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11. Our shared journey |
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| Like a boat upon the water, |
| the churches in Massachusetts have journeyed together through calm and storm for 100 years.
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| Like the boat of the apostles, |
| we ride together,
huddled against the waves,
rejoicing in the abundant yield of the sea,
worshipping the one who comes to us across the water;
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| Like a boat upon the water, |
| we have built our movement with profound hope and confidence in God's abiding care;
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| Like the boat which carried Paul across the seas, |
| preaching the good news,
we have shared our experience with those far and near;
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| Like the boats which brought many of our ancestors here to this place, |
| with the hope of new beginning for some,
with the despair of unconsenting transport for others,
and with displacement for those who already lived here,
we have traveled together in anticipation, sorrow and conflict;
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| Like the boat which represents the church of Jesus Christ, |
| propelled by the strong mast of the cross,
we have found our direction and purpose in knowing the One who made us
and following the One who calls us;
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| Like the vessel which is this planet, |
| fragile in the vast ocean of creation,
we have discovered our interdependence and essential unity.
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| For the witness of the churches together
in commitment to ever-enlarging the ecumenical table,
we give you thanks, O Lord
For the vision of those who dared to have hope in the future,
through the stormy night and into the promise of morning,
we give you thanks, O Lord
For the witness of the churches together in commitment to
Christian unity,
we give you thanks, O Lord
For the life-giving water of your blessing, poured out for
the sake of the world,
we give you thanks, O Lord
For the future of the ecumenical journey, here in Massachusetts
and in all places,
we commit ourselves and pray for divine assistance
for the voyage ahead
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O God, the beginning and the end,
the one who is, who was, and who is to come, we praise you for your
faithfulness to us in all generations.
Grant us humility to repent of those ways in which we have turned
away from your purposes for us and for your church.
Grant us courage to walk into the next hundred years with confidence
and hope. Grant us hearts for mercy and wills for justice.
Grant us passion for unity for the sake of the world. Grant us
faith that trusts that you are leading us into the future; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, whose redeeming love sustains us.
Amen.
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This boat is constructed of many pieces, each
whole in itself, yet each belonging to the others. Tonight
we honor 100 years of ecumenical commitment in Massachusetts,
and join with our world ecumenical community in shaping the
future of our shared journey. As we sing, you are invited
to come forward and receive a piece of this boat. Our vision
is distributed among all of us, as God calls each one for
a particular service. You will carry a piece of our common
pilgrimage away tonight, knowing that it is only through your
relationship with this community that we are each made whole.
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| The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Amen.
hymn: O Healing River
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| Return to
Centennial Celebration introduction page |
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