U2charist: Form & Reflection

Yesterday was truly a BTFL DAY.  A glorious early taste of Spring had settled on the Bay area for the past several days. 

At our SOS community, we had a very special worship gathering - a U2charist, where more than 200 people of all ages gathered in an 50 year-old church in Palo Alto for a out-of-the-ordinary church experience weaving the music of U2 with a core worship format. In the likeness of Bono, this worship gathering focused on larger world issues, incorporating belief and doubt into tangible expression found in the music of U2.  The worship form, which was developed by Catie Greene, is below.

As I walked today, Walk On cycled onto my iPod.  The lyrics of the song helped me frame my reflection on this gorgeous gathering

Leave it behind
You've got to leave it behind
All that you fashion
All that you make
All that you build
All that you break
All that you measure
All that you steal
All this you can leave behind
All that you reason
All that you sense
All that you speak
All you dress up
All that you scheme...

In the Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum writes about “a lovely, sunny country that seemed to beckon them on to the Emerald City”.  The beginning of this gathering beckoned the assembled congregation - there was some space, some quiet, some anticipation, then a slide with a greeting and a familiar song invited, enticed us to leave behind all we break or build or reason or scheme - to set aside some time to be with God, our neighbor & ourselves.

A place that has to be believed to be seen

A building like the one we are in rarely is "taken over" by people under the age of 25 - it rarely has a projection screen front & center - there is rarely dancing or clapping.  The place we were beckoned to had to be believed to be seen - it asked each of us to step out, to grab another's outstretched hand, to risk the places that are comfy & well-worn.

The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind

The liturgy was designed to, early on, place U2 on a prophetic level, rather than simply swapping out new wine in old wineskins.  When the time came for the sermon, it was like the Gospel story, where Jesus performs his 1st miracle.  After running our wine, Jesus turns water into wine, not just any wine, but the best stuff.  A buddy of mine, someone I adore & respect profoundly, brought out the best stuff in a sermon that built into a call to action that rivaled any great black preacher.

Home...hard to know what it is if you never had one
Home...I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home
That's where the heart is

We circled the article to share communion - it was chaotic & messy and totally non-linear, with all of us singing ONE, chanting "help each other" while slides of folks from our congregation who have been working with people impacted by Katrina flickered above us.  My whole body sensed - this is home, this is the kingdom of God, this is what the heart is.....

P.S. - mad props to Catie Greene (ever so talented coordinator for this gathering), Ryan McDermott (who materfully directed the music & led the band), the very tight band, Matt McDermott (who preached an astounding sermon) and Amanda Howard (who was the guru image guru).

 

U2charist

“I Want” and “How Long?” – Hunger and Hope

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

February 12, 2006

 

 

Gathering: (stationary slide – text over image - up before start of service. Background music playing as people arrive.)

 

Welcome. We come together to engage our minds, bodies and souls in the Spirit of God. Drawing on the spiritual and cultural messages of the music of U2, this worship directs us towards faith in God to give meaning to our human struggles. Through music, and word, and action we acknowledge our longing and celebrate our hope. 

 

This U2charist is a creative work, just as we all are. You are encouraged to sing, and move, and participate as you feel comfortable. Just join in as you are, and bear with us as we are, and we will all be changed as we go.

 

(20 seconds silence/no music, greeters dim lights, before opening songs and slideshows)

 

Opening:

 (songs and images. Lyrics printed on paper handout.)

“Where the Streets Have No Name” (images of natural disasters)

(music transitions)

“Sunday Bloody Sunday” (images of human disasters)

 

(slideshow goes to blank slide at end. Music transitions from song to just background. After a few moments, the leader steps out to open with prayer and prayer slide goes up.)

 

Prayer:

 (leader stands)

(slide)

We gather here in your presence, God,

In our need and bringing with us the needs of the world.

We come with our faith and with our doubts;

We come with our hopes and our hunger.

We come as we are, because you invite us to come

And you have promised never to turn us away.

Open us, God, to experience you here.

All Respond: Amen.

