Midweek Worship Archives

July 29 At The Table

A Call To Worship

At the table, we gather together; a common bond.

We break not only bread, but share each other.

We share of our lives… where we’ve been, and all the people who have brought us here.

We share our lives with those who have shouldered our burdens and magnified our joy.

At the table, we welcome all who are without family or home.

At the table, we welcome those who are without nation or tribe.

We welcome the traveler and wayfarer making a temporary stop to receive a piece of kindness to offer oneself as a likeness and image of the divine.

At the table, we invite the stranger, the guest who we do not know, the one who is like one of us, hungry for friendship, thirsty for communion, taking our hand and holding our hearts, saying “this is my body.”

And pouring out life as if it were wine… filling us full with an abundant cup, becoming the unexpected host who prepares a meal and calls all to dine.

Written by Phuc Luu, 2020, theworkofthepeople.com

July 22 The Deep Love Of God

A Call To Worship

Our gracious and ever loving God,
we come in the midst of summer
looking for refreshment.
We rest in the knowledge
of the wonderful works you have done for us,
and of the deep and abiding love you have for us and for all God’s people.
Search our hearts.
Fill our soul with your indwelling Spirit
who whispers to our soul
that all will be well if we but trust in you.
Shine your light before us,
that we may see our path to you
and to your kingdom on earth. Amen.

By Joanne Carlson Brown, ministrymatters.com

Hymns For All Ages

“Oh The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus”

“Wide, Wide As The Ocean”

THE SPOKEN WORD

PRAYER PROMPTS

Pray for CBF Field Personnel Jonathan and Tina Bailey serving in Bali, Indonesia. The Bailey’s ministry has an emphasis on spiritual expression through music, dance and visual arts both inside and outside the local Christian community. Within the Christian church in Bali, the Baileys encourage Christian artists to stay connected to their culture using the music, dance and visual arts of their native community, offering culturally appropriate forms for the local church. Outside the church, Jonathan and Tina provide support for and encourage artists through the Narwastu Art Community, which they organized in 2005.

A SONG TO END THE DAY

July 15 The Bible On Broadway Act IV: Into The Woods

In every fairy tale can be found good, evil, and a character or group of characters struggling to overcome the evil and find the good. The musical Into The Woods is a wildly popular Broadway hit which has also been made into a movie starring such greats as Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, James Corden and Emily Blunt to name a few. The musical, written by Stephen Sondheim based on the book by James Lapine, takes several well known fairy tales and combines those stories with a new twist. The story and the music are genius! In the end the lesson that the main characters learn is,  Actions have consequences–even for future generations, so be careful what you pass on to your children, because children will listen. Just as fairy tales show that good always overcomes evil, we are reminded that in Christ, we can overcome evil with good.

When reading any fairy tale (fiction) or Bible story (non-fiction/truth), here are some things to think about that will also help you examine your own faith journey:

• strive to find Christ & your faith in all things, including what you read and watch

• look for good vs. evil, reward of virtue, morality

• make plot connections to Bible Stories, connections to your baptism or communion, and look for messages pointing to a greater truth outside of the story

• look for characters who remind you of people from the Bible, Christians in your life, and Christ

• how does the setting connect to your own time and place?

In every fairy tale, there is someone who needs looking after or protecting. There is also someone who does the protecting and caring. Hansel and Gretel save each other from a literal hot mess. Snow White looks after 7 little men who in turn care for her by leading her Prince to save her. In the musical Into The Woods, Jack looks after his mother and braves the beanstalk. The Fairy Godmother looks after Cinderella but we can’t forget that Cinderella also looks after her father, and quite possibly looks after her stepmother and stepsisters after her rise to royalty. If you have a chance to watch the full musical on Netflix, look for other examples of characters looking out for each other or offering their protection.

A CALL TO WORSHIP

Here is a beautiful brand new litany written by Fran Pratt about Looking After Each Other, as our unexpected heroes in fairytales often do. Read along with her in the second half of this video.

A Litany For Looking After Each Other

God, You are revising our ideas about family…broadening them: helping us understand that our family lives not only within the walls of our own homes, but beyond them.

As Christ has taught us, we care for little ones.

As Christ has taught us, we care for the poor.

As Christ has taught us, we care for the sick.

As Christ has taught us, we care for the imprisoned.

As Christ has taught us, we care for the lonely and orphaned.

Help us to be compassionate listeners, compassionate doers, compassionate helpers, compassionate teachers.

Help us remember that it is us who are poor, that it is us who have been lonely and sick, that it is us whose bonds need breaking.

And as we raise up the next generation and live as an example for them, let generosity and kindness be our hallmarks, let them know us by our love;

Let our young ones know that our arms are wide and our hearts are open to them and to all Whom you love. Amen.

