PostScript: United in all things



Welcome to ROOTS at home for adults10 - 16 May 2020 I am the way Related Bible reading(s): John 14.1-14 Worship-at-home resources to help you read and reflect on this week's Bible passagesROOTS is?a partnership of denominations and other Christian organisations and has been publishing lectionary-based worship resources online and in print since 2002.CopyrightYou are welcome to copy this material for use in your own resources?e.g. printed sheets or web pages including audio/video recordings. If you do so, please include this acknowledgement to ROOTS:? ROOTS for Churches Ltd () 2002-2020.Reproduced with permission.Opening prayerLord Jesus,when I feel alone and the road is long – be my companion;when I feel on the outside of things and doors seem closed – grant me courage;when I see others struggling – may I be a companion to them;when I am tempted to keep others out – grant me your loving heart.Make your way, my way,and enable me to bless others as you have blessed me.Amen.?A way into thinking about the Gospel readingThomas is singled out in this Gospel as first despairing (‘Let us go and die with him’, 11.16), then uncertain (in today’s reading), then doubting because he hadn’t seen the risen Jesus (20.24).Here, ‘the way’ that he is supposed to know (v.4) is the testing journey that lies ahead. It is going the way of the cross. It is remaining faithful when all are tempted to give up.Thomas is not the only one not to understand, not to ‘see’ (v.7; cf. John 8.19) – even Peter has to ask the same question (13.36). But remember that Thomas is also the first to acclaim Jesus as ‘My Lord and my God’ (20.28), illustrating the move from doubt to faith, and from death to life, that we can all make.?PostScript - United in all things?See below for the full text from PostscriptThis week's Live your faith sheet(Bible notes, prayers, a picture and questions for reflection, a live your faith action)?Activity:?Room reviewIn the Gospel passage, Jesus speaks of the ‘Father’s house’ with ‘many dwelling places’ and the ‘way to the place where I am going’.Imagine this ‘house with many dwelling places’ as a modern hotel, a resting place for those on Christ’s way today. Individually or together in a group, write a review of a stay there as if for a website such as TripAdvisor?.?Activity: Fill the backpackDraw the outline of a big backpack (click on the image on the right to see a bigger version or print off the?template) and fill it, using drawings or words, with things that are needed on the Way of Christ.?A prayer for others Lord Jesus, we pray for those who are troubled today,those worried about money, those looking for work,those who don’t feel safe.May they find in you a way forward.We pray for those whose journey of life is testing,those who live in places of violence,those who are a long way from family,those whose health is fragile.May they find in you a place to rest.We pray for those who feel unwanted,those who have left their countries,those who live on city streets, those who are neglected.May they find in you a welcome.Lord Jesus, we pray for all places of need,and all people in trouble.As we make room for them in our prayers,may we make room for them in our lives. Amen.?A way into prayerSay slowly, and out loud, Jesus’ words: ‘Set your troubled hearts at rest. Trust in God always; trust also in me' (John 14.1, NEB translation). Name things that are troubling you one by one, and after each one say again Jesus' words.?A meditative prayer Prepare for us a placewhere hearts can dwell in peace,where souls can find their rest,where bodies can heal their wounds.Prepare for us a placewhere longings are fulfilled,where hunger is satisfied,where thirst is quenched.Prepare for us a placewhere wrongs are set right,where injustice finds an end,where hatred finds no victim.Prepare for us a placewhere lands smell of Eden,where rivers run free,where fruit grows in plenty.?Prepare for usa home,a paradise,a kingdom.Prepare for us a placewhere God is:the loving Creator,the passionate Son,the life-giving Spirit,and lead us there.Prepare in us a placewhere love can grow,where visions can flourish,where hope can spring.?Prepare in us a placewhere truth is lived,where justice matters,where good triumphs.Prepare in us a placea home,a paradise,a seed of the kingdom.Prepare in us a placewhere God is:the loving Creator,the passionate Son,the life-giving Spirit,and lead us in your way.Amen.?Listen and singSteady, Blanca on ShatteredI will, Citizen way on 2.0Confident, Steffany Gretzinger on BlackoutTraditional hymn(s): Love divine, all loves excelling?Don’t forget that, as subscribers,all the normal weekly and issue-based materials are available to you:Bible notesIn conversation with the ScripturesA range of adaptable prayers and activities?PLUS The archive!?backpack.pdf (PDF Document)liveyourfaith_107_10_May lockdown version.pdf (PDF Document)PostScript: United in all thingsA reflection for the fifth Sunday of Easter.?ReflectionI reside in a strange country. It’s called the United State of America. My wife and I relocated here from the UK in late 2016, and one thing that has been noticeable throughout our time here is that this country is far from united. A significant number of people here so value individual liberties that they have little or no regard for the liberties of others.This has been brought home during the coronavirus pandemic. I saw one woman bearing a sign which read: “Sacrifice the Weak”. Can you believe that? Would she believe that about her loved ones?