Jeremiah's Intercession

Here's our intercessory prayer this week. it is a symbolic action based on Jeremiah's field buying. The specific prayers are local to us (and have yet to be reworded/rewritten) but hopefully you'll get the idea. Already bread, wine and water have been revealed on the communion table during the service and been referred to in the sermon as acts of hope. This carries on from there.

There comes a point in faith when belief becomes less of what is necessary and action has to take over… The story of Jeremiah and his field… making this public statement of hope… leads us to ask: what public acts of hope are we called to perform… that offers not a word because words run out… but a sign that trusts futures are reshaping around God’s promises… Gods way and life and intent is invested in that future… that will one day bring all people into the kind of reign that is God’s… We are in an age that is long past the time of preaching hope… We need now to act in hope…

So our prayers for others is also our symbolic action today… and is in two parts… part one takes place today… and part two… next week at our service of dedication.

In response to that need to act… we prepare the earth, our own field here… ready to plant hope next week… Today we reflect briefly on only some of the things we do that are public acts of hope…  in so doing let us let these symbols of hope: water, bread and wine, take root, and grow..

Wine

Wine speaks of community. We are community, into which we grow hope. In community we reveal the promise hidden in everyone. It is a chaotic thing to do, but no longer do we preach about it, we act upon it… Creating God… may we act in hope… and in trust…  shape a future shaped by your dream… through what we do in our community… In CAOS… in our work for others… our support for those who care… each an act of hope… May we prepare the field… for planting… (place soil round goblet)

Bread

Bread speaks of creation. We are creation, a rich balance of life… enough for all… In creation we reveal the promise of God to all… a diversity and generosity that can only be heaven’s… Creating God… may we act in hope… and in trust shape a future shaped by your dream… through how we live in balance with creation… as an eco-congregation… as people who have signed up to your justice… who in communion set free that justice of equity… of sharing what we have… each an act of hope… May we prepare the field… for planting… (place soil round bread)

Water

Water speaks of welcome… We are welcome, a generosity extended to  neighbour… In welcome we reveal the promise that names each person God’s own… a barrier breaker… a prejudice destroyer… Creating God… may we act in hope… and in trust, shape a future shaped by your dream… in extending that hand of companionship to every traveller… in our newest saint today in Matthew.. to every guest… to our friends and family… and to everyone needing healing… patience… peace… acceptance… May we prepare the field… for planting (place soil round water)

But this prayer is not complete… each one of us has our own way of making a public act of hope… in how we live towards others… that like Jeremiah’s field buying… defies what seems inevitable… creating and living into different kind of future for others in God’s name … This public act of hope is not any individuals… but all of ours… so all are invited to be part of this field… this act of defiant hope… by you seeker… guest… or member… and after the blessing this morning… instead of going straight out… come to the front here… and take a scoop of earth… and be part of creating our field round these signs of hope… Act in that hope this week… then come back next week… for the field needs planting.