Living the Connection: The Continuing United Methodist Church

A Resource for Worship: Caring for God’s Children … and all Who Love Them

posted on May 25

A Resource for Worship:
Caring for God’s Children … and all Who Love Them

Hi Friends,

I believe you will have access to many worship resources right now that relate to our collective grief and our activism as United Methodist Christians, but I wanted to share the litany below for use in your congregations. Perhaps you might find it useful during the upcoming season of Pentecost.

I urge you to spend sacred time in worship this weekend both praying for the comfort of all who mourn, but also prophesying and advocating for a godly future for our nation.  The litany is a great reminder of the social responsibility we ALL bear as United Methodist Christians. From worship and discipleship springs truth and action.

A Companion Litany to Our Social Creed

God in the Spirit revealed in Jesus Christ,
calls us by grace
   to be renewed in the image of our Creator,
   that we may be one
   in divine love for the world.

Today is the day
God cares for the integrity of creation,
   wills the healing and wholeness of all life,
   weeps at the plunder of earth’s goodness.
And so shall we.

Today is the day
God embraces all hues of humanity,
   delights in diversity and difference,
   favors solidarity transforming strangers into friends.
And so shall we.

Today is the day
God cries with the masses of starving people,
   despises growing disparity between rich and poor,
   demands justice for workers in the marketplace.
And so shall we.

Today is the day
God deplores violence in our homes and streets,
   rebukes the world’s warring madness,
   humbles the powerful and lifts up the lowly.
And so shall we

Today is the day
God calls for nations and peoples to live in peace,
   celebrates where justice and mercy embrace,
   exults when the wolf grazes with the lamb.
And so shall we.

Today is the day
God brings good news to the poor,
   proclaims release to the captives,
   gives sight to the blind, and
   sets the oppressed free.
And so shall we.
 
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2016. Copyright 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.
 
I encourage you to move from disbelief to advocacy. Be a leader in your part of the Northern Piedmont District. Ask your community leaders how you and your church can promote peace and lead in the reclamation of our communities as places of love and peace.
 
With You,
 
Rev. Bev Coppley
District Superintendent

Other Resource Links:

Sesame Street in Communities:

NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children):

PBS KIDS:

healthychildren.org:

Mayo Clinic:

Other United Methodist Resources:



A Resource for Worship Caring for Gods Children and all Who Love Them