Michael Servetus 500 Years 1511 - 2011

Based on a service at the Servetus Museum, Villanueva, Spain

Music for songs: Singing the Living Tradition & Sing Your Faith

I consider it a very serious matter to kill a man simply because he may be mistaken in some interpretation of scripture, knowing that even the most knowledgeable may fall into error.
- Michael Servetus 1511-53.

Prelude Welcome/Opening Words Chalice Lighting

WelightthischalicetohonourMichaelServetus, BurnedatthestakeinOctober1553. HetaughtusoursoulisabreathofGod. WelightthischalicetohonourFrancisDavid WhodiedinprisoninNovember1579. Hetaughtus,Youneednotthinkaliketolovealike. Welightthischalicetohonourallthose Whopassedonthetorchofourfreefaith.

Song

- words and music by Caroline McDade

FuentedeAmor,venhaciami Yalcorazon,cantaletucompassion Soplaalvolar,subeenlamar, Hastamoldearlajusticiadelavida. Arraigame,liberame, FuentedeAmor,venami,venami.

Spiritoflife,comeuntome, Singinmyheartallthestirringsofcompassion, Blowinthewind,riseinthesea, Moveinthehand,givinglifetheshapeofjustice. Rootsholdmeclose,wingssetmefree, Spiritoflife,Cometome,Cometome. Prayer

LITANY OF TOLERANCE - SOBRE LA TOLETANCIA,

by Cliff Reed - Spanish translation, Lillian Burlando

Let us never kill someone

because we think them mistaken. Nunca nos permitamos matar a alguien porque pensemos que estn equivocados.

Let us never imprison or torture someone

because of difference of opinion or interpretation. Nunca nos permitamos encarcelar o torturar por diferencias de opiniones o interpretaciones.

Let us not abuse someone or impugn their character

because we think they have fallen into error. No abusemos de alguien o impugnemos su caracter porque pensemos que estn errados.

We are often mistaken,

Our own interpretation is often flawed. A menudo estamos equivocados, nuestra interpretacin propia es a menudo defectuosa

Spirit of Humility,
Save us from arrogance and spiritual pride. Save us from having a closed and bigoted mind. Espiritu de Humildad, Lbranos de la arrogancia y el orgullo espiritual. Lbranos de tener una mente cerrada e intolerante.

Save us from mistaking our own malice

for the will of God. Lbranos de confundir nuestra propia malicia con la voluntad de Dios.

Remind us that the deepest evil

Is that which supposes itself virtuous. Recurdanos que el peor mal radica en suponernos virtuosos.

Homily or Commentary Meditation - Cliff Reed,

from A Martyr Soul Revisited)

BreathofGod, whichwehavebreathedsincethemomentofourbirth, andwillbreatheuntilthemomentofourdeath, werestinquietnesstofeelyourentryandyourexit. Youbringuslife, enteringourlungs,enteringourblood, carriedaroundourbodies,throughourhearts, astheytoilwithoutceasing. Werestinquietnesstofeelthecirculationoftheblood. SpiritofGod,coursingthroughourveins almostsincethemomentofourconception, enliveningourbodiesandoursoulsandmakingusdivine, openourmindstoyourpresence andourheartstoyourlove.

Silent Meditation - Music Song -words by J. Rumi (1207-73)

music by Lynn Unger

Ven,ven,comeseas,ven, Nomadaenbusqueda,siamassalvida Lanuestraeslacaravanadeamor, Ven,otravezven.

Come,comewhoeveryouare, Wandererworshipper,Loverofleaving. Oursisnocaravanofdespair. Come,yetagain,come.(singtwice)

SERMON OFFERING HYMN Praise God for Michael (tune Old 124)
(below)

BENEDICTION & POSTLUDE

Welcome to this celebration of Michael Servetus 1511 1553. Following worship, please join us for coffee & conversation.

Praise God for Michael

Tune:OLD124TH
PraiseGodforMichael,honouredchildofSpain, Landofthesunshine,alsolandofpain. Jews,MoorsandChristianstryingtobeone Butthreefolddogmameansitcantbedone. PraiseGodforMichael,honouredchildofSpain. PraiseGodforMichael,trueRenaissanceman WhofirstdescribestheHolySpiritsplan, Aslikeaboycirculatesitsblood: SolightfromChristdispersesinaflood. PraiseGodforMichael,trueRenaissanceman. PraiseGodforMichael,scholarofthepage, Studentoflanguagesfromeveryage, WhoreadshisBiblesearchingfortheThree, Butwhathefindsisdamnedwithheresy. PraiseGodforMichael,scholarofthepage.

 PraiseGodforMichael,brazen,wildandbold, EntersGenevaandthetyrantsfold, Whereheiscapturedandcondemnedtoburn: Makingalessonfortheworldtolearn. PraiseGodforMichael,brazen,wild,andbold.

SweetJesus,pity,GodEternalsson. Peoplestillstruggle,freedomsscarcelyone. MaywewhohonourMichaelandhiskind Stillworktofreethebodyandthemind. SweetJesus,pity:GodEternalsson. ItisreportedthatthelastwordsofServetus,27Oct1553,were Jesus,sonoftheEternalGod,havemercyuponme.Hadhesaid, Jesus,EternalSonofGod,hecouldhavebeensavedfromfire. WordscopyrightAndrewM.Hill.Usedbypermission.