groaning, vulnerability, divine, concern, worth, fertility, loneliness, isolation, despair, piety, mother of a son, prophetic, powerful, human being

We are the rising

This is the covenant I will make

Assured, permanent, pardon, answers, the question, sanctified, life, climax, exhortation, nature, hope, function, eschatological, urgency

We are the rising

What will be the sign

Large, scale, small, arresting, false messiahs, wars, famine, calamities, usher, advent of the messiah, destruction, predictions, persecution, community, culminate, cosmic, upheavals, destructions, usher,

Realm of God

We are the rising

This is the beginning of birth pangs

Holding, not easy, pressure, recruiters is intense, pressure, followers birth pang, wrenching, promising, welcome telos, goal, intention, for the world, challenge, calls church, love one another, daunting, beware,

We are the rising

We are the Restorer

We are the restorer

Heal the world, mend, deep down, broken, past memories

Piety, embody, essential, feminine models, challenge, disturb, lineage, ambiguous, complicated, meaning, life, quiet, resolve, disrupt, embody, voicing, symbolise, embodied, solve, balance, salvation, story, creative, entanglement, God words, human life.

We are the restorer

So that it may be well with you

Ruth’s story, intermarriage, break through, Moab—Isreal, assembly, conversation, people of God

We are the restorer

He shall be to you a restorer of life

Assumption, plenitude, social codes, navigate, complicated, inclusion, embraced, approach, outsider, system of care, code of community, culture, pivot, symbol of accessibility

We are the restorer

Made by human hands

Robust, antidote, spiritual fatigue, danger, drift, access, living Go, atonement, forgiveness, sacrifice

We are the Restorer

A poor widow came and put two copper coins into the treasurer

Biography, record, worker, miracles, vineyard, taxes, challenge, opportunity, power, teaching, ostentatious, faithful, hypocrisy, temptation, danger, vulnerable,

We are the restorer

We are the Lodge

We are the lodge

The sanctuary, the habitat, the residence, the home

They went in the country

Ground, fierce welcome, potent, critique, reform, restoration, reversal, expectation, saviour, nation

We are the lodge

Where you go I will go

Dislocation, death, escape, famine, flee, widows, pleasant, alone, despair, reversal, hope,

We are the lodge

Worship the living God.

Controversy, violence, heal, mend, restore, hand of grace

We are the lodge

Hear O Isreal: the Lord our God is one

Agape, fruit, spirit, faith,hope, love, love God, love neighbour, love self, radical love

We are the lodge

Love your neighbour as yourself

Celebrate, proclaim, good news, cast out demons, heal the sick, mandate to love, right now, take cross, follow now. Love can lead

We are the lodge

We are the Restorers

We are the restorers

Hear and I will speak

Conversation, break through, experience, divine, dispute, read, ponder, blameless, fear, innocent, pain, loss, poverty, health, support, comfort, instruct, stumble, collapse, rebuild, restore, discover, new way, speak to God.

We are the restorers

The Lord restored the fortunes of Job

Exaggerate, embrace, multiply, sorrow, ordinary, massive, grow, confidence, terror, darknight, courage, new day, truth, creator, God alive.

We are the restorers

Redeem those who approach God

Problem, solution, author, belief, practice, mystery, sympathy, discern, lost, found,

We are the restorers

Jesus said, “Call him here!”

Principal, Christ moment, face to face, cries, blind bleggar, heals, go, faith made well, compassionate, good news, God, victory, broken, world, unite, restore, radical, inbreaking, kingdom, human hands

We are the restorers

“Go; your faith has made you well.”

Conversation, rabbouni, disciple, learn, pathway, salvation, mercy, healing, perceive, hear, respond, made whole.

We are the restorers

We are the Wind

We are the wind

Fill the sails, sail makers, windmills, tornadoes, hurricanes

Who has seen the wind, the colour of the wind

Person, history, floods, generations, converse, Abraham, Sarah, waters, agent, righteous, story, Job, challenge, test, incredible, suffering, innocent, justice, universe, wait, answer, hear

We are the wind

God answers out of the whirlwind

Answer, receives, issue, new plane, creator, power, human, mind, grasp, question, declare, humbled, disclosure, repent, dust and ashes, human beings, understand, God ways

We are the wind

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Rebellious, presumptuous, imaginations, have power, wisdom, in ourselves, before God, nothing, so much more, pious, humble, stand, awe, now we shall bow in humble reference before the face of our God.

We are the wind

You are a priest forever

Imagery, ritual, life, temple, high priest, sacrifice, covenant, proclaim, promise, obedient, response, prophet, priest, king,

We are the wind

The cup that I drink you will drink

Bright mirror, humanity, vanity, ambition, follow, Christ, benefit others

We are the wind

You must be servant of all

Jesus calls, embody, way of the cross, resistance, forgiveness, life, together, suffer, together,

We are the wind

We are the Soil

We are the soil,

The growth place, the womb, the incubator, the place of nurture, growth, beginning, healing, transformation

Do not fear

Fear, glad, rejoice, field, pastures, wilderness, bear fruit, full yield, rain, repay, restore, eat plenty,

We are the soil

O Soil; be glad and rejoice

God is here, the time is now, low hanging fruit, the pantry for all, open hands, abundant heart, eyes of compassion, ears of hope, mouth will speak grace

We are the soil

Prayers for everyone

Urge prayer, intercession, thanksgiving, high, low, dignity, desire, truth, teacher, faith and love

We are the soil,

Do not worry

Worry not, birds fly, fish swim, span of life, harmony now.

We are the soil

Strive first for the God Kingdom

Sunrise, sunset, grow, clothed with compassion, first steps, kingdom now, grace for all , share the table

We are the soil

We are the Hand

We are the hand

Left hand, right hand, gloved hand, happy hand, sad hand, working hand, artist hand,

Healing hand, obvious, illustrated, plot, theodicy question, good crashes evil, vindication, innocent, suffer, argue, character, mystery, beyond, finite, comprehension

We are the hand

There was once a person in the land

We are the hand

Stretch our your hand

Satan, astute, mind, raise, critical, questions, fear, wisdom, tradition, servile, respect, reverence, utilitarian, theocentric, piety, fidelity, hand of God, serve God,

We are the hand

God spoke to our ancestors

Quest, history, Jesus, words, incarnation, passion, proclamation, new order, k of God, resistance, encountered

We are the hand

From the beginning of creation

Teachings, questions, divorce, authority, receive, enter, reliance, gratitude, God’s grace, trap, provide, rigorous, appeal, God mercy

We are the hand

He laid his hands on them, and blessed them

Preaching, legal, principle, codify, traditional, negate, disruptive, inbreaking, reign, hospitality, trajectory, social structures, oppress, impress, access, challenge, tradition, radical hospitality, proclaim unsettling reign, God animates, Jesus words and deeds

We are the hand

We are the People Who Save

We are the people who save

Redeem, help, aid, rescue, listen, care, compassion

LET OUR LIVES BE GIVEN

House, righteous, family, unruly king, queen Vashti, beauty, charm, rebellion, set back, cause, freedoms, royal, intrigue, ethnic, pride, murderous, plot, counter plots, Israel’s life, balance

We are the people who save

We the people have won favour.

First meet, orphaned, cousin, exiled, people, far-flung province, shaken empire, snatched away, former life, pagan, rises, passage, relates, turning, reign, manuvers, treacherous, fortuitous, circumstances, identify, doomed, people, edict, Queen Esther, proudly Jewish, regal, feared, immortalized, in the canon, celebrated

We are the people who save

Call the elders to pray

Close, reflection, frustration, text, namely, book, theology, shape, wisdom, explicit, lacks,

Theology, profound, claim, namely, wisdom, life, convictions, God is compassionate, powerful, suffer, cheerful, encourage, pray, effect, change

We are the people who save

Whoever is not against us is for us.