©Fran Pratt franpratt.com Used with permission

A HYMN FOR ALL AGES

“I sing the almighty power of god”

tHE SPOKEN WORD

In Deuteronomy, parents are instructed to teach God’s commandments to their children day and night. Storytelling and folk tales are an important part of a child’s development of imagination and morality, and can work together with age-appropriate study of Scripture to help children develop their faith and life view.

The song “Children Will Listen” reminds us how important it is that our lives as Christian adults are an example of Christ’s love for the children in our congregation, community, and families.

In an article on Fairy Tales and Scripture, Dr. Michelle Reyes shares her reason for telling folk lore and fairy tales to her children:

“This is the connection I hope my son is making too; for, like most tales, it is not the strongest or the smartest that win, but the kindest, the humblest, and the most resilient. Both tales and Scripture point to our human weaknesses and our need for help outside of ourselves. I choose to tell these stories to my kids, not to scare them, but so that they can see how great their need for God is. It’s important that the message my son hears is not that he can defeat anything. Because we can’t, and not everyone gets happy endings either (another Hollywood lie). Life is hard, for some more than others, but there are ways to survive. This is the stuff of both folklore and biblical truth. As Christians, we survive by clinging to Christ and adorning ourselves with humility, kindness and love.”

Read her full article here: https://www.propelwomen.org/cmspage.php?intid=39&intversion=498

SONGS FROM THE MUSICAL

Giants In The Sky

Think of times in your life when you have taken a risk to seek a “treasure”. What blessings did you find?

Think of times when you have faced a Giant in your life. How did your faith in Christ help you to face it, fight it, or discover that it was not as scary as you once thought?

No One Is Alone

Remember the “characters” in your life’s “fairytale” that have walked beside you.

PRAYER PROMPTS

• Who are the unexpected heroes and protectors in your life? Give thanks for them.

• Ask God for the courage to overcome evil with good.

• In what ways does your life’s storyline draw in characters who may need “watching over”?

A SONG TO END THE DAY

Here is a beautiful Taize style collection of singing and scripture reading by The New Liturgy to end your day with God’s word.

https://soundcloud.com/anewliturgy/no-1

May we all hold the stories of the Bible in one hand and the stories of this present world in the other, and through storytelling show our children how the two have everything to do with each other. We can teach our children how to bridge one world with the other in creative, fun, and powerful ways; ways I pray that sharpen their heart, mind, and soul.

~Dr. Michelle Reyes

July 8 The Bible On Broadway Act III: The Sound Of Music

In the epic story of the Von Trapp family, themes of faith, nature, relationships, courage, and hard life decisions can be found throughout the music and story. From Maria’s decision to pursue a challenging job to Col. Von Trapp’s choices to go against society’s grain to stand for what is right, to the children adapting to a new life and discovering their talents and gifts, we see many spiritual themes of trusting in God,looking to the majesty of His creation for peace and inspiration, relying on the strength and generosity of others, and seeking God’s guidance and His will in our lives and what is best for our families and communities.

A CALL TO WORSHIP

If you have others with you participating in this worship time, divide into two groups and read this aloud. Small children and emergent readers can be coached to say “Give us clear vision, O God!” and “We thank You, O God!/We ask You to hear us, O God” after each segment.

O sing to God a new creation song, for God has done marvelous things.

We are born citizens of God's world, for God has done marvelous things.

Let us see the earth as children of its Creator. Give us a clear vision, O God.

May our sights be greater than house to house. Give us clear vision, O God.

Grant us the knowledge to make tough choices for our world. Give us clear vision, O God

Cause us to share life from generation to generation. Give us clear vision, O God.

Challenge our stewardship to renew the heights with living things. Give us clear vision, O God.

Many and great are your works, O God, maker of earth and sky. Give us clear vision, O God.

God, Source of all life, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! We thank You, O God.

The majesty and vastness of Your creation wraps us round with power and wonder. We thank you, O God.

For the fertility to nourish cattle and fields, for the means allowing persons and families to survive, we thank you, O God.

God made these great works, the gardens and seas; God's hands these wonders wrought. We praise you, O God.

For the joy of being a part of nature throughout all our days and in all our ways, we praise you, O God.

That it may please You to sustain that mighty power which made the mountains rise and sets forth each morning's challenge:

We ask You to hear us, O God.

That it may please You to continue to guide us through the dark nights and never ending days of our creation:

We ask You to hear us, O God.

