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Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. 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 can find worship playlists for previous weeks on the “At-Home Worship” web page.

You are also welcome to join us for our Peace Pursuits Bible study and topic discussions on Wednesday nights. More church announcements are here.

Prelude: “Say I Do” by Dan Newton; performed by Coreopsis: Lauralyn Bodle, Noah Musser, and Whitney Baker

Welcome from Dave and Cheryl

Opening Scripture: Psalm 57:1-3, 10-11 (read by Piet)

Call to Worship:

As we begin worship today, it is our joy and privilege to welcome Carola Ratzlaff into membership at Peace Mennonite Church. The Wise Women welcomed her in person at their gathering on August 27. You are invited to watch the video and join in the congregational response, which is printed below the video.

“Reception of new members” #794 in Hymnal, a Worship Book

Congregational Response: We freely receive you, even as Christ has received us. We open ourselves to fellowship with you in worship, study, service, and discipline. We pledge our willingness to give and receive counsel, to offer and accept forgiveness in the redeemed community. We joyfully accept you as a partner, both in the care of our spiritual family, and in our mission to the world.

Gathering Hymn: “Spirit of the living God” (Hymnal #349)

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 offer prayers of thanksgiving for Melissa Atchison, who served as our sabbatical coverage pastor for part of the summer. She graduated from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary!

The Lord’s Prayer: from Dominican Sisters Retreat, March 1993, Great Bend, Kansas; read by Piper and Perry. You welcome to chose a part and read along.

Our Father / Our Mother
Who art in heaven / Who are in all the earth
Hallowed be thy name / Holy is your truth
Thy kingdom come / May your wisdom come
Thy will be done, on earth /Your circle be one uniting
as it is in heaven / as it is on earth
Give us this day our daily bread / Give us today a nurturing spirit
And forgive us our trespasses / Heal through us
as we forgive those who trespass against us / as we ourselves are healed
Lead us not into temptation / Lead us into Fullness of life
But deliver us from evil / And liberate all that is good
For thine is the Kingdom, For the Wisdom,
the power and the glory / the Presence and the Goodness are Yours
Now and forever Amen.

Experiencing the Story: (Time for children and grown-ups)

This video can help you imagine what it was like for Paul in the storm. His boat didn’t look like this, but the waves probably did!

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The two videos below give good historical and geographical information about Paul’s journey to Rome. The first video covers Acts 27:1-12, which leads up to today’s reading. The second video covers the reading for today.

Hymn: “Great is Thy faithfulness” (Hymnal #327)

Scripture Reading: Acts 27:13-15, 21-25, 27, 33-35, 39-44 (read by Piet)

Sermon: Weathering the Storm

Reflection and Response:

One way we at Peace Mennonite seek to make the “storms” people in our community face less severe is by participating in the work of Justice Matters. Please sign up to attend one of four scheduled house meetings. And stay tuned for a video invitation next week.

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.

Offering our Efforts: Service Story from Rosie and Rob Claassen

Rosie and Rob are long time volunteers who put in many hours of service in different places.  One of those volunteer jobs has taken them to Shipshewanna, Indiana to host guests at Menno-Hof Amish Mennonite Visitors Center.  They managed the cash register and took people on tours.  While the center is closed during the Covid 10 emergency,  when open it provides the history and information for guests from many places especially Canada.They have reported over a million guests and volunteers in the past. Shipshewanna (editor note: I love that name) is the home of the third largest Amish community in the world.  Volunteers will be needed for 2021 when they reopen.

From Rosie: I hope this doesn’t sound like we are “tooting our horn” about all the volunteer work Rob and I have been involved in through the church here as well as when we were in Nebraska:

~Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS): clean up after tornados in NE;
~Working with Men’s Brotherhood at Beatrice.Mennonite Central Comm. (MCC)
~”Coins That Count” collection for MCC
~Making food items for the annual MCC sales.
~10,000 Villages (when there was a store here in Lawrence)
~Social Comm. at church:
~Prepare meals for the infirmed from church, making casseroles for LINK, making mashed potatoes for LINK’s Thanksgiving dinner!
~My years in Beatrice included: Sunday School teacher & Superintendent, VBS teaching & Supt., Deacon for 11 years; pastor search committee, church chair and secretary., Shepherd Group leaders (small groups)
~Mennonite Mission Network (MMN)
~Menno-Hof in Shipshewana, IN
~Trustee: Rob served many years in this capacity.
~We both enjoy singing in the choir here as well as in Beatrice.

