Worship Resources
World AIDS Day 2000

Worship Center: Create an AIDS Ribbon Tree-- the basic tree has red ribbons (symbolizing solidarity with people living with AIDS) and lights. If you don't use a real tree, one made of cardboard or cloth can be substituted. Other ideas include placing Christmons (symbols of Christ) on the tree as symbols of love, hope, and healing and inviting the congregation to hang envelops with contcontributions to HIV/AIDS ministries on the tree.

Scripture: He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. (Luke 6:17-19, NRSV)

Sermon Idea: "Jesus: A Man Who Made a Difference" (Luke 6:17-19)

Jesus was a man who changed the world forever. He actively sought to bring healing to individuals and society. He stood with the crowd on a "level place": he treated them as equals. That's something for us to remember today as we seeking to heal and be healed in a world with AIDS– treating each other as equals is a first step toward wholeness.

Jesus was Emmanuel ("God with Us"). In order to heal, Jesus stood among the people; he did not separate himself or act as if he were "holier than thou." Rather he reached out and touched all, including those who were sick; likewise the crowd reached out and touched him. Let us, as representatives of Christ in the world and as persons affected by HIV/AIDS, reach out and touch everyone and allow ourselves to be touched too.

This story in Luke follows one about Jesus' calling of the disciples. The first actions that the disciples witnessed were Jesus' teaching and healing the multitudes. We too are called to teach and to heal as his followers.

Suggested Hymns: Give to the Winds Thy Fears, #129; "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," #211; We Meet You, O Christ, #257; When Jesus the Healer Through Galilee, #263; Heal Us, Emmanuel, Hear Our Prayer #266; There is a Balm in Gilead, #375; Amazing Grace, # 378 ; "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling," #384; Saranam, Saranam (Refuge), #523; "Shalom to You," #666; "Hymn of Promise," #707, The United Methodist Hymnal; "Star-Child," #40, "Vi Vill Ha Fred" ("Longing for Peace"), p. 44; "When Our Lives Know Sudden Shadow," p. 66; Global Praise 1 (See ordering information below.*)

Offering: We recommend contributions to these AIDS ministries:

1. Advance #982215-6, "Enabling AIDS Ministries" facilitates development and strengthening of HIV/AIDS ministries by providing grants for education, compassion, and advocacy for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Make your check payable to your local United Methodist church or "Advance GCFA." For local church and annual conference credit, give your gift to your local church treasurer. Call (888) 252-6174 to make a credit card contribution. Gifts are forwarded to: Advance GCFA, PO Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068.

2. Advance #982345-7, "Global HIV/AIDS Program Development." UMCOR encourages you to give through your local United Methodist Church. Gifts may also be sent to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. To make a credit card donation, call (800) 554-8583.

3. Advance #982842-6, "Uzumba Orphan Trust, Zimbabwe." Unlike a traditional orphanage, children whose parents have died of AIDS are allowed to remain in their homes and assigned caregivers to visit them regularly. The trust trains children in basic skills such as carpentry, knitting, and pottery, and pays their school tuition fees. UMCOR encourages you to give through your local United Methodist Church. Gifts may also be sent to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. To make a credit card donation, call (800) 554-8583.

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How to Help: Please support Advance #982345-7, "Global HIV/AIDS Program Development," Give through a local United Methodist Church or send contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. To make a credit card donation, call (800) 554-8583.