Demons, hell, threat, head to head, light and dark, confront darkness, ignite the light

We are the people who save

Gives you a cup of water in the name of Christ

Outside, exhortation, teaching, sanctification, dangers, leading, Jesus little ones, teaching, Jesus name, set face toward Jerusalem

We are the people who save

We are Crimson

We are crimson

Red, orange, yellow, purple,

Autumn equinox, midway point between solstice and solstice

A capable person who we find

Assumptions, culture, gender, our age, minefield, diverse, my side, your side, our side, war, enemy, territory, hear, challenge, accept, deny, egalitarian, relationship, generous, empower, overflows, blessing, family, marketplace,

We are crimson

All the household are clothed in crimson

Support, roles, expectation, society, marriage, wisdom, transform, foolish, unravel, embodiment, determination, power, character, trustworthy, flourish, initiative, creativity, kind heart, needy strangers, prosperous, charm, beauty, recognition, respect, reward

We are crimson

Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

Counterweight, works, faith, wisdom, wisdom heaven, wisdom earth, wisdom inside, wise living,

We are crimson

Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.

We are the Street Wisdom

We are street wisdom

Remember, street hockey

Hide and go seek, the corner store, the primary school, the playground, recess

Finger painting, riding a tricycle, swimming, run and not be weary, wildhood

Wisdom cries out in the streets

Foolish, predators, life, lady wisdom, sage, prophetess, street preacher, apocalyptic, universal, discover, enemy, capture, wisdom heart, love, all, creatures, share, mystery, God children, heirs,

We are street wisdom

Those who listen will be secure

Wisdom heeded, covenant, falling, rising, promise, judgement, converge, divine, human, masculine, sorrow, laughing, panic, warning, rebuke, reflex, sympathy, gift, scoffing, knowledge, patience,

We are street wisdom

The tongue is a fire

Fascinating, frustrating, danger, read, audience, temptation, literature, offend, invite, provoke, appreciate,

We are street wisdom

Who do people say that I am?

Scandalous, confession, prediction, offer, bleak, light, call, disciple, lose, life, gain, all, follow, marvel, Christ walk

We are street wisdom

Take up their cross and follow me

Existential, practical, soterion, imagination, proclaim, congregation, community, sermon, reality, urgency, decision, life, one, many, whole, cross to bear, today

We are street wisdom

We are the Blessed

We are blessed

Gift, grace, hope, bridge, mend, heal, perceive

Behaviour, wealth, people, wise, stewardship, poor, poverty, loss, foolish, wise

The generous are blessed

Poverty, hope, fear, hear, word, reward, vision, covenant, redeemed, slavery, land, promise

We are blessed

Share their bread with the poor

Relationship, wealth, poverty, lens, covenant, code, love the Lord, God alone, Sabbath, justice, neighbour, community

We are blessed

God chose the poor to be rich in faith

Pure religion, widows, orphans, assembly, synagogue, community, respect, each other, persecution, stand tall

We are blessed

A person bowed down

Syrophonecian women, curing, witness, participate, saving power, outside, inside, power of faith, God’s anointed, messianic, mission, Jesus

We are blessed

Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

Jesus’ command, heal, silent, speak, reluctant, share, quiet, actions, speech, alienate, invite, give voice, God’s presence, stories, words, reign of God

We are blessed

We are the Wisdom

We are wisdom

Wise people, mentors, mentees

Harriet Tubman, Tanya Talaga

The yoda, the Gandalf, the Julia Child

We are wisdom

May God give you a wise and discerning mind

Debate, audience, candidate, belief, elected, decisions, character, live, oath, promise, suffuse, beyond, beyond, ability, mortal, decide, seek, guidance

We are wisdom

David slept with the ancestors

Political, ancient, glimpse, Solomon’s life, invite, reconsider, private, experience, impact, decision, polis, life, faith, governs, reigns, anointed, ambassador, recognizes, magnitude, the call, context, deep, devotion, pray wisdom

We are wisdom

Be careful how you live

Passage, old, new, time, apocalyptic, days, urgency, redeem, participate, Kairos, weary, strong, reap, harvest, good, family, faith, old, new, urge, filled, spirit, Christ, again

We are wisdom

I am the living bread

Preach, life, death, gospel, explicitly, assurance, conveyed, gift, lovely, proclamation, life giving, diverts, territory, disciples, turned, scene, world

We are wisdom

We are the Voice

We are the voice

The whisper, the shout, the song, the poem, the cry, the lament, the affirmation

The voice, my beloved poem and relish its celebration of the love between a woman and a man

Urge, love, poems, celebration, beloved, initiative, rendezvous, nature, sunshine, delight

We are the voice

The time of singing has come

Relationship, creation, male, female, other, create, partner, alone, together, live, covenant

We are the voice

Every generous act of giving

Convert, universe, God’s gift, doers, being, source, life, light, good, truth, idea, gift, source,
change, supreme, birth, word, truth

We are the voice

Honours with their lips

First blush, warnings, religious creatures, rituals, ethics, identity, participation, symbolism, religiosity

Set apart, deep, truth, living heart, kindness, compassion

We are the voice

Speak love with the human heart

Religious practice, pitfalls, hopefills, meaning, implications, value, actions, Jesus words,
hope, renew, God’s love, intentions, humanity

We are the voice

We are the Bread

We are the bread

Making bread, sourdough

Bagels in Kensington

Bread in Harrington Harbour

Communion

There came a traveller

Children, Israel, marched, Egypt, wandering, wilderness, liberation, where, when, how, relationships, sustain, civilization, economic, manna, family, nurture, new kids on the block, wealth, affection, quarrel, quarrel, dispute, listen, resolve, identity, promised land

We are the bread

Eat of the fare

The law, limits, behaviour, instruction, tribes, creator, source, the land, Hebrews, agriculture, conflict, neighbours, warriors, young, elders, order, inside vs. outside.

We are the bread

Prisoner in the Lord

Confession, reconciliation, God’s work, ministry, equip, service, kingdom, praise

We are the bread

He gave them bread from heaven

Trouble, miracles, feeding, five thousand, walking on water, logos, word of God

We are the bread

I am the bread of life.

Habitat for humanity, affordable, housing, power of love, knowledge, human need, little becomes much, works for humanity, incarnation

We are the bread

We are the Movers

We are the movers

E=mc2

Piano movers

Moving trucks

Zip vans, helping hands

With these hands

We are the movers

Deal gently

Emotional, wrenching, alienation, pathos, reality, tragedy, home, gut response, forget, remember, consequences, past is remembered, lives on, thinking, acting, hurting, healing

We are the movers

The king was deeply moved

Social, institutions, emerge, stability, order, coherence, legitimacy, interactions, reciprocity, obligation, mediate, connect, basic, needs

We are the movers

Let us all speak truth

First glance, echoing, prohibit, enumerate, strip away, former, new life, repentance, renewal, change, conversion

We are the movers

Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness

Spotlight, shifts, questions, crowds, looking, to know, complaint, confident, provoke debate, opponents, synagogue, in, out, once, now, stereopotic, then and now

We are the movers

Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty

Honour, glory, give, self, deepest, condescension, want religion, something spiritual, incarnational, God in the flesh, I’m your bread, feed me, hungers, thirst at hand, culture, supermarket, desire, bread and wine stands before us, we seek, we need, God, comes to us in the wilderness of now.

We are the movers

We are the People

We are the people.

The people, young, older,

Rich, poor, sick, well, black, white, in between,

Nonbinary, gay, lesbian, trans, two spirited, cisgendered,

We are the people.

David remained at Jerusalem

Children of Israel, wandering in the wilderness, liberation from oppression, build relationships, institutions, faithful, sustainable civilization, enduring civilization, economic base, life more than manna, family, nurture, socialize, people can be flawed, seek advantage, matter of status, wealth, affection, transcendent normative references, guide, economic, emotional, and political live.

