International Nurses Day (IND) is an international day observed around the world on 12 May (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth) of each year, to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.
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Readings Acts 10: 44-48 As Peter preaches to the Gentile believers in Cornelius’ house, the Holy Spirit comes on them and they begin to speak with other tongues. Peter then baptises them confirming that God’s salvation is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. Psalm 98 An exhortation to all creation to praise God for the wonderful works God has done, revealing God’s righteousness to all nations and bringing God’s justice into the world among all people. 1 John 5:1-6 When we love God and keep God’s commandments, we love God’s children. It is by this love that we know that we are born of God, and it is this faith that overcomes the world. John 15:9-17 Jesus calls his followers to love one another just as he has loved them. There is no greater than to lay down one’s life, as Jesus does, for one’s friends. Through this obedience to Jesus’ command to love we bear fruit that lasts. (Summaries of Bible readings by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
The first Sunday of May is the day that many progressive Christian congregations observe as Pluralism Sunday, an initiative of Progressive Christianity. Progressive Christians are Christians who affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey. (from The 8 Points of Progressive Christianity) This varies from congregation to congregation. Some create interfaith worship services and invite participants from other traditions. Some have discussion forums on a variety of topics related to our multi-religious milieu. “Pluralism isn’t just diversity; it’s something we create out of this diversity” (Dr. Diana Eck, founder and director of the Pluralism Project) “There’s a lot of confusion out there about “pluralism.” It’s often confused with “relativism,” but the two ideas are quite different. It’s not that everything is equal and that we can’t make value judgments. Perhaps there are aspects of some religions that should be universally condemned. Take, for example, religiously sanctioned genital mutilation of women – this isn’t okay; and it would be well within the obligations of other religions to speak out against this practice. So, it’s not like pluralism means ‘anything goes.’ At the same time, it is recognition that no religion has an ultimate or final claim to The Truth.” (Jim Burklo, Coordinator of Pluralism Sunday)
Readings: Acts 8: 26-40: Philip is instructed to go to a certain road where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch on his way home after worshipping in Jerusalem. Philip finds him reading Isaiah’s scroll, and explains what the Scriptures say about Jesus. Then he baptises the eunuch Psalm 22: 25-31: A psalm of praise and commitment in which God is celebrated for God’s provision and authority, and all people are challenged to worship God, to fulfil promises to God, and to proclaim God’s righteousness to unborn generations. 1 John 4: 7-21: An exhortation to love one another, because God is love. If we cannot love our brothers and sisters whom we have seen, we cannot love God whom we do not see, but, as God has loved us, inspiring love for God in our hearts, so too, we should love one another. Such love drives out fear. John 15:1-8: Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. God desires us to bear fruit, and to do so we must remain in Christ. (Summaries of Bible readings by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
2022 theme: Invest in our planet Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have painfully reminded us about the impacts of human behaviour that break down natural systems and threaten the lives of so many species, including humans. The theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest In our Planet” calling for businesses to shift towards sustainable practices.
Mother Earth, Womb of God, we thank you for the gift of life. You love us as God: you create us of yourself, and receive us into yourself. You hold your children even when we destroy you. You feed us even when we are ungrateful; you unfold us in beauty even when we refuse to see. You teach us renewal, to give and receive, the mystery of flow. Even in our smallness you include us in something great and beautiful. O Generous One, whose law prevails forever, O Divine Word, whose creating never ceases: bless us that we may belong humbly, that we may love beautifully, that we may live fruitfully. O Earth, our Eden, our Heaven, our Hope, may we be faithful Earthlings, in loving harmony with you. (Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)
Prayer: My mother is mother earth Mother earth You are the source of life I am part of you My breath is your gift I sing freely with the birds Cattle and wild animals are friends All of us fell asleep in the arm of the earth You shade me in the mist of the mountains You caress me with the sea breeze You hold me in the tenderness of the wilderness Mother earth I am not a devoted child I have created the black mist of the mountains I have stained the sanctity of the blue sea I have destroyed the green wilderness I have fallen by the greed for power I have been lulled by resplendent wealth I have betrayed my own mother Mother earth I miss the warmth of the morning sun which brings fresh air that gives life to the universe In you I have found my own being Here is my promise Here is my commitment I will keep the green wilderness I will take care of the clearness of the river and sea I will preserve the universe. Amen. (Rev Dr Apwee Ting, Uniting Church in Australia)
Earth Day is held on April 22nd each year, first held in 1970. Earth Day was the brainchild of U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who sought a way to place environmental protection on the national agenda at a time when pollution was compounding. The Democratic senator enlisted college students to organize and coordinate the day. More than 20 million Americans attended Earth Day festivities on April 22, 1970, aligning a broad spectrum of cohorts: Democrats and Republicans, urban and rural communities, labor and business leaders. The energy that surfaced that day has been credited with spurring the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (1970) and the passage of signature environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1972) and the Endangered Species Act (1973) – all initiatives enacted under President Richard Nixon. Earth Day has since expanded to 192 countries, according to the Earth Day Network. More information here.