We give credit for our “service minds” to our parents. They had great influence on us to do what we can by volunteering where needed. 

See this web page for more service stories. If you would like to share about a way you are seeking to serve others, please email Karen Brown.

Closing Hymn: “Alleluia, the Great Storm is over” (Sing the Journey #71)
Sung by Melissa and Bob Atchison

Benediction:

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. 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.

Prelude: from Twila

Welcome from Katie and Norah

Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:1-5, 11-14 (read by Jenny)

Call to Worship: based on Psalm 27

Gathering Hymn: Teach me, O Lord (Hymnal a Worship Book 487)

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, I invite you to learn about–and pray for–Beatrice Mennonite Church.

The Lord’s Prayer: in Spanish

Children’s Time with Jenny

Hymn: My hope is built on nothing less (Hymnal Worship Book 343)

Scripture Reading: Acts 26: 19-29 (read by Jenny)

Sermon

(You can read a manuscript version of the sermon here.)

Prayer:

Offering

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.

Benediction:

Sending Hymn: A wonderful Savior is Jesus (Hymnal a worship book 598)

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. 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.

Prelude: “Devil in the Strawstack” by Meg Grey; performed by Coreopsis: Lauralyn Bodle, Noah Musser, and Whitney Baker

Welcome from Pastor Joanna and baby Camilla

Passing the Peace: Please take a moment to share a word of greeting in the comments below. We’d love to know who is sharing in this worship experience.

Scripture Reading: Daniel 3:8-18 (Read by Cheryl Harader)

Call to Worship: “Poem for Flora” by Nikki Giovanni

Gathering Hymn: Don’t be afraid (Sing the Journey #105); sung by Perry, Piper, and Sara

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, I invite you to learn about–and pray for–our Western District Conference Resource Library:

The Lord’s Prayer: Artwork by Joanna Pinkerton (Feel free to print and color!)

Children’s Time with Pastor Joanna

Videos for kids:
–Some Sesame Street videos about children with parents who are incarcerated (for younger children)
—Audio and video stories about youth encounters with police in Chicago (for older children and teens)
–The VeggieTales version of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Music: “Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel”

Scripture Reading: Acts 16:16-34 (Read by Cheryl Harader)

Sermon: Those of you paying close attention might have realized that we are actually moving backwards in Acts–from chapter 19 last Sunday to chapter 16 this week. Today’s passage was originally scheduled for August 2, which ended up being the date of our conference-wide worship service. I felt like this passage from Acts 16 was an important one to go back to as we think about the broader themes of Acts and what it means to be church.

Further Considerations:

• Consider what limits your freedom to follow the way of Jesus. How can you move closer to Christ and farther away from what binds you?
• Explore the resources on our Pacifism and Power web page. Join in the discussion about prison abolition on August 26.
• Catch Joanna during her office hours this week (see announcements) to talk more about these issues and share your perspective.

Prayer Hymn: I bind my heart this tide (Hymnal, Worship Book #411)

Offering

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.

Benediction:

Sending Hymn: I’ll fly away (Sung by Sara and Perry)

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. We are glad you are with us in worship. This morning we will have a congregational meeting during our regular sharing time. All are invited to join us on Zoom at 11:00.  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.

Gathering Hymn: What is this place (Hymnal a Worship Book #1)

This video is from the inclusive worship service at the Mennonite Church USA Assembly in 2013. Joanna was one of the preachers at this service.

Welcome from youth and mentors

Passing the Peace: Please take a moment to share a word of greeting in the comments below. We’d love to know who is sharing in this worship experience.

Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 (Read by Rosie)

Call to Worship: from Pastor Joanna

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, you are invited to pray for Austin Mennonite Church:

The Lord’s Prayer: version by Parker Palmer

Children’s Time: Here is a song from Norah and Matt

Hymn: Will you let me be your servant (Hymnal a Worship Book #307)

Scripture Reading: Acts 19:23-41 (read by Rosie)

Sermon from Rob Blum

You have two options to view Rob’s talk. You can watch the full version which is 35 minutes and contains a lot of good historical, geographical, and biblical background and context for today’s scripture, or a shorter edited version (17 minutes) more focused on this morning’s text in particular.

Edited Version:

Full Version:

Reflection Time

This week (August 6 and 9) marks the 75th anniversaries of the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I invite you to listen to this music, offered by Jim Krause. It is a Japanese song about grief. You may want to look at the English translation as you listen.

Prayer by Jemma Allen (from RevGalBlogPals)

For the hibakusha,
the survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
we pray:
Peace, peace, peace!

For all those affected by nuclear testing
we pray:
Peace, peace, peace!

For our earth, and the places polluted
by nuclear weapons, nuclear testing,
nuclear waste
we pray:
Peace, peace, peace!

For the leaders of the world,
for military strategists,
for leaders of industries that profit from weapons manufacture
we pray:
Peace, peace, peace!

For our world
riven by conflict,
we pray:
Peace, peace, peace!

That seeds of fear and mistrust might wither
And love and justice flourish,
That swords will be beaten into ploughshares
we pray:
Peace, peace, peace!

Amen.

Offering

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.

Closing Hymn: My Shepherd will supply my need (Hymnal a Worship Book #589)

Benediction: from Pastor Joanna

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. 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.

Prelude from Ed Farris:

Welcome from Joe Casad and Susan Rieger

Passing the Peace: Please take a moment to share a word of greeting in the comments below. We’d love to know who is sharing in this worship experience.

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 10:12-19

Call to Worship: You are invited to get comfortable, perhaps close your eyes, as you listen to this call to worship.

Gathering Hymn: The love of God (Sing the Journey #44)

Congregational Prayer:
This is a time to offer prayers to God. What joy, what beauty, what gratitude fills your heart? 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.

Over the next several weeks, we will share videos from Western District Conference about various ministries and other churches of our conference. This week, please pray for the Church Planting Commission:

The Lord’s Prayer:

Children’s Time: A short tour of our church grounds and building

Hymn: Marvelous grace of our loving Lord (Hymnal Worship Book #151)

Scripture Reading: Acts 15, The Message version

Sermon from Pastor Joanna

Spend a few minutes in silent reflection.

Offering

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.

Closing Hymn: They’ll know we are Christians

Benediction:

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. 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.

Prelude:

Welcome from Pastor Joanna

Passing the Peace: Please take a moment to share a word of greeting in the comments below. We’d love to know who is sharing in this worship experience.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 67 (Read by Jill Allen)

Call to Worship from Psalm 67:

Gathering Hymn:

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.

The Lord’s Prayer: sung by Thomas Heilke

Children’s Time from Jenny

Hymn:

Scripture Reading: Acts 14:8-20 (Read by Jill Allen)

Sermon from Thomas Heilke

Hymn of Reflection:

Offering

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.

Benediction:

We will have a communion service together on Zoom at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 12. All are welcome. Bring your own bread and beverage. Click here to join.

Welcome to Peace Mennonite Church! We are glad you are with us in worship and invite you to join our Zoom discussion and prayer time at 11:00 each Sunday morning.  Note that this time on July 12 will begin with a brief congregational meeting. 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.

Prelude: You might recognize this song from Sara, Perry, and Piper Bonner from several weeks ago. Grace has put the music together with pictures of our church gardens. This is the video we have shared with Western District Conference for the upcoming Assembly.

Welcome from Pastor Joanna

Passing the Peace: Please take a moment to share a word of greeting in the comments below. We’d love to know who is sharing in this worship experience.

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (read by Dave Mathis)

Call to Worship:

Gathering Hymn: Come and See (Sung by Sara and Perry Bonner) #20

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.

