Theme: Supersized Superheroes
Quotes
What do we do with our lives;
we leave only a mark.
Will our story shine like a light
or end in the dark?
Give it all or nothing
Terry Britten, Gary Lyle, We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)
Superheroes were born in the minds of people desperate to be rescued.
Jodi Picoult, The Tenth Circle
Quote Slide: Check out this slide with a Shel Silverstein quote, found on Pass It On.
Revised Common Lectionary Readings
Jeremiah 31:7-14 Reimagined
A new year turns and you could say we are the remnants of the old, trampling into this side of yesterday. We, gathered together today, have made it to this side of the new year. And we are grateful that we have made it this far.
Were we to look around, beyond these walls and screens, at the whole of humanity that crossed that Old Year/New Year line, we would see that it is made up of more challenges than we could ever imagine: the blind and lame, some pregnant, some in the throes of labour, some weeping still from the challenges they have seen and endured this past year, some in need of consolation, rest, restoration, . We can be that for them; we have known our own needs; we have witnessed the needs and sorrows of our own.
And in those moments when the past is forgotten and future hope shines bright in the eyes, let’s dance, celebrate what it is we have, even if encompassed with pain. Dance as those who are young. Slap one another shoulders with congratulatory delight. Be joyful as those who are aged and see each day as gift. Be glad, for we are here on this side of yesterday and the world lies bright before us.
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25
For complete texts, please see Vanderbilt Lectionary Resources: Revised Common Lectionary Texts
For commentary on original texts, please see Chris Haslam’s Revised Common Lectionary Comments
Alternate Readings
Words to Introduce the Reading(s)
We are fortunate to never find ourselves alone on this side of yesterday. As we open our hearts and minds to these readings, let’s remember that they will be heard in the context of many different minds so that, as they settle into ours, they do so as invitations to further thoughts and conversation.
Reading(s)
For the information of the Reader
Arun D. Ellis is the pseudonym for “Rob and Sue” who live in the states with their numerous animals. Their writing regularly and unflinchingly addresses what they argue to be the emerging dystopian future.
Reading
“A revolutionary war of freedom, …” Hiawatha responded crisply, “and I agree… does Superman ever fly to Thailand and free the kids slaving in the sweat shops owned by the rich corporations? No, he doesn’t. Does Batman ever break into prison and free the wrongfully convicted and over sentenced black man whose rights were trampled on when he was incarcerated? No, he doesn’t. Does Spider man ever break into a house in suburbia and beat up the abusive and violent husband? No, he doesn’t.”
“Do the Fantastic Four ever fly out to third world countries and defend the rights of the poor civilians against greedy American corporations? No, they don’t,” said the Pirate, not to be outdone.
“They’re all just tools used by the state to maintain the status quo,” said Hiawatha.
Arun D. Ellis, Corpalism
For the information of the Reader
Scottish comic book author Grant Morrison is known for culture-jamming and the constant reinvention of his work. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and countercultural leanings in his runs on titles including DC Comics’ Animal Man, Batman, JLA, The Invisibles, Action Comics, All-Star Superman, and Doom Patrol, and Marvel Comics’ New X-Men and Fantastic Four. Many of these are controversial, yet rate in some of the most critically acclaimed and popular books. He is also active in screenwriting. (from Goodreads.com)
Reading
We’ve always known we’d eventually be called upon to open our shirts and save the day, and the superhero was a crude, hopeful attempt to talk about how we all might feel on that day of great power, and great responsibility.
Grant Morrison, Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human
Response to the Reading
Reader: Offered as wisdom for the journey
All: May we walk in its light
Focused Moment
Invite congregants to close their eyes if they are comfortable doing so and imagine the world they would like to see in the future – what would it be like?; how would people be with one another?; what would communities, if they still existed, look like?; where would food come from?; what would be uppermost in people’s minds?
Give them a full minute or two to do that and then begin reciting the words to the Rogers and Hammerstein’s song from Cinderella, “Impossible” using only those segments that say impossible. If your music accompanist is up to it, invite her or him to play the tune as you recite these sections of the song.
Move into the section of the song that rephrases the theme using the words “It’s possible”. Repeat these and close with these words, or similar ones: “May we ever find ourselves in the process of embracing what IS possible and, leaning into both our weaknesses and our strengths, bring these things into being.”
Image:
Full size image available on Unsplash: Photo by Nathan Dumlao
Hymn
I Pledge to All Humanity
Tune: Thaxted, Gustav Holst
Popular Hymn: I Vow to Thee, My Country
I pledge to all humanity,
the fullness of my heart
that we might build together
love’s greatest work of art.
A world made free from hunger,
a world made free from hate,
a world in which through honour
we each communicate.
A world that never falters,
that binds unto each life
the goals of love and freedom,
the pledge to end all strife.
My vow to all humanity,
that I will never part
from all that’s good and righteous
within my beating heart
demands that I stand stronger
than I have ever stood,
demands that I love better
what serves the common good.
May we find in each other
a true and upright friend
that all we’ve named as worthy
together we’ll defend.
Within the gath’ring darkness
there shines a radiant light.
Once lit by tales of freedom,
it burns for what is right.
We hold its burnished handle,
we lift its flame on high
that all might walk beneath it
upon its hope rely.
For truth will not relinquish
the future to the past
but builds a bright tomorrow
where love might reign at last.
© 2014 gretta vosper
Thoughts and Additional Resources on the Week’s Theme
Standard Outline
Theme:
Given the theme and readings, where do you want to take the message this week? When exploring it with your congregation, what is the ultimate point you wish to bring to them to consider? Think this carefully and have a good idea what you want to say before continuing.
Relevance:
The following questions are meant to help you personalize and deepen what you will be offering your community. Because you have clarified the focus of the message already, it remains central and is strengthened when imbued with or attending to the realities in the lives of those who will hear you.
- What may be happening in each or any of these constituencies that may be relevant? Be sure to allow yourself to consider each one independently of the others; on occasion, one might tend to overwhelm the others, but all are significant. Your effort is to be relevant to the people, not to list a host of connections. They are able to make their own connections
- the congregation
- the congregation’s neighborhood/municipality
- your country
- the world
Grounding:
The purpose of your message is to provide meaningful insights and inspiration in the lives of those who gather before you. Closing is often difficult if times are challenging, and most of our times seem to be. This carefully but simply constructed outline gives hearers straightforward pieces to take with them and is based on consideration for self, others, and the planet. Consider that they leave asking themselves:
- How does what I have heard today make a difference to me?
- How does it allow me to see and act differently toward others?
- How does it call me to be in relation to the planet?
Video
Whitney Houston and Brandy, Impossible!
Further Reading
Please share if you use relevant readings so that I might share them, crediting you for their inclusion in the project.
Celebration of Commitment
There is no magic in making it to this side of yesterday, but there is possibility and with possibility comes responsibility. Take a moment now to consider yours: responsibility to yourself, to this community, to the world. And give thanks for the gifts you know and share.
Commissioning
No three white horses.
No magic coach.
No impossible things happening.
Just the possible:
What lies within your heart unspoken;
what labours within your strength undone;
what lives within your realities, undreamt until this day.
Go with these things, in peace.
A Whole Lot of Broken
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Theme: Supersized Superheroes