The movement gave voice to an emerging consciousness, channeling human energy toward environmental issues. Forty-six years later, we continue to lead with groundbreaking ideas and by the power of our example.
And so it begins. Today. Right here and right now. Earth Day is more than just a single day (April 22). It’s bigger than attending a rally and taking a stand. This Earth Day and beyond, let’s make big stuff happen. Let’s plant 7.8 billion trees for the Earth. Let’s divest from fossil fuels and make cities 100% renewable. Let’s take the momentum from the Paris Climate Summit and build on it.
“Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes; the rest sit ‘round and pluck blackberries.” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning. On this Earth Day those who are people of faith are reminded our first, highest and holiest calling is to love, cherish and care for the earth. The environmental crisis is a spiritual crisis. We are not likely to cherish and protect what we take for granted. We are not likely to restore and renew what we do not revere. We are not likely to save what we do not savor and regard as sacred. Marcel Proust wrote, “The real voyage consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” Jesus said, “Those with eyes to see…”. We need new eyes. Imagine the healing and restoration that would happen if we saw the earth not as a commodity to be consumed for our pleasure and greed but our sacred home we share as one family. Imagine the healing and transformation if we had eyes to see “The earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God.” Imagine if we stopped selfishly trampling the earth, took off our shoes, and walked lightly seeing the ground as holy. Wendell Berry wrote, “We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.” What will you do to express your love for God’s holy earth today? (Source: Steve Koski, Facebook post, 2019)
Earth Day 2017 marked the first anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement. Despite this remarkable achievement, we cannot afford to pull back our efforts. To build a world that values environmental protection and cultivates sustainable communities for all people, we must have educated citizens.
“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know the sense of wonder and humility.” (Source: Rachel Carson)
Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril by Kathleen Dean Moore and Michael P. Nelson brings together the writings of over 80 faith leaders, gifted writers, scientists, government leaders, business leaders, naturists and activists to make the moral arguments for working to stop Climate Change. The hope is that a moral consensus, along with the scientific consensus, will inspire people to needed action. After a foreword by Desmond Tutu, the book’s inspiring writings are organized in different sections for why we need to morally respond to Climate Change:
For the survival of humankind
For the sake of the children
For the sake of the Earth itself
For the sake of all forms of life on the planet
To honor our duties of gratitude and reciprocity
For the full expression of human virtue
Because all flourishing is mutual
The stewardship of God’s creation
Because compassion requires it
Because justice demands it
Because the world is beautiful
Because we love the world
To honor the Earth and Earth systems
Because our moral integrity requires us to do what is right
In 2016, 150+ world leaders signed the #ParisAgreement on #EarthDay2016 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Read more here.
You are the earth You are the earth, a little bit of it. You are a microcosm of it, all earth’s life and beauty and hope, right in you. By yourself you are nothing, but you are not by yourself, you are all the rest of it, too. There is one thing, and we are all it. Wonder deeply, thank freely, serve humbly and do justice boldly. Above all, simply belong, and let our joy be in you. Happy Earth Day. (Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)
Look at the world(John Rutter and Cambridge Singers) – youtube clip Words to the song:
Look at the world, everything all around us Look at the world and marvel every day. Look at the world: so many joys and wonders, So many miracles along our way.
Chorus: Praise to Thee, O Lord for all creation. Give us thankful hearts that we may see All the gifts we share, and every blessing, All things come of Thee.
