INCLUSIVE CREED
We believe in God, Mother and Father to us all,
Our One Parent Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus, the Christ, begotten Child of God.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. On the 3rd day, he rose again. He came home to eternity and is home with our Parent Creator. From there, he will come again to bring justice to the living and the dead, and his reign will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
The giver of life, who spoke to the prophets and to many peoples and races. We believe She continues to speak to us today.
We believe in the greater universal Christian Church, and the whole people of God of many races, nations and cultures
and its continuing story to whom we are a part of. We believe in the communion and fellowship of all the saints, prophets, martyrs and all holy witnesses, past and present. We believe in the forgiveness of sins and the healing of all human brokenness unto the resurrection of the life everlasting. AMEN
We begin our walk as Jesus’ have walked carrying the cross. The Story of Jesus, is our Story. The Story of the Cross is the story of you and me, and the people in our lives. Let us begin this timeless story of love and sacrifice as we reflect on our own lives as individuals and as an MCC Community.
Let us Pray: Oh Jesus, whose conception and whose birth as told to us by Matthew and Luke were in itself unusual. You, whose, origin as told to us by John was queerly from ancient days, even before the creation of the world, welcome us into the path of your cross. Welcome us into the story of your love. May we remember and reflect on our lives and the people who are in them as you have met the people of your life as you journeyed from Gethsemane to Calvary, into the tomb and rising out from it into the newness of life. In the Gospel of Mark, the Risen One waits for us in Galilee. Journeying to where Christ calls us to serve, may our lives be a continuing story of healing, hope and compassion for our world.
This we pray to you, sweet Jesus, with the grace of the Parent Creator and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
God in community, Holy and One. AMEN.
I. San Agustin Church: THE OPEN TABLE
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 14:22-26
While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus, you opened yourself up when you broke the bread and gave the cup. Knowing well what is to occur the next day, you poured out yourself in that table, body and blood, soul and heart. With your whole heart, you opened the table of grace and compassion for all people without distinction. You invite us all, “Come, Taste and See” and further you tell us “I welcome you, I love you and my commandment is for you to love another as I have loved you.”
Following your example may we do likewise, to love God through concrete ways of loving others as we love ourselves; May our lives be food for others and may our words be drink that brings healing and reconciliation to the world that thirst for justice and peace.
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for the poor and the hungry, those that this world have turned away from tables and are unwelcomed by closed doors. May God help us to open our windows, backdoors and create an ever wider table for all to eat and find joy. To this we pray.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
II. Sacred Heart Chapel Lyceum: WON’T YOU STAY UP WITH ME
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
A Reading from Mark 14:36-37
He said, ‘Abba,Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour?
NEGLECT: How many times have we felt unheard and neglected by those we counted on the most? How many times have we been, ourselves retreated into our comforts and became deaf because of our busy lives, shutting our ears to the pleas of those who sought our help, those who needed our presence the most? And yet Jesus, showed us the way in prayer and in forgiveness.
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for ourselves and the whole world. May we seek forgiveness for the times we have slept and turned a blind eye against oppression and injustice. Let us pray for peoples and communities to stay vigilant, awake and actively aware to resist the powers of darkness and death in the world. May we become the living light of God’s presence in a cold and darkened world. Let us pray to God
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
III. Letran Chapel: JUDAS ISCARIOT
We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
Because by your life and by your death, you have embraced and included all those that the world have rejected and continue to oppress.
Mark 14:43-45
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him.
UNLIKELY HEROES: Some speculations among biblical theologians say that, it was not a betrayal. It was a command from Jesus himself to accomplish what was needed to be done. Do we remember, Professor Snape, being ordered by Dumbledore to kill him in order to get the trust of Voldemort? Was there ever a person in our life who, out of great love, are willing to do the most difficult deed that no one else could do for our sake? Or what are those times in our lives that we had to be the “bad person” but in the grand scheme of things, is actually the one who had to do it for the greater good of all? The person next to you, the people you have kissed could be your worst betrayer, or could be your most cherished and loyal friend. Was Judas a betrayer or was he the one who did what no one else could for the greater good of all? Is it a kiss of betrayal or a kiss of loyalty?
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for those people who need to do the most difficult choices for the greater good. To those who are in complex issues, circumstances and realities and face very difficult decisions; people in government, especially those who wish to stay within principle and law; Revolutionary forces and those who fight for freedom and liberation; Doctors, nurses and social workers in conflict areas who make life and death decisions everyday. Let us pray for God’s wisdom, comfort and love towards them and in the decisions they make that impacts lives and communities.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
IV. Manila Cathedral: TRIAL OF JESUS BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS COUNCIL
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 14:61-64
But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah,the Son of the Blessed One?’Jesus said, ‘I am; and
“you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power”,
and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses?You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death
LGBTQI: You are an abomination. You are sick. You are unclean. You have a mental problem. You are disgusting. You are worst than an animal. You are not human. You deserve to be stoned to death.
