These materials are a collaboration of the Peace and Justice Support Network and members of the Mennonite Spiritual Directors Network: June Mears Driedger, Marlene Kropf, Laura Lehman, Sandy Wegner.
Introduction
There’s always more to do—another committee to serve on, another book to read, another project to complete. Jesus calls us to follow Him on an active, vigorous journey.
But what if in the midst of our activity, we miss a critical part of following Jesus? What if in our eagerness to serve, we neglect the things that give us the strength we need for the journey?
In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus very much engaged in the world, healing and teaching. One can imagine the intensity of His days as the crowds began to build. Jesus had enough work to keep Him busy from morning until night—and beyond.
But Jesus knew what was needed to sustain His work.
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1 35-39)
Jesus shows us the importance of this quiet, still time with God is paramount when the journey is the most challenging and the demands are most numerous.
We invite you to explore the nourishment and necessity of the time spent with God. Our kinetic, deadline-driven world can make us believe that time spent on things that don’t appear to be “productive” is wasted.
Don’t believe it! Our peacemaking, our justice-seeking, our communities of faith will flourish when we carve out these quiet, still times alone with God. Jesus knew what was needed for His Kingdom work. AS we follow His path to places of great need to relationship with those who cry out for peace, we also must follow His path to Holy time, time alone with God.
“Be Still and Know that I am God!”, writes the Psalmist. We hope these materials will help you and your church toward that stillness and that recognition.
Scripture
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law
29 After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. 31 He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.
Jesus’ ministry spreads
32 That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered near the door. 34 He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they recognized him.
35 Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer. 36 Simon and those with him tracked him down.37 When they found him, they told him, “Everyone’s looking for you!”
38 He replied, “Let’s head in the other direction, to the nearby villages, so that I can preach there too. That’s why I’ve come.” 39 He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and throwing out demons.
Psalm 46:1-3, 8-11 (CEB)
God is our refuge and strength,
a help always near in times of great trouble.
2 That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart,
when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea,
3 when its waters roar and rage,
when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah
8 Come, see the Lord’s deeds,
what devastation he has imposed on the earth—
9 bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world,
breaking the bow and shattering the spear,
burning chariots with fire.
10 “That’s enough! Now know that I am God!
I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!”
11 The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!
The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah
Children’s time
Children’s time could be an experience of quiet or centering prayer: a walking meditation, or praying with clay, or a finger labyrinth. It could be followed by a prayerful song for peace, such as Voices Together, No. 680 “Calm me, Lord.”
Sermon starters
A homily inspired from the Scriptures featuring Mark 1 and Psalm 46 would be appropriate. A homily that focuses on the rhythm between Jesus’ inner life and outer life would also be appropriate.
Another element that could be blended into the sermon or stand at the center would be interviews with two or three community members. The interviews could focus on practices that sustain them spiritually and help fortify them for active engagement.
An additional option would be to introduce the congregation to one or two spiritual practices. Watch this video where Karla Minter leads a webinar titled Spiritual practices for peacemakers: Finding your center when you feel pulled apart. During this time she explores the practice of prayer, ritual, and community in this time of loss and loneliness. Watch to encounter anew, or rediscover ancient spiritual practices which create a daily rhythm of life. Find inspiration to turn your despair and isolation into hope and community.
Worship resources
Call to worship
(based on Psalm 46:8-11)
Leader: Come, behold the works of the Lord!
People: Yes, we behold!
Leader: God makes war cease around the world!
People: Yes, we behold!
Leader: God breaks the bow, and shatters the spear!
People: Yes, we behold!
Leader: God burns the shields with fire!
People: Yes, we behold!
Leader: God says, “Be still, and know that I am God!”
ALL: The Lord of hosts is with us;
The Lord God is our refuge. AMEN.
Songs of praise from Voices Together
(Select an appropriate number of songs for your church.)
- No. 47 “God of our strength”
- No. 182 “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”
- No. 203 “O God, our help in ages past”
- No. 113 “O sing to the Lord”
- No. 680 “Calm Me, Lord”
Other praise songs
- Still, by Hillsong
- None but Jesus, by Hillsong
- Here, by Kari Jobe
- Rest in you, by Hillsong
Prayer of confession
Leader: O God, our hearts are restless, until we rest in you. We forget to pray, to ponder, we neglect our love for you.
People: (Singing, vs. 1-2) “Open, Lord, my inward ear” Voices Together, No. 548
Leader: We forget that you are our refuge and strength; we create false refuges, and make idols of counterfeit strength.
People: (Singing, vs. 3-4)
Leader: We ask for your forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love.
People: (Singing, vs. 5)
Leader: We thank you for your love, for your healing, for your joy, and for your peace. Our hearts are filled with gratitude.
ALL: AMEN.
Scripture reading
Mark 1:29-39 and Psalm 46:1-3, 8-11
Reader 1: Where do we find peace?
Reader 2: Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Reader 3: Now, Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.
Reader 1: Where do we find peace?
Reader 3: Jesus came and took Simon’s mother-in-law by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Reader 2: Where do we find peace?
Reader 3: That evening, at sundown, people brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door.
Reader 2: Where do we find peace?
Reader 1: And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Reader 3: Where do we find peace?
Reader 2: In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him.
Reader 3: Where do we find peace?
Reader 1: When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.”
Reader 2: And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
All: Where do we find peace?
Reader 1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear; though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Reader 2: “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations;
I am exalted in the earth.”
Reader 3: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
All: Where do we find peace? The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Prayers of the people
Leader: Spirit of Peace, you dwell within us and accompany us by day and by night: in quiet moments spent alone with you, in every friendship shared with others, and in compassionate actions spreading the love of Christ in the world.
We give thanks for your faithful presence.
We pray for inner peace for all people: fortitude and calm in times of stress or turmoil, courage and enduring faith in seasons of challenge, patience and wisdom in the midst of questions and confusion.
ALL: We pray for ourselves … (worshipers may add their own requests)
Leader: We pray for peace in all our relationships: harmony and faithful love in our families, affection and tender care among friends, and generous compassion acrossevery barrier of age, class, gender, race and nationality.
ALL: We pray for those near to us … (worshipers may add their own requests)
Leader: We pray for peace in the world: freedom for enslaved and suffering people, meaningful work and opportunities for those in poverty, the end of unrest and violence in places of strife and war.
ALL: We pray for those far away … (worshipers may add their own requests)
Leader: We pray that God’s vision for justice may prevail in every land, for the love of Christ Jesus to fill each heart with joy, and for the wisdom of the Spirit to guide our paths in the way of peace.
ALL: AMEN.
Benediction
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:7
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