Welcome Home To Your .
Your Local & Global Queer Church Community for All A Positive Worship Experience
Theme for Today: Look What Love Can Do
April 14, 2024
All Are Welcome!
Welcome
Service of Gathering
Rev Dr Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister
Rev Dr Robert Griffin, Executive Minister
Announcements
Rev Dr Anne Atwell
Minister of Connections
Introit O Filii Et Filiae with Alleluias
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Past are the cross, the scourge, the thorn, the scoffing tongue, the gibe, the scorn, and brightly breaks the eastern morn. Alleluia! Gone are gloomy clouds of night; the shades of death are put to flight; and from the tomb beams heav’nly light. Alleluia!
Please rise as you are able.
Sunshine Cathedral Affirmation
Sunshine Cathedral is a different kind of church where: *Our God is love.
*Kindness is our worship.
*Compassion is our prayer.
*The sacred value of all people is our creed; and *Healing the hurts caused by hatred is our mission.
The Call to Worship
One: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All: Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
Service of Praise
Crucifer - Tito McWilliams-Ramos
Processional Hymn Standing on the Side of Love
The promise of the Spirit: faith, hope and love abide. And so ev’ry soul is blessed and made whole; truth in our hearts is our guide.
We are standing on the side of love: hands joined together as hearts beat as one.
Emboldened by faith, we dare to proclaim we are standing on the side of love.
Sometimes we build a barrier to keep love tightly bound. Corrupted by fear, unwilling to hear, denying the beauty we’ve found.
We are standing on the side of love: hands joined together as hearts beat as one.
Emboldened by faith, we dare to proclaim we are standing on the side of love.
A bright new day is dawning when love will not divide. Reflections of grace in ev’ry embrace, fulfilling the vision divine.
We are standing on the side of love: hands joined together as hearts beat as one.
Emboldened by faith, we dare to proclaim we are standing on the side of love.
We are standing on the side of love.
Opening Prayer (Sunshine Cathedral 2024 Daily Prayer)
Rev Dr Anne Atwell
One: Let us pray in unison:
Right now, I am tapping into the universal life force. I wish for all who are suffering to find relief and hope. I deny fear any power over me.
I will be a bright light in the world.
I am serene and confident and full of joy.
I expect blessings. Nothing is too good for me
May we all be strong and wise and loving.
May Love heal our world.
Let there be peace. Amen.
Service of Proclamation
Prophetic Witness In the Midst of New Dimensions
As we stand a world divided by our own self-seeking schemes, grant that we your global village, might envision wiser dreams
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, we your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
Please be seated
Clarion Call
Rev Dr Durrell Watkins
Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to with- draw in pain, may your blazing phoenix spirit resurrect the church again.
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, we your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
The Wisdom of John A. T. Robinson (Honest to God)
Rev Dr Anne Atwell
Theology is about that which concerns us ultimately. A statement is theological not because it relates to a particular Being called ‘God’, but because it asks ultimate questions about the meaning of existence: it asks what, at the level of [God], at the level of its deepest mystery, is the reality and significance of our life. A view of the world which affirms this reality…is saying that God, the final truth and reality ‘deep down’ things’, is love.
In these human words, God's voice is heard. Thanks be to God.
Please rise as you are able.
Gradual Mfurahini, Haleluya
Christ has arisen, alleluia. Rejoice and sing praise, alleluia. For our redeemer burst from the tomb, even from death, dispelling its gloom. Let us sing praise to God with endless joy. Death’s fearful sting Christ did come to destroy. Love always giving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!
The Acts of the Apostles (3.1-10)
Rev Marian Cavagnaro
Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the prayers at the ninth hour, it happened that there was a man being carried along. He had been unable to walk his whole life; and they used to put him down every day near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in.
When this man saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple he begged from them.
Peter, and John too, looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.' He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them, but Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!'
Then he took him by the right hand and helped him to stand up Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God.
Everyone could see him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. They were all astonished and perplexed at what had happened to him..
In these human words, God's voice is heard.
Thanks be to God.
The Anthem
Homily
Rev Dr Durrell WatkinsPlease be seated
Love Is In The Air
By Harry Vanda & George Young Performed By Aaron BallLook What Love Can Do
Pastoral Prayer and Affirmations
Sign of Peace Filled With Loving Kindness
May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.