This is where the Jesus story is closest to us, the queer tribe, the LGBTQI Community. How dare we say that we are also children of God. We too are empowered by God through Jesus Christ. How dare us, to proclaim that our sexuality is a gift and is integral to our spirituality? The many High Priests and religious councils have condemned us and continue to do so, for what they regard as our blasphemy. And not just LGBTQI, how many of those who claim to be Christ followers and who speak for Christ, convert or reject anyone who oppose their legalistic dogmas, canons and rigid laws?
Like Christ, we are condemned by the very Church we so dearly love. Yet, Jesus has shown us, that he is not to be found in the Cathedrals of rejection and in the Basilicas of hate gilded in gold, or mega churches with state of the art technology who preach bigotry. Nonetheless, we pray for them who condemn us. We pray for the day that this cathedral walls will be reclaimed by Christ’s inclusive love. We pray that the stones that build this temple will be that of justice, compassion and love made from people’s sacred lives.
Jesus, died for those of us in the margins. Jesus lives on in the communities of inclusion and radical love such us MCC and many others. Jesus is here, now and with us always.
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for our LGBTQI Community and every person persecuted because of bigotry, racism, intolerance and stigma, including people living with HIV and AIDS. May the God who has created us in wonderful and vibrant diversity bring enlightenment in our society to welcome and celebrate the beauty of difference. May we all learn to uphold the life and dignity of every human being and all of creation; for though we are diverse and many, we are all connected and one.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
V. World War II Memorial: “CRUCIFY HIM!”
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Luke 23:20-23
Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again;but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.
VIOLENCE: We reject peace and peace makers as individuals, as a society and as a human race. As individuals we give into our anger and hatred by hurting those we love most. As a society we give into our collective fear and hatred and therefore kill the prophets and the peace makers of our time. As a human race we allow greed to wreck nations and peoples through the business of war and arms-trade. We idolize and emulate tyrants and dictators. We praise their violence against humanity and we celebrate the slaughter or the poor, the innocents and those we deemed unworthy. By this actions we have rejected peace and the prince of peace by choosing the way of blood. May we cry our hearts in repentance and may our tears transform our hearts and minds, transform our societies and the world.
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for the places of war, conflict and occupation in our country and in our world. Let us pray for the continuing violence in our country; violence against the farmers and indigenous peoples. In a special way, we remember and pray for the Negros 14 who have been killed. We pray for the continuing occupation and apartheid of Palestine and pray for their liberation. We pray for the continuing war in Syria and Yemen. The many places of conflict in Africa especially in Sudan. We pray for the Ronhingya people being persecuted. We pray and cry out with and for all peoples under attack. May we all stand up for justice and lasting peace.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
VI. Maguindanao Massacre Memorial: SCOURGING
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Luke 23:14-24
Pilate said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death.I will therefore have him flogged and release him.”Then they all shouted out together, “Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!”(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again;but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.”But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.
PROPHETS: Prophets continue to speak in our world today. Prophets who speaks truth to power and hold them accountable. Prophets from various sectors and places who challenge the rulers and principalities of this world. Prophets who dare to bare open the systems of power in this world. As of the days of old so it is today, prophets are hunted down and martyred; journalists, activists and church workers are murdered. Jesus himself in the spirit and tradition of the prophets was tortured and killed as a prophet who spoke against the powers of his time. If we are followers of the Truth and the Way, may we speak as he did and become prophets of today; prophets who challenge the system and the powers of today, and to witness to God’s enduring love for the poor and the oppressed.
Prayer intentions: We pray for the families of the Maguindanao Massacre Victims, and for countless other families of other journalists and activists murdered around the world. May they find comfort and peace. We pray for safety and enduring strength for all activists, people’s journalists, community leaders and church workers. May they continue to speak boldly and with power in the name of justice. We hope and pray for the day that we all long for, when justice will roll down like powerful and never ending rivers.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
VII. Binondo Church: CROWN OF THORNS
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 15:16-19
Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him.
CROWN OF TYRANTS: The world is obsessed with crowns and royalty, of emperors and empires. Even from within the LGBTQI Community, we obsess for crowns, jewels and titles in all of its pageantry. To some extent, it empowers us and reclaims our inherent dignity and value as beautiful, intelligent, gifted and caring persons. As Queen P has beautifully put it… “Confidently Beautiful with a heart.”
But the crown of Christ calls us to something deeper, bigger and wider. Something that is truly of the heart that bleeds for love. The Crown of Christ calls us beyond pageantry, tokenism and white-heterosexist categories of beauty. The crown of Christ calls us to see the beauty of the broken, the unconventional, the different, the beauty found in the most unusual of peoples and places, the beauty that is no less than the face of Christ beyond colorful glitz and glamour. The crown of Christ calls us to look into the beauty of diversity, the beauty of kindness, the beauty of humility, of friendship, of active social awareness, the beauty of the poor… No longer beautiful with a heart… but the Crown of Christ calls us towards a confident heart with the beauty of love.