Consider using this information to create a breath prayer that you can pray throughout your week.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Children’s Time with Anne Bailey

Scripture Reading: Acts 10: 9-23 (read by Dave Mathis)

Hymn: Here I am Lord (sung by Sara and Perry Bonner) #385

Sermon: Where we don’t want to go

Resources referenced in sermon:

• Full writing by Andrew Brown
• Menno Media webinar on “Equipping Ministry for Anti-Racist Change”
• The rest of Acts 10

Reflection Time : Here I am Lord (sung by Sara and Perry Bonner) #385

Offering

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.

The Peace and Justice Committee wants to remind everyone that they are collecting Service Stories to share with the congregation. We know Mennonites tend to be humble, so if there is someone you would love to hear from, feel free to nominate them! Someone from the P&J Committee will follow up! (Committee members: Karen Brown, Ken Ratzlaff, Barbara Yoder, Susan Reiger, and Roger Gibson.)

Benediction:

Closing Hymn: New earth, Heavens new (sung by Sara and Perry Bonner) #299

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. 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.

Prelude: from Elinor

Welcome from Pastor Joanna

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:15-21 (read by Joni Fornelli)

Call to Worship:

God makes a way,
So we study God’s word.

God provides a path,
So we pray for God’s guidance.

God is about to do a new thing,
So we act with God for good in the world.

God gives springs in the desert,
Water in the wilderness,
So we take this time to worship our God.

Gathering Hymn: I sing the mighty power of God (Hymnal, A Worship Book #46) from Anne Bailey

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.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Children’s Time: A song from Norah!

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-19 (read by Joni Fornelli)

Sermon from Katie Hobson and Dave Mathis

Prayer Hymn: I need thee every hour (Hymnal, a Worship Book #555)

Offering

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).

Mennonite Church USA has launched a new Justice Fund that will “support MC USA churches that are actively involved in dismantling racism, addressing police brutality, reimagining policing in our society, or combating poverty.” Read more and find out how to donate here.

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.

Closing Hymn

Benediction: from Colossians 1:9-12
Cross made for Joanna by Tara Heilke

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. We are glad you are with us in worship. You are also invited to join us Wednesday night at 7:30 on Zoom to discuss Ta-Nehisi Coates’ article “The Case for Reparations.”

You are invited to join us for sharing and prayer on Zoom each Sunday morning at 11.  Simply click this link. 

Our current church announcements are available here.

Prelude: from Ed Farris

Welcome from Pastor Joanna

Thank you for being here–wherever here is for you.
Thank you for taking the time to worship with the people of Peace Mennonite Church.

We remain together in spirit and together in purpose during this time when we are not physically together for worship.

Whether you join us every week or have stopped by for the first time, welcome. Welcome to Peace. Welcome to worship.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1-5; 15-16; read by Jenny Welch Buller

Call to Worship: (Photo of wildflowers on the church grounds)

Gathering Hymn: “We are people of God’s peace” from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (#407 in Hymnal a Worship Book–verse two not in hymnal)

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.

The Lord’s Prayer: from University Mennonite Church and Mennonite Central Committee

Children’s Time

• Mighty Times video about the Children’s March
• Reading of book: Let the Children March

Scripture Reading: Acts 6:8-10, 12; 7:1-2a, 51-60; 8:1a
Read by Jenny Welch Buller and Ben Buller

Sermon by Joanna Harader

Resources referenced in the Sermon:

• Video of MC USA webinar on Race, Church, and Change
• Full text of the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective
• Text of The Martyrs Mirror
• Images from The Martyrs Mirror

Offertory Music from Ed Farris

Offering

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.

Closing Hymn: It is well with my soul

Benediction:

Photos of our church wildflowers from our neighbor (with the dog), Matt Whitesell

Welcome to worship with Peace Mennonite Church. We are glad you are with us in worship and invite you to also join us for our Peace Pursuits Bible study and topic discussions on Wednesday nights at 7:30. This week we are on week 2 of our Acts Bible study.

Scroll through the pictures below to see the instruments Peace Mennonite people use to praise God.