We are the people.

You have come from a journey.

Hebrews, escaped from Egypt, God, called together, give a new identity, witnesses, author, promised land, peaceful flourishing, just society, the land, many tribes, honour God, land, the Hebrews, citadels, neighbours, divine sanction, once slaves, now warriors, defend their bands, world of war, meeting the balm of peace,

We are the people.

I bow my knees.

Confession, reconciliation, equip, service of God, hope, abundance.

We are the people.

Jesus sat down with the disciples.

Trouble, miracles, feeding, 5000, walk on water, divine identity, nature, author, intend, logos, word of God.

We are the people.

It is I; do not be afraid.

Knowledge, human need, resources, bucket list, weak become strong, power, work, incarnation, human desire, goal for grace.

We are the people.

We are the Name

We are the name.

The name we are known by, that we are given at birth.

A name is our calling card. They settled in the house

Home is where we get our bearings, where we live, rest our heads, castle, cave, residence, security, stability, spirit, abiding in God.

We are the name.

I will appoint a place for my people.

The most high, human hands, palace, people of God, locks on the door, protect us, home is castle, feel safe, house of worship, cathedral, transcendent words.

We are the name.

Proclaim peace, reconciliation, Christ, participate, death, life, sin, grace, audience, alive in Christ, way of life. Come away to our place and rest.

Emerge, view the world, flow, compassion, witness, healing, life is lived. They crossed over.

We are the name.

Remembrance, façade, public, healing, deliverance, human hunger, outstretched hands, not enough, human finitude, breads of life, food for the journey home.

We are the name

We are the Dancer

We are the dancer

David gathered the chosen

David danced, joy, God’s presence, temple, moving the ark, presence, leap, twirl

They carried the ark

Break out dancing, emotion, express yourself, culture, drum, heartbeat

We are the dancer

Chose us in Christ

Affirmation, human beings, greeting, election, kingdom of God, appointed to life, mercy shines forth, native

We are the dancer

It is a prophet

Christians, understand, grace, foundation, free election, life before we were born, wonderful mercy, salvation of people, native source.

We are the dancer

Give a banquet

Beheading, tragedy, grieving, mending, healing, presence of grace, redeems, groaning, embracing power, fragrance of life, all things new

We are the dancer

We are the Sovereign

We are the sovereign

We are your bone and flesh

Establish, David King, anointed, Israel, Judah, loyal, shepherd boy, voice, people, bond, one of us, eyes, govern

We are the sovereign

You will be shepherd

Appeal, David to be king, shepherd, rule over Israel, Ascension, God’s promise, covenant

Prayer of Hannah

We are the sovereign

Caught up into paradise

Accept, striking, nature, demonstrate, radical, foolishness, wisdom

We are the sovereign

He began to teach

Nature of Jesus, source, authority, who is Jesus, spirit realm

We are the sovereign

He sent them out two by two.

Life, identity, Nazareth, preparation, twelve, healing, curing, persist, Christ’s name, assurance, witness

We are the sovereign

We are the Bow

We are the bow.

When all the world is a hopeless jumble and the raindrops tumble all around
Heaven opens a magic lane when all the clouds darken up the skyway
There’s a rainbow highway to be found leading from your windowpane

To a place behind the sun
Just a step beyond the rain

Over the rainbow

We are the bow.

They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions,

Author, death, lift a hand, take a life, immoral, lord’s anointed, lament, personal, speech

We are the bow.

Clothed with crimson

Outcry, nature, loss, glory, slain, survivor, grieve, profound, slain, heroes, fall, vanquished, strong warriors, unbearable, howl, might, fallen, midst of battle, heroes, weapons, in God’s hands.

We are the bow.

Excel also in this generous undertaking

Passage, heart, appeal, pledge, collection, for the poor, charis, grace, koinonia, fellowship, participation, relief work, diakonia, work of grace, act of Christian fellowship, solidarity and love.

We are the bow.

Come lay your hands

Nature of Jesus, created order, realms, source, nature, priorities, relationship, subject, sovereign.

We are the bow

“If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.”

Saw Jesus, authority, created order, material, obedient faith, priorities, touch, made well

We are the bow.

We are the Champions

We are the champions.

Champion, leader, warrior, changemaker.

Thought leader, maker.

We are the champions.

Let your life prevail.

Story, boy David, giant Goliath, stone, the small, triumph, youngest, champion, combat, challenge, stripling, confidence, warrior.

We are the champions.

I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.

Read the story, God’s spirit is with David, protect, lead, demonstrate, there is a God.

We are the champions

We urge you to accept the grace of God.

Hazards, look beyond, integrity, reconciliation, righteousness,

We are the champions.

Let us go across to the other side.

Sovereign, nature, authority, created order, the boat, the sleep, the storm, nature.

We are the champions.

He woke up and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”.

Authority, miracle, faith, calm the sea, into the boat, symbols of power, energy of the storm, exertion.

Queen, We will rock you.

We are the champions

We are the Heart

Caritas.

The love of the other for the sake of God.

The people in our heart centre.

My list: Bill Calkins, mother, sister, brother, Roy, many, many more.

Look on the heart.

Passage, grief, sent, anoint, new king, Samuel, fill the horn with oil, travel, Bethlehem, Jesse’s son.

We are the heart.

Rise and anoint this one.

Prophet, meets our brokenness, our story, brighter future, sovereign, plan, participate, rise, God’s future.

We are the heart.

We walk by faith.

Human weakness, divine glory, power, inner, outer, present, future, transient, eternal, resolution, home, faith, sight, flesh, new creation.

We are the heart.

The Kingdom of God is the scattered seed.

Images, peel, layers, walk, riches, living texts, kingdom, farmer, gardener, make the seed, grow, sleeping gardener, harvest, mustard seed, bush large, nesting birds, shade.

We are the heart.

The smallest seed puts for the largest branches.

Mystery, secret, look, perceive, listen, understand, forgiven, hungry hearts, longing, bread of life, mighty wind, join in the journey.

We are the heart.

We are the Elders

We are the elders.

Mentors in my life, Aunt Mary, Minister, Auntie Mame.

Fr Remi, Sylvia Dunstan, John Lloyd, Stan Mackai, Alf Dumont, Evan Smith, Roy Robson.

Listen to the voice of the people.

Story, request, Samuel, consent, prophetic, vocation, power, select, cry out, dissuade, cry out, anoint.

We are the elders.

Give us a king.

Set the stage, monarchy, community, life of Israel, king, govern, God alone, judges, elders, priests, God’s will, paradigm of Rule.

We are the elders.

Our Inner nature is being renewed.

Narrative, stage, beginning, monarchy, highlight, corrupt, earthly king, govern, elders, priests, God’s will, paradigm, absolute, radical.

We are the elders.

The crowd came together.

Read, drama, discernment, house, eat dinner, frenzied crowd, close to the man, family, bring him home, afraid, kingdom, opaque and open, plunder, message, rejection, relentless, this is my family.

We are the elders.

Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.

Name my experience, demonstration, deep south, wrestled, civil rights, way forward, find freedom, conflict.

We are the elders.

We are the Seraphim

When have you seen an angel?

A witness,

Testimony.

I remember arriving in Carlingford.

The oyster whisperer, the leprechaun whisperer.

The White Witch whisperer.

Seraphs were in attendance.

Isaiah, temple, vision, passage, Trinity, mystery, authority, holy, sanctuary, three persons.

We are the seraphi

Whom shall I send?

Understand, confessing, three persons, polytheism, rival, divide, mystery’s, belief.

We are the seraphim.

It is the Spirit bearing witness.

Wonderful, promise, children, deities, future, discover/ communicate, needy people.

We are the seraphim.

Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.

Nicodemus, one night, Pharisees, secret, fear, admirer, Jesus, progress intrigue.

