Prepared by Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau (Eighth Street Mennonite Church pastoral team), Kevin Farmwald (Eighth Street Mennonite Church pastoral team), and Rachel Nolt (Silverwood Mennonite Church pastoral team).
Introduction
Wars and rumors of wars, drone attacks, mass shootings—the headlines of the day confirm that violence continues to be our culture’s favored reaction to conflict. But the tragic headlines don’t tell the whole story. Violence is written into our entertainment, our recreation, our politics. Violence isn’t an act or action—it’s a worldview that gains adherents through fear and propaganda.
This year for Peace Sunday, we look to Romans 12 for a picture of an alternative worldview, the worldview of peace and reconciliation that Jesus proclaimed. Citizens of God’s kingdom seek to love enemies, forego revenge, and overcome evil with good.
The apostle Paul encourages us in Romans: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” What does it mean not to conform to the pattern of violence so prevalent in our culture and national projection of military power? How can that pattern be overcome by good in our nations, our communities, our homes?
The cycles of violence that yield destruction are birthed by the powers and principalities of the world. God’s mission to bring peace and healing in the world relies on communities of men and women being faithful to Jesus and to each other, working for peace in countless ways, large and small. When these communities come together to seek God’s will, the world can be transformed.
The intent of this order of worship is to celebrate the resurrection power of God at work in the church and world today. It is easy to see violence and fear and forget that transformation HAS and IS taking place. As citizens of God’s kingdom, we celebrate where God is at work in our world.
I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters,
by the mercies of God,
… do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.
Scripture text
Romans 12:1-2, 9-21 (CEB)
1 So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.
9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good.10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good.
18 If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 19 Don’t try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the Lord. 20 Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. 21 Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.
Children’s time
Share a story of justice/peace from your congregation. An Eighth Street Mennonite Church example: Our church gives families who don’t have homes a place to sleep. They come for one week at a time … four different times a year. They don’t have a place to live when they come at the beginning of the week … and usually they still don’t have a place to live at the end of the week before they go to a different church to sleep.
We don’t fix the problem that they don’t have a place to live. BUT we join God’s justice and peace by giving strangers a safe place to sleep, some good food to eat, and space to play and relax.
We are citizens of God’s kingdom. God is working with us and the families who stay in our church.
Sing No. 797 “We are people of God’s peace” from Voices Together.
Sermon starter
We celebrate the peace and justice of God’s kingdom that is on earth now … even as we extend the invitation to participate in this peace and justice more fully. The sermon could include current examples of God’s peace and justice that are transforming our world today, … and name the areas that are still in need of God’s transformation. Paul’s words to the church at Rome have been acted on for 2000 years … even as we seek to fulfill them.
Worship resources
Gathering
Call to worship
Leader: We rejoice in hope, seeing signs of God’s peace and justice.
People: We are citizens of God’s kingdom.
Leader: We extend hospitality to strangers, participating in God’s peace and justice.
People: We are citizens of God’s kingdom.
Leader: We persevere in prayer, anticipating the fullness of God’s peace and justice.
People: We are citizens of God’s kingdom.
Invocation
O God …
We gather with you, having been shaped by your world view, which frees us to claim that your peace and justice is for all the world. We gather with you, having been shaped by your world view, which frees us to claim that your love is stronger than fear. We gather with you, having been shaped by your world view, which frees us to move more deeply into community with friend and enemy. Amen.
Affirming our faith
Affirming our faith (in unison)
We believe it matters to love with mutual affection …
like the love between Peter and Jesus.
We believe it matters to weep with those who weep …
like Mary and Martha wept with Jesus.
We believe it matters to live in harmony with one another …
like the reconciliation between Zacchaeus and the community.
We believe we are citizens of God’s kingdom …
experiencing God’s peace and justice even as we wait for its fullness.
Prayer of Confession
By Titus Peachey, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
Dear God,
In a time of endless war
when high-tech weapons from our communities
spill the blood of your children in far away places
Too often, O God, we have closed our eyes
In a time of endless war
when the cries of pain from wounded warriors
and the sighs of grief from war torn families rise to the heavens
Too often, O God, we have closed our ears
In a time of endless war
when words of truth need to be spoken
to the powers that wield the sword of war,
Too often, O God, we have closed our mouths
God of light, open our eyes
God of healing, unstop our ears
God of truth, loose our tongues
God who feeds our enemies and gives them drink
renew our minds so that we are not overcome with evil,
but enlivened to share the breadth of your love.
Amen
Offering and offertory
O God …
We bring these gifts as a sign of our desire to spread your peace and justice everywhere. Our giving reminds us of the ways we have already been transformed … and that the world is also being transformed. Amen.
Prayer of the community of faith
Highlight God’s activity in the midst of this gathered body of Christ.
Benediction
Leader: We go, rejoicing in hope, seeing signs of God’s peace and justice.
People: We are citizens of God’s kingdom.
Leader: We go, extending hospitality to strangers, participating in God’s peace and justice.
People: We are citizens of God’s kingdom.
Leader: We go, persevering in prayer, anticipating the fullness of God’s peace and justice.
People: We are citizens of God’s kingdom.
Ideas for responding to worship with action
- After the worship service, provide postcards for members to sign, urging legislators to change government spending priorities. Consider organizing a group from your church to your Member of Congress’s local office to deliver the postcards.
- Discuss starting a voluntary gas tax in your community.
- Consider volunteering or serving with Mennonite Mission Network or Mennonite Central Committee.
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