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for those people rejected and bullied because of what the world may define or categorize as ugly, unfit and deformed. For the fat kid because of some condition, of those with down syndrome or beautiful children born differently abled. We pray for those people whose appearance does not conform to the western and white concepts of beauty. We pray also for ourselves in the LGBTQI community who are also being trapped into a particular definition of beauty. May God open our eyes to the true beauty found in every human being and in all of God’s creation. May God open our eyes to the face of Christ found in the poor, in the differently abled, and in the rejects of society. Let us Pray:
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
VIII. Chinese Cross by the Road: THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
John 19:16-17
Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus;and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.
THE CROSS: What are the crosses that this world has made you carry? Is it shame, arrogance, self-hatred, unkindness, discontent, gossip, judgement and prejudice of others, any form of addiction? Are these crosses that Christ needs to carry for you?
And why do you spurn, turn a blind eye or run away from the cross of Christ that bids you to carry in following him? The struggle to carry love, to carry hope, to carry and walk with humility, the cross of kindness, forgiveness of self and others, the cross of self-worth and value, the cross of friendship, the cross of prayer and reflection, the journey of carrying the cross of community, the journey of carrying the cross of ministry and justice work?
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for those of us who need to burn the cross of arrogance and selfish pride. Let us pray for multitude of people who carry the cross of social justice in their backs in following Christ’s example; of human rights activists, leaders of farmers and laborers, HIV and AIDS advocates, urban and rural poor leaders, LGBTQI Advocates, Environmental Activists and progressive-affirming Churches. May we carry together the cross of love and hope towards the newness of life.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
IX. Sta Cruz Church: SIMON OF CYRENE
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 15:20-22
After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull).
THE CHURCH COMMUNITY: The Cross is carried by the Body of Christ, the Church. It is a shared carrying. Our ministry and the community is not ours alone. It is the work of God through the collective of the people of God. In the struggle of equality, justice and peace rooted in love, we carry the cross together. We are each other’s Simon of Cyrene. Likewise, we remember and give thanks for those people who have given us a helping hand in the burdens of our personal lives. We remember those Simons who have walked with us towards Calvary. We remember also the times that we have been a Simon of Cyrene for others who sought our help or even just our presence. In this world where we continue to share not just in the joy of Christmas, but even more so we share in the weight of carrying the cross of God’s love for all people.
Prayer Intentions: Let us pray for Open Table Metropolitan Community Church. A Community is an organic and dynamic multilayered relationship of people with a shared struggle, shared joy and a shared commitment therefore we pray for our Church community for the strength and the resolve to collectively share in our blessings and in our mission to maintain and sustain a safe space of worship and fellowship; our mission to proclaim God’s radically inclusive love, and to reach out not only to one another but to the greater society and the world. May we be a Simon of Cyrene to one another and to every person we meet along the way. Let us pray to God
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
X. Quiapo Church: NAILED TO THE CROSS
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Matthew 27:33-35
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;
WOUNDED HEALERS: How many times have we ourselves experienced being nailed by our own friends and family? How many times have we ourselves nailed others? How many times have we hurt and ourselves caused hurt as human beings, intentionally and unintentionally?
We knew what it means to be crucified and yet we crucify others too.
Following after the example of Christ, may we forgive those who nail us to the cross. May the same crucifixion be that which transform ourselves and transform those who hurt us. May the cross of the One who gave all for love be our example, our guide and our power to change the world. Wounded by others, especially by those whom we love most, may our wounds become God’s channel of healing and grace.
Prayer Intentions: We pray that the world will change through the changing of every heart and mind. We pray that the cycle of woundedness and hurt will cease. We also pray for those who are physically sick and injured, especially those who are terminally ill. We pray for those who have died last night and those who are dying at this very moment. In this life or the next, may they feel the healing grace and the loving embrace of God. Let us pray to God:
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
XI. San Sebastian Church: MOTHERS AND MARYS
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
John 19:25b
Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
MOTHERS: Let us remember our mothers, especially those who have loved us despite of our sexuality and or any other reason. Mothers who nurtured us and those who will fight for us if needed. We also know that not all mothers are accepting and welcoming. Some of us and many more in our LGBTQI community have been rejected not just by their fathers and siblings but by the very womb that carried them. But mothers and children are not just by blood but also by choice. Let us remember therefore our chosen mothers and fathers, and the parents who chose us; gay mothers, lesbian mothers and trans-moms, fathers who are also mothers; mothers who give us a glimpse of the nurturing and caring nature of God; Our heavenly Mother who will never leave us nor abandon us, but stand with us in the many moments of our crucifixion.
