Open Hearts and Open Hands

Did you know in the United Methodist Church, we have a variety of Sundays we are called to acknowledge and support? This Sunday, June 4 is Peace with Justice Sunday. On this day, we are called to remember our call to social transformation. We are invited to consider our role in peacemaking in this world and seek justice in community with those who are oppressed. Donations from this Sunday go to justice movements in our Northern Illinois Conference and globally. Often when people talk about religion, they think of doctrine in regard to dogma and belief. Not enough is it named that issues of peace and justice are built into the Christian religion and many others in our sacred texts!

This week we study Deuteronomy 15:7-11. Deuteronomy is a law book, giving the rules that God and Moses negotiated for the Israelites as they entered the promised land. Sure, there are many rules about religious rituals and too, so very many about how to be in community with one another.

In this worship service, as we consider all of this, we will also see a video clip from Bridge Communities which seeks to connect unhoused families to a better future, and from members of our Missions, Justice, and Community work area.

As we worship together and take communion, may we consider how we hold space for all of God's children at that communion table and in the world. Deuteronomy 15 reminds us that there is plenty and God's expectation is we share it and create and build beautiful community together.