A Moment for Mission
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” —Philippians 4:4-5, NRSVUE
The Children’s Defense Fund website proclaims: “The fight for children happens 24 hours a day, seven days a week. … Fixing … systemic inequities begins with our children, so we focus especially on poor children, children of color and those with disabilities.” For more information, go to www.childrensdefense.org.
A group of local women from the Brooklet United Methodist Church in the South Georgia Annual Conference have been putting love into action for children in the foster care system. The group has been dubbed by local foster care organizations as “The Pillowcase Angels.” Since 2015, a coalition of angels comes together every third Friday of the month to stitch pillowcases for children in local foster care facilities.
The catalyst for the group’s creation came after a visit to the Macon Methodist Children’s Home with supplies and toiletries. A tour of the home revealed that each child had handmade quilts and blankets on their beds—but that was not the same for their pillowcases.
So, the leader of the Pillowcase Angels, Sandra Williams, decided that her church would step in to fill that void. Each pillowcase is hand-stitched with heart and completed with an emblem of love on the inside. The emblem reads: “Made with Love—From the Pillowcase Angels—Brooklet Women of Faith.”
Adapted from an excerpt of a story by Brandon Robinson, freelance writer for Grice Connect, a local newspaper in the Statesboro, Ga., area.
In The United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries coordinates the annual Children’s Sabbath. While the official ecumenical weekend is this weekend, congregations may choose a date that works better for them.
Children’s Message
Repeat after me these words that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4-5, NRSV)
Materials needed:
Balloon, Marker, Construction paper, Scissors, Glue or tape
Today is Children’s Sabbath, a special time when we focus on celebrating and protecting the rights and well-being of children. The Children’s Defense Fund is an organization that works to ensure that every child has a safe and healthy childhood.
(hold up the balloon) Just like this balloon can be filled with air and expand with joy, we are called to rejoice in the Lord always. (write the word “Rejoice” on the balloon using the marker)
We can rejoice because God loves us so much. What makes you feel joyful and grateful? (pause for responses)
(hold up a heart shape cut from the construction paper and write “Gentleness” on it)
Being gentle means being kind, patient and caring toward others. Just like this heart represents gentleness, we are called to let our gentleness be known to everyone.
What are some ways that you have experienced gentle actions from others?
When we are filled with joy, it overflows into our actions toward others. Think about ways you can show gentleness and kindness to other children, especially those who may be facing challenges. When you rejoice in God’s love and show gentleness, you live out your faith and honor the spirit of Children’s Sabbath.
Prayer (from The Children’s Defense Fund)
Send us your Holy Spirit, O God, as we hear your word read and proclaimed on this Children’s Sabbath day. Don’t let us settle for being settled, comfortable with being comforted, set at ease with an easy word. Instead, we pray that your Spirit will surprise us with new insight, help us see you where we least expect you, and move us to new responses. Amen.
https://www.childrensdefense.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sabbath-2018_CHRISTIAN-FINAL.pdf
Offertory (Discipleship Ministries)
Mighty and righteous God, as we bring our tithes and offerings to your altar, we confess we see ourselves in the stiff-necked Israelites in the wilderness. We are quick to lose sight of you, especially when our focus is turned in the direction of gold. Your anger and disappointment are so justified, and as Moses intervened for the Israelites, Jesus has advocated for us with his very life. Help us to keep our focus as you light the pathway you would have us walk. We pray this with gratitude for your love and in the name of your son, our savior. Amen. (Exodus 32:1-14)
Newsletter Nugget
To succeed, children need stable homes, quality health care, ample nutritious food, good schools, safe neighborhoods and access to resources and opportunities that enable them to reach their potential. For many children, however, these basic building blocks for success are out of reach.
Because fixing systemic inequities begins with children, the Children’s Defense Fund focuses especially on poor children, children of color and those with disabilities. Young people, faith communities, decision-makers and community organizations are trained and equipped to become local advocates for children across the United States.
After four decades of advocacy, the Children’s Defense Fund knows that changing the system to serve children better takes time, and children across America need help now. Programs that change the odds for children empower young people to excel today and make a difference tomorrow. CDF Freedom Schools®, for example, reach more than 12,000 children annually. Because Freedom Schools are staffed primarily by college students of color, CDF is building two generations of change-makers at the same time.
The National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths is always designated for the third weekend of each October. By participating, people of faith join a larger movement for children and amplify the voice of faith communities calling for justice.
Adapted from Children’s Sabbaths Celebration—Children’s Defense Fund (childrensdefense.org)