Prayer Intention: Let us pray for our mothers, those who bore us and mothers by choice, and all our parents. May God give them strength and long life. For mothers who have passed-on and returned to God, may we carry the lessons of their lives and the love they have shown us. May we also become mothers ourselves to give birth, to nurture, to care and to stand by those who need God the most. Let us pray to God
Ptr: God our mother, come to our assistanceP: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
XII. Hosipisio De San Jose – DEATH OF JESUS
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 15:33-37
When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.
Though perfect, though God, though existing in eternal joy the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God want to be in intimate relationship with us, became like us in our brokenness and in every human way except in sin. And greater more, was the act of giving his all to the most terrible form of excruciating death, death by the Cross. He came to his own people, to the whole of humanity. He came bringing a message and a way of love. But his own people rejected him and his way of love. The empire demanded blood; human violence demanded a sacrifice as it always did, and so no less than Christ, was given unto the altar of human violence to show us the face of our hatred. Christ through the Cross showed what the love of God truly meant. Christ, through the cross showed us what it means for us to love one another.
We remember God’s love through Christ in this place – Hospicio de San Jose – a place of the abandoned and the forgotten but also a place of love and welcome. It is the people, the abandoned young and the forgotten elderly, and all exploited and oppressed peoples that Christ was nailed.
The Crucified One, calls us to his cross
The Crucified One, calls us to his love
Come let us fall in worship and in silence
Come let us commit ourselves to the cross and to love
No Prayer Intention. Just a moment of silence
Ptr: by your Cross, we offer all that we are, all our brokenness and all the prayers we hold in our hearts united with the prayers of all those who cry out to God.
P: And we commit our hearts, our minds and lives to the work of Christ’s cross and the hope of the resurrection.
Ptr: God, come to our assistance
P: Holy Spirit, make haste to help us. AMEN.
XIII. St. Michael’s Church THE VEIL WAS TORN
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 15:37-39
Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
GOD’s LOVE OPENED: Jesus Christ, giving all yourself for love, you have opened for us the grace and presence of God. Not that it has ever been withheld by God, but it was veiled by human institutions and systems of oppression. It has been veiled by our individual and collective barriers and boxes. By your love you have showed us a way. By your death on the cross you have dismantled the old priesthood, and by your blood, you have opened up once and forever the power, grace and life of God for all of creation. You invite us by the open temple, you invite us into the heart of God saying “Come, taste and see, you are God’s beloved”
Ptr: Jesus, sovereign of mercy and love
P: We Trust in you
St. Jude Church XIV. BURIAL
Ptr: We adore you oh Christ and we praise you
P: Because by your life and by your death, you have opened God’s love for all. By your cross you have showed us a way towards justice and peace rooted in love.
Mark 15:43-46
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time.When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph.Then Josephbought a linen cloth, and taking down the body,wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
We enter into the tomb, burying the part of ourselves that needs to die. We enter the tomb carrying the grace of God that has been opened for all of us. We enter into the silence of the tomb with Christ who suffered and died. We now enter the tomb with the promise and assurance of the new life to come and the light that will break out. We who have died with Christ enters his tomb. We who died with Christ shall rise with him and come out of the same tomb. We shall rise as persons and as community. We shall rise in light. We shall rise on the 3rd day with him. We shall rise and walk with him to Galilee and to all the world.
Ptr: In the womb of the earth he was taken
P: From the depths he rose up, carrying us all into the glory of God.
MCC STATEMENT OF FAITH:
Metropolitan Community Churches is one chapter in the story of the Church, the Body of Christ.
We are people on a journey, learning to live into our spirituality, while affirming our bodies, our genders, our sexualities.
We don’t all believe exactly the same things.
And yet in the midst of our diversity, we build community, grounded in God’s radically inclusive love for all people.
We are part of an ongoing conversation on matters of belief and faith,
shaped by scripture and the historic creeds, building on those who have come before us.
Our chapter begins when God says to us:
“Come, taste and see.”
“Come, taste, and see.” Jesus Christ, You invite all people to Your open table.
You make us your people, a beloved community. You restore the joy of our relationship with God, even in the midst of loneliness, despair, and degradation. We are each unique and we all belong, a priesthood of all believers. Baptized and filled with Your Holy Spirit, You empower us to be Your healing presence in a hurting world.
We expect to see Your reign on earth
as it is in heaven as we work toward a world where everyone has enough, wars cease, and all creation lives in harmony. We affirm Your charge to all of humanity to care for the land, sea, and air. Therefore, we will actively resist systems and structures which are destroying Your creation
With all of creation we worship You
—every tribe, every language, every people, every nation. We know You by many names, Triune God, beyond comprehension, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, who invites us to the feast. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER AND BENEDICTION