O God, whatever is true, whatever is just, we have received from your hand.: We thank You, O God. Amen

A HYMN FOR ALL AGES

“I Sing The Mighty Power Of God”

THE SPOKEN WORD

Philippians 4:8-9

A few of my favorite things…

Just as Maria taught the Von Trapp children to think on their favorite things in times of fear and uncertainty, we can follow the guidance of this verse in developing habits of thinking on things that are blessings from God. Below are some links (click on any picture) to resources you can print or use online to list out your daily simple blessings. Things like: the smell of fresh cut grass, a hot bath on a cold winter day, seeing a familiar face in a crowd, the first few beats of your favorite song. Keeping a small journal or notebook to list these simple blessings each day can also be a nourishing spiritual practice.

PRAYER PROMPTS

The Mother Abbess captures the search for God’s will in the song “Climb Every Mountain”. Whatever the dream is, whatever God’s will, it will need all the love you can give. So in the words of Mother Abbess, 

·         How does God want you to spend your love?

In this video, the muppet Grover reenacts a scene from the movie. Andy Otto, of GodInAllThings.com, shares:

“Sometimes we, like Grover, sit waiting a very long time to hear God’s voice. For Grover it’s not in the sound of the sirens or the clucking of a chicken. The waiting is worthwhile and Grover finally hears the beautiful music of God’s voice, causing the hills to truly come alive! The music literally moves Grover. So I think the message for us is, Shhh, listen. If we listen patiently we give God the chance to move us, even to make us come alive with the sound of God’s music.”

·         How is God speaking to you through the world around you when you sit quietly and listen for Him to move?

PRAY FOR OUR CBF FIELD PERSONNEL IN SLOVAKIA:

Jon and Tonya Parks, serving among the Roma Community in Kosice, Slovakia

·         Please pray for the Roma settlement in Cakanovce, Slovakia, where our community development volunteers will be doing more work this summer.

·         Pray for open hearts and good relationships, especially with the local government.

Dianne and Shane McNary, serving among the Romany people in Slovakia and Czechia.

·         Pray for the McNary’s ministry with the local Slovak Baptist Church and YMCA

·         Pray for their partnership which works in the village of Vazec teaching English, providing activities for women and children, and supporting the village community center.

·         Pray for Shane’s work in freedom and justice advocacy in Europe.

a song to end the day

July 1 The Bible On Broadway Act II: Hamilton

Judging by Hamilton’s popularity and the renewed excitement for musical theater, the Church might have something to learn from Hamilton. The idea of the story of America then, told by America today could be a story that helps us think about our story, our lives, and the legacy we leave to future generations in the choices we make now. . In his parables, Jesus spoke to the crowds in the language they understood, often using agrarian metaphors to portray the Kingdom of God. In Hamilton, composer Lin-Manuel Miranda uses today’s musical and lyrical vernacular. Lin-Manuel Miranda has said he felt as if Hamilton reached out of history and grabbed him until he told his story. In an interview with Kevin Cloud, author of  God and Hamilton: Spiritual Themes from the Life of Alexander Hamilton and the Broadway Musical He Inspired, we read: “Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about what he tried to do with the show by taking all these founding fathers off the pedestal and presenting them as flawed human beings – because they were flawed. They did beautiful things and yet they were at the heart of a brutal system of slavery. So there were these wonderful things that happened and these awful things that happened. And that’s true of all of us. We try to live a life of faith the best we can with our flaws, our doubts, and our struggles, but then we try to walk with God the best we can.… “The whole story of Hamilton is a tale of difficulty, and challenge, and heartache – but then beauty comes out on the other side of it. (You can read the full interview by Dr. Craig von Buseck at https://inspiration.org/christian-articles/god-and-hamilton-finding-spirituality-in-the-smash-broadway-hit/)

Today’s worship outline is based on remembering how our choices tell our story, and how our lives can be a legacy of faith, freedom, and courage that we pass along to future generations.

A CALL TO WORSHIP BASED ON PSALM 37:1-9

If you have others with you participating in this worship time, divide into two groups and read this aloud. Small children and emergent readers can be coached to say “Let’s live God’s way!” after each segment.

Group 1: Don't worry about the wicked

or envy those who do wrong.

For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

Group 2: Let's live God's way!

Group 2: Trust in the Lord and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart's desires.

Group 1: Let's live God's way!

Group 1: Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine

like the noonday sun.

Group 2: Let's live God's way!

Group 2: Be still in the presence of the Lord,

and wait patiently for him to act.

Don't worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes.

Group 1: Let's live God's way!

Group 1: Stop being angry!

Turn from your rage!

Do not lose your temper—

it only leads to harm.

For the wicked will be destroyed,

but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

Group 2: Let's live God's way!

All: Trust in the Lord and do good. Amen.

