Tools for our time: congregations in a country at war
Speakers Summary
Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate, Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership
I currently find myself drawn to these themes and Bible verses:
Making peace is deeply difficult and requires a firm foundation. Know that God loves you deeply. Repeat these words from Isaiah 43, hearing them as God's personal message to you. Learn to act out of this love of God for you.
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But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you,
he who formed you.
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God.
Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, I love you.
Do not fear, for I am with you.
Learn to share that love with the people you love, especially those in our congregations. I invite you to meditate on how God loves your congregation through you.
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Ephesians 4:1
James 5:16
Galatians 5:22
Matthew 5:23
Colossians 3:12
Enjoy the journey. Say YES! to the fullness of life that Christ offers to you. Jesus told great jokes! http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/kozak/jesus-laughing-2.htm
I appreciate these worship resources
A Wee Worship Book
Guerrillas of Grace
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Prayers from April 12, 2005 phone-in |
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Opening prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, and converse with us this evening,
As you did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Teach us your ways, as you patiently opened the scriptures for them.
Teach us how to be your people in our congregations.
Teach us how to form relationships with the people who govern our country.
As the disciples walked together on that road,
Give each of us listening friends with whom we can discuss these issues,
Because we swim in a patriotic and emotional ocean and can easily not recognize you, our Christ of peace.
Amen.
Closing prayer
Teach us ,Lord, to hail only your name,
For you alone have true power.
When we need security to walk through the uncertainties of this world,
Remind us that you are our refuge and our strength.v
Teach us, Lord, how to love.
So that people observe our congregational life and say,
"See how they love each other."
Teach us how to love
So that we care equally about our sisters near by and our brothers far away.
Teach us how to love
Across denominational boundaries and political boundaries.
Teach us Lord,
How to be peacemakers in the face of militarism,
How to serve you with our heart, our mind, our soul, our body, our strength, our income and our time.
Give our youth strength to resist the call to become members of the military.
Give strength to us, the adults, to take the next risky step in our journey to be faithful to you.
Teach us not to be shy, but to boldly say no to violence and yes to you.
Give us a nonresistant revival!
And teach us, Lord, to always keep you, our Lord and Savior, at the heart of our peace work.
Now to GOD who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all
we can ask or imagine, to GOD be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.
Amen.
Go now in peace.
Prayers from other call-ins:
http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/phoneprayer.html
http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/mayprayer.html