May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.
May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be whole.
May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well.
May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well.
May you be peaceful and at ease. May you be whole.
May we be filled with loving kindness. May we be well. May we be filled with loving kindness. May we be well. May we be peaceful and at ease. May we be whole.
Service of Sacraments
Baptism Certificates (10:30 only)
Sacrament of Sharing (Tithes & Offerings)
Rev Dr Robert Griffin
Offering Prayer
9:00 Rev Dr Anne Atwell/ 10:30 Rev Renwick Bell
One: Because we value our community and believe in our inspired mission, because we want every person to live with hope and joy, and because we know that even a little can mean a lot, we participate in the Sacrament of Sharing, the joyful giving of resources meant to help more and more people discover that they are God’s miracle and not God’s mistake.
Altar Call and Anointing
Prayer Chorus
Please rise as you are able.
I Believe in Miracles
I believe in miracles, I’ve seen a soul set free. Miraculous the change in one who has found liberty. I’ve seen a lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
O I believe in miracles for I believe in God.
I believe in miracles, I’ve seen a soul set free. Miraculous the change in one who has found liberty. I’ve seen a lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
O I believe in miracles for I believe in God.
All: We give what we can and do so with love. Every dime and every dollar given with the intention to bless others will make a difference in someone’s life. This brings us joy, and in this way, we worship. God bless our gifts to faithful service, for the sake of your love. Amen.
Offering Music
Cantique de Jean Racine
By G FaurePerformed By David Suarez & Kevin Jones
Rise as you are able.
Doxology
Glorify Thy Name
O God, we love you, we worship and adore you; glorify your names in all the earth.
Glorify your names, glorify your names, glorify your names in all the earth
Sacrament of Hospitality We Remember
Real Cote 04/14/1990
Don Shaw 04/14/1994
Alberto Estrella 04/16/1995
Joe Lowman 04/18/1993
Robert Zurcher 04/18/2004
Lain Benjamin 04/18/2012
Arthur Green 04/19/1993
Loyd Fraim 04/19/2005
Intercessions
9:00 Rev Kevin Tisdol /10:30 Rev Renwick Bell
One: We pray, and we allow ourselves to be the answer to prayer.
For the Sunshine Cathedral Global Fellowship and local congregation, for all who are on our prayer list, for our loved ones, for world and community leaders, and for our own needs, let us pray:
Prayer Chorus
The Last Supper Narrative Rev Marian Cavagnaro
One: On the night of his arrest, Jesus shared a Passover meal with his closest companions.
He compared sharing bread to being a body where many parts work together within and as a whole.
He compared a memorial cup to the life-blood of a ministry dedicated to justice-love.
And he asked that when such a meal was shared again, that he be remembered (+), so that his life and love would be present in their blessed memories.
All: We remember. We share. We give thanks. We summon hope. We are one. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
Bless Us All
One: And with people all over the world we pray –All: May peace prevail on earth.
These prayers we offer in the names of all helpers of humanity, and in the spirit of Jesus, son of Mary, as we continue to pray as Jesus taught us:
Model Prayer
Creator which art in heaven, hallowed be thy names. Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And leave us not in temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kin-dom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Please be seated.
Eucharistic Intentions
9:00 Rev Dr Anne Atwell /10:30 Rev Renwick Bell
We celebrate this Eucharist to the glory of God and with special intentions for peace, justice, and reconciliation in the world.
Christ lives in story, in ritual, and in our lives as we remember Jesus at this table. And so, with Easter gladness, let us sing together:
Let the victor’s people sing, alleluia! Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, Christ lives today, alleluia! Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Rev Kevin Tisdol
One: These are the gifts of God for all the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Communion is Shared
The ushers will direct you row by row to come forward for Communion. If you would like a communion kit to serve yourself communion in your seat, tell your usher. “Taste and see that God is good.”
Communion Songs
Laudate Dominum (2x)
Laudate Dominum, laudate Dominum omnes gentes, alleluia!
Laudate Dominum, laudate Dominum omnes gentes, alleluia!
Sing, praise and bless the Lord.
Sing, praise and bless the Lord, peoples! Nations! Alleluia!