 

(percussive rhythm starts, no background music)

 

Word: (interactive reading – mixture of scripture and text from “Still haven’t found.” Leader introduces by saying:

Our prayer for tonight is for transformation,

for help in redirecting our world from death into life. 

Throughout history,

God has commissioned prophets to point our way towards transformation

 – many and varied voices speaking words of both warning and promise to us. 

On the screen behind me you will see such words displayed,

written by the evangelists, St. Mark and Bono. 

I invite you to lend your own prophetic voice to these words,

speaking the parts assigned to you

– the left side and the right side. 

In our speaking and in our listening,

may we begin to discern the way.

 

Slides are put up one at a time with the congregation reading their parts. Percussion as only background)

 

(Slide 1)

◄Left Side says together:

A leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees,

“If you want to, you can cleanse me.”

 

►Right Side say together:

Deeply moved, Jesus put out his hand, touched him, and said,

“I want to. Be clean.” 

Then and there the leprosy was gone,

his skin smooth and healthy.

 

(Slide 2)

All say together:

I have climbed highest mountain

I have run through the fields

Only to be with you

Only to be with you

 

(Slide 3)

◄ Left Side says together:

The crowd brought a paraplegic to Jesus,

Carried by four men.

When they weren’t able to get in to him,

Because of the crowd,

They removed part of the roof

And lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher.

 

► Right Side say together:

Impressed by their bold belief,

Jesus said to the paraplegic,

“Son, I forgive your sins.

Get up.

Pick up your stretcher and go home.”

And the man did it.

 

(Slide 4)

All say together:

I have run

I have crawled

I have scaled these city walls

These city walls

Only to be with you

 

(Slide 5)

◄ Left Side says together:

They came to Simon and Andrew’s house

With James and John.

Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed,

Burning up with fever.

They told Jesus.

 

► Right Side say together:

He went to her,

Took her hand,

And raised her up.

Then the fever left her

And she waited on them.

 

(Slide 6)

All say together:

I have kissed honey lips

Felt the healing in her fingertips

It burned like fire

This burning desire

 

(Slide 7)

◄ Left Side says together:

In their meeting place there was a man,

Deeply disturbed and yelling out

“What business do you have here with us,

Jesus of

Nazareth

!

I know what you’re up to!

You’re the Holy One of God,

And you’ve come to destroy us!”

 

► Right Side say together:

Jesus shut him up:

“Quiet! Get out of him!”

The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms,

Protesting loudly,

And got out.

 

(Slide 8)

All say together:

I have spoke with the tongue of angels

I have held the hand of the devil

It was warm in the night

I was cold as stone

 

(Slide 9)

◄ Left Side says together:

Jesus said, “How can we picture God’s kingdom?

What kind of story can we use?”

It is like a mustard seed,

when it lands on the ground.

 

► Right Side say together:

It is the smallest of all seeds,

Yet once it is planted it grows

Into a huge plant with large branches,

So that all the birds of the sky

Can nest in its shade.

 

(Slide 10)

All say together:

I believe in the kingdom come

Then all the colors will bleed into one

Bleed into one

Well yes I’m still running

 

(Slide 11)

◄ Left Side says together:

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus.

“Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

 

► Right Side say together:

 “What is it? What do you wish for me to do?

 

◄ Left Side says together:

 “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded

The highest places of honor

In your glory

 

► Right Side say together:

One of us on our right,

 

◄ Left Side says together:

The other on your left.”

 

►Right Side say together:

Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking.

Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink,

Of being baptized in the baptism

I’m about to be plunged into?”

 

(Slide 12)

All say together:

You broke the bonds and you

Loosed the chains

Carried the cross

Of my shame

Of my shame

You know I believed it.

 

(Slide 13)

All say together:

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

 

 

Reflection: (Matt – 7 mins. Max. Ryan playing chords of “Still” behind speaking, building up to the start of the song immediately following the sermon)

 

Reflection Song: (candle lighting during song)

 

 

Song: “I Still Haven’t found what I’m looking for” (slideshow images of candles and other images of light)

 

(background music)

Prayers:

(no slide - spoken by leader)

We light these candles as symbols of God’s light in a dark world,

Symbols of the light within us,

And symbols of hope.