We are the seraphim.

For God so loved the world.

Towering trees, source of life, roots, birth, seeds, roots, embrace, the wind, new, eyes, kingdom of communion, giving of life, giver, living, reality, life eternal.

We are the seraphim.

We are the Fire

We are the fire.

Ignition control, firestarter.

The hand of the Lord.

Israel’s prophets, Ezekiel, source of hope. exiled, Egypt, Babylon, fall of the kingdom Judah, destruction, Jerusalem, the temple, vision, led, spirit.

We are the fire.

Come from the four winds.

Delivers, prophecy, bones, lo, behold, divine, command, breath, minds eye, mission, faithful love, valley of bones.

We are the fire.

Tongues of fire appeared.

Birthday, church, empower, devout, all nations, language, speak, promise, receive power, visions, prophesy, all ages.

We are the fire.

When the advocate comes.

Promise, collision, love, hatred, chosen, lay down life, abide, God love, confront.

We are the fire.

I still have many things to say to you.

Science, aware, rational, revelation, way, truth, paraclete, truth, grace, beauty, life.

Guide, presence, glory.

We are the fire.

We are the Map

We are the map.

Cartographer.

Navigator.

Look for the signs, over the hill, around the corner.

Restore the Kingdom.

The bridge, excellent, patron, standing, community, endorse, chosen, teach.

We are the map.

Wait for the promise.

Narration, link, cry out, agency, source, possible, kingdom, promise.

We are the map.

I have heard of your faith.

Thanksgiving, announces, order, knowledge, authorities, the world, unfolding, revelation, revolution, gift, presence, prayer, action, reveal.

We are the map.

These are my words.

Vault, symbol, chi rohos, solemn, symbols, ascension, perspective.

We are the map.

You have been clothed with power.

Bang, ceaseless, blessing, confront bitter, resist, persecution, stormy seas, hardships, blessing, empower, celebrate, eternal benediction.

We are the map.

We are the Water

We are the water.

The water of Harrington Harbour,

The water of Saskatchewan,

The water of the Jordan,

The water Cudmore Creek,

We are the water.

Heard the word.

Gentile, holy spirit, fell, Jerusalem, interrupt, preaching, mediate, proclaimed, circle, day dawns, lift their voices.

We are the water.

The water for baptizing.

Peters’ vision, smorgasbord, beyond the law, custom, vision, voice, God made clean.

We are the water.

We love the children of God.

Interweaving of faith, love, boundaries, holism, love, world, identity of Christ.

Love, bound to believing, thorny specifics, love each other.

We are the water.

This is my commandment.

All you need is love, can’t we just get along, love is gift from God, love is ambiguous and assertive.

We are the water.

Lay down one’s life for friends.

I do not call your servants, everything made known, leave, dignity, commitment, affection.

The story, the community, our present lives, I choose you, life, joy, friendship chosen

We are the water.

We are the Road

We are the road.

We were travelling the road to Hebron.

The place of the Ancient Kings of Judah.

The road to adventure.

The road to home.

The Angel spoke, “Get up and go”.

Spirit of God, act, teach, messenger, get, go, the south, runs, chariot, treasury, understand, read aloud.

We are the road.

They were going along the road.

Ethiopian, identity, time, Solomon, Queen of Sheba, nature, in light, dichotomies, us, them, all.

We are the road.

Love is from God.

Begin, in love, perfected, through love, return to love, God is love, hunger to possess.

We are the road.

I am the true vine.

Doctrines, fruits, essential, discipleship, fruit bearing activity, church, something we are part of, living community, each branch, planted, creator.

The Word abides in you.

Jesus calls, because we are, I am, do good works, bear fruit, vine, community. Mission, love in action, radical presence,

We are the road.

We are the Key

We are the key.

The password, the keys, lost, found.

Pray to Saint Anthony, the password is:

Jesus is the stone.

Peter’s audience, apostleship, Roman Empire crucified Christ, repentance, preaches repent, denial, oppression, fear, denial, messiah, power of life.

We are the key.

By the power you do this.

Oppressed people of Israel, leaders, civil rights movement, transformation.

We are the key.

God’s love abides.

Love is known, in action, in our heart, sacrifice, test of love, truth.

We are the key.

I am the good shepherd.

Good shepherd, sheep, the voice, in sheep, other sheep, I am.

We are the key

I lay down my life.

Gathering, the flock, provide space, welcome, grace, mercy, surrender, alienation, invitation.

We are the key.

We are the Village

We are the village

I remember the first village that I entered as child, the village of Islington in Etobicoke

Village means “inhabited place larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town”, from Old French village “houses and other buildings in a group”

Go Into the village

Jesus movement, destiny, tradition, messiahship, ride into Jerusalem, invites, triumphal entry, meet a violent death, challenge, opponents, letting go, will of God, things to come, in the village

We are the village

Blessed is the Coming Kingdom of David

Irony, telling the story, reader, hearer, enters Jerusalem, last time, this is the road, road to death, ears to hear

We are the village

Living in the world, attention, questions, answers, hand shortened, power to deliver, bold, God’s hand grows, power to deliver, vindicate

He humbled himself

The same mind, Christ hymn, portrait, imitate, Kenosis, self-emptying, humiliation, exaltation, who is Jesus, Christ life, nature and call of the Church

We are the village

“Listen, he is calling for Elijah.”

Tale of sorrow, power to disrupt our lives, transform our hearts, Jesus death, not the end, discern, meaning, my God my God why have you forsaken me, into your hands, commend, it is finished

We are the village

Sit here while I pray

Proclaim, the story is the focus, language, image, door way, holy week, open’s people’s ears, resonate, deepen

We are the village

We are Jerusalem

The days are coming

New covenant, good news, written on the hearts, perfect love, give assurance

We are Jerusalem

I will write it on their hearts

Renewed, moral consciousness, grace, view of God, liberates, redeems

We are Jerusalem

He became the source

Jesus is the anointed one, Christ’s work, Priest and King.

We are Jerusalem

The hour has come raising of Lazarus, Mary anointing Jesus’ feet

We are Jerusalem

I will draw all people

Non violent, draws all humanity

We are Jerusalem

We are the Eyes

We are the eyes.

We see the first time. In the season we witness the daffodil sighting at the Manor.

On this Mountain.

Victory, promise, reign, judgement, nations, oracles, vision, stand with love, day of the Lord, reign of Peace, the messiah.

We are the eyes.

Make a feast for all people.

Visible sign, hand of the Lord, rest on the mountain, nations, removing the shroud, bringing comfort/make a feast.

We are the eyes.
Christ appeared.

Resurrection, raised on the third day, Christ died for us.

We are the eyes.

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.

Stories of resurrection, John’s story, vivid, gripping, suspense, powerful emotions, earth story, roll the stone away, struggle, relationship, stood beside, risen, walk around.

We are the eyes.

I have seen the Lord.

Empty tomb, old story, Easter story, the story, shout again.

We are the eyes.

We are the Seventh Day

The day of completion

Day of rest, time of pause, sabbatical

Memories of Ireland

We are the Seventh Day

God spoke these words

Moses, two tables, tent commandments, origin, ark, covenant, Jewish, Christian, human life, order, structure, tree of life, tree of knowledge, Sinai

We are the Seventh Day

Remember the Sabbath

Beyond moral principles, live before God, live with one another, love God, love neighbour, love self

We are the Seventh Day

It is written

Stand back, how faith looks, divine action, Christian Symbol, demonstration of God’s power, paradox, powerlessness, project salvation

We are the Seventh Day

Believe the word Jesus had spoken

Cleansing of the temple, seven signs, water into wine, grace, truth, identity, disciple

We are the Seventh Day

Be the Temple

Glimpse, challenge, seek, think, deed, life, light, whole story, temple, open door, open way

We are the Seventh Day

We are the Whirlwind

We are the whirlwind.

