| Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart | #500, UMH |
| Breathe on Me, Breath of God | #420, UMH |
| Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life | #427, UMH |
| For the Healing of the Nations | #428, UMH |
Psalm 8
Proverbs 8:22-31
Romans 5:1-5
John 16:12-15
Invitation
Today, there is great hope for peace, healing and reconciliation in many Africa countries.
United Methodist Church leaders in Africa are working diligently to make the peace process
work and to end the suffering of so many people. Throughout the history of salvation God
has shown his steadfast love by creating, sustaining, renewing and redeeming humanity.
Because of God’s steadfast love, he renewed creation in his Son, Jesus, who came to show
the way to the kingdom of God.. On this Peace with Justice Sunday we pray for peace in Africa.
Light a candle
Leader: As we light the Candle of Peace, let us reflect on the absence of peace and its effect on our world. (silence) Now let us worship together as we seek new ways to pursue peace and dedicate ourselves to ongoing peace.
Let us pray. Creator God, we gather as a United Methodist community in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Africa. United Methodists in Angola, Liberia, Cote D ‘Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo need your steadfast love. We believe that together through the power of love, revealed in the death and resurrection ofyour Son, we can transform resentment into reconciliation, war into peace, and sickness into health. Awaken with us the power ofyour Spirit. May be we learn to live in solidarity and come to believe in the transforming power of your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
The People Pray in Silence
0 God, your people are hungry for peace. Teach all people that there is more to bind nations and peoples that to drive them apart
and that there is no place in your realm for war and intolerance. Fill us with understanding, we humbly ask. (silence) O God, your people are hungry for healing. You created us to be whole persons, but many of your people in Africa are broken. Fill them with the power to heal each other and to be healed. (silence)
Amen
*Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 12: 12-13, 19-26.
Prayers of the Faithful
Leader: As one family, let us pray together in Christ’s name. To each petition please respond: We ask for hope and healing.
L: We pray for peace in Africa and in the world. May we become peacemakers in our country, our homes and in our hearts. Let us pray to the Lord, (Response).
L: We pray for United Methodists in Africa. May God give them the strength to rebuild their countries base on peace with justice. Let us pray to the Lord, (Response).
L: We pray for people worldwide affected by HIV/AIDS and malaria, especially those in Africa. May they know the love of Christ through the care of our community. Let us pray to the Lord, (Response).
L: We pray that child soldiers and other armed combatants be demobilized and find education, jobs, and homes. Let us pray to the Lord, (Response).
L: We pray to the leaders of Africa, the United States, Europe, Japan and the United Nations. May their decisions respond to the needs of the poor and respect the dignity of all African people. Let us pray to the Lord, (Response).
L: We pray for the people of Africa and for ourselves. May we grow in our belief that through solidarity, grounded in love we will transform the world. We pray for the courage and strength to advocate and on behalf of the people of Africa. Let us pray to the Lord, (Response).
Amen
Lord’s Prayer
Sending Forth
L: It is our faith that God is the creator of all people and loves each person and each nation without qualification. May we see the face of Jesus Christ in all of God’s children, including those defined as enemies. May God’s grace touch each of us with a full measure of love and may our lives and voices be a witness to that divine Presence.
All: God, our Creator, thank you for awakening a spirit of solidarity with our brothers and sisters and United Methodists in Africa. Through your guidance, we will rise up, embrace hope and be healed together. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your steadfast love, 0 Lord,
extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty
mountains, your judgments are like
the great deep; you save
humans and animals alike, 0 Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love,
0 God! All people may take
Refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance
of your house, and you give them drink
from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light. (RSV)
For additional prayers and sermon thoughts, visit the Resources section of
www.umc-gbcs.org (UM General Board of Church and Society).
For more information about Peace with Justice Sunday,
see www.umc-gbcs.org Peace with Justice program.
For other Peace Sunday resources, see Peace and Justice
resource page.