Heleluyan (Alleluia)

What an amazing evening.

On my walk to Holy Eucharist I almost bumped into the Presiding Bishop and then I passed 3 Elk.  They were in the middle of all the people streaming in and just elegantly stood there waiting for the disruptive humans to get inside.  I have been told there is a bear also.  Apparently the bear wanted to escort someone from their car to their room last night, quite the reception!

The Eucharist was an amazing blend of faith traditions and languages.  The Holy Eucharist liturgy was based on the Anglican Episcopal Church in Japan.  The entrance hymn was Sekai no tomo to te o tsunagi (Here, O Lord, your servants gather).  The first lesson Isaiah 2:2-4 was read in Tagalog, a language of the Philippines.  We then responsively chanted Psalm 96 in a Native American Chant.  After the Epistle we sang the Heleluyan which is Muscogee (Creek) Indian for the Alleluia.  The Gospel was proclaimed in Spanish, the Intercessions were read in Mandarin and Portuguese and then confession was offered by the Bishop with the people asking for mercy and forgiveness on his behalf and then the congregation offering confession and receiving Absolution then we gave Shu no Heiwa (The Peace).

The Lord's Prayer we were invited to use any language of our choice.  To hear all those voices lifted up in prayer to God in so many different languages, yet all the same prayer.  Knowing that this prayer has been said from before the time of Jesus in so many languages and so many cultures.  What can you say except Heleluyan, Alleluia!

The breaking of the bread:
Celebrant:  When we break the bread,
People:  We partake of the Body of Christ
Celebrant:  We who are many are one body in Christ,
People:  For we all share in the one bread.

The Agnus Dei in Spanish - Cordero de Dios, a beautiful communion hymn song of Lau Tsu (These Three are the treasures, then a Brazilian Hymn Cantad al Senor (Cantai ao Senhor).  Two Deacons were serving and the dismissal:  Alleluia!  Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.  The People responding, In the name of Christ.  Alleluia!  Ending with Muchos Resplandores (Many are the light beams)

Then at dinner I just happened to sit down at a table and met the Director of one of the Young Adult Mission Corps and a few minutes later this very nice Deacon sat next to me and then a few minutes later this other very nice Deacon sat on the other side of me.  Can I just say "Thank you God!".  If that is not a Godincidence I do not know what one is.  They both happened to be from the same Diocese and they told me all about their process and the joys and the struggles and offered to pray for me.  And I still get 3 more days!!!!  I am trying to stay awake for Compline it is going to be an Ethiopian Orthodox Compline with a Cantor and chanting. 

Heleluyan, Alleluia