I remember a whirlwind in Saskatchewan, it was a great big cloud, at first glance, the thought that was a rain cloud, that was so desperately needed at the time, at second glance, it was a brown dust cloud, rising 500 m or 1500 ft in the air.

Take Elijah up to heaven.

Gap, prophetic, continuity, transfer, spiritual leadership, era, succession in between times, flow of time. Constancy, infinite, finite humanity, faithful response, unknown, unknowable, departure, durable/ divine human encounter, unrelenting time, lasting, everlasting.

We are the Whirlwind.

I will not leave you.

End of Elijah’s era, change is on its way, calls out in grief, vulnerability, Augustine time and eternity, God unbound, crossing the Jordan, always right time, not in bondage to any clock.

We are the whirlwind

Let light shine out of darkness.

Knowledge of God, reliable, pre-modern, postmodern, pure, objective, death and resurrection evil age coming to an end, catastrophe, apocalyptic, inaugurate, God’s realm reveal.

We are the whirlwind

Led them up a high mountain,

Who is Jesus, who are we, Elijah, first, restore, John the Baptist Redivivus of Elijah.

We are the whirlwind.

This is Jesus, listen to him.

Transport us to many, Theophany’s, faith communities, safe places, members and seekers, Jesus identity, discipleship, integrity.

We are the whirlwind.

We are the Blessing

We are the blessing.

We meet blessings every day of our lives, in the hidden corners and the centre of the road.

I remember my uncle Joe Mastandrea in Newmarket Hospital, on his death bed from cancer. Would you like to a prayer? He said yes, I will pray for you.

God met Abraham and Sarah in the centre of their road to proclaim, walk before me.

We are invited to walk with God in relationship, as people and the nations of the world, to redeem, to reconcile. We are invited to plant the promise of divine freedom and to receive and offer divine blessings.

Abraham and Sarah stood, come here and go away with grace.

A window to divine love and faith opened to faithfulness and restitution to declare in the barren valley the fertile crossroad.

I will bless you to be a blessing.

To be the covenant and commandment, in Israel and the world.

I will bind you in history to restore humanity, with your ancestors and descendants to bring justice.

The particular justice to deal with humanity by the mighty hand and outstretched arm, to acknowledge the blameless gift, to be the numerous peace of deliverance and hope.

Paul proclaims the promise of Abraham is the hope that rests on grace.

The traditions, the gift for the children of Abraham is the promise of God for all the nations.

Jesus, the child of Abraham and Sarah, began to teach.

In the question and answer the hinge marking life today and the urgency to heal the diseased, disabled, and the troubled people.

He fed, walked, stood up to criticism, reached out. “Who do you say that I am?”

For those who lose their life will save it.

Peter’s rebuke is human thought, power and might, of the crown of the person.

Deny self, take up the cross, confront the Romans, be a disciple speak messiah.

God with us now, the kingdom of heaven planted in our heart today.

We are the Bow

We are the bow

Bent or arched

We are the bow

The bow is seen in the clouds

Flood story, uncreation, preserve, remnant, re-establish, cosmos, flood, humanity, disorder, order, violence, polluted the earth, destroy, the destroyers, drown in watery, chaos, sealed covenant

We are the bow

Establish my covenant with you

God, new covenant, postflood, descendants, new agreement, the law of tooth and claw, boundaries, God sets, war bow, see it, remember, restraining order, remember the vow

We are the bow

God waited patiently in the days of Noah

Community, salvation, imprisoned, baptism, ark of hope, household, imperishable, suffering persevering

We are the bow

He saw the Heavens torn apart

Tempted, liminal space, thrust, society, confront norms, rite of passage/holding on letting go

We are the bow

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness

Message, flesh, bones, kingdom of God, repentance, sound, God smell, lent listeners

We are the bow

We are the Hearers

Have you not heard?

Invited, contemplate, relation, humanity, magnitude, God’s power, weaves, threads, tapestry, mark off the heavens, dust of the earth, arms of strength, drop from a bucket, fine dust on the scales, circle of the earth, words of hope, grasp God’s power, wait for the lord, renew their strength

We are the hearers

The LORD shall renew their strength

First glance, stand up, powerful Lord, world moves, filled with riches, spoken, hearers, constancy, flower of the field, exiles, captivity, scattered, laid to waste, refugees, longed for Jerusalem, by the rivers of Babylon

We are the hearers

I may make the gospel free of charge

Performing, God, given, task, prophetic, proclaim good news

We are the hearers

He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up

Synagogue, the house, Jesus leaves, disciples, the house of Simon, Jesus grabs the woman’s handraised her up, expression, paschal evocation

We are the hearers

She began to serve them
Everyone is searching

Jesus prays, deserted, tempted, time of searching, Jesus prayer, precious moments, everyone is searching, temptation, choose between healing and preaching

We are the hearers

We are the Voice

We are the voice

More than words

Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris.

Amanda Gorman.

Hear the voice of the Lord

Moses death, prophet, face to face, liberation, mediator, YHWH, mountain fire, speak to Israel afraid of fire

We are the voice

Raise up a prophet

One who is called, one who calls, moral ethical agent, summon, people, covenant, participation, hope, promise, revelation, encounter, actions, justice and mercy

We are the voice

Known by God

Knowledge, worshipping idols, taboo, idolatry, preliminary, ultimacy, society and culture, we know that all of us possess knowledge, worship, philosophy, knowing, God

We are the voice
Be silent come out of him

Fishers, kingdom campaign, inviting, notice, great ones, desolate places, far away, kingdoms of this world, model, gospel, synagogue, house, the leper, paralytic, publican
We are the voice

A new teaching–with authority!

Unnamed sick person, unclean spirits, medicine, magic, cure, miracle, Jesus teaching, astonishing, speaking, healing, Jesus speak, powerful, performative, words infused with power, new teaching, new preaching, now, not just information.

We are the voice

We are the message. I will make you fishers.

We are the Message

We are the message

Have you heard. Spread the word.

A child is born, a person dies, a stranger needs help

Knock on doors, once Paul revere said, “The British are coming”

Vaccine is coming, prepare

Proclaim the Message

Jonah, God’s summons, go, Nineveh, stormy sea, reluctantly, mission, forty days, prophet, human response, call of God, deflect, deliver, call to Israel, Gentile Ninevite

We are the message

A three days walks

Reversals, human, divine, save, flee, stormy sea, persist, prevail, protest, rescinds, authority, reprieve, feel compassion, human desire, sin, God’s mercy

We are the message

The present form of the world is passing away

Relationships, rise, time, grown short, this world, passing, mourn, rejoice, buy, sell, give,

We are the message

The time is fulfilled

Beginning, proclamation, creates, work of Christ, good news, declaration, God’s victory, liberation, restoration, reconciliation, miracles, casting out demons, trajectory, return,

We are the message

I will make you fish for people

Follow, fishing for people, new identity, fish for people, promise, discipleship, identity, Jesus teaching, rebuking unclean spirits, search for Jesus, in the shadow, lives unfold,

We are the message

We are the listening moment

We are the Listening Moment

We are the listening moment

Sheer silence
The COVID miracle – I run, run, run, and pray 16 km five days a week

It is the sound of silence

The word of the Lord

Epiphany, manifestation, child Samuel, filled with wisdom, divine call, human response, sacred service

We are the listening moment

Speak, for your servant is listening

Call of God, prophetic, delayed recognition, God’s voice, spiritual intimacy, divine urgency, God knows my name, immediate response, summoned, vocation, course of action

We are the listening moment

Become one Spirit with God

Faithful living, marriage, food for thought, intimacy, respect, dignity

We are the listening moment

Follow me

Call of the disciples, flesh and blood, incarnation, paradox, identity, invitation, thirsty, hungry, messiah, Nazareth

We are the listening moment

You will see heaven opened

Jesus and people/ good news/ discipleship/ speak about jesus/ life in the congregation/ life in community/ speak along the way/ live into the testimony/ Christology/ relationship/ braided journeys

We are the listening moment

A new year. Let us be the light!

