About the 2007 Peacemaking Offering World Communion Sunday, October 7 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God,” said Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace (Matthew 5:9). Peace is the wholeness and well-being that God wills for all creation. God’s peace is offered wherever there is brokenness – in individual lives, families, congregations, communities, nations, and creation. Responding to this gracious gift, the church, as the body of Christ, is called to join with others and go into the world to build a culture of peace and nonviolence for all God’s creation. “And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2) This year’s Peacemaking Offering theme is taken from a verse in the book of Revelation. The verse is part of a larger description of John's vision of the new Jerusalem. One of the images John uses is the tree of life, with its twelve kinds of fruit and leaves that are to be used for the healing of all the nations of the world. It is an image of a world at peace, with enough for everyone to eat and the “medicine” to heal all the wounds and illnesses of humankind. We live in the hope of that vision of peace and well-being expressed so vividly in the tree of life. The Peacemaking Offering is a tool of our efforts to live and work within that hope. You are invited to be a part of the work for peace in our world and to participate in the Peacemaking Offering as one way to work toward peace. Ways you can enhance your commitment to peacemaking. Worship -- Attend worship and seek the peace that comes from better understanding what God wants from us. We don't have peace and justice because we don't understand how God thinks and reacts, and act accordingly by ourselves, for ourselves. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. [1 Corinthians 2:14-16] Bible Study and Prayer Bible study: It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:2-4) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27.) Pray for Peace Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.
Prayer Resources from Church World Service * Prayers for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS Peacemaking in families and the congregation If you cannot work yourself at the Saint Mark Habitat House, offer to baby-sit so that others may volunteer.
Community Ministries Volunteer to work on the Saint Mark Habitat for Humanity House Clean out your closets for Community Ministries of Montgomery County. http://www.communityministrymc.org/IFCab.htm Volunteers are needed to sort, organize and display clothing, accept donations and assist clients. Short term and long-term volunteers, groups or individuals, hourly or daily commitments are welcome and appreciated. Teenagers may receive Student Service Learning credit.
Study and respond to global issues Participate in a “Second Tuesday Briefing” through the PCUSA Washington Office. Contact Sandy Champion. Purchase Fair Trade products (like coffee and chocolate at SMPC coffee hour) Please pray for the people of Haiti during this time of uncertainty and violence.
Global Security Support the One Campaign. www.one.org Write a letter to your elected officials about nuclear disarmament. Resources: www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/actnow/actnow.htm#disarm http://www.faithfulsecurity.org/ Participants are committed to organizing religious communities on a local level to break faith with nuclear weapons once and for all. Faithful Security works toward the permanent elimination of nuclear weapons by empowering religious communities to take action on a local level. Make Peace with the Earth Offset your carbon dioxide emissions. Purchase renewable energy credits through which you invest in new, renewable energy projects such as wind farms and methane projects. Buy CFLs. Replace your old light bulbs. Consider replacing very old appliances with new energy star versions. www.energystar.gov Why Food and Faith? http://www.pcusa.org/food/why.htm Support local sustainable farmers. Find a local farm, farmer’s market or CSA (community supported agriculture) near you. www.localharvest.org Some local options include the Twin Springs farm market at the Bethesda United Church of Christ on Fernwood at Democracy Thursday and Saturday 10 – 2 year round. http://www.twinspringsfruitfarm.com/market_sch.html And Westwind Farm: West Virginia mountain-pastured beef available in Bethesda. http://www.westwindfarm.biz/ is a smallish organic farm run by Cathy & Myron Horst, and their six children, not too far away in Dickerson, MD. They have fresh organic chickens, frozen beef and lamb cuts, and eggs. You need to call or visit the website and let them know you are coming, and they will let you know the best time. On the way home check out the Sugarloaf Mountain Winery located on Comus Rd. just outside of Dickerson near the entrance to the mountain. www.smvwinery.com They are open 11 to 6 until winter and you can get wine, cheese, veges and a beautiful view at their roadside outdoor bistro. The Kentlands Farm Market has a farmer from Mt. Airy who provides CSA memberships in the spring, and sells produce at the market. Her name is Marjorie Satterlee and her phone us 877-503-9100. It also has a farmer from Homestead Farm in SE costal MD. |
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