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Vespers
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The Vesper Lights at Saint Chads
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Evening Prayer at Saint Chad
01 Stand
The facilitator may say
We have come together as the family of Man
in a spiritual mood
to offer praise and thanksgiving to each Being,
to hear and receive holy words,
to bring the needs of the world to our attention,
to ask forgiveness for societal oppression,
and to seek grace to oppose injustice, that through our devotion
we may give ourselves to service.
We ask forgiveness if this very liturgy offends, if any person or spirit wishes to speak or act in any way know that doing so will not offend us, the people. Even our language offends us, but we must use English, forgive us if that is not your native tongue. We are in need of human forgiveness as even speaking breaks fellowship with the Other.
02 A SENTENCE OF ANY HOLY BOOK IS READ and “We Are the World” may be sung.
03 The facilitator may say
If we say we have sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess the love within, then we are like God, faithful and just, and forgiveness from false guilt will cleanse us from all illusion of unrighteousness.
or the facilitator may say “God is Groovy. Still. Amen.”
04 The facilitator may say
Let us confess any marginalizing thoughts or actions to each other.
05 Big Hug
All Wow, too often we have blown it,
we have seen other beings and made them Other,
in thought and word and deed,
through the negligence of the state, through our parent’s rearing,
through an excess of misguided virtue.
We are truly happy
to repent for what was done to us.
For the sake of unity, may we be united,
and forgive other humans for their past;
and grant communal bliss to ourselves;
to the glory of tomorrow. Amen.
06 Facilitator Groove on!
who forgives all, forgives himself,
have mercy on you, have mercy on me,
pardon and deliver you from all oppression,
confirm and strengthen you in your goodness,
and keep you in life eternal;
through the life of this community. Amen.
07 Instead the group may hold hands and facing East perform the alternative Wicca rite.
08 Stand
Facilitator Open your lips!
People Our mouth shall proclaim praise!
Facilitator Groove on.
People It is a sunshine day.
All I love you. You love me. We are a happy family. Amen.
09 The group will dance in a circle clockwise to the tune of “Seasons in the Sun”
A PSALM
1 Come bless each other, for we are Lords and Ladies all:
you that by night ' stand in the ' here and now.
2 Lift up your hands and shout '
dance ' and sing:
may Fontana be filled with happiness
the happiest place in heaven or on earth.
Hurrah for you ' Hurrah for me:
Hurrah ' to all ' both you ' and me;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.
Other translations of the original may be used.
10 A song from the Top Forty as determined by Billboard.
Each song or group of songs ends with
Be up to date ' be up to date:
and ' never ' ever ' be dated;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.
11 Sit
The first READING, from “God is Still Groovy.”
At the end the reader may say
These are words.
All Groovy.
Silence may be kept.
12 Stand and Stretch.
Take me out to Saint Chad’s
Take me out to the crowd
Give us some tofu and other snacks
Women will never go back!
So its work, work, against oppression.
If we don’t win, it’s no shame.
For it’s one, two, three tries, o.k.
We all win at this new game!
13 Sit
THE SECOND READING, from Green Party Platform.
At the end the reader may say
This is the call to action.
All Thanks.
Silence may be kept.
14 A SERMON may be preached here, or at the end of the service.
15 Stand
Sing “Homeward Bound” or the Following.
Depart and Do Peace (From the Book of Peace, Chapter 5)
1 All of you! | go in | peace:
your ' word has ' been ful'filled.
2 My own eyes have ' seen how × groovy : each have prepared in the ' sight of '
every ' people;
3 a light to re'veal truth × to the ' nations:
and the ' glory × of your ' people ' here.
Glory, Hurrah, and Shout for Joy:
and ' don’t ' be 'sad;
as it was in the be'ginning is ' now:
and shall be for ' ever. ' A'men.
16 The SAINT CHAD CREED
All I believe in me, you believe in you,
together creator of heaven and earth.
I believe each religion finds a Way.
Each will conceive in each
and we will party forever together here.
We do not suffer,
and no one should die. Free those trapped on death row.
Pray and sing. Sing and Pray.
Or not if you are an atheist.
Don’t oppress, but liberate
Love and never hate.
No absolute, but one.
I believe in us,
this groovy Church,
the fun we have,
the times we share,
the love of the body,
and the party everlasting. Amen.
17 Big Hug!
The facilitator may say
Love for all.
People Props for you.
Facilitator Love for all!
18 All This is heaven,
this is our home,
love each other,
each will be done,
on earth made heaven.
Enjoy your daily bread.
Forgive me, forgive yourself
as we forgive all but oppression.
Lead us into liberation
and be delivered from sexism.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are ours
now and for ever. Amen.
19 These versicles and responses may be said.
Facilitator Show mercy;
People and grant peace.
Facilitator O Lord, save the facilitators;
People And help us all hear our own wisdom.
Facilitator Let facilitators be free;
People and let us rock on.
Facilitator Make every road four lanes we travel;
People Put us all in dancing shoes.
Facilitator Give your people a sustainable economy;
People and may we live lightly in our world.
Facilitator Make love not war;
People and give peace a chance.
20 THE COLLECT OF THE DAY.
21 THIS COLLECT may be said.
O People!
You are the source of all good desires,
all right judgements, and all just works:
give peace
which the oppressor cannot give;
that our hearts may be free
of any commandments,
and that freed from the reason,
we may pass our time in the perpetual party of paradise;
here in Fontana. Amen.
22 THIS COLLECT is said.
Lighten our load,
To self, we pray;
and may the U.N. defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of each one of us,
Saint Chad’s Church, Fontana. Amen.
23 Here may be read any book brought by a member, occasional prayers and thanksgivings, or other forms of prayer. The prayers may conclude in any way chosen. A sermon may be preached, hymns may be sung, and the service may end with a self-blessing.
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