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How a Garden Grows
A Special Worship Service
Celebrating 135 Years in Mission – United Methodist Women
Leader:
Creator God,
You have called forth United
Methodist Women
To
celebrate our history of 135 years.
People:
We are organized for
mission
Leader:
People:
To a strong foundation of
mission.
Hymn: Many Gifts, One Spirit. (# 114 in the United
Methodist Hymnal)
(The four characters may bring props, create
costumes or simply have an 8 ½ x 11 inch sheet of paper with their title pinned
to them.)
Gardener
In the cool, dark earth a
seed grows.
United Methodist Woman
Tremont Street Church, Boston, Mass. After church one Sunday in March of 1869, Mrs.
Parker, Mrs. Flanders and Mrs. Butler organize the Woman’s Foreign Missionary
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Historian
1869 is a time of
new beginnings. The country unites after Lincoln’s assassination and the Civil
War’s end.
Sunday School Teacher
Remember the First Chapter of Luke, students?
30But the angel said to
her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You
will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name
Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most
High.”
Gardener
The seed needs water, sunlight
and fresh air. The seed begins to send out a young, green shoot.
United Methodist Woman
The Missionary Society women regularly give a small amount to support
mission. They pray, study and help. The first women missionaries to be
commissioned and sent forth are Isabella Thoburn, a
teacher, and Clara Swain, a doctor. They minister to the women of India.
Historian
In the early
20th century, women advocate for the
rights
of women.
Sunday
School Teacher
Do
you remember Ecclesiastes 3?
1There is a time for
everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot.
Gardener
The seed matures and grows
tall. At times, the wind knocks the plant down. The living organism continues
to thrive, showing resilience and strength, growing tall again.
United Methodist Woman
In
the middle of the 20th Century, church women are ahead of their
times. In 1952, they adopt a charter of racial justice. Despite opposition,
church women risk their lives to advocate for peace, justice and equality.
Historian
During the 1960s,
young people demonstrate against inequalities and the Viet Nam War. Many organizations
are restructured. Civil rights guarantee freedom and equality.
Sunday
School Teacher
Let’s think about a
time when you have grown. A time when you faced conflict and God stood with you
-- when a civil war raged in you or prejudice limited you. Let’s think about
that time. (A moment of silence.)
Gardener
With the proper care, fruit-bearing trees give apples, plums or pears.
Flowers bring beauty and joy. All plants make shade when the sun shines. All
plants endure hardships. Some plants are incredibly resilient.
United
Methodist Woman
United Methodist Women provide the water, the sunshine and the solid
ground to support the lives of women, children and youth -- around the world,
in our neighborhoods and in our church. (This can be a time to commemorate
some significant events in your own local unit, such as your unit’s formation
date.)
Historian
A small group of committed individuals with limited means can better
society and the world in ways a social historian like me could never dream of.
From their humble beginnings, the mission-minded women have made great strides.
Today, they are United Methodist Women. I cannot begin to imagine the good they
will do in years to come.
Sunday
School Teacher
In John 19, we learn,
41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a
garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
(The four
characters return to their seats.)
Leader:
There are some women among us who have been to the garden. They have
tended our garden with all of our diversity – fruits, vegetables, flowers and
even some prickly weeds. These women are more than sunshine, water and solid
ground for us. They are rainbows, doves and wisdom. We would like to honor
( ) for her ( ).
(This is a time for lifting up by name a woman or women who have
contributed to your local unit in an outstanding way. It is a time for giving
special mission recognition pins or Gift to Mission cards.)
Offering
We encourage women to give one cent for each year of our organization’s
existence -- $1.35.
Let this offering be a seed -- a small gift that will grow and provide
nurture and abundance for those with greater needs.*
As the Song of Solomon, Chapter 8:13, says:
“You who dwell in the gardens
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice!”
As we bring forward our offering, let’s sing.
Closing Hymn
“Sois la Semilla” or “You Are the Seed” (#583 in the United
Methodist Hymnal).
All:
Loving God, thank you for
United Methodist Women and our foremothers.
Help us to continue to grow,
To continue to celebrate our past,
And to look to our future with joy.
Leader:
Almighty God, never leave our side.
As we seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you, our God.
All:
Amen.
Mary Beth Coudal
Executive Secretary for Mission Opportunities
Date posted:
Apr 07, 2004
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