Missionary Renegade: The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 26 November 2017 "Christ the King Sunday"

Sunday, November 26, 2017

The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 26 November 2017 "Christ the King Sunday"

The United Methodist Church Prays in Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 26 November 2017 "Christ the King Sunday"

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2017
Together we pray with Bishop Elaine Stanovsky of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church during the week of November 26-December 2, 2017. Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen. (Ecumenical Text)
To see Bishop Stanovsky’s call to prayer and view a video and daily devotions prepared by the Pacific Northwest Conference, visit their website here.---

Praying Our Way Forward
“I ask you to join me, just right now, in praying that we all might be one in the Church, as God and Jesus are one, so that the world might believe that God has sent us.” (Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky)
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky is calling all United Methodists in the Pacific Northwest Conference to join her in Praying our Way Forward, November 26th through December 2nd, 2017. You can watch or read her invitation below. On this page you will also find links to resources to assist in your personal, or congregational, participation in this initiative.
Read Transcript
About the Praying Our Way Forward InitiativeThe denominational Praying Our Way Forward initiative launched on New Year’s Day 2017 with 75 weeks of focused prayer for The United Methodist Church. Each annual conference will spend one week in intentional prayer for the mission of The United Methodist Church to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and for the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. The effort began in the North Carolina Conference, and will wrap up in the West Angola Episcopal Area in June 2018. Our week of prayer in the Pacific Northwest Conference is November 26th through December 2nd, 2017.
Read More about the Launch of Praying Our Way Forward
Visit UMCprays.org website
Resources for Praying Our Way Forward
Bishop Stanovsky is inviting United Methodists across the Pacific Northwest to pray together with “your family, or a group of friends, a Bible study, or the choir at the church.” However you choose to respond to this call, the following resources are offered to aid in this important work.
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Our Pacific Northwest Cabinet has written a short devotional for each of the days of our conference’s week of prayer. In recognition of our reliance upon God, the devotions each focus upon one of the fruits of the Spirit as outlined by the Apostle Paul in Galatians, Chapter 5.
Day 1 – Love
SCRIPTURE Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: LOVE By Rev. David Valera
Whenever our Pacific Northwest Filipino-American Clergy Caucus gathers, it gives the group an opportunity to share and listen to the many nuances we face as new and experienced pastors serving all types of congregational sizes, leanings, generations, cultures and subcultures. And when faced with difficult questions, like issues of inclusivity and Human Sexuality, the Rev. Stan DePano (retired) always reminds us to approach everything in LOVE. Be it our parishioners or the community we serve, he reminds us that “We as disciples of Jesus are sent to love.” I continue to appreciate such a voice of wisdom, reminding us not to respond in hatred, but to love, as Jesus loved.
PRAYER: Dear God, as we see many signs of hatred in our midst, may we continue to follow your greatest commandment, to love YOU first, and others as ourselves. Make us stand firm in making your love known during these days of darkness, uncertainty and fear. Come Holy Spirit. Come and be our voice of Love. Amen.
Day 2 – Joy
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: JOY By Rev. Daniel Foster
As a local church pastor I had the privilege of leading a congregation that sponsored well over 100 children in a small village in Kenya. This was done in conjunction with World Vision. As part of our sponsorship I travelled to that village to witness first hand the work World Vision was doing as a result of our support.
It was awe inspiring to see what was accomplished in terms of water
acquisition, improved schools, etc. But what really inspired me was
the joy so evident in people we encountered. This was especially
so in the worship services we attended. Men, women, and children
would walk literally for miles, in oppressive heat, to get to the service center. Worship was anything but a “sixty minutes and you’re out” kind of experience. There was heavenly singing, jubilant dancing, and clear passion for the Lord they came to exalt. And all of it was saturated with joy.
Joy that didn’t come from material possessions, beautiful homes,
nice cars, or a secure 401K. It came from a deep connection with
the Risen Savior. Sometimes I think the most difficult place to be a committed Christian is in the United States. We simply have it too easy, have too much, and take way too much for granted. Because of that we lose touch with where real joy comes from.
PRAYER: Bring us back to you, Lord, the wellspring of genuine joy. Amen.
Day 3 – Peace
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: PEACE By Rev. David Nieda
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you
as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not
let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
These words spoken by Jesus come at a time of increasing uncertainty
for the disciples. They had witnessed a royal reception for
Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna!” as he entered into Jerusalem. They
then experienced a complete reversal with Jesus taking the lowest of
positions in washing their feet. Immediately following, they heard him speak of a betrayal and denial from within the group and his own impending death. If it ever were an anxious time for the disciples, it was now. If ever they needed the gift of peace, it was now. Jesus assured the disciples that God’s peace was with them. These are anxious times for us. Despite this, God offers us this same peace that passes all understanding. And as receivers of that peace, we are called to live that peace within ourselves and with others despite worldly circumstances that create anxiety or conflict or division. Paul tells us in Romans, “If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.” It is possible if we desire it, strive for it and lean into it. For with God, all things are possible.
PRAYER: Holy One, offer us assurance, as Jesus did for his disciples, in the midst of our anxiety. Move within us so that we might seek your gift of peace and bless the world with the same. Amen.
Day 4 – Kindness
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: KINDNESS By Rev. Cara Scriven
While in most circles the words nice and kind are interchangeable,
