Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. If this is your first time worshiping with us, please watch this welcome video from our pastor.
Whether you are new to Peace or a regular participant, we are glad you are with us in worship and invite you to join us for our Zoom discussion and prayer time at 11:00 each Sunday morning. Simply click this link.
You are also welcome to join us for our Peace Pursuits Bible study and topic discussions on Wednesday nights. More church announcements are here.
A couple of weeks ago, Gwen told us about the flamingos a friend had sent to their yard as a fundraiser for The ARC of Douglas County. Here are some photos she shared of the masked birds!
Prelude: “A Place in the Choir” sung by Celtic Thunder
Photos from many different Peace Mennonite participants
Video by Grace Harader-Ellett
Welcome from Matt Schwabauer
Opening Scripture:
Call to Worship:
We believe God still creates–
We want to see more clearly.
We believe God still speaks–
We want to listen more carefully.
We believe God still guides–
We want to walk more faithfully.
We believe God still breathes life into the world–
We want to inhale more deeply.
May this be a time of seeing, hearing, walking, breathing.
May this be a time of true worship. Amen.
Gathering Hymn: All things bright and beautiful (lyrics on video)
Congregational Prayer:
You are invited to offer your prayers to God. For what are you thankful this morning? What would you ask of God for yourself? Who do you know who needs God’s loving presence right now? What are your prayers for our community, our country, and our world?
Feel free to share your prayers with people around you, in the comments below, or on our Zoom call at 11 Sunday morning.
This week, we invite prayers for all affected by the wildfires in the west. You may wish to watch this video footage as you offer prayers for those whose homes are threatened and destroyed, those living within the thick cloud of smoke, those risking their lives to fight the fires. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer: in German
Experiencing the Story: with Jenny
(If you would like to borrow some wooden figures to play along with upcoming Bible stories, just let Pastor Joanna know.)
Hymn: God created heaven and earth (lyrics on video)
Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:4-7, 15-17; 3:1-19
*You can read the text for yourself or listen to Joanna read from Barbara Yoder’s garden.
Sermon from Pastor Joanna, from Roger and Barbara’s lovely patio
(Watch for their cat, Sabrina. She was very interested in the sermon.)
(A manuscript version of this sermon is available on Joanna’s blog.)
Prayer Practice for the Week: As we consider the stories of creation from Genesis, I offer these suggestions from Patrice (earlier shared for our spring retreat):
On your own, go to a natural area and ask for God’s presence and guidance. If you wish, you may refer to the following suggestions, or just be part of the natural world in that area, and open to what you can learn.
Things to look for:
Look for signs of regeneration – how is God’s grace expressed in nature?
Many of us have experienced disruption of things we had planned to do. Can you see signs of how nature deals with change?
Questions to consider:
Is the social isolation we now experience part of an extended Sabbath? Are we, as a part of nature, experiencing rest from our usual frantic activity?
Can this time of rest be an opening to changing our economy from extractive industries to supporting sustainable, renewable ways of living?
In the words of Sarah Augustine: How can we cooperate with the spirit of life?
Offering our Money
You are invited to mail your financial contributions to the church (615 Lincoln St., Lawrence, KS, 66044) or to the home of our treasurer, Roberta Renz (address in the church directory).
See the “How and Where to Give” section of our announcements page for information on giving to other organizations who need funding at this time.
Many of you have donated to the Western District Conference Hope fund. One of the churches to receive money from this fund was Iglesia Menonita Comunidad de Vida in San Antonio, Texas. Blanca Vargas shares how they were able to use the money they received:
- A family was saved from being evicted from their apartment, suspension of utility services and loss of their vehicle, by catching up on their delinquent credits.
- The pastoral family received relief from their economic situation with a month’s mortgage, while they were able to rent the house that was being used for the services of the local community.
- A woman victim of domestic violence who fled her home with her three children to save her life, received support to buy some clothes and gasoline for her vehicle. She was able to dress decently and go out to get a job.
- The leftover money is being used to help with food to people who are still in need.
God bless those who had this initiative of sharing and those who continue to contribute to nurture this fund!
Offering our Efforts
Peace Mennonite has been invited to co-sponsor a “Resolution for Repentance and Transformation.” Joanna shares a bit about the resolution in this video. You can read the resolution here. And for more background, please see this report from the Advisory Group on Membership Guidelines.
We will meet together on Zoom next Sunday, September 20, at 11:45, to seek consensus.
Closing Hymn: For the fruit of all creation
Words are in Hymnal A Worship Book #90 (different melody)
Benediction:
Upcoming Daily Scripture Readings:
Week of September 14
Monday: Genesis 12
Tuesday: Genesis 13-14
Wednesday: *Genesis 15
Thursday: Genesis 16-17
Friday: Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-21; 22:1-18
Peace Mennonite Church 
Thanks for including my video (Maryruth72) in your worship service. I enjoyed your service. I’ve read that article in the Atlantic about Q-Anon…I know how you felt! That was the first I’d heard of it…totally wierd. Greetings from Camano Island, WA.
Mary, thank you so much for sharing your music! It’s such a gift to have such lovely resources for worship during this time. And thanks for stopping by to share in worship with us.