—or even herself? Ironically, once someone contracts the virus, she or he becomes one of the weak.Because this country is so large, most people do not travel outside its borders; therefore, most feel no connection with the rest of the world. But all of that has changed since the pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak in China has made its way to these shores and has now claimed nearly 70,000 lives, with more than a million infected. Yet our Judaeo-Christian Scriptures constantly remind us that we are all children of the same God. Isn’t it a pity that it takes a world pandemic to remind us that we share the same DNA and the same susceptibilities? We are one race.In John 14.2, Jesus says, 'In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?' Not only does God create and sustain us in this life, but we are promised a place in God’s house when we die. God does not close borders, withhold ‘green cards’ or place anyone in detention camps. In fact, I rather doubt that God even recognizes our human-made borders! Rather, God in Christ stands ready to welcome each of us to our one true home and our life in God. Through God and in God we are truly united. Isn’t it up to us to share God’s inclusive love???A worship activity for all Have a look at some of the statistics in the BBC online article: Coronavirus pandemic: Tracking the global outbreak.?Scroll down to the section “How confirmed cases of coronavirus have spread” and watch the numbers increase. It is incredible. Then have a look at the data on the UK's Covid Symptom Tracker app showing the steep decline in the predicted number of cases since the beginning of April.?Each of those numbers is a human life: our brother or sister in the household of God. Spend some time thinking about those affected directly and indirectly by the virus and how you can bless them. Here are some ideas:1. Ask moreAsk God to put someone on your heart who doesn’t have anyone checking in on them throughout the week and set reminders to call them regularly. (Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6.2)2. Send moreTake a few minutes to send something thoughtful (text, homemade card, Bible verse, jigsaw puzzle of a family photo) to someone isolated in this crisis. (God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6.10)3. Give moreGive financially to those organisations who are helping people affected by the crisis but who you can't reach physically. (Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6.2)4. Leave moreDon't buy what you don't need. (And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4.19)5. Thank moreOn your rare ventures into the outside world, thank those who are working heavily trafficked areas: the grocery store workers, fast-food cashiers, postmen and women, delivery workers. (I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3)6. Do moreIf you find yourself in a position to “do more” during this crisis, seize the moment. (And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Matthew 5.41, NKJV)7. Pray moreNothing blesses others more or accomplishes more than lifting the needs of others up in prayer. Make a list of people who need your intercession every day. Put it somewhere obvious and pray. (The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5.16)Adapted from?7 Ways to Bless Others in a Worldwide Crisis by Catherine Segars?PrayerCreator God, too often we live with the notion that we are in control of our lives, our environment, our world.Storms and earthquakes disrupt and destroy lives in ‘other’ countries, and we say, ‘Ah, that is sad…for them.’But then a virus comes along, something so much tinier than hurricanes or tsunamis and we quake before its power.Our lives are disrupted and there is no longer an us v. them.Gracious Lord, extreme times bring out the extremes in human behaviour— this we have learned through countless wars and disasters.What we now pray is that our eyes and hearts would be so transformedthat we no longer see our fellow human beings as them or the other;rather, let us be inspired by those whom you have inspired:the Captain Toms of the world, the first-responders and care-workers, food transporters— in fact, all those who show up for life, who turn up for the sake of their human family.May our lives be lived as a ‘Yes’ to the values that make for your kingdom.Amen.?Rev. Dr. Jack Lawson is the Mission Implementation Coordinator for the United Methodist Church in central North Carolina. He also lectures in Hebrew Bible and is a freelance author.? Jack is the author of the novel, Doing Time, which is based on his years as a chaplain in a southern US women’s prison. His second novel, No Good Deed, which examines America’s contradictory love affair with war and religion, will be published in late June by Wings ePress Inc.?A prayer for others In the world at this time there is so much fear, many have had their lives and livelihoods destroyed; many grieve for loved ones who have died; many are still sick - or fear becoming so: that they may all know your strength and peace, loving God be for them a rock and a stronghold. In a world where industries and infrastructures have failed, where means of transport and delivery struggle to survive, where many do not have adequate food, water or power: that they may know your strength and peace, loving God be for them a rock and a stronghold. In a world where many people are or feel alone; where many do not know where to look for comfort; where many see no purpose or future: that they may know your strength and peace, loving God be for them a rock and a stronghold. In the name of the living Lord Jesus. Amen. ................
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