Sing, praise and bless the Lord. Sing, praise and bless the Lord, peoples! Nations! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
8 Fold Alleluia
Rev Dr Robert Griffin
Please rise as you are able.
The Prayer of Protection
The light of God surrounds us; the love of God enfolds us. The power of God protects us; the presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is.
Benediction
Final Song
Commissioning
Rev Dr Durrell Watkins
Raise You Up
One: Our worship has ended. Let our service begin! All: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
Barbara Ramcharitar
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK JESUS FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE
by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins (Senior Minister, Sunshine Cathedral)There is a Christmas song called “Some Children
See Him” by Wihla Hutson. “The children in each different place, will see the baby Jesus’ face like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light.”
Jesus said that to fully experience the divine realm, we need to be more like children. Children notice without judging. Children respond to love and encouragement. Children play and can befriend other children, grandparents, pets, toys, and sometimes even imaginary characters of their creation. Love, play, don’t judge…be like children.
Also, there isn’t any clear description of Jesus in scripture. He’s from Palestine, so his skin tone could be olive or bronze or brown. He probably had a beard. People all over the globe were shorter in ancient times than we tend to be now, so he was probably well below 6’ tall (maybe 5’5”). He wasn’t very old, so he probably had all his teeth. That’s a lot of maybes, probablys, and possiblys, and still, even at that you couldn’t draw trustworthy sketch. Even in his day, as well-known as he became, the authorities couldn’t pick him out of a small crowd. Judas had to point him out with a kiss. We just don’t know what he looked like, and in a way, that’s wonderful.
Not having a clear picture of Jesus, each person is free to imagine him uniquely, and many people imagine him sharing characteristics in common with them.
That’s why on social media and in sermon illustrations (I always have slides behind illustrating the points I’m making or the stories I’m telling during a homily) I use different depictions of Jesus. Sometimes a cosmic figure, sometimes Ethiopian, sometimes Native American, sometimes Arabic or Sephardic, sometimes Mediterranean (Italian, Greek), sometimes he might look Irish or Swedish, sometimes South Asian (Indian) or East Asian (Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese), sometimes South American (Columbian, Peruvian), sometimes Pacific Islander, and sometimes Central African.
But that’s not where our Jesus for all people ends. I also show Jesus as “crucified woman”, as a woman who has had a mastectomy, as a person with AIDS, as a transman, a transwoman, a non-binary person, an out and proud gay man, a vilified and rejected
Queer person, sometimes sexy, sometime camp, and sometimes sad, lonely, and exhausted.
Over the years, I have gotten some push back for these images. Years ago, someone complained about sexy Jesus, and many people have questioned my use of Gay or Bi or Trans Jesus, and camp Jesus disturbs lots of people (heaven forfend we be joyful or playful with our faith!).
But that’s the point. Jesus is transgressive (that’s why he was criminalized and executed). He associated with the “wrong” sort of people, he loved outrageously and publicly.
Jesus draped in a Transflag, drawn as trans-man after top surgery, sharing the Last Supper with sex workers, sporting a Rainbow halo, wearing an updo wig, or looking like an islander from the South Pacific are all ways of saying Jesus is for everyone, loved everyone, and can relate to everyone. It isn’t irreverent, but rather, on message with his gospel of radical inclusion and unconditional love.
Do we believe drag performers are persons of sacred value? Do we believe transgender folk are made in the divine image? Do we believe samegender love and attraction can be holy? Do we believe racism is wrong? Do we believe people who are suffering can still experience wholeness and joy regardless of their current health condition? If so, then Jesus sharing any of these characteristics can’t be wrong. If Jesus in pumps, or Jesus looking like someone from an indigenous culture, or Jesus in a wheelchair disturbs us, it might show some of our internalized wounds that need healing. I can’t imagine Jesus would be insulted by being associated with any of his siblings, any of God’s children.
A PRAYER FOR 2024 by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins (Put this prayer where you will see it every day and use it throughout 2024)
Right now, I am tapping into the universal life force.
I wish for all who are suffering to find relief and hope.
I deny fear any power over me.
I will be a bright light in the world.
I am serene and confident and full of joy.
I expect blessings. Nothing is too good for me. May we all be strong and wise and loving. May Love heal our world. Let there be peace. Amen.