Let us stand and pray,

And sing our response.

 

(Slide 1)

God, we share with you now all that we hunger for, in our lives, in our faith and in our world. 

(You are invited to share your prayers either silently or aloud)

For all that we name, silently and aloud, fill us with your healing grace.

All Respond  Be our light, be our light on the path.

 

(Slide 2)

God, we share with you now all that we hope for, in our lives, in our faith, and in our world. 

(You are invited to share your prayers either silently or aloud)

For all that we name, silently and aloud, thank you for your faithful promise.

All Respond  Be our light, be our light on the path.

 

 

(Slide 3)

God sometimes we can’t even find the door.

We stumble around in the dark.

We lose our way.

We can’t see even where to put our feet.

Let alone see the end of the journey.

All Respond  Be our light, be our light on the path.

 

(Slide 4)

We will stop and take a deep breath.

We will open our eyes to the possibilities.

We will pray for light.

Show us the way, God.

Calm our minds and soothe our souls.

Show us the way, and we will go.

All Respond  Be our light, be our light on the path.

 

(Slide 5)

All Say together: (speak “And now we say together”)

O God, lead us from death to life,

From falsehood to truth.

Lead us from despair to hope,

From fear to trust.

Lead us from hate to love,

From war to peace.

Let peace fill our hearts,

Our world, our universe.

All Respond  Be our light, be our light on the path.

 

Please extinguish your candle.

 

Invitation:

 

(stationary blank slide. Silence, no music))

Celebrant says:

This is the table of God.

It is to be made ready

for those who trust in God’s incarnate love

and those who want to know it.

 

So, come,

You who have much faith

And you who have little

You who have been here often

And you who have not been for a long time,

You who have tried to follow

And you who have failed.

 

Come,

Not because it is I who invite you: But God.

God desires to meet you here.

During the song please come forward and gather around this table of thanksgiving.

 

(Slide) (Music kicks in)

During the song please come forward and gather around the altar – the table of thanksgiving – in concentric circles. Please help children and those in need to stand or sit where they can best participate. Please join in singing as you feel comfortable.

 

(Slide)

Song: “40” (Band only)

 

I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...
How long...to sing this song

He set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm
Many will see
Many will see and fear

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song

How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long...how long...how long...

 

Thanksgivings: (congregation is gathered around the altar. No music)

 

(no slide)

Celebrant:

As we approach sharing communion, let us express our gratitude to God for what is important to us at this time, whether that be ordinary or special. Please speak your thanksgivings, either silently or aloud. (people add petitions)

 

For this time and this place, and those around us. For our freedom to worship and name you, thank you God

 

(no slide)

Celebrant continues:

Gratitude, praise,

Hearts lifted high,

Voices full and joyful…

These you deserve

For you gave us the gift of your son, Jesus.

 

For us he was born,

For us he healed,

Preached, taught

And showed the way to heaven;

For us he was crucified,

And for us, after death,

He rose again.

 

Holy God,

Present with us now,

For all that you have done

 And all that you have promised,

What have we to offer?

 

Our hands are empty,

Our hearts are sometimes full of wrong things.

We are not fit to gather up the crumbs

From under your table.

 

But with you is mercy

And the power to change us.

 

Among friends, gathered around a table,

Jesus took bread, broke it and said,

“This is my body, broken for you.”

 

And later he took the cup of wine and said,

“This is the new relationship with God,

Made possible because of my death.

Take this – all of you – to remember me.”

 

So as we do in this place

What he did in an upstairs room,

Send down your Holy spirit

On us

And on these gifts of bread and wine

That they may become for us your body,

Healing, forgiving,

And making us whole;

And that we may become,

For you,

Your body,

Loving and caring in the world

Until your kingdom comes. Amen.

 

(fraction)

Jesus Christ, be known to us in the breaking of the bread and in the sharing of the cup.

 

These are the gifts of God

For the people of God.

 

Communion:

(commune choir and band first.)

(slide)

All who seek Christ are invited to receive the blessed bread and wine, which are served at stations in front of the altar. After receiving communion, or if you do not wish to receive at this time, please return to your seat for the conclusion of the service.

