Sunday Morning Resources

JUNETEENTH S u n d a y m o r n i n g r e s o u r c e s Smoky Mountain District Justice & Reconciliation Team *Resources prepared by Rev. Evan Hill WHAT IS JUNETEENTH? Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) - The oldest known African-American celebration. On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, received word of their emancipation two months after the Civil War had ended, and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863. (umcdiscipleship.org) JUNETEENTH IN THE SMOKY MOUNTIAIN DISTRICT In the fall of 2020, Ken Howle reached out to The Smoky Mountain District on behalf of Lake Junaluska to partner and plan a worship service to show solidarity with African Amerians all over the country who were protesting gross mis-injustices such as the death of George Floyd. Those conversations led to the formation of the Smoky Mountain District' s Justice and Reconciliation team and the Juneteenth Celebration was conceived. The members of the committee are: Peter Constantian, Nicole Jones, Tammy McDowell, Wayne Dickert, Evan Hill, Jae Lee, D'Andre Ash (co-chair), and Keith Turman (co-chair). On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday. On June 19, 2021, it officially became Lake Junaluska & Smoky Mountain District Celebration! Join us for music, food, and fun for the whole family! How can we glorify God at a worship service centered around Juneteenth? l o v e u n i t y / h a r m o n y C e n t e r i n g J e s u s t r u t h h o n e s t y j u s t i c e t o s c r i p t u r e Lectionary scriptures for June 19th: 1 K i n g s 1 9 : 1 - 1 5 a P s a l m 4 2 G A L A T I A N S 3 : 2 3 - 2 9 L U K E 8 : 2 3 - 3 9 P s a l m 7 8 : 1 - 1 1 GALATIANS 3:23-29 23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring,[a] heirs according to the promise. CALL TO WORSHIP One: Shall we worship? Many: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! One: Then we will worship in unity. Many: What will in cost? One: Christ has paid the price. We have been reconciled to God. Many: We have been reconciled to one another. All: Then let us worship! This is where God has has bestowed God' s blessing. Let us worship! (Shouts of praise!) One: The Lord our God is great. Many: The Lord is worthy of our praise. One: Come; let us remember the great things God has done for us. Many: Let us not neglect to teach our children the greatness of God. One: Let us not forget our past and those who have gone before us. Many: We remember our ancestors, our history, our Africa; and we name our future. One: Let us lift up our voices in song, lift our arms in praise,and open our hearts in gratitude. All: Let us greet God with our hymn of praise. (umcdiscipleship.org) PRAYER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (FROM BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER) Almighty God, who created us in your own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Prayers Almighty God, we come to worship you today with open hearts and open minds. We want to hear and receive what you have to say to us in this service. Speak to us today as you spoke to those who went before us. Tell us the stories of your wonders and greatness. We are ready to hear them. Remind us once again of your grace and love. Help us teach your goodness to our children and the next generation. Amen. (umcdiscipleship.org) We come seeking God in mighty earthquakes. We come listening for God in resounding thunder. We come expecting God in sweeping victories. Yet God is found in a baby ' s touch. Yet God speaks in silence. Yet God is found in the least of these. Save us, O God, from our aimless wandering. Save us, O God, from our idols. Save us, O God, from our self-induced chaos. God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Amen. (umcdiscipleship.org) music suggestions UMH 620 UMH 519 "One Bread, One Body " "Lift Every Voice and Sing " UMH 533 UMH 507 "We Shall Overcome " "Through It All" RESOURCES https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/juneteenth-day-worship-resources http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=62 https://faithinformed.org/resources/juneteenth-liturgy