We are the Light

We are the light

Spelunker- first light, first day, first breath

In the beginning

Creation, manifestation dependence, character of God, actions

The first day

Climax, creation ex nihilo, creation out of nothing, humans, divine image, imago dei, creative word

Creation, void, dark deep, creation is God

We are the light

Receive the Holy Spirit

Alexandrian Jew, baptism of John, John Repentance, spoke in Tongues, prophesied

We are the light

Baptized by the River Jordan

Indispensable, drama, intentions of God, human nature, preacher, prophet, promise, expectation

We are the light

A Voice came from heaven

Heavens, open, transfigure, discipleship, taste and see, God word, song, sacrament, bask in love.

We are the light

We are the Crown

We are the crown

You shall be a crown of beauty

Salvation, song of the vineyard, watch tower, justice, cries of distress, harvest of justice, shoots garden, spring

We are the crown

He has clothed me with garments of salvation

Vindication, restoration, new name, mouth of the Lord, promise, a new thing, sing a new song, new heaven and new earth, destruction of Jerusalem, promise of new beginnings

We are the crown

God has sent the Spirit

God’s grace, redeeming, good news, redemptive action

We are the crown

A pair of turtle doves

Fulfill the letter of Jewish law, family bringing, new born child, to the temple, to make a sacrifice, mark a birth, consecrate a child

We are the crown

The child grew and became strong

Child of promise, obligation to care, all children are a gift to the world, create a society, positive regard for struggling parents

We are the crown

Take your stand, Love Wins

We are the Star

We are the Star – convergence of Saturn and Jupiter

Take your stand

Take your stand, saved, hold firm, the word

We are the star

A shoot shall come

A shoot, stump, Jesse, spirit, knowledge, delight. Justice for the poor, wolf live with the lamb, knowledge of God

We are the star

Stand and shepherd

Ancient, stand, strength, live, be our peace

We are the star

The word became flesh

The word, became flesh, among us, testify, light, the voice, in the wilderness

We are the star

God sent Gabriel

Gabriel, greetings

We are the star

Do not be afraid

Shepherds, angel, appeared, do not be afraid, good news, born, saviour, swaddling clothes, heavenly host, manger, peace

We are the star

Go to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph, spread the word, child

We are the star

Saw a star

Where is the child, saw the star, opened their treasures

We are the star

Return to their country by another route

We are the star

We are the Home, Merry Christmas, Love Wins!

We are the Home

We are the home

I will appoint a place for my people

Bring the threads, saga, peace, stability, build a house for God, build a house of him, God’s presence overflows from the temple, prevenient grace

We are the home

I will plant the people

Meets the eye, Babylonian captivity, there was no rest, no house, no king, the lament, God’s presence

We are the home

God strengthens us

Start with God, end with God, benediction, revelation, mystery, kerygma, paranesis, who is God, God is able, God’s actions, God’s doing, God is a verb, thy will be done

We are the home

The Angel Gabriel was sent by God

Mary, annunciation, incarnation, angel Gabriel, favoured, perplexed, thoughtful, afraid, submission, blessed one, called by God, God bearer, Mary’s election

We are the home

Do not be afraid, you have found favour with God.

Holy inbreaking, messenger, bright column of light, nothing will be impossible, being favoured by God, God chooses Mary, the magnificat, Reign of Justice, Mary response, wellspring of living water

We are the home

Good news, liberty to the captives

We are the Word

We are the word

Logos

Agora – the Library in Alexandria

Robarts Library

My library as a child. My father planted the book seed in my heart

Like a silver tongue of old, where the words come alive when we bring breath to our voice

The Spirit of the Lord is upon us

Salvation, mission, healing, liberty, release, comfort

We are the word

Good news liberty to the captives

Year of the Lord’s favour, jubilee year, debts wiped away, freed, fields in fallow, land returned, original owners, restored, abundant garden, nations of the world, recognition, deliverance promise, new Jerusalem, living, being, missional

We are the word

Pray without ceasing

Live in light, imminent, expectation, Christ’s return, tradition, affirming, positive, beloved, nurse tenderly caring for her own children

We are the word

John testified to the light!

Testify, light of the world, word, logos, human, walked, John and Jesus, sent by God, witness, God within, temporal, cosmos, embodied God, loving kindness and Justice

We are the word

The voice in the wilderness

Hope, relationship, God is now, God comes to us, God within, Living pages of the dead sea scrolls, listeners

We are the word

We are the quilt, who cries, YOU BELONG!

We are the Bee

Beehive

Comfort, o comfort my people

God’s judgement, grace, forgiveness, almighty, omnipotent, love, hope, amidst disaster, uncertainty, exile, homecoming, cities lie in waster, desolate, without inhabitant, houses without people, emptiness, the land

We are the Bee

A voice cries.

Message, comfort, promise, redemption, community, deceive, reveal, prepare the way

We are the Bee

Waiting for hastening the coming of the day of God.

Time, the when, return of Christ, waiting, expectation, GREAT EXPECTATIONS

We are the Bee

See I am sending my messenger

Siege, peace, anxious, neighbours, fear, loyalists, symbol, good news, beginning, messiah

We are the Bee

The one is coming is more powerful

John’s call, repent, ears, listen, longing, temptation, linger, Jesus grew up, gift to anticipate, one who is to come, present moment

We are the Bee

We are the mountain, awakened to be the “Yes” for today!

We are the Mountain

My first mountain moment

Whistler mountain in Jaspar, Mountains have memories, human memory, geological memory

The Mountains would quake

Character, redeeming, maker, deeds, divine, deliverance, rescue, visible, tear, open, heavens, come down, bring fire, earth quake, tremble, God’s presence

We are the Mountain

We are the clay, you are the potter

God belongs, take hold, become, again, protection, awakened, receive again, calling, God’s people, hiding, seeking, yes

We are the Mountain

God will also strengthen you

Intimate, relationship, God, community, witness, Jesus our brother, our Lord, our ancestor, our beloved, enlightened, living out the faith, en lo cotidano/testimony

We are the Mountain

But in those days, after that suffering

Futures, apocalyptic scene, predictions, God in our time, coming in clouds.

We are the Mountain

Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come

Signs, rule, arrived, already, not yet, realm of God, life in the realm

We are the Mountain

We are the Four Winds of welcome to the stranger.

We are the Wisdom

The wisest person I have ever known, my Aunt Mary (born in Italy, my dad’s oldest sister)

Told me a story of carrying a candle on a Vigil in Italy

At that time Deborah, was judging Israel.

Judge, Deborah, wise, raising up, faithful, leader, deliver, futile, deliverance, return, downward, spiral, moral, anarchy, sobering, journey, inability, inhabit, exhibit, social vision of Torah

We are the Wisdom

Go, take position

Weaves, what was right, in their own eyes, moral chaos, lack, strength, apology, rise, kingship, justification, centralized rule, observation, doing, habits, unfaithfulness, political instability

We are the Wisdom

The day of the Lord will come

Day, wakefulness, multivariant, day of the lord, Parousia, children of light, children of the day, belong to the day, keep awake, imagination, framing, relationship, identity, ontological

Christ as day or dawn, soul to life

We are the Wisdom

The person with five talents traded with them immediately

Talents, gifts, skills, resources, divine economy, bury, reveal, return, the future, meets the present, God has done, God will do

We are the Wisdom

For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance

Greatest treasure, greatest talent, stewardship, fertile, the word, good news, relationship, breaks, break through, go, make, disciples, life changing treasure, knowing of a treasure, God is sovereign, indifference, hidden treasure, buried treasure, abundance

We are the Wisdom

We are the wisdom. We bring the left and right of our abundance.

