Hebrews 13:13-16 (The Message)
So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders.. This “insider world” is not our home…Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
Worship is to set aside our agenda and align ourselves with what God is doing—to see God as greater than ourselves and worthy of our lives. So, actions that engage us in God’s activity are a form of worship. On 4th Sundays we seek to expand our understanding and enjoyment of God by worshiping in ways that join God in loving others. This can take a variety of expressions: using our minds to increase our understanding, cooking, praying, walking alongside others, listening, building and many, many more.
Here are a few suggestions for this Sunday
Note that two are on zoom and the rest can be engaged in throughout the day either by yourself or with others. Please share what you are discovering with us.
Unpacking Privilege & Injustice
10 am | Storytelling Workshop: (LINK) Unpack Privilege & Injustice through learning to tell our stories with Caroline Lu 10 AM (more information). This hour-long workshop provides an opportunity to listen to others as we each grow in our practice of storytelling.
Don’t let the title scare you away: Can White People Be Saved? (Video Link) This powerful lecture by Willie Jennings expands our understanding of living free. Continuing our look into Christ taking captivity, captive this video from Fuller Seminary unmasks how the gospel has been fused with a non-gospel cultural perspective that weakens the church, strengthens racism, and maintains injustices. Afterwards listen to Union’s friend and Fuller President Mark Labberton’s response and the Q&A session. We will discuss this this Thursday evening at 7:30 at Unpack: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.
Do Heavy Lifting—Laboring in Prayer
Pray for the neighborhood that it would be “on earth as it is in heaven.” Not sure what to pray in particular? Take a walk and look with Christ’s eyes of compassion and justice and see what you discover.
Open your news app or a newspaper, read and pray for the stories that catch your heart.
Build Relationships
Invite neighbors to physically distant activity (e.g. toss a Frisbee, walk dogs together, talk on the porch…)
Offer to help a neighbor with a task they are doing in their yard
Send a note of thanks or encouragement
Counter Climate Change and Food Insecurity
Start a garden (info) or tend a garden
Make a meal to share in the neighborhood (link)
Expand our understanding of the relationship between faith and ecology
Map your own worship Give yourself the freedom to shape a restorative worship experience. Here’s an example:
Sit for ten minutes or so—no pressure to think any deep thoughts—just breathe and be
Read a Psalm or another scripture—ponder what catches your attention
Relive in your mind three events, actions, or news you received that you appreciated let it lead into a time of giving thanks to God
Pray for people and situations you do not usually pray for
Prepare and enjoy a simple meal with another—virtually or in-person
Choose and do one or two of the activities listed above
Write down what you are feeling and turn that into a prayer
Participate in our Evening Worship, 8:30 pm | (link)
Guided by our Union community and focusing upon Ephesians 3:14-21, a meditative time of prayer, music, and scripture. Live music with Jeff Hu, Charity Osborn, & Megan Simmons. You can also catch the livestream on Facebook.