“Praise God with the lyre; make melody to God with the harp of ten strings.” ~Psalm 33:2

You are invited to join us for sharing and prayer on Zoom each Sunday morning from 11-11:45. We’d love to see you!  Simply click this link. 

Our church announcements are available here.

Prelude: “Sailor’s Wife” performed by Whitney Baker’s group, Coreopsis

Welcome from Pastor Joanna

“Let your steadfast love, O God, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22) These are words I want to carry with me into the coming week–to take comfort in God’s enduring love and to live with hope.

With all that is going on in the world, it can be difficult to remember that God’s love and hope are with us–all the time. Joining with others in worship is one spiritual practice that helps me keep God and God’s love centered in my life. So I thank you for being part of this worship experience. And I pray that your participation in worship will help you live more fully into God’s steadfast love and hope in the coming week.

Welcome, my friends, to worship.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 33 (Read by Cheryl Harader)

Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 33)

God loves righteousness.
So let us seek to live in right relationship with God, with each other, and with creation.
God loves justice.
So let us notice the unjust structures in our world and work to dismantle them.
God fashions the hearts of all people.
So let us open our hearts to be shaped by the power of the Holy Spirit.
God observes all our deeds.
So let us follow the path of Jesus faithfully.
God’s steadfast love is upon us.
So let us hope in God.
Let us worship our God.

Gathering Hymn: Over my head (Sing the Journey #18)
—Selected by Andrea Zuercher; we think this might be a Mennonite camp.

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?

You might enjoy getting some paper and markers (or pencils or crayons) and praying in color.

Feel free to share your prayers with people around you, in the comments below, or on our Zoom call at 11 Sunday morning.

The Lord’s Prayer: This is a video a colleague of Joanna’s made. (Go ahead. Follow along with the motions as you are able. Nobody is watching. 😉

Children’s Time

Hymn: In Christ there is no East or West (Hymnal a Worship Book #306)

If you would like to have a hymnal at home, please contact Pastor Joanna and the Worship Committee will get one to you soon!

Scripture Reading: Acts 6:1-7 (Read by Cheryl Harader)

Sermon

Resources referenced in the sermon:

• Seeing White podcast, episode 2: How Race was Made
• Built for Zero movement web site

Reflection Time: “Say a Prayer” from one of Grace and Joanna’s favorite musicals, Memphis

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). If you need to adjust your pledge amount for this year, please let Roberta know.

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.

Offering our Efforts: Service Story from Ken Ratzlaff

Ninemile Creek meanders through Lansing Correctional Facility, and on a ridge, the old limestone buildings of the East Unit became the home of an inmate choir in 1995. Elvira Voth, after a distinguished choral career in Alaska, retired to the KC area and saw the need for arts activities for inmates. The East Hills Singers were born and are now 25 years old.

Inmates in minimum security join community volunteers to prepare for two concerts a year outside the prison walls. The inmates have an opportunity for a positive accomplishment in singing and a window into the outside. Their partners, many of whom come from Rainbow Blvd
Mennonite and Southern Hills Mennonite, are also given the opportunity to sing and to join the relationship. Inmates introduce the music in the concerts and often tell of what the relationships mean to them. Some who are released to the area later become community volunteers themselves.

During each choir season, volunteers rehearse bi-weekly on Mondays in Shawnee Mission, and the men in blue rehearse weekly in Lansing. I and my friend, Bob Franz, choose to go to the Lansing rehearsals.

In December, the minimum security population was moved into new, but very cramped, quarters, where the flu already spread like wildfire in January. So the choir is shut down by the covid crisis and may be difficult to get started again. But when we do return, we will be looking for more volunteers, men who enjoy singing and will support the inmates. The virus crisis shut the choir down at what would have been an exciting time. My fellow baritone, Daniel Ramos, had just been released and was looking forward to joining on the volunteer side. We were all excited about going to Europe virtually, singing the “Prisoner’s Chorus” from Beethoven’s Fidelio for an innovative New York opera company. When we restart is anyone’s guess. I’m looking forward to the restart, and I’m sure that our EHS colleagues are as well.

See this web page for more service stories