We are the Witness

We are the witness. For everything there is a season,

We remember to gather .

I remember being the Chaplain of the Legion in Hearst Ontario.

The year, November 1989, 300 people marched from the arena to the Cenotaph at City Hall, there were many who were veterans that day.

We remember, long ago our ancestors. Today we hear in the Joshua text,

Renewal, covenant, relationship, affirmation, identity. commitment of service.

Today we hear, threshold, miracles, ancient memory to serve.

Today we hear, the covenant obligation to choose, beyond fear, incline the heart, to serve, and obey the Lord. Today we hear the call to serve the Lord, affirmation, loyalty, witness, write, words on the heart, delivered, accountability, hearing, writing, the book of the law, Today we hear the stone of witness.

Today we hear, be informed about the Parousia, coming, advent, judge, curiosity, speculation, end times/now times. Today we hear about the early church.

Today we share in glory that we encounter.

Today we hear, the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps,

Telling of Jesus, how to live. Today we hear that there will be wars, there will be persecutions, and heaven and earth shaken.

Today we hear at midnight there was a shout!

The essence is timing, timelessness, faith, love, beyond procrastination, active discipleship. Today we are witness to the ticking of the clock, renew priorities, active waiting in hope, right time, right now, messiah comes.

We are the witness.

We are the Saints

A Saint takes the broken as they are.
My friend Roy Robson, 87 years old, a painter, a musician, a teacher. A companion, who, takes me as I am, wherever we go.
Then there is Edna Mathews, 95 years old, knits hundreds of hats, mitts, and scarves, still drives, and manages her own home.
Finally, Mutya, a mother from the Philippines, brought three children to sponsor, then there was an oops. A daughter with a daughter.

We are the saints. In the writings of Revelation, there was a great multitude, white robes before the sacred throne. God heard the cries of the people, in the voice of oppression. God heard the fear in the vision of the people. These are they who have come out of the great ordeal.

These are they who heed the warning, follow the ways of God. These are they who meet the unjust world order beyond the Pax Romana. God with us, in the face of dethroned Caesar. These are they who inspired hope for a better world, heaven on earth. Salvation is now for people at the edge, to renew, to change, to care for the earth. These are they who meet the suffering in the life, to mend, to heal, and restore.

We are they, we are the children of God. We are they to be instruments of God’s creative love and forgiveness. Love is the word, give us strength, to encounter hardship, as children of God. We are of God, assured of freedom, become, God with us,

God with us who proclaims “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

It is the sermon on the mount. The place of purpose, ministry, character of the kingdom, communion of saints. Jesus mountain, echoes Sinai, receive the live, live the law of love.

Live and be the authority of kingdom of heaven now.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Teresa of Avila a maker, a saint of today. .

We are the saints, the makers of today.

We are the Herald to mend the broken

We Are God’s People

We are God’s people

I know you by name

Revelation, known, enlightenment, authority, miracle, foot of the mountain, wilderness

We are God’s people

My presence will go with you

Human desire, inquiry, yearning, knowledge, quest for God, self-understanding, God in Exodus, self, real, roots, find favour, recognition, God’s character, God identity, human identity, destiny

We are God’s people

The word of God sounded forth from you

Personal, encounter, expectations, give thanks, advent, remembering, labour of love, creator, heaven, earth, turned to God, living God, service, free humanity, faith, hope, love

We are God’s people

Teach the way of God

Difficult, nature, relation, obedience, to the state, to God, civil religion, ethos, politics, Jesus, coalition of surrogates, name truth, tribute Caesar vs God

We are God’s people

Give to God the things that are God’s

Conscience, tapped, rendering, silent, face of Wars, torture, marriage for all, choice of women marijuana now, what to expect, actions of justice, faith in action, called to humanity

We are God’s people

We are the people, God knows us by name. Called to kick ass today.

We Are the Grace

We are the Grace

Be the open door, the porch at the Manor

God is bringing you

Good land, flowing, springs, waters, hills and valleys

We are the Grace

God leads through the wilderness

Land of olives and honey, stones are iron, eat, take care, keep commandments, eat, build,

Through wilderness, remember God

We are the Grace

Sow bountifully, reap abundance

Sparingly, bountifully, give, mind, compulsion, cheer, give, blessings, share, work, with poor, scatters, generosity, thanksgiving, render, testing, grace

We are the Grace

Jesus, have mercy on us

On the way, region between lepers, keeping their distance, mercy, go and show, made clean, praise God, get up and go

We are the Grace

Get up and go on your way

And he was Samaritan, the unlikely, the chosen to be, The return, your faith made well

We are the Grace

We are the Grace. Be the open door, the porch at the Manor.

We Are the Sabbath

The year was 2011. 60 on Pilgrimage, three Sabbath Friday, Saturday and Sunday

God Spoke these words

Challenge, commands, preach the commandments, preach the gospel, do not engage in war, your sins are forgiven, proclamation, risk, courage YES

We are the Sabbath

Remember the Sabbath

Attitude, commands, forgive, command, radical, heart of good news, name mangled human nature,seek God’s healing

We are the Sabbath

Become like Christ

Reflection, life, transforming, Saul to Paul, observance,gift of the Torah, conversion, before and after, take on, liberation, freedom, partners, with creator of the universe, covenant

We are the Sabbath

Listen to another parable

Parable, guiding, reflection, unlock, unhinder, the reign of Christ

We are the Sabbath

The Stone has become the chief cornerstone

The stone, build up, removes pride, prejudice, sin, selfishness, greed, guilt, equip us with love, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self control, “The world you desire comes not by chance but by change.“

Strive to live together, peace

We are the Sabbath

We Are the Water

I remember a 20 km cattle drive in the month of July, all we had was a Canteen of warm water, it was delicious

Give us water

Is God with us? Read in the bible, experience, in the desert. Are we alone?

We are the Water

Strike the Rock

People made demands of Moses, out in the desert, beyond the wilderness, no water in sight, give us water to drink! We feel so abandoned or alone or despondent, we find God beside us.
We are the Water

Make my joy complete

Speak the intensity, testing in extremes, strategy, communicate with urgency, kenotic, participation in the spirit, consolation from love, fellowship, compassion, sympathy, koinonia.

We are the Water

Go in the work today.

Seek to understand, enter the city on a donkey the day before, the temple the centre of religious life.

We are the Water

Going into the kingdom

Engaging Jesus, identity, call to faith, bear witness to Jesus, call us to join the people at the edge

We are the Water

We are the water of courage.

We Are the Bread

Learned to make bread from scratch in Grade 6 Home Economics Class

It starts with yeast/ then Harrington Harbour

I am going to rain bread from heaven

God Provides for needs., Manna Is Not Enough, grumbling, complained, lamented, God’s deliverance, freedom from fleshpots, fill of bread

We are the Bread

The Lord heard your complaining

Fleshpots, liberated, relationship with God, griper, murmurings, rain bread, gather for the day, 6^th day, 7^th day the Sabbath day, fill of bread in the morning, salvation in the Exodus, manna, glory of God

We are the Bread

Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel

Eager expectation, hope, exalted body – soma, hope for heaven, comfort, flesh, fruitful labour, freedom

We are the Bread

The usual daily wage

Early workers, left everything, follow, converts, relationship to Israel, perennial struggle, lions share of God’s work, carry the weight, what kind of God, same reward

We are the Bread

The last will be first

Work, out of work, inferior, waited all day, long hours of work, demanding jobs, secure necessities of life, complaint of the day long workers, made them equal, God’s new order, unmaksing and envisioning, create possibility something new

We are the Bread

We are the bread, of hope.

