2011 Older Adult Month: grounded and growing

…we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Colossians1:9b-12 NRSV

Grounded…

“Planted in the house of the LORD…”  Psalm 92:13 NIV

As people of faith, we are grounded in our faith in many ways: through God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and through our families, friends, and our faith communities. This grounding serves as both a firm foundation and as fertile soil for continued understanding, growth, and revelation throughout our faith journey.

…and Growing!

“…we will flourish.”  Psalm 92:13 NIV adapted

As people of God, no matter our age, we are called to continue to grow, to show new life, and to flourish. As the psalmist says: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green…” (Psalm 92:12-14, NIV).

Each May, the Church of the Brethren observes Older Adult Month, a time to celebrate and give thanks for God’s good gift of aging. The following materials have been created for your individual and communal meditation and worship during the month of May and throughout the year.

Click on the italicized titles to download PDF versions of the resources.

Meditations

Grounded in God, Growing in Abundant Life—A Collection of Meditations
Listen for the gentle stirring of God’s presence and grace in your own mind and soul as you read these meditations and words of scripture.  ~by Cheryl Steele Mishler

 Grounded in Generations, Growing in Support and Blessing—Anna     Luke 2:36-38
The family of faith is not complete unless all generations are present, supporting and blessing each other.  ~by Christy Waltersdorff

Grounded in God, Growing in Thanksgiving—Elizabeth    Luke 1:24-25
There was so much she didn’t know, but what she did know was this: God knew who she was. God was with her.  ~by Christy Waltersdorff

Grounded in Promise, Growing in Blessedness—Simeon     Luke 2:25-35
At that moment in the temple, with the old man holding their son, Mary and Joseph were blessed.
~by Christy Waltersdorff

 Grounded in Prayer, Growing in Faith—Zechariah     Luke 1:5-23
A life of faith, a life of prayer, has no guarantee but this:  our God will never forget or forsake us.  ~by Christy Waltersdorff

Worship Resources

Grounded in God, Growing as Disciples—A Responsive Reading
his reading may be used for worship or as a personal meditation and prayer. 
~by Cheryl Steele Mishler

Grounded in Our Faith, Growing in Relationship with God—An Entire Worship Service

Worship elements only—Call to worship, invocation, prayers, offertory, benediction
Sermon only—Planning for Life, 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, select verses

A worship service that can be used in its entirety or select various worship elements to include in your services throughout Older Adult Month.  ~by Frank Ramirez

Download a PDF of all 2011 Older Adult Month Resources here.