A HYMN FOR ALL AGES

SONGS FROM THE MUSICAL



PRAYER PROMPTS

Across the land, people will be celebrating our nation’s holiday, and people will share in patriotism and pride.

God of all people, help us to remember all of Your children today.

We remember the First Nations, the peoples of the land who came across the land bridge before those that came from across the seas.

God of all people, help us to honor those who walked this land long before us.

We confess that we have forgotten the history and neglected the stories of those who lived here before. We confess that the actions of our ancestors and governments caused great harm to the peoples here.

God of all people, help us to remember, to seek to preserve and to honor the voices of those who have gone before us.

We know that our country is made up of people from all over the world, from all cultures speaking all languages.

God of all people, help us to celebrate our diversity that was created and gifted by You.

Despite the sins of our past, help us to live into a future with hope. Help us to honor those who serve our country in many ways.

God of all people, help our nation to be a peacebuilder. Help us live into the great promises once given to Abraham and Sarah by being the beacons of light, love and peace in the world.

Help us to embrace those who have come to our land, help us to bless instead of judge.

God of all people, help us to remember that we are all citizens of Your kingdom, we are all participants in Your community of faith, no matter our country of origin.

God of all people, we rejoice and celebrate our nation’s holiday. We rejoice and celebrate that we are Your people, and that we live in a place where we can participate in our local and national governments, where we can speak up and bring change. Even when we feel discouraged in the process, God lift us up. When we see injustice, God help us to speak out. When we see marginalization and oppression, God help us to stand up.

God bless us, all of us, as Your people. God bless ours and every nation, and bless those who have no nation to call home. Bless the refugees. Bless the outcasts. Bless the children and the adults and the grandchildren. Help us to bless each other by remembering each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Amen.

A SONG TO END THE DAY

June 24 The Bible On Broadway Act 1: The Lion King

The art of story-telling is a creative communication tool not just in musical theater and stage productions, but was one of Jesus’ most powerful and crowd-gathering methods, second only to His miracles and His identity as the Son of God. As we are studying the parables of Jesus during our Sunday worship, we can also look at stories told through music as ways to enhance our spiritual growth. What ideas related to our faith can we find in the songs and stories from Broadway? How do they remind us of the faith stories from the Bible? This week we enjoy selections from and related to “The Lion King”. If you are familiar with the story, (Disney movie or the hit Broadway show), you can see parallels to the parable of the Prodigal Son. We are also reminded symbolically of Christ our King (Simba) and God our Father (Mufasa).

A CALL TO WORSHIP

A HYMN FOR ALL AGES:

To God Be The Glory!

tHE SPOKEN WORD:

Scriptures that remind us God is our Father

SONGS THAT TELL OUR STORY

The song “He Lives In You” calls us to REMEMBER…in a similar way to our experience at the table of communion…that we are made and living in the image of our Father. He abides in us and has claimed us, adopted us, spoken our name, and covered us with His grace. As Simba sees Mufasa in his reflection, so we can see that it is our purpose to reflect God in our lives.

“The Circle Of Life” is a reminder that God our Creator is making and allowing chances for new life every day, physically and spiritually. God wants to be with us Full Circle, through the highs and lows and the dark times and light of our lives. As Ecclesiastes 1:3-6 reads, “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Generations come and generations go,  but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.” As our days come and go, God desires to be in the midst of our lives. As generations come and go, we are invited by God into the cloud of witnesses that testify to His reign and His love for us!

This version above of the song is performed live and a capella on a flight from Brisbane by the cast of the Lion King. Here is a video of the full song from the musical…

PRAYER PROMPTS

Blogger Sean Johnson writes on his website, Biblical Geek:

As the Prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable, the main character, Simba, also turns his back on his father.  Now the circumstances are different, and the Lion King has a more Shakespearean tragedy feel to it, but the results are the same.  The son has walked away from the father.   In Jesus’ story the prodigal son comes to his senses when he hits rock bottom, but in the Lion King the father has to intervene in a powerful scene.   The spirit of Simba’s father visits him and reminds Simba that he is the son of the king.  He reminds Simba that by not living up to that he is not honoring his father like he wants to.   Simba’s father gives him the charge to “remember who you are.” Remember who you are. Simba, the prodigal son, and the older son are all guilty of the same failing.   All of them forgot who they were.   They are the child of their father. None of them were living life to the best life had to offer. Simba had settled for good enough, the prodigal son was lost in sin, and the older son blinded by bitterness. The story of the prodigal son reminds us of God’s great love for us, but it also reveals something about us as well. Because at different times in our lives you, me, we are the prodigals and then there are other times we are the bitter older children. Throughout our days it seems we tend to go in a circle in life, where we continually lose track of where we should be and need to be reminded of who we are.    We can be guilty of forgetting that we are children of God, meant to be in relationship with God. 

