In this season of change in the United Methodist Church, I am reminded of a gift my Grandma Pettie gave me when I was small. The gift was a kaleidoscope. I spent hours turning the kaleidoscope to see the different patterns and colors that would appear. If it was a cloudy day the colors were muted. When I turned the kaleidoscope toward the sun or a lamp the colors appeared much brighter. I was fascinated by the ever-changing patterns.
The Cornerstone District we will be experiencing changes over the next two years. During this time, let us focus on the mission of, “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world;” being kind and respectful to one another; having the challenging conversations. “Continue to devote yourselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”. (Acts 2:42)
A time of reflection and prayer follows:
Center with: Spirit of the Living God Fall Afresh on Me UMH #393 by Daniel Iverson
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Reflect on: Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Come and Find the Quiet Center FWS 2128 Vs.1 by Shirley Erena Murray
“Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed: clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see,
all the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.”
A Bidding Prayer (adapted from Touch Holiness by Duck and Tirabassi)
Tender and compassionate God, you ask us to pray for all people. Here we offer our prayers for our world in need, trusting in your great love.
Let us pray for the church: (Silence)
Gracious God, we pray for the church of Jesus Christ around the world. As the broken bread, though once scattered as grain on the hillsides became one loaf, so may your church be one in Spirit throughout the earth, and one in witness to your love; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Let us pray for leaders of the church: (silence)
Gracious God, lead our leaders. Grant them your wisdom, that by their acts they may encourage the faithful and witness to the world and its people. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Lord, lift up new persons to be leaders in your church with gifts needed for your Kingdom; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Let us pray for the homeless, the hungry, and victims of disasters: (silence)
God of mercy. You suffer with those who suffer. We pray for those who have no homes, little or no food, who are thirsty, those needing clothing, those in prison and for those who are sick. Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ We pray for those affect by war – the Ukraine and Russia, natural disasters – hurricane Ian, wildfires, violence, racism, and oppression. Reach out and bring healing through the power of your Spirit and the hands of your faithful people; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Come and Find the Quiet Center FWS 2128 Vs.2
“Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace, God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base, making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun, raising courage when we're shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.”
Let us pray for the sick and the grieving: (silence)
Holy Comforter, healing Spirit, Great Physician, grant your peace to those who are sick and those who grieve. Radiate through their lives with the light of your presence, that renewed health and strength may be theirs. As we grieve the closing of churches help us remember the lives that have been transformed through your Spirit and the faithful saints who carried out the mission. Help us to grieve well, as we move through this season of churches choosing to leave the denomination through disaffiliation. Help us to care for one another well; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Let us pray for our enemies: (silence)
We pray to you O God, for those whose actions offend us most and for those whom we have learned to fear and despise. Through your great love, make tender all hearts hardened by hatred and suspicion, and work your justice among us: through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Let us pray for the Upper New York Annual Conference: (silence)
God of grace and peace, help us to remember that peace is not the absence of trouble, but the awareness of your guiding presence in all that we do. God of hope and new life, help us to see the joy and abundant life you intend for us even in the midst of this season of changes; open our eyes to the work God is already doing and let us join in this kingdom work; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Come and Find the Quiet Center FWS 2128 Vs. 3
“In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other's pain, let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain: there's a place for deepest dreaming, there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming there is always room to spare.”
Most of us have not experienced a time such as this within the church. As a kaleidoscope’s pattern changes with each turn, let us move through the changes within the United Methodist church with grace, peace, and love; caring for each other; grieving well; and remembering who we are as beloved children of God.
With grace, peace, and love,
Suzanne
