If not now

Worship Resources:

Tuesday Worship

The following are the worship and vespers for the United Methodist Women's National Seminar, August 5, 2003.

TUESDAY WORSHIP

MANY GIFTS, ONE SPIRIT

Singing

*Call to Worship:

Voice: United Methodist Women, your name has been called. What will you do?

All: We will announce God, like the woman who anointed Jesus; we will assume God is for us like the women who brought their children to Jesus; and we will stand with all the nameless outsiders who insisted that God respond to the most humble of society.

Voice: United Methodist Women, your name has been called. What will you do?

All: We announce the good news like Mary, we will sit at the feet of Jesus, to learn about our calling, we will judge like Deborah, negotiate like Ruth, speak like Esther, and announce the resurrection like Mary Magdalene.

Voice: United Methodist Women, your name has been called. What will you do?

All: We will speak out like people in mission of Jesus who have gone before. We will challenge systems of power that exploit women, children and the poor. We will denounce and resist racism and hate. We will claim life in its fullest. We will announce the kingdom of God whose doors are open to “the least of these.” AMEN

*Hymn of Calling: “We’ve Packed for the Journey” #118 Global Praise 2

Scriptural Confession:

“The Least of These”

Matthew 25:31-40 (adapted)

Voice 1: When the Child of Humanity arrives in honor and sits up high, all the peoples of the world will be gathered; this offspring of us all will sort out people like a shepherd sorts the sheep from the goats. On one side will be the sheep and on the other will be the goats. One group will be invited to be with God and each other because they had already been part of God’s blessing, for I was hungry and you gave me food,

All: When was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food?

Voice 2: My children and I were being beaten by my husband. He wouldn’t let me work so I had no way to support me and the kids. I couldn’t leave. One day I heard about a battered women’s shelter run by church volunteers that also accepted kids. I left in the middle of the night while he was in a drunken sleep. They gave us food and shelter until I could get a job and an apartment. They saved my life!

Voice 1: I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

All: When was it that we saw you thirsty and gave you something to drink?

Voice 3: My wife died last year from breast cancer, my kids all have rashes and my little one had a blood test last week and it looks like Leukemia. The chemical plant down the road says it keeps all its wastes under control but a community organizer from the church has done the research to show that they have been leaching poison into the ground for years. Maybe this community organizer can get my kids a clean drink of water.

Voice 1: I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

All: When was it that you were a stranger and we welcomed you?

Voice 4: I’ve lived here in this country for fifteen years now. My father was shot in front of us as my brothers and sisters watched. They did worse to my mother before they killed her. I was the oldest so I led the family north. The youngest died from the heat of the desert but the rest of us made it. We learned English in a United Methodist Community Center. We are Catholic but they welcomed us. I teach other immigrants today in that same center.

Voice 1: I was naked and you gave me clothing,

All: When was it that you were naked and we gave you clothing?

Voice 5: It’s about as cold as I want it to get out here. They let us sleep inside but during the day we are on the street. I lost my apartment when I got sick. I was in the hospital for six weeks while they got my meds figured out. By that time I was too far in debt to get out. This old coat is too big for me but it keeps the cold out and I keep food in the pockets. That church where I go to the homeless shelter gave me this coat—I suppose I’m still alive because of it.

Voice 1: When I was sick you took care of me,

All: When was it that you were sick and we took care of you?

Voice 6: We live way out here in this here holler. Seems like one of the kids is always I’ sick. If it weren’t for the clinic over at Red Bird Mission, we’d have to travel four hours every time someone sneezed! I don’t think we would even go to the doctor if it weren’t for the folks there. They catch things before they get too bad. The church does right by us. That’s a fact.

Voice 1: I was in prison and you visited me.

All: When were you in prison and we visited you?

Voice 7: When I was in college I never thought it possible that I would end up in prison. My boyfriend had me deliver a package. I was arrested before I ever reached the door. Because of mandatory drug sentencing I was given 25 years. I found out from advocates in the church that the rate of imprisonment for women of color increased by about 300% in a five-year period because of these laws. A few women have been pardoned—but what about the rest of us?

All: Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.

*Hymn of the Magnificat

Young Mary sang a song about God’s promises of old

Her soul magnified the Lord of love, she certainly was bold!

She rejoiced in God her savior who had set her spirit free

She sang God’s victory!

Chorus:

God is scattering the proud; God is lifting up the lowly;

Hungry ones will all be filled, and the rich go away empty.

God has looked upon me favorably, as lowly as I am,

A servant of the Lord of host, one part of God’s great plan;

Now the mighty one has done great things to set the people free,

God fulfills the prophesy! Chorus:

She was pregnant without Joseph when she traveled cross the hills

Gabriel told her that the prophesy was soon to be fulfilled

Zechariah and Elizabeth were old and barren too

But God makes all things new! Chorus:

John had leapt within the womb and so they prophesied out loud;

Mary sang a song of power when Elizabeth cried out;

In the womb of Mary God had placed the Lord of all who hope

Of this they boldly spoke. Chorus:

God has helped his servant Israel, shown mercy to their fear

God fulfills the ancient promises since Abraham was here;

Our descendents are the heirs of hope God keeps the solemn vow

God help your people now. Chorus:

Luke 1: 39-55 © 2003 J. Ann Craig (tune: “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is a USA, 19^th century camp meeting tune, originally an anti-slavery tune about John Brown’s rebellion. May be copied for use in United Methodist Women’s events.)

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Panel Presentation: United Methodist Women in Action---Stirring up the gift of God!

*Hymn of Commitment: “On Christ the Solid Rock” # 368 United Methodist Hymnal

I serve my God with open hand,

To learn today what God has planned;

Each day gives hope and love renews;

My savior's call, I won't refuse.

CHORUS:

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

CHORUS

Choose life today, the prophet cried!

Stand up for truth whate're betide.

You've not been left alone to stand

Come stand with me and take my hand.

CHORUS

The children starve, the mothers cry,

The markets sink (soar) and soldiers sigh;

We long for peace in times of war;

We know that life has more in store.

CHORUS

Serve Christ today, don’t be afraid

To view the place where he was laid

Gain hope and strength, he’s rising still

To bring new life to deadened will.

CHORUS

Serve those in need, that=s what he said

Don=t stop your life when all seems dead

Give drink for thirst, and heal the ill

Put hands to work, and hearts will fill.

CHORUS

*Unison Blessing

May the God of all ages and all people guide us in our work. May the faithful women and men who have gone before us be our angels. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN !

TUESDAY VESPERS

CLOSING SONG OF EVENING OF ARTS