Strategically Undervalued, A Prayer

Via: farmerricshi I tried a new phrase in a meeting today. Instead of “underserved,” “underprivileged” “historically marginalized,” 

Try Strategically undervalued.”

I like it because it emphasizes the purposefulness of racism(rather that the historically” which gives a kind of happenstance energy) and uplifts the community, rather than emphasizing the marginalization. 

God
Almighty
in
Heaven

This is
definitely a
“Do not put your
trust in princes
powers
or principalities”
week

as the value of
actual human
beings
was strategically
cleverly
humorously
manically
and with
immediate
deniability

undervalued

The weariness of
political clamor
falls away some

God
you understand
that this is
systematic
dehumanization

Bad theology
kills

And that

for us

Christians
imago
dei
is essential
for faith

We
carry God

And that
God contains
multitudes

God is community
To deny
the complexity
of humanity

To make
the human
experience
one

is to
lose
faith

God
I pray for
humanity


re-human-ing
I pray for
peace

I carry
hope
that we
will find
flashes
of true community

Walk with us
in this time of
anger and fear
we pray.
Amen

Feel free to use/share/adapt with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”

God’s Care for the Widow

1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]
Luke 4:24-26 Opt Psalm 146: 5-10

Another Bulletin by Rev Dr Barb Hedges-Goettl

Call to Worship (Psalm 146)

Praise the Lord, O my soul!

I will praise the Lord as long as I live

Do not trust in princes, there is no help 

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord their God

God executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry

The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the widow

The Lord will reign forever, Praise the Lord!

Hymn: Here I am Lord

1 Kings 17:8-15 (We shall read the text together wherever we are, please read the appropriate passage when I hold up my finger)

(1 Finger) Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’ 

(2 Fingers) So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; 

(3 Fingers) he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.’ As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’ 

(Pastor Katy) But she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.’

(4 Fingers) Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 

(5 Fingers) For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ 

Children’s Sermon

Sermon “God Among Strangers” Pastor Katy Stenta

https://youtu.be/Vswlz65zDhk

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Feel free to use/adapt, if you use the prayers please credit Pastor Katy Stenta

More Narrative Lectionary Resources Here