The United Church has designated June 21 as Indigenous Day of Prayer. This day is also recognized as National Indigenous Peoples Day and is also the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.
This Sunday, June 21, is a day to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Metis people’s values, customs, language and culture.
For more information on the Untied Church’s observance of an Indigenous Day of Prayer, you can go to the following link on the United Church’s website: https://www.united-church.ca/blogs/round-table/why-indigenous-day-prayer
Events of the past weeks have exposed the continuing systemic and personal demons of racism that continue to oppress people and violate God’s creation of a human race.
Throughout the globe, people have peacefully been walking and protesting, creating a humanity-united movement to awaken everyone to the necessity of a new way for human beings to live in God’s creation, for an end to attitudes and ideologies and privileges that divide, exploit and denigrate other people and all aspects of the environment and creation. This movement is a global prayer for just relationships of familial neighbourliness, respect and affirmation. The movement is a call for understanding of others, appreciation of others, and celebration of the differences and diversity of our one human race.
As we begin to emerge slowly and cautiously from the COVID restrictions, let us do so hoping that the ‘new norm’ will still be the ever-emergent ‘norm’ of God’s resurrecting, transforming, ongoing creation of new life and a newer, more compassionate, humanity.
But we are still emerging from, and discerning how to live in, the COVID-19. We do not yet know when we will be able to gather again for worship in TMUC’s sanctuary. We continue to worship ‘online’.
We continue to care for one another in many ways – emails, phone calls, grocery pick-ups and deliveries …
We are also grateful for those who continue to financially support the ministry of TMUC, through your donations on PAR, through www.canadahelps.org and in cheques mailed to the church. You are making a difference. Thank you.
Even though we cannot be together in one place, let’s continue to be a community at prayer together. On Sunday at 10:00, let’s think about the gifts we have in our lives, and needs of our world, and then let’s all pray the Lord’s prayer (you can pray silently, or out loud).
And, sometime, when you want to have a longer worship time, we are including some words and videos for your use.
Once each week, the Prayer List will arrive in the ‘Inbox’ of those who want to read the names of those we know need and want our prayers. If you want to add a name to the weekly Prayer List, please do – ask for a person’s permission if you are adding their last name – and let us know by sending a note to tmuc@shaw.ca And, if you want to receive the list, please be in touch with that request as well. (People who subscribed to the Prayer List before the pandemic will continue to receive it.)
We are gathered for worship and work in Treaty One territory, which is the traditional land of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dené peoples and the homeland of the Metis Nation. For thousands of years Indigenous Peoples walked this land and knew it to be the centre of their lives and their spirituality. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
Worship for Sunday, June 21, 2020
We come to worship with ‘Spirit God, Be Our Breath’
(which is 150 in More Voices if you have a hymn book and want to sing along)
We gather together although we are apart.
We gather in community although we are alone.
We gather asking for God’s blessing on our lives, and on our world.
We gather knowing God is with us.
Opening Hymn – ‘Let Us Build a House’, sung by Jaina, Marc, Paige, Darren, Liam and Connor, accompanied by Annette Hay.
Jeff shows us a gift he received – a gift that reminds him of God’s presence in all of creation.
This week’s scripture reading is Matthew 10:24-31:
“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave about the master;
It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master, if they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.
What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops.
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
And even the hairs of your head are all counted.
So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Jeff offers a reflection:
Printable Version:
Reflection_June 21
Let us pray:
God, creating spirit,
source of love,
birther of all being,
in these times of change, of uncertainty, of birth pangs,
give us hope, patience and wisdom to be rooted in these times
to trust that Your new creation is emerging
to trust that we can be midwives of your new creation
Let us be soul-full people – living from the depths and heights of your love.
Let us be people of compassion and reconciliation
As we discover our place in your creation.
We pray, God, for all who are victims of hate and fear
We pray for all victims of prejudices, bullying,
Unjust and unequitable economic and social systems
We pray for all who feel trapped by poverty
We pray for all who live with physical and emotional challenges
We pray for our global community as we continue to live with COVID-19.
May we be wise and patient and caring as we explore ways to ‘re-0pen’ our societies,
And may we keep our brushes moving,
Being shaped and recreated by your spirit
Seeking justice, peace and generous living
To help birth a new world,
A global community of neighbours, of friends,
of sacred children of God
of loving participants in the outpouring
of your faithful love on the canvas of creation.
In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN
God, you are beyond all and yet in all
You are wonder inspiring a sense of wonder
You are love defining us as your creation,
Your children, Your Christ-bearers
Closing Hymn – ‘Body, Mind and Spirit’.- sung by Annette, Cheryl, Crystal and Steve, accompanied by Lynne Mavins:
God bless you and keep you.
God’s face shine upon.
God grant you peace and joy.
Be in the peace of Christ, this day and always. Amen
We keep you in our prayers,
Jeff and Carol (who is on vacation)