The Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board has declared Thursday, Jan. 16, a day of prayer and fasting for the denomination, at the request of the board of the church’s Atlantic Southeast District. The declaration invites all Church of the Brethren congregations, projects, fellowships, the board, and the denominational staff to participate.
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35, NRSV) is the theme scripture for the day.
The following is a statement from the board of Atlantic Southeast District issuing an invitation to the wider denomination to participate:
“We, the Atlantic Southeast District Board, request that Church of the Brethren congregations, fellowships, and projects, along with the Mission and Ministry Board and denominational staff, declare a day of prayer and fasting for the Church of the Brethren.
“We ask this considering the renewed threats of deportation which will affect the lives of many in our denomination’s congregations.
“Leaders and members of the Atlantic Southeast District are working to aid those that may be negatively affected by legislative changes in immigration, following suggestions and recommendations offered by ecumenical and local immigration justice agencies…. Our hope for this special day of prayer and fasting would be that God’s will might prevail so that all people might know God’s presence and be allowed to live in safety.”
The district statement went on to note that prayer and fasting services and events do not need to be limited to particular dates, but that “church families can choose a date and time in January that works to pray and fast together.” For example, on Jan. 11, Unify Christians Church of the Brethren in Miami, Fla., will host a 12-hour service of prayer and fasting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time) in which all are invited to participate in their local area as they are able.
The district has offered worship resources for congregations that would like to incorporate a prayer focus on immigration (see below).
“May God hear our prayers for the safety and well-being of those who call America home,” concluded the district statement. “May God move us to respond to those around us with humility, courage, and compassion.”
Worship resources and suggestions
Hymns from Hymnal: A Worship Book:
“Brothers and sisters of mine” #142
“For we are strangers no more” #322
“God of grace and God of glory” #366
“Healer of our every ill” #377
“Here I am, Lord” #395
“What does the Lord require” #409
Responsive reading:
We gather today to lift up immigrants who live and work in our community. We give thanks for the many gifts and talents they bring to our nation.
We give thanks and pray for all living in our community, but especially those who are immigrants among us.
There are over 32 million immigrants in the US living and working in cities, suburbs, and rural areas across the nation.
One in eight workers today is foreign born.
Except for Native Americans, we were all once new to this country.
Some of us came to the US escaping poverty or oppression. Others of us were forced here on slave ships. Still others came seeking opportunity.
New immigrants come for many of the same reasons. Most immigrants come escaping poverty and oppression and seeking opportunities. Leviticus 19, verses 33 and 34, tell us: “Don’t mistreat any foreigners who live in your land. Instead, treat them as well as you treat citizens and love them as much as you love yourself. Remember, you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”
We serve a God who wants justice for all of God’s people.
God desires justice for native born and foreign born alike. All people are children of God. Amen.
(Sourced from WelcometheImmigrant.org, from Interfaith Worker Justice)
Prayers:
Our God, You have given us in Your word the stories of persons who needed to leave their homelands— Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, Moses. Help us to remember that when we speak of immigrants and refugees, we speak of Christ. In the One who had no place to lay His head, and in the least of His brothers and sisters, You come to us again, a stranger seeking refuge. We confess that we often turn away. You have chosen that the life of Jesus be filled with events of unplanned travel and flight from enemies. You have shown us through the modeling of Jesus how we are called to relate to persons from different nations and cultures. You have called us to be teachers of Your word. We ask You, our God, to open our minds and hearts to the challenge and invitation to model Your perfect example of love. Amen.
(Sourced from WelcometheImmigrant.org, adapted from Justice for Immigrants, “Prayer and Liturgy Suggestions”)
God of the widow and the stranger,
You are made known in our Savior Jesus Christ.
Born as a migrant,
Exiled as a refugee,
He knew the pain of homelessness but taught His friends the meaning and challenge of love. Lead us as we seek to build a church rooted in Christ’s hospitality and justice.
Amen.
(Sourced from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, adapted from the World Council of Churches, “In Solidarity with Uprooted Peoples”)
#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving
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Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Registration closes Feb. 1 for FaithX older adult service trip to Camp Ithiel in Florida
- Intercultural Ministries Advisory Committee encourages churches to help members know their rights
- Brethren Disaster Ministries and two Church of the Brethren districts announce collections for those affected by California fires
- Brethren bits
- Children’s Disaster Services begins caring for children in shelters in Los Angeles area