• Ask God to remove our stubborn pride that prevents us from asking for His presence as our loving Father.

• Ask Him to remind our hearts to call on Him frequently, as the circle of life spins us into each day and each hour.

• Let the calm pools of still water show you the reflection of Christ in you, as a reminder to abide in Him and allow your life to reflect His Spirit.

• Pray for our CBF Field Personnel, Lynn and Michael Hutchinson, regional transformational development and networking Togo, West Africa. The presence of CBF field personnel provides stability in times of uncertainty. Togo House has continuing ministries of outreach that are adaptable to the changing environment that COVID-19 now presents us. Togolese are developing new ideas that will use smartphones to link together the community for health updates, spiritual guidance, and sharing resources. Pray for continued presence by your missionaries. The school year ended abruptly with the arrival of COVID-19. Computers are not common in the homes of our teachers or students. School books are not even common for our students. Pray that we may be able to find new ways to engage in the middle schools to help students keep up their studies in this time of educational silence. Pray that we will be able to locate an empty lot to rent in our community in order to begin an experimental garden. Using local vegetables, we hope to show new techniques of farming. Several adults at Togo House have learned new ways through our programs and now want a space to show their neighbors how they can save time and effort and have more produce to sell.

CBF IMPACT VIDEO FROM TOGO, WEST AFRICA

To give to the 2020 Offering for Global Missions, visit https://cbf.net/offering-for-global-missions

For more videos about the ministry done by the Field Personnel our giving supports through CBF, visit https://cbf.net/ogm-resources#videos (scroll to the bottom for videos from Togo.)

A SONG TO END THE DAY

Use the music in the video below to sing along with the prayerful “King Of My Heart”.

June 17 Church Camp: Missing The Mountain

a call to worship

In the midst of our lives, we know you are with us O, God.

In the midst of laughter and fun, joys and celebrations, we know you are with us O, God.

In the times of sadness and tears, grief and struggle, we know you are with us O, God.

At home, at worship, at camp, at work, among family and friends, we know you are with us O, God.

Thanks be to God!

God has set up camp in our hearts. In God’s love, we find community.

God has made community part of our nature. In God’s love, we find peace.

God gives us peace and a calling. In God’s love, we find purpose.

God’s Spirit calls us to worship; no matter where we are, we can offer praise for God’s presence in our lives.

Camp has been one of the special places God speaks to us.

Away from distractions and surrounded by community it is ideal.

Life changing experiences help us understand the power of God’s love.

When we cannot travel to a special location or gathering, we remember God’s love is still all around us.

Let us worship God. (Reading written by the East Ohio Conference of UMC)

A camp song for all ages:

the spoken word: psalm 121

prayer prompts

How can we find mountaintop experiences when it is not easy to assemble in person?

Pray for those who are missing the community and interactions provided by a church camp experience (not just teenagers!) Pray for those who spent a year planning and now cannot carry out their plans.

Ask God to remind you of a special moment or lesson you learned at church camp when you were young.

Reflect on these questions:

Was your faith changed or challenged during camp?  How did you experience God’s love in a new way?  

How can you apply what you  learned at camp (as a child, youth or adult) to your every day life and work now?

Ask God to rekindle your passion for your faith the way it was rekindled during camp.

Pray for the staff of our Passport camps (Passport Kids and Passport Youth) in their first summer without face-to-face camp since they were founded 27 years ago. More info about Passport camps can be found at https://passportcamps.org/

ideas for families to have “church camp” at home:

Wake your family up with a crazy good morning song (this one by the Laurie Berkner band or this one by The Singing Walrus)

Go for a hike; take your Bible; at some point in your hike, find a place to sit (on a rock or log, by a creek or pond, in a meadow or clearing, under a tree) and read your favorite Bible verse.

Play church camp Bingo

Have a favorite meal blessing/chant to say together

Play board games after dinner

Plan a service project or join in with one at Hominy! (Summer feeding program volunteers, ABCCM)

Have evening worship as a family and end your day with personal devotions/journaling (include a link to example.)

Sing around your firepit!

a song to end the day

June 10: The Church Triumphant

Click on the video or link near each heading to access the songs and scriptures.

A Call To Worship

Click on each scripture to read.

The Written Word: Matthew 5:13-16 and Ephesians 3:14-21

After reading the Matthew passage, please read and pray the following responsive reading written by Chanda Crane:

It was a dull, tasteless thing — this life, before salt.

It was a dark, meaningless thing — this life, before light.

Then he came — we thought — to do many things; to our surprise, he called us, saying:
          “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”

So he has called us: To be salt in this earth; to season and preserve all life with love.