 

Song: “One” (images of mission trip, families, people at their best. Band only))

Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...

One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's...

Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt

One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other

One...life

One

 

 

 

Concluding Prayer: (said together)

 

(Slide – when leader starts)

All say together:

Holy God,

You have put your life into our hands;

Now we put our lives into yours.

 

Take us,

Renew and remake us.

What we have been is past;

What we shall be through you,

Still awaits us.

 

Lead us on.

Take us with you. Amen.

 

Blessing:

Announcements: (ONE movie followed by slide with offering information)

 

Song: “Elevation” (images of the spirit i.e. birds, bubbles, clouds, mountain tops, sunrises, light rays, fire, waterfalls)

 

Peace:

 

(Slide)

Not an easy peace,

Not an insignificant peace,

Not a half-hearted peace,

But the peace of God

Is with us now.

 

Let us share it with each other and go out in peace.

Peace be with you!

All respond: And also with you!

Comments

[Sarah Dylan Breuer]

Hey, I've finally gotten around to putting up a U2charist resources page, where there's info about how the U2charist started, a U2charist FAQ, and a growing collection of prayers, playlists, collected wisdom, and other resources for folks interested in hosting a U2charist. Do you have Catie Greene's info? I'd love to include as much as possible of the liturgy from the service y'all held -- and please spread the word about the resources page; I want to include tons of resources from across the full creativity of the church (and with full credit given to the creators, of course!).

[Jim Ebbenga]

What a beautiful service. I have read about several U2charist services here in Cleveland area and hope to attend one. As chair of Worship Committee in my own church, I really want to pursue this exciting service and the the causes it supports. Any additional info on content of slides, bibliographies, etc. would be very helpful since I am so new at this...
Thanks for your great work and for sharing it.

[tim adair]

I would like a copy on CD if you have it. Thanks and God Bless.
Tim
Ps. 97:9

[Alex]

Catie, I really like the wording of the "welcome" address at the beginning of your liturgy. I am working on a U2charist right now with youth in the Diocese of Northern Califiornia and was wondering if we could use that "welcome" language in our service bulletin.

If the central belief of the Episcopal Church is resurrection, isn't it more ironic to care about death?

[Gina]

Thanks for sharing this! I've been hearing about the U2Charist for a while, and I'm excited to see all of this melded together in this fashion.

[Worshipful]

Am I missing something? Can I see the images somewhere?

[David]

Really well done. Sets the bar high for up-to-date music, worship, and experience in church -- a good thing! The scripture readings as antiphonal congregational readings with U2 verses read together was really effective, powerful. Volume could have been a notch lower -- but it wasn't too much (except for little ones).

[Nathan]

i wish i could have experienced this.

[Russ]

Man I love that song. It speaks to my hear teverytime I hear it.

[rick]

Bob,

Any chance you could get a copy of the sermon?

That would be great...

[Catie Greene]

Bob et al,
Thank you for your comments and your feedback. Sunday night was a great culmination of a wonderfully creative experience. Of course, I have my own criticisms, and I very much welcome feedback, because I will certainly step into this venue again. I love these holy "thin spaces"! One note on the outline of the U2charist - I drew upon several different texts and resources which are not cited on the outline. Much of my inspiration came from materials put together by Wild Goose Publishing, and I will endeavor to put together a proper bibliography for your own edification (and to prevent possible lawsuits).

What a moving experience. The images selected by Amanda and Catie were both personal and global, painful and hopeful. Images that brought tears to my eyes were from Catie's immediate trip to the Gulf Coast after Katrina to offer love and compassion to her friend and pastor of, as well as the community of Long Beach, Missippi, and of recent and tragic terrorism. It reminded me that as bad as it gets, we can't forget to notice the love that abounds during even those awful times. While I've always felt that St. Marks in general, and Catie and Matt in particular have offered a warm, and inclusive welcome, it was even more palpable during the Eucharist. As we 200 familar and strangers)gathered around a small-ish space, as Ryan and co. provided the pulse of music, we were, indeed, all welcomed to feel God's love, and challenged to open our eyes, and live that love. Wow! How cool would it be to be able to worship like that all the time!!!