PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord
than sacrifice.”
— Proverbs 21:3
CALL TO WORSHIP A Hymn by Slats Toole, 2019
How can we cry for justice when our swords stained the ground with blood that cries from lands we stole but then claimed to have found?
These swords have morphed to guns and bombs that we will not let go. We don’t deserve forgiveness, God; have mercy even so.
How can we march for freedom when our hands built the wall that greets the stranger with a cage instead of love for all?
We willfully ignore the tale of Christ as refugee. We don’t deserve your kindness, God; but Savior, hear our plea.
How can we seek God’s kin-dom when our words stoke the flame that animates our acts of hate, our systems, sins and shame?
Our doctrines justify our need to conquer, cage, and kill. We don’t deserve your mercy, God; have mercy even still.
OPENING HYMN O God of Every Nation, Glory to God #760
HEBREW READING Deuteronomy 10: 17-19; 21
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt…. Your ancestors who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
CHRISTIAN READING Galatians 1:6-9 6
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism. Instead God accepts from every nation the one who ‘respects mystery’ and does what is right.
SPECIAL MUSIC by Sandy Ruff, Flute: Pan! Pastorale
J. Donjon, arranged by Emil Medicus.
ANOTHER VOICE THEME VIDEO
A Conversation About Growing Up Black | Op-Docs | The New York Times
“Matthew 25: Dismantling Structural Racism – Part 2”
Kathy Ludwig, EdD.
To view the text and slides from this presentation, click here.
GUIDED MEDITATION & PRAYER Karuna (compassion) meditation mantra
May I find release
May I find peace
May I be at ease
May you find release
May you find peace
May you be at ease
May you (in the global sense) find release
May you find peace
May you be at ease
CORPORATE PRAYER “Our Goodness,” derived from the Lord’s Prayer
Our Goodness, which is in compassion,
We revere your vision.
May we support your ways
In common deeds
As we do in our highest ideals.
Nourish us daily.
Help us to forgive others
As we would want to be forgiven
And strengthen us to resist selfishness,
To shield us from bitterness.
For Goodness is our dominion
The power and the wonder
Throughout time
Amen
RESPONSIVE HYMN “This Is My Song”
Peacemaking Virtual Choir Project, PCUSA
Minute for Mission, Offering and Announcements:
As we reflect on all of our blessings, individually and as a community, may we consider how we may give of ourselves so that the work of Christ’s love and peace may continue throughout our world.
(Please contact staff@southmin.org, to discover simple ways you may give electronically or via mail. Thank you for supporting the staff and ongoing ministries of Southminster Presbyterian Church).
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH CHORUS (Doxology)
Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are for offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
We belong to God.
FINAL BLESSING & BENEDICTION John Lewis
“Walk with the wind, brothers and sisters,
and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.” A-men.
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