So he has called us: To be light in this world; to dispel the darkness of hate and injustice.

So he has called us, from every nation, culture, and language — all purified by Jesus to be salt of every kind.

Some of us are sea salt, some rock salt, some finely ground — all purified by Jesus, and all beloved as we are.

So he has called us, from every nation, culture, and language — all gifted by the Holy Spirit, to be light of every kind.

Some of us are daylight, some candlelight, some flickering fire — all gifted by the Holy Spirit, and all beloved as we are.

He is come — through us — to do many things; To our joy, he has called us, saying: “Let your light shine before others.”

It is a bright, joyful sunrise — his kingdom, coming with light.

It is a rich, welcoming banquet — his feast, seasoned with salt.

So he has called us, from every nation, culture, and language — all beloved of the Father, and in him we are alive.

So he has called us, from every nation, culture, and language; May the peoples see our good works, and give glory to God.

As you read Ephesians 3:14-21, think of it as a prayer for Hominy Baptist Church, as well as the church around the world.

The Spoken Word

A Song For The Church

Prayer Prompts

Here are some ways you can pray for Gennady and Mina Podgaisky, Field Personnel in Kiev, Ukraine. We are now officially an Encourager Church for them through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

• Please pray for our safety as we start re-engaging in ministry activities as the quarantine restrictions will be gradually lifted up.

• Pray for Mina's niece that has COVID-19 and is in the hospital having a hard time recovering.

• Please pray for the Village of Hope and its financial situation as all the camps/seminars/retreats which were generating some income, have been cancelled for the summer.

• Keep in prayers Outback Ukraine couples’ camps/retreats which have been moved for early fall. We still need to prepare for those camps in the summer and we want God to work in the couples’ hearts and minds during this time.

• Please pray for all 3 of our children who are in the United States, on summer break from their schools. They need to be productive and have some jobs secured for the summer months.

  A Song To End The Day

June 3 A Dream Of Justice

a call to worship

The spoken word: Isaiah 58

a new hymn

prayer prompts

This week our prayers are offered for a partner ministry, Racial Equity Institute.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina partners with Racial Equity Institute.  REI’s approach is designed to help participants understand that racism has institutional, systemic, and cultural manifestations that do not require the intention of individuals.  REI sees institutionalized racism as the root cause of disparate social and economic outcomes and believes that effective interventions must address the social systems themselves.

REI’s training and consultation services provide an analysis of institutional racism, its cultural and historical roots, and how it reshapes itself to sustain power for those in control and assistance in assess an organization to determine its progress on the journey to become racially equitable.

For more information about REI’s training and consultation services, visit their website.

a song to end the day

I wanna see the day when justice rolls

Like a mighty river floods out of control
May that day be today when together we say
Let justice let justice roll
Let justice roll

I wanna see the day love shakes the ground
And the walls that separate come tumbling down
May that day be today when together we say
Let love, love shake the ground
Love shake the ground

I wanna see the day when we stand tall
And the heavy hand of oppression’s finally gone
May that day be today when together we say
Precious Lord come lead us on
Come lead us on
Precious Lord come lead us on

May 27 Dreamers Of Dreams

As we approach Pentecost Sunday this weekend, today’s theme is inspired by the passage from Joel which the Apostle Peter quotes to the group during the Pentecost event recorded in the book of Acts: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28

a call to worship

Ken Medema is a well-loved songwriter and performer who has been almost completely blind since birth. Many of us at Hominy have heard him in concert and have met him over the years at various music camps and conferences. His song reminds of our purpose for these days, and the foundation of Christ we find holding our dreams during challenging times.

the spoken word: isaiah 61

Use the audio track and scripture text below to listen or read along with Isaiah 61.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a] 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise  instead of a spirit of despair They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.6 And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

a song for all ages



Prayer prompts

Use the audio track below to read along the responsive prayer written by Fran Pratt:

A Litany Of Dreams

God, we are living inside your dream
The dream of creation,
The dream of time and space,
The dream of humanity.
You dreamed us up
And we’re all yours.

The dream of the Kingdom of God;
In which all is done according to the law of Love,
In which exploitation, inequality and poverty are unheard of
In which peace is normal,
In which separation from you and each other is an illusion,
In which Christ is King:
This is the dream we are living for.
This is the dream we must live out.

When it seems just beyond our reach
Love will bridge the gap.
When it seems unimaginable
Love will give us imagination.
When it seems impossible
Love will make a way.

Help us to bravely step out now,
Into the unknown
Into the dreamed-of future
Into the beauty of now.
For you are Love,
And your dream is alive in our hearts.

