These reflections are intended to deepen our understanding

and to broaden our spiritual practices that bring creativity and justice to our world. 

Wherever you see this "For All Ages" icon, consider inviting your children to connect and reflect in these ways with you.

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What does it mean to be a pioneer of faith?

Have you ever played the game “Simon Says” and/or “Follow the Leader”?

Was it easy or difficult to follow the leader?

Do you like to be the leader or are you happier being a follower?

How can we best follow Jesus?

Author Brad Meltzer was inspired by stories of people from American History who made a difference in our culture and in our society. He wanted to share these stories in a way that children could relate to, so he wrote a series of books highlighting these historical figures as children. Meltzer posits that it is the small steps of ordinary people that lead them to become change makers.

Click on the video image to hear an inspiring introduction from the author.

Throughout the series we will learn a few of these stories. Today. reflect on how Jesus was a change-maker and how followers of Jesus in your life have made a difference in our world.

PBS Kids has adapted Brad Meltzer's storytelling of ordinary people who led the world into a television show that you can enjoy with your children. In this show, Xavier Riddle travels through time to discover these important stories and learn how people used their gifts to make the world a better place.

For all episodes of Xavier Riddle and activities for engagement, click here.

Today at Saint John's we celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday and how our gifts together are shared across the United Methodist family. Living into the words of Paul, the more our behaviors, attitudes and actions model Jesus, the more we begin to live in God’s economy. We begin to release anxiety and fear. We begin to see our neighbors as kin. And while it can be risky, we can also find joy in living in the Spirit, living in ways that are countercultural to what our society has tried to convince us are signs of success. We begin to truly live with abundance.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, wrote in his sermon “New Birth” (and paraphrase for inclusive language):

In this image of God humans were made. God is love: accordingly, humans at our creation were full of love, which was the sole principle of all our tempers, thoughts, words, and actions. God is full of justice, mercy, and truth: so were humans as we came from the hands of this Creator.

When we cry “Abba, God,” we acknowledge we are full of the creator’s justice, mercy and truth. Praying to our heavenly parent, the one whose very image we reflect, we recognize the one who loved the world enough to become human. God’s love connects and moves across social class, age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, language, criminal record and political party. Everyone who lives in the Spirit as followers of Jesus Christ will have abundant remarkable life—not in some distant future but right now.

Today at our church it is Peace with Justice Sunday. What do you think of when I say the word "peace"? What do you think of when I say the word "justice"?

We follow Jesus’ teachings by thinking about the best way to help create fairness. We want all of God’s family to be cared for with clean air, jobs that pay enough for workers to take care of the people in their homes, safe schools and other ways that we build up equality with our siblings, our sisters and brothers in Christ. One of the ways we do that is by working with many other churches like ours to be good family members, sharing what we have and creating ministries that build up peace with justice.

These reflections are from the 2021 Peace of Justice Sunday UMC Resources

When some much change in the world is needed and so much is changing around us it is important that we center and ground ourselves in God's love.

Taizé is a prayerful form of music that is often used in centering practice.

Click on the video image to listen to Ubi Caritas, a well-known Taizé piece in Latin that translates to mean "Where charity and love [are], God is there".

To learn more about the Taizé community, click here to watch a brief introductory video.

Following our leader Jesus, receive this blessing by making the shape of a cross on your forehead or hand while repeating these words:

(Make a vertical line.) “God loves me.”

(Make a horizontal line.) “God is with me.” 

Now go share God’s love with others.

Abba, God!

Thank you for liberating us from fear.

Thank you for covering us with parental love.

Thank you for giving us a spirit of courage to witness to your love that crosses every boundary.

Reveal to us your image in the face of each person we encounter.

Move us to extend your peace with justice to our siblings throughout your world.

Open our hearts with generosity to glorify you with our gifts.

In the name of Jesus, our sibling, we pray.

Amen.

click here to email Shelley Walters and Laura Schwarcz.