We Are the Hand

Palm touching palm, We are the Hand

The Angel of God was going before them

Escape, great promise, take on the world, prepared, emerge, encamped, surrounded, on the brink, way of faith

We are the Hand

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea

Alone, self-determined, the story, deliverance, harden hearts, purpose, reveal, humanity, presence

We are the Hand

God welcomes all

Judgement, weak, strong, pivotal, protects, fellowship, controversy, issues, passionate, confused, uniting

We are the Hand

How often should I forgive?

Theological, nature of God, time to forgive, servant, brewing, perennial, quest, Forgive always

We are the Hand

Forgive seventy seven times

Story, shock, startle, awakens, consequence, gratitude, ridiculous, turn on, perspective of grace

We are the Hand

We Are the Day

The Lord Said to Miriam and Moses

Miracle, Exodus, God looked, God noticed, liberation, take action, crying oppressed, God Listens, set free.

We are the day

This Month shall mark the beginning of months

Groaning, proving, Moses, shepherd, keeping, flock, rebellion, guide, slavery no more, confront power

We are the day

Owe no one anything, except to love one another

Owe love, Agape-Love of the other for the sake of God, identity, love defines attitude, love has two feet, love God, love neighbour, God has become the neighbour

We are the day

Listen to every word that you speak to each other

Jesus, life in the church, lead as a child, serve, boundless forbearance, forgive, nature of church, welcome me, welcome a child, each member, great value

We are the day

For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Forgive, teaching, restore, repent, reconcile, power, bind, loose, care, divine identity, sense of Call, seek to care

We are the day

We Are the Fire

The Angel appeared in a flamer of fire

Miracle, Exodus, God looked, God took notice, God saw, oppression, suffering, God, Liberation

God observation, Construction, Moses, Action, Moses was groaning, slavery, oppressed, crying out to God, God set them free

We are the fire

The place on which you are standing is holy ground

Groaning, providing, experience, shepherd, keeping, flock, rebellion, Pharoah’s army, constructs of power, search for the God Mountain, led flock, hinder part, Moses goes on pilgrimage, warning sign, shepherding, seeking guidance

We are the fire

Let love be genuine

Ekklesia, community, called out, set apart, mission, relation to the world, narrative, way of living, inner life, surrounding world

We are the fire

Jesus went to Jerusalem

the cross, from that time on, martyrdom, misunderstanding, confession, redeem, climax, hope

We are the fire

For those who lose their life will find it

Transition, from that time on, dependent, embarks, long journey, passion, launches suffering, divine idenitity, fulfill divine missions, nature or mission of Christ

We are the fire

We Are the Midwives

Call the midwives

Opening, exodus, potent, portents, people, chosen, relationship, become a nation, midwives, Shiprah and Puah, baby Moses, preserving life, set free

We are the Midwives

The Midwives feared God

Threat, king does not know, Joseph saved Egypt from famine, bearer of the God spirit, Joseph was great now forgotten, weak king, shallow leadership, strength is in retelling the heritage, equal footing, the king rejects God, panic, live under duress, force to be reckoned

We are the Midwives

Be the living sacrifice

Apostle, teacher, confession, voice, nature, life and death challenge, voice of faith, community, faith in action

We are the Midwives

Blessed are you

Peter, affirmation, foreshadow, prophet, Jesus, who am I? Messiah, teacher, son of David, Samaritan, other and us and all, woman at the well, today

We are the Midwives

I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom

Identity, authority, preaching, divine, revelation, binding, loosing, interpret, understand, wrestle with truth, faith meets the world, tell no one, tell all

We are the Midwives

We Are the Preservers

We are the preservers

God sent me before you to preserve

The story, betrayal, surprise, forgiveness/ tears/ shame/ open future

We are the preservers

Joseph wept

Forgiveness, welcoming words, promise, new life, tears of joy, healing for the weary eye, promise of life and love

We are the preservers

The gifts and calling of God are here

Power, separate, together, chosen, new covenant

We are the preservers

Listen and understand

The man born to be the promise, deliverance, silent words, God’s mercy

We are the preservers

Let if be done for you as wish

Language, affirmation, humanity, radical grace, voice, inside the story, our story, truth

We are the preservers

Here Comes the Dreamer

Seeking the dreamer

Origin, land of Canaan, wandering, wilderness, destination, consequences, envy, roots, Joseph, hatred comes, shepherd, long robe, favoured status, dreams, bowing to the ground

Go now and see if all is well

Misery, offering, consequence, fugitive, wanderer on the earth, prohibited, violence, envy, desire, possessions, talents, violence, favoured position, unfair, purpose of God, envy, rebellion, Lord of the universe, God’s economy

WE ARE THE DREAMER

The Word is near you, on your lips and in your heart

Wrestling with fate, Christ is the fulfillment of the law,reconcile us to God, uniting us with God.

WE ARE THE DREAMER

Get into the Boat

God’s deliverance through waters, he came walking toward them on the sea, appearance of Jesus, in the storm

WE ARE THE DREAMER

Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.

Lord save me, Jesus reached out his hand, why did Peter doubt?, a little faith is all that is needed, to transform/ terror becomes courage on the way

WE ARE THE DREAMER

We Are the Wrestlers

We are the wrestlers

Wrestling with thought, life, day and night

Jacob wrestled till daybreak

Forgiveness, rehabilitation, crossing, a challenging river, nature of blessing,11 children, Leah and Rachel, wrestling with the road

We are the wrestlers

You have striven with God

Capitulates, violence, persistence, draw near to God, slake a thirst, compelling, restoration community, running toward his brother and weeping, gift of grace, baptism of desire divine recognition

We are the wrestler

I am speaking the truth in Christ

Paul’s existential struggles, steadfast mercy of God, reconciliation with God

We are the wrestlers

He withdrew from there in a boat

Miracle to gladden, trick with bread, spiritual power, hungry crowd, stranded, lonely are fed, craving for Christ, meal for the masses stones into bread

We are the wrestlers

He blessed and broke the loaves

Think nothing, yet possibilities are infinite, look up to heaven, give them something to eat, powerless no more, redemptive drama, teaching and miracle, Jesus story is the grand story.

We are the wrestlers

We Are the Guarantee

We are the Guarantee

I will serve you seven years

Appears, journey, fleeing, threat, travelling, pivotal, encounters, birth, tribes of Israel

We are the Guarantee

Jacob loved Rachel

Treachery, failure, human plans, providence, narrative, affirmation, divine message, bethel, omnipotence, reversals, fortune’s, power, human love, reveal, God love

We are the Guarantee

The Spirit helps us in our weakness

Debtors, account, live,hope, hiddenness, relieve suffering, wait, patience, weight, salvation, for knowledge, calling, response, action, living compassion

We are the Guarantee

The kingdom is like a net

Subversion, sorting, sorting, fish, God’s empire, mustard seed, preparation, fermenting, heaven, within the world

We are the Guarantee

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls

Mustard seed, invades, soil, boundaries, something new, hidden within, give church, chance

We are the Guarantee

We Are the Ladder

We are the Ladder,

The angels were ascending and descending

Promise, rock for a pillow, awakes, fathers and mothers, standing above the ladder, God is at the top and bottom of the ladder, heaven and earth, theophany’s, meet at the top

We are the Ladder,

all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Dwells in you, spirituality unleashed, mysticism, seek unity, transcend, ill fated Icarus, fixing the spirit life

We are the Ladder,

When do the weeds come in

Seed, sown, disciples, challenges of planting, the enemy, ecclesiology, anthropology

We are the Ladder,

Let anyone with ears listen

We are the ladder

Mixture of weeds, growing together, judgement at the end of time, good and evil, faith and faithfulness, look at the hurting and impatient world, God’s realm completed, this realm thriving in us

We are the Ladder.

240 Manor Road East
Toronto, ON, M4S 1K3
416 483 0695
manorroaduc@gmail.com

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Manor Road United Church is on the traditional home of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Metis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River. May we be connected to the heartbeat of the Spirit as one.