Amen

©2019 by Fran Pratt. All Rights Reserved.

Pray for CBF Field Personnel Lesley-Ann Hix Tommey, Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries, New York City, New York. Lesley-Ann partners closely with Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries, offering support and leadership for their programs and investing in the lives of Veterans who have experienced homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, and students seeking greater educational opportunities.

• Please pray for the women of the Living Well program, as we had to suspend this spring semester group after only five weeks of meeting. Pray for all the alumnae and their families. Pray for their support during this difficult and confusing time, especially as most of the support networks and care providers in the city have closed their doors.

• Pray for all those affected by the spread of the virus, including those in our community at Metro Baptist Church who have been fighting the virus.

• Pray for small businesses and people who are suffering because of the sudden loss of business and employment.

• Pray for our continued discernment of how to creatively and honestly minister during this time of isolating.

Read more about Lesley-Ann’s ministry in NYC here…

https://cbfblog.com/2017/06/12/meet-our-new-field-personnel-lesley-ann-hix-tommey/

A Song To End The Day

May 20 My Peace I Leave With You

a call to worship/hymn for all ages

a hymn story

Use the link below to go to the page of Ken Brooks, a friend of Cheryl and Martha Wolfe, to hear his arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Let There Be Peace On Earth”. Ken worshipped with us and offered his musical gifts at the piano during Martha’s Memorial Service last summer. In this video, Ken gives some eye-opening background information for these classic songs as well as his one-of-a-kind musical interpretation of both pieces.

https://www.facebook.com/poplarstreet.guesthouse.3/videos/151062443125019/

the spoken word: scriptures of peace

The images below are of several scriptural selections that speak of God’s promise of peace, and His provision of peace through Jesus Christ. You may choose to read the scriptures aloud, or think on each one as you read silently. (Click on an image to enlarge)

a song of peace

prayer prompts

Peace reflects wholeness in God’s embrace, both within our hearts and in our world. Peace is born as we seek reconciliation, justice for those who don’t have it, and to reduce the fear and violence which separates people. Peace is a light that comforts amid the darkness.

Pray for CBF Field Personnel Keith Holmes & Mary van Rheenen, serving as Resource coordinators for Romany Ministries in Europe, living in Westervoort, Netherlands. They share these prayer requests at CBF.net:

Keith Holmes and Mary van Rheenen

• Praise God for the dedication of the audio recording of the New Testament in Papiamentu in the Dutch Antilles. This, as well as other languages, can be heard on www.Bible.Is.

• Praise God for the Dom Gypsy church in Israel. They have been ministering to the Dom Gypsy community. Many there rely on day labor which, given the current health-related lock-down, is not possible. The local church has exhausted their resources.

• Pray that other Christians will join with their Dom brothers and sisters to provide food for this community.

• Praise God for the faithful service of Pastor Petru Ciochina and his wife Olesea with Romany in the Republic of Moldova.

• Pray that God will provide adequate employment for those who are willing to work.

• Pray that God will call “business missionaries” who can help create businesses and employment in Moldova.

a song to end the day

May 13 Blessed Assurance

a call to worship

a hymn for all ages

The Spoken Word:

Romans 8:38-39, 1 Peter 1:8-9, and Philippians 3:20

Play the audio clip above and read along using the scripture below.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…

a song of joy

May 6 Standing On The Promises

a call to worship

A Hard, Deep Call to Obedience

You are the God who makes extravagant promises. We relish your great promises of fidelity and presence and solidarity, and we exude in them. Only to find out, always too late, that your promise always comes in the midst of a hard, deep call to obedience. You are the God who calls people like us, and the long list of mothers and fathers before us, who trusted the promise enough to keep the call. So we give you thanks that you are a calling God, who calls always to dangerous new places. We pray enough of your grace and mercy among us that we may be among those who believe your promises enough to respond to your call. We pray in the one who embodied your promise and enacted your call, even Jesus. Amen.

~ Walter Brueggemann,  Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggemann, (Augsburg Fortress, 2003)

a hymn for all ages

The Spoken Word: Psalm 100

Play the audio clip to the right and read along using the scripture below.

a song of joy

prayer prompts

a call to worship

God of peace and love,
Bring to us a new awareness of Your kingdom at work in the world.
Grant that we may see and understand the small and unassuming things, which take patience and attention to notice:
    A seed
    Yeast in bread
    Treasure buried in a field
    A net cast into water
    A baby lying in a manger

We acknowledge that we mostly miss the signs when they are not flashy or earth-shaking,
But that Your kingdom is all around us.
We acknowledge that Christ came to exhibit neither wealth nor political power,
But self-sacrificing love.
We acknowledge that the progress of the good work we do may be imperceptible to us,
And that our success is in our obedience to You.

