ONE: Henri Nouwen, the patron saint of Church of the Beloved, wrote:
“People who wait have received a promise that allows them to wait.
We can only really wait if what we are waiting for has already begun for us.
So waiting is never a movement from nothing to something.
It is always a movement from something to something more.”

We have received God’s promise to us is Jesus Christ.

MANY: Tonight we gather around a promise

ONE: Just as God-with-us in Christ was nurtured by human milk,
in the same way Christ chooses human vulnerability again
and relies on us to nurture the incarnation.

MEN: Together, mother and God nurture a Christ

WOMEN: Together, we are the body of Christ

MEN: Together, we rely on Christ’s vulnerability

WOMEN: Together, we choose to allow Christ to rely on us

MANY: Tonight we gather around a promise

ONE: This child will grow up to say, “My friends, how I have longed to share this passover meal with you.”
This child will grow up to say, “Take this bread and eat it.  Remember that I am God’s gift to you.” and
“Take this wine and drink it.  Remember that I have renewed your relationship with God, forgiving all sin.”
This child will grow up to say, “Forgive them, they have no idea what they are doing.” “I am thirsty.”  and “It is finished.”
This child will grow up to say, “Touch my scars.”  “My peace I give to you.” and “I am with you always.”

Church of the Beloved, Christ has come among us.
Christ is here now, coming to you in the gifts of bread and wine.
And Christ will come again to make all things new.

MANY: Tonight we gather around a promise.  Amen.