Sunday May 17, 2020 Easter 6

During the season of Easter (April 12-May 24) we are doing a series on the “fruits of the Spirit” from Galatians 5. We suggest doing the PREPARING activity first. Then start the MEDITATION video, which includes the prayers and other parts of the liturgy, so you can participate with each element. Just pause the meditation video for the elements that are included below (HYMNS, OFFERING, etc).

PREPARING OUR HEARTS & MINDS FOR WORSHIP:

“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is…kindness” (Galatians 5:22)

Recently, the country of Ireland sent a significant donation to the Navajo and Hopi Nations for COVID-19 relief. Read the story here

How is kindness embodied here? Are kindness and empathy related?

CANDLE-LIGHTING:

We light this candle as a reminder of God’s presence with us, and to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Know that whether we gather together in the same place, or in separate places, that God is here among us too, through the Holy Spirit. AMEN. 

CALL TO WORSHIP:*

Here we are Lord, your church, uncertain, on an ever changing Journey.

Show us your path.

Here we are, longing to know your way.

Guide us to follow you.

Here we are, desiring only your comfort.

Help us to hear your voice.

Here we are, God; lead us according to your will.

HYMN: "I Choose to Worship"

PRAYER TIME:

We are going to create some space for silent reflection and prayer. Feel free to pause the video and pray and meditate as long as you like.

During this time you are invited to offer your prayers to God—whatever prayers and praises you have within you today. We also want to use this time to continue to offer a silent remembrance for the lives that have been lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each life is precious. And we also bear witness to those who are especially vulnerable because of destructive economic and social policies: Black and Brown communities, farm workers, those who are in prison, families in immigrant detention centers, Native American nations, and fellow citizens in Puerto Rico—all of whom are people created in the image of God. We remember them and hold them before our God of steadfast love and mercy, even as we seek to honor and benefit the most vulnerable among us.  

Let’s pause now, and silently offer our prayers to God. 

Congregational Prayer** and Lord's Prayer: Loving God, in whom we live and move and have our being, help us to choose life in you, that we may keep the commands of Jesus, follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and witness to the hope that is within us, sharing Christ’s love in the world. 

Make the fruit of the Spirit grow in our lives as we seek to live more like Jesus, who taught us to pray saying…

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. 

Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours 

now and forever. AMEN.

SCRIPTURE READINGS: Galatians 5:22-23; Micah 6:8, Proverbs 14:21,31

MEDITATION:

 OFFERINGS:

God's gifts to us are abundant, and in gratitude we offer our hearts and our gifts to God. Offerings may be contributed online here, or can be mailed to the home of our church Treasurer (address in church directory). 

We also invite you to consider contributing to our Mennonite Conference Shalom Fund. This fund helps our congregations and ministries respond to members and neighbors in ways that provide support for basic and essential needs. We greatly appreciate your generous support of this ministry. 

HYMN: "All Creatures of Our God and King"

SENDING BLESSING:

May the God who creates, redeems, and sustains us keep you in steadfast faith and hope, and abounding in love. Go with God’s blessing and peace into this new day—to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. AMEN.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• This passage about the fruits of the Spirit begins with “By contrast…” (v.22). How is kindness a contrast to other behaviors that people might display? 
• Look at Micah 6:8 again. The prophet summarizes God’s requirements down to 3. Are you surprised that kindness is included? What do you think that says about God’s view of kindness? 
• Have you ever done any “random acts of kindness”? Who benefited from this action? 
• Make a quick Kindness journal entry: try to think of the last 5 kind things someone did for you. How do you feel after thinking about these?

* “In the midst of uncertain times,” Words for Worship 2 (Herald Press, 2009), 19.

** Adapted from Kimberly Bracken Long. Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1: Advent through Pentecost (135).