they are not in my house. I often talk to my daughters about the difference between these two words. Nice is defined as “acting in a way that is correct according to social or moral rules.”1 In this way, being nice is about being seen as well-behaved and following the norms established by society. Kind, on the other hand, can be defined as “having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others.”2 Kind is about a way of being that is not concerned about outward appearances or societal norms. Disciples of Jesus may be nice but the Gospel calls us to be more than that. We are called to not only want, but also to enjoy doing good things for others. We do this, not for the sake of approval, but rather to bring others happiness. I pray that through our conversations my daughters will have the spirit of kindness even when the norms of society dictate otherwise.
1 http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/nice
2 http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/kind
PRAYER: Creator God, our parents taught us how to be nice and well-behaved so others will like us. We are grateful for this learning, but we know that you ask more of us. Stir within us, spirits of kindness and the desire to do good for others so that others may discover the abundant life you dream for them. Amen.
Day 5 – Generosity
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: GENEROSITY By Rev. Gregg Sealey
Whenever I think of the word “generosity,” I think of my wife’s grandfather. When my wife and I were first married and in graduate school, he would occasionally pay for us two, poor newlyweds to visit him on the opposite side of the country. On one of these visits he gave us a check for the amount of the airfare, and when I objected he looked at me sternly and lovingly and said, “Gregg, a gift doesn’t become a gift until it is truly received.” Then he smiled and said, “All you need to do is say ‘thank you.’” With a grateful tear in my eye I looked at him and said, “Thank you, Grandpa.” This past September he passed from this life to the next at 93 years old, but his impact on my life and what he taught me about generosity will not be forgotten. Generosity is something that I have strived to cultivate throughout my adult life. I have had incredible mentors who have demonstrated generosity, and I find it encompasses every area of my life… How will I spend my time, my money and my energy? Will I spend these resources on my own wants and needs, or will I spend them to have an impact on others and to make the realm of God real in this world?
PRAYER: Dear God, we pray that you will continue to cultivate generous hearts in us. Help us to give of our time, our money and our energy to see your will come to pass here and now. Amen.
Day 6 – Gentleness
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity,faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: GENTLENESS By Rev. Rich Lang
It is gentleness that changes our destiny. The world is a rough and tumble kind of place. The religious world, the world of strong beliefs and a quest for righteousness, is a particularly brutal neighborhood. In the name of love we can so quickly cast out what and who we think are demons. We can so quickly foreclose on friendships. We can so rapidly segregate our us from those we label them. But it is gentleness that changes the scripts we write. It is gentleness that offers us the new neighborhood that God alone can provide. It is a gentle spirit that opens a future different from the past. One day a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery was brought before Jesus who was put into position to act as judge.
She was guilty and the verdict should have been clear. The accusers
already had their rocks in hand ready to execute the righteous judgment. They were ready, in the name of God, in a perplexing, confusing, twisted understanding of love, to strike this woman from head to toe with weapons that would abuse her, torture her and eventually kill her. But Jesus, as a skilled artisan in the ways of the Spirit, creatively, courageously, turned aside their wrath and indignation, their holy hunger for righteousness, with a few very simple words, and with a very obvious refusal to segregate sinners from saints. In such a gentle way not only was the future of that woman assured, but even now, centuries later, so is ours.
PRAYER: May we all learn the artistry of gentleness, and may we all go forth and do likewise. Amen.
Day 7 – Self-Control
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things., (Complete Jewish Bible)
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things. (NRSV)
REFLECTION: SELF-CONTROL By Rev. Mary Huycke
Love calls forth self-control. It is the management of one’s power for the sake of right-relationship. Truly caring about someone pulls us beyond our own self-absorption and self-defined reality. Truly wanting to hear what someone has to say, leads us to limit how much space we take up in a conversation. Wanting to understand the meaning behind their words, leads us to be open to and curious about how that they see and experience the world. We listen, not to formulate a response, but to hear. And, when we speak, it is to lay our understandings alongside theirs, that in our differences a fuller picture might emerge. Self-control allows the Body of Christ to function as a unified body. It trusts that God’s wholeness comes from bringing together our differences, not erasing them. When a pair or group relates in this way, it is the holiest of moments. New and undreamt of pathways emerge. A natural outcome of following the Way of Jesus – the way of love – is self-control --mindful action and interaction with the intention of serving the life, health and the well-being of others, of self, and of creation.
PRAYER: God, you are God and I am not. Help me trust the future you are bringing. Help me remember that its fullness requires us all – even those I would dismiss. Grant me both courage and restraint and the wisdom to know which is needed in the moment. Amen.
All Days
PRAYER VIGIL: 1 HOUR PRAYER EXPERIENCE
An updated version of a resource produced by The Upper Room provides material for an hour long (approx.) focused on channeling prayer on unity, mutual respect in the context of denominational mission/connection.
One Hour Prayer Experience
LIST OF COMMISSION MEMBERS/PNW DELEGATESA list has been prepared including the 32 members of the Commission on a Way Forward and the clergy and lay delegates that were elected from the PNW to attend the 2016 General Conference and the 2016 Western Jurisdictional Conference. The same General Conference delegates will be eligible to participate in the 2019 General Conference called by the Council of Bishops to consider proposed models for a Way Forward.
List of Members & Delegates
About The Commission on a Way ForwardThe Commission on a Way Forward was proposed by the Council of Bishops and approved by the 2016 General Conference. It is tasked with working to address the denomination’s differences regarding human sexuality—more specifically, the commission was asked to do a complete examination of, and possible revision of, every paragraph of the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and explore options that help to maintain and strengthen the unity of the church.
The commission has recently submitted an interim proposal to the Council of Bishops for its feedback as they look toward completing their work in the coming months. The following links are provided for more information about the Commission on a Way Forward and its work.