We welcome Your kingdom, in the world and in our hearts.
We seek Your kingdom, trusting that we will find it.
We anticipate Your kingdom,
    Working toward peace
    Providing for the poor
    Healing the sick
    Loving our enemies.

We trust in Your love to provide for us in our seeking.

Whether Your spirit comes to us as a wind or a whisper,
May we know Your presence and be useful in Your kingdom work.

Amen.

Copyright 2019 by Fran Pratt, franpratt.com

a hymn for all ages

the spoken word

a song of joy

prayer prompts

• This week our prayers specifically focus on the kingdom work being done by some of our CBF Field Personnel in Togo and Texas.

• Lynn and Michael Hutchinson, Regional Transformational Development and Networking Togo, West Africa request prayer for the following: Though Togo is one of the least Corona-affected countries at present, West Africa in general is one of the least prepared. Pray that believers in Togo will be informed and become a source of wisdom and guidance to their communities. In Lomé, gracious acts of kindness to a world in crisis will heal anxiety and provide a positive place for the church to share the Gospel. After spending several weeks in suspension, Togo House will plan to reopen May 2. Take time during April to pray for Togolese preparing classes and development projects for the community. Our last director at Togo House ministries, Daniel, now has his own art business. We are thankful that he is using the principles he learned at Togo House to make his family's and communities' lives better. Daniel is producing t-shirts and turning pottery into works of art. We praise God for his success and his desire to help those around him in the name of Jesus.

• Karen Morrow, Refugee Ministry, Fort Worth, Texas requests prayer for the following:

  Please pray for medical professionals and first responders whose dedicated care for patients at this time could expose them to the virus and put them and their families at risk. Pray for immigrants and refugees who are often most financially at risk as economic activity slows. Some recent arrivals who just found their first jobs will be the first laid off as businesses close. Pray for them as they fear for the survival of their families. Pray for good access to free or supplemental food for the vulnerable. Pray that fear and language would not prevent them from receiving the necessary assistance. Pray for ministry to immigrants and refugees to continue while practicing social distancing. Pray for the refugee churches as they identify the most vulnerable and partner with American churches and organizations to meet the physical needs. Pray for our government leaders to make wise and difficult decisions which will slow the spread of the virus and seek the welfare of all people, here and abroad. Pray for Christians to be lights of hope and to bear witness to Christ to those without hope.

a song to end the day

April 22, 2020

Celebrating God’s Creation on Earth Day

a call to worship

a hymn for all ages

the spoken word

from Psalms 19 and 36

a song of joy

prayer prompts

• Use the video posted here to follow in a guided photo prayer.

• Prayers inspired by elements of creation. (By Lacy Clark Ellman at asacredjourney.net/earth-day)

  Water… What flows naturally in your life? What impedes it’s flowing? Ask God to open your soul to His living water.

  Wind… How has the Spirit moved like wind in your own journey? In which direction is the mysterious wind of the Spirit moving you now?

  Earth… What makes you feel grounded like the roots of a tree? What nourishes you beneath the surface so that you might live life to the fullest?

  Fire… What are the passions that God has kindled within you? What can you do to continue to stoke the flame?

• Pray for our Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Field Personnel serving in Uganda. Go to https://cbf.net/field-personnel for more information about each of our missionaries in the US and around the world!

Jade and Shelah Acker and family, Kampala, Uganda

Karen Alford, Mbarara, Uganda

Missy Ward-Angalla & Francis Angalla, Kampala, Uganda

www.amanisasa.org

a song to end the day

April 15, 2020

A Call To Worship

A Hymn For All Ages

the spoken word

O Radiant Light (click for link)

A Song Of Joy

Prayer Prompts

• Acknowledge how you really feel today. God loves the real you!

• Try to let go of concerns and worries dragging you down today. Place them in His hands, at least for these few moments of prayer.

• Ask God to teach you to have the childlike faith that He will never abandon you.

• Pray for Matt and Michelle Norman and family, CBF Field Personnel serving in Spain. From the April Prayer Associates newsletter: In Spain, we are under a State of Alarm and cannot leave home except to go to the grocery store or the pharmacy. Please pray that this necessary quarantine enables medical personnel to care for those who get sick by lowering the number of those infected. Pray for our family as we pass the coming days in our apartment. Pray that we will be graceful with one another. Pray for us as we experience the separation from our daughter who is studying in the U.S. in new ways. Pray for her as she moves in with grandparents for the foreseeable future. Also pray that she will be able to come home this summer as planned. Pray also that we will be able to continue to support those among whom we minister through virtual means.

A Song To End The Day