Morning prayers given by Mark Pierson at The New Conspirators conference Seattle WA February 2008

1. intro theme = multiculturalism, have chosen to take slant that life is often difficult for immigrants and those in minorities.

2. new conspirators: morning prayers

3. saturday 01 march 2008 day 22 of lent purple

4. We acknowledge that we gather on the land known as Seattle, the city named after Chief Seattle of the Dwamish and Suquamish people who are the traditional guardians of this place. We honour this history and commit ourselves to care for the land with them. May our worship and our service be work for reconciliation between people and with our God. opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

6. The Gathering Song (acapella) Gathered here in the mystery of the hour, Gathered here in one strong body, Gathered here in the struggle and the power Spirit draw near… opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

7. conspiring to build beloved community opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers see if you have a particular response to any of these images ...

35. how would you feel if some of these people moved into your street ?

36. Matthew 25 The Sheep and the Goats (The Message) 31-33 "When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34-36 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

37. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37-40 "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

38. see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.' 41-43 "Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because— I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

39. I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.' 44 "Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' 45 "He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.' 46 "Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward." opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

40. silence for reflection opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

41. Text welcome home by dave dobbyn, 2005 tonight I am feeling for you under the state of a strange land you have sacrificed much to be here ‘there but for grace…’ as I offer my hand welcome home, i bid you welcome, i bid you welcome welcome home from the bottom of my heart out here on the edge the empire is fading by the day and the world is so weary in war maybe we’ll find that new way so welcome home, see i made a space for you now welcome home from the bottom of our heart welcome home from the bottom of our hearts .... ... see handout for rest of lyrics opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

42. What’s ‘at the bottom of your heart’ when you think of people of other races? What are the names of immigrants you know? Pray for them, or for yourself. Cable ties are used as handcuffs in many parts of the world. When you are ready attach your cable tie to the fence as a symbol of your prayer and identification with the suffering of those struggling to settle into a new land, and those detained falsely and unjustly. Take a barbed wire off-cut ‘cross’ to remind you that Jesus has accepted you as you are, and that you should accept others as generously. Carry the ‘cross’ in your hand. opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers

43. opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers silence for reflection we will end with one voice saying :Lord hear us and respond with many voices saying :Lord hear my prayer

44. we say to each other… You are God’s servants, gifted with dreams and visions Upon you rests the grace of God like flames of fire. Love and serve the Lord in the strength of the Spirit. May the deep peace of Christ be with you, the strong arms of God sustain you, And the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen you in every way. Amen. (Diane Karay Tripp) opening ritual call to worship meditation scripture reading / rant response prayer of confession benediction new conspirators: morning prayers