Look at the earth bringing forth fruit and flower, Look at the sky the sunshine and the rain. Look at the hills, look at the trees and mountains, Valley and flowing river, field and plain.
(Repeat Chorus)
Think of the spring, think of the warmth of summer, Bringing the harvest before winter’s cold. Everything grows, everything has a season, Till it is gathered to the Father’s fold:
(Repeat Chorus)
Every good gift, all that we need and cherish, Comes from the Lord in token of His love. We are His hands, stewards of all His bounty His is the earth and His the heavens above.
Improvisation on Psalm 1 (for Earth Day) Happy are those who do not ravage fossil fuels, ignore the warming of oceans, or scoff at the value of wild public lands, but their delight is in care for creation, and on climate change they meditate day and night. The psalmist so many years ago likened them to trees planted by streams of fresh water, which yield fruit in its season, and unfurl leaves that do not wither. In all that they do to support youth strike and radicalized activism, they prosper. Those who deny global warming are not so, but treat life like chaff easily blown away by the wind. Therefore, they will stand confused and asking — Do you remember …trees? Where is there one stream of living water? Why is there no fruit for my mouth, and no leaf to shade my head? God watches the resistance of those who fight for the earth, but cannot keep the others from their self-determination to perish. (Source: Maren C. Tirabassi, Gifts in Open Hands)
Earth Teach Me to Remember (believed to be Ute Indian prayer) Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth Teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep in the rain.
See the world through the eyes of the Creator, Pope Francis said at the end of his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, marking Earth Day. “I exhort everyone to see the world through the eyes of God the Creator: the earth is an environment to be safeguarded, a garden to be cultivated,” he said. “The relationship of (hu)mankind with nature must not be conducted with greed, manipulation and exploitation, but it must conserve the divine harmony that exists between creatures and Creation within the logic of respect and care, so it can be put to the service of our brothers, also of future generations”. In his universal prayer intention for April, Francis prayed “That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God.”
Closing Commission and Prayer May we always walk gently upon the Earth, in right relationship, nurtured by your love, open to the wind of the Spirit, taking only what we need, always open to the needs of others, making choices that bring wellbeing, living with generosity, striving for justice, honouring all with reverence, reconciling and peacemaking, mindful of those who will come after, recognising our proper place as part of your creation. Grant us the strength and courage, Lord, for such a radical transformation into your Kingdom. Amen. (Christian Aid and Christian Ecology Link. Posted on Third Space blog)
Responsive liturgy (adapted from Ps 65:5-12) – Christine Sine God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, God our Saviour you are the hope of all the ends of the earth You are the hope of the farthest seas, When morning dawns and evening fades You call forth songs of joy God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water To provide the people with grain, For so you have ordained it. God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth You drench its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, And your carts overflow with abundance. God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth The grasslands of the deserts overflow; The hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks And the valleys are mantled with grain; They shout for joy and sing God you call forth songs of joy from all the earth
Greening the Cross: GreeningtheCross (A joint worship service of the congregations of Capitol Drive, Divine Word, Good Shepherd and Pentecost Lutheran Churches. Sunday, April 26, 1998, in Milwaukee, Wis)
Earth Day liturgy (National Council of Churches) The church is called to participate in God’s transformation of creation. Congregations and individuals have found ways they can address the challenges of climate change including: turning off lights and appliances to reduce their use of electricity and energy, choosing public transportation instead of single occupancy vehicles, and sharing their concerns about the environment with their neighbors, leaders of industries and their legislators. But first of all, Christians are praying–praying for wisdom and strength to help restore and protect the wonderful gift of creation. Call to Worship (from Psalm 19): The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Litany for Creation: Praise to you, O God, source of all waters. For vast oceans, flowing rivers, and gentle rains we give you thanks. Forgive our careless waste and polluting ways. Help us to cleanse, conserve, and share; teach us to care for the gift of water. Come and heal your people. Come and heal the waters. Praise to yoiu, O God, creator of the dry land. For mighty mountains, rolling hills, and fertile prairies we give you thanks. Forgive our wanton greed and violent ways. Help us to sow, till, and harvest with care; teach us to live gently on the land. Come and heal your people. Come and heal the land. Praise to you, O God, breath of life and maker of air. For wind and wave, breath and breeze, light and life we give you thanks. Forgive our heedless acts and selfish ways. Help us to live justly, simply, and wisely; teach us to care for the gift of air. Come and heal your people. Come and heal the air. Praise to you, O God, Lord and Giver of Life. Your love sustains planet earth and by your hand all things living are fed. Forgive our neglect and abuse of your gifts. Help us to serve, defend, defend and restore your creation. Help us care for your people. Help us care for the earth. Prayer of Confession Creator of the earth and all living things, maker of the sky and the air and the breath of life, God of all that is: we are your servant people, created out of the clay of the earth itself. We forget that we are your creatures and we play at being gods. We neglect the work of stewardship that you have provided for our occupation and our joy. We have used, abused, and abandoned those things that you have created for your delight. You have created a fragile world in a perfect and delicate balance. Thinking too much of our own importance we have upset the balance. We ask your forgiveness, Holy and Righteous God. We yearn to join with the mountains and valleys, the rocks and the birds of the wild ocean waters in singing your praises. Amen Declaration of Hope: “Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16) We are standing at a crossroads. Together let us seek the good way and find rest for all of God’s creation.
Hymn: God you made your good creation(tune: ‘Nettleton’) This hymn was inspired by “Laudato Si’ (Praise Be to You): On Care for Our Common Home,”, 2015 Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis. The World Methodist Council asked to include the hymn in a special gift book that they gave the Poppe. The hymn later was sung at the World Council of Churches worship service at the UN conference on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany and is in the latest issue of Call to Worship journal.
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Could be fun to weave this in to a service, including Biblical references like “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Luke 13:34
When a mother hen feels threatened she takes action to protect her chicks. She will gather them under her wings and protect them with her body. She is willing to offer herself up as a sacrifice in the hopes that her babies will go unnoticed and remain unharmed.
Could be interesting to weave in themes like sustainability/Meat free Mondays etc.
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Gracious God, on this Anzac Day, we bring before you all those who have and continue to serve in our Defence Forces. We remember and give thanks for their service to our country. We pray for all those who suffer in war and continue to suffer from the trauma of war. We pray for comfort in their grief. We pray for supportive communities to journey with them in their struggles, healing and recovery. We give thanks for all our Defence Force chaplains. We thank you for their response to your call to offer spiritual leadership and pastoral care to Defence Force personnel and their families. We pray for all those who are negotiating for peace in situations of war and conflict throughout our world. Bless them with wisdom, strength and resolve to find ways we can live together in harmony and respect for one another. We pray that we might be bearers of your peace. Through Christ, who is our Peace, we pray. Amen. (Dr Deidre Palmer, Past President of the Uniting Church in Australia, 2021)
Readings Acts 4:5-12: Peter and the other disciples are put on trial by the religious leaders, who ask them by which name or power they have healed the lame man. Peter, in response, tells them that it is by the power of Jesus that the healing has happened. Though they rejected Jesus, he has become “the cornerstone” and is the name through which humanity is saved. Psalm 23: David celebrates God as his shepherd who provides for him, cares for him, protects him, and in whose house he will live forever. 1 John 3: 16-24: As Jesus laid down his life for us we should lay down our lives for each other. We are called to follow God’s command to love one another – in action, not just in word. John 10: 11-18: Jesus proclaims himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, and takes it up again. (Bible readings summaries by John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Shepherd me, Love. Lead me out from my attachments. Lead me to the green meadow of your heart, your deep well of peace and nourishment. Fill me with your breath again, breath of your Spirit. Lead me in your way, not mine, even through darkest canyons shadowed by death, for your presence is my safety, your will my comfort. You invite me to your table with my enemies to share with them your grace: gift that overflows, blessing that makes life beautiful. Lead me where goodness and mercy go; then on every road I will still be at home in you. (Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)
Prayer of the Day Gracious God, help us to live in love and charity with others, and, as we ask for your forgiveness, enable us to be forgiving. Take from our lives the hidden grudges and concealed hate. Forgive us that we have so often denied you; that like lost sheep we have turned away from you; that we have sung with our lips what we have not had the courage to practice in our lives. Forgive our sins, comfort our sorrows, calm our fears, and take from us every proud thought. So fill us with love and concern for others, and make us ready to help and quick to forgive. We thank you for every good thing in our lives for home and friends and family; for all the beauty and loveliness in the world about us which has lifted our hearts and made us glad; for life itself with all its promise and possibility. We thank you that in every great experience of life, when it seemed as if we were passing through water and fire we are not alone, but you were there as companion and friend. We thank you that we are yours, created for your glory; that you have called us all by name, that through Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, who lived and died and rose again for us, you have redeemed us; and that your love will never finally let us go, or ultimately give us up. We thank you that so often you have come to us in the ordinary and everyday things of life, in our work and in our leisure . Help us there to seek you and find you and serve you, as in Christ you have sought and found and served us. We ask it for his sake. Amen. (from Companion to the Lectionary, Vol 3, by Neil Dixon)
An alternate Psalm 23 from Thom Shuman the Mall is my shepherd, I shall always need more. It makes me lie down in mattress stores; it leads me beside coffee shops; it restores my greed. It leads me down paths for the sake of its sales. Even though I walk the aisles of outlet stores, I am not afraid, for you are at my side your credit cards and coupons – they comfort me. You prepare a feast for me at the food court in the midst of shoving shoppers, you anoint me with cappuccinos, my latte overflows. Surely stress and debt shall follow me all the days of my life (and my kids), and I shall live at the mall every day of my life. (Source: Thom M. Shuman)
Readings: Acts 3: 12-19: Immediately after the healing of the lame man, Peter addresses the crowds, explaining that the power to heal the man came from the same Jesus that they had crucified. Peter then calls the people to turn back to God. Psalm 4: A plea for God to remember God’s faithful servant, and an affirmation of how God cares for those who trust in God. Finally, a call for people to stop chasing lies and turn back to God. 1 John 3:1-7: Because of God’s love, we are God’s children, and we have hope that when we see Christ we will be like him. Therefore, we resist sin and seek to live in righteousness as Jesus is righteous. Luke 24: 36b-48: Jesus appears to the disciples, showing them his hands and feet, and eating a piece of bread to prove that he is not a ghost. Then he shows them how he has fulfilled the Scriptures, and he calls them to proclaim repentance and faith in Christ as his witnesses. (Bible summaries: John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Micah 4:1-5 (alternate reading) In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, 2and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; 4but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 5For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.
A great story related to Micah 4.3 Artist Melts 1,527 Guns And Turns Them Into Shovels For Planting Trees story by Amanda Froelich The project Palas por Pistolas by artist Pedro Reyes seeks to show “how an agent of death can become an agent of life.” Gun control is a touchy subject – and for good reason. Existing solely to wound or kill, they are a dangerous weapon, one that if not employed for reasons of necessity, may harshly rip families apart. In Culiacán, Mexico, the city with the highest rate of gun deaths in the nation, many people know the devastating consequences these weapons can contribute to. That’s where creative activist Pedro Reyes comes in. Reyes is an inspired artist who likes to focus on the failures of modern culture in a positive light. He doesn’t believe in failure but instead believes that failure is the outcome of a certain perspective. With this unique perception, he transforms things people see as broken and models them in a new way. Concerning guns, he felt that something positive could be transformed from their matter, and, therefore, started a campaign asking residents to hand over their guns in exchange for a coupon they could use to buy electronics or household appliances. After Pedro collected 1,527 guns for the project, Palas pro Pistolas, he had them melted down and transformed into 1,527 shovel heads. These new shovels were then distributed to art institutions and public schools, where people in the community are now using them to plant a minimum of 1,527 trees. “If something is dying, becoming rotten and smelly, I think there is a chance to make a compost in which this vast catalog of solutions can be mixed in an entirely new way.” In Palas por Pistolas he was aiming to show “how an agent of death can become an agent of life.” It’s interesting to note that 40% of all the guns Reyes collected were automatics of military caliber. After the collection, they all were transported to a military base and publicly smashed with a steamroller. Then, they were melted and recycled into shovels with wooden handles. Now they exist solely for the purpose of planting trees and creating life! Some of the shovels have even made their way to the Vancouver Art Gallery, the San Francisco Art Institute, Maison Rouge in Paris and other locations around the world. A shovel, like a gun, can be used for a productive purpose or a hateful one. But with inspired intent, may these tools always be utilized for the purpose of optimizing land and creating space for something new to flourish. Gathering words – general
Music Peace be with you Christ Is Our Peace Christ is our peace, Christ is our health, he the true Word, his the true wealth – gifts to be shared by the simple and poor: peace in your land, peace at your door.
Peace in your mouth, Peace in the hands Open to truth, to love’s demands: those who would go with Christ also must bleed – bright is the flower, burst is the seed.
Readings Psalm 133 A song of celebration for the blessing of living in unity. Acts 4:32-35 The early disciples of Christ bear witness to the resurrection through their generosity and care for one another, ensuring that no one among them had any need. 1 John 1:1-2:2 John writes to testify to Jesus and to open the door to fellowship for the believers with one another and with God. However, if we claim to be in fellowship but live in “darkness” – denial and sin – we lie. But, if we confess our sin, and live in the light we do, indeed, have fellowship with God and others. John 20:19-31 Jesus appears to the disciples in the closed upper room, giving them a gift of the Spirit, and sending them just as he was sent. Then, Thomas who wasn’t at this appearance, is encountered by Jesus, and his doubts are removed.
Christ is Risen! The Easter celebration continues with the familiar upper room appearances from John’s Gospel. But, this year the supporting texts highlight a feature of the resurrection that can easily be missed – the way Christ’s resurrection brings us into a unified, loving community in which we share joy and abundant life together. (Source: John van de Laar, Sacredise)
The challenge and the promise of Easter is how to help a community of fearful dismay realise they are a community of the resurrection. That is why Easter is both an event and a season in the church – it takes time to come to terms with the enormity of the event and what it means, then and now. This second Sunday of Easter is therefore an opportunity to let the events of the previous weekend sink in a little deeper. The scripture passages lend themselves to that – celebrating unity of purpose, care for one another and acknowledgement of our need of God’s peace and forgiveness in the midst of distress and brokenness. (Source, Church of Scotland)
Breathe The rhythm of breath – drawing air in, and sighing it out – pulses in all of creation, O Lord It is a simple sign of the resurrection; of the life that cannot be quenched, even by death itself. We know what it is to breathe, Jesus our lives depend on it even as they depend on You Risen, Alive and Present; So, breathe into us again, Lord Jesus, we pray breathe the life that never dies, breathe the hope that never despairs breathe the courage that never turns back breathe the joy that never stops singing Breathe into us, Lord Jesus, and teach us to sing, to worship, with every breath And to live the inspiration that is Your resurrection. Amen. (Source: John van de Laar, Sacredise)
Not Knowing(Praying with John 20: 24-29 – Thomas encountering the risen Christ) Christ, Jesus, Names are important. Thomas was not the doubter, No more than the other disciples. Thomas was not the doubter, No more than Peter was the denier. Resurrection is hard. Your being with us can be hard to believe. Thomas was the believer. Thomas named you his “Lord” and his “God.” Thomas came to know you. May we come to see you. May we come to know you. May we come to believe. May we come to be blessed, Knowing that names matter; Knowing that you are God; Knowing that you are God with us; Knowing that you are the one incarnate; Knowing that you came, being sent; Knowing that you lived, taught, and brought the Kingdom of Heaven nearer; Knowing that we are sent as you were sent; Knowing that means we need to live as you lived; Knowing that we should lay down our lives as you laid yours before us; Knowing that we should love as you loved; Knowing that we should serve as we have been served; Knowing that we should forgive as we have been forgiven; Knowing that we are your people; Knowing that we bear your name. Names are important, Knowing that we pray. Amen. (Source: Jon Humphries, UCA Transforming Worship Facebook post)
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 20.25 You who are so sure, go easy on Thomas. He is the one looking but not catching your eye on the sidewalk, the one at the back with the unasked question, those with everything on their back, or maybe just in their memory that they can’t leave, not speaking of what’s behind them, still shaking, with every reason not to but still looking – and don’t pretend he isn’t there, too, the little voice inside you – not easily convinced, but still looking for a sign of hope. (Source: Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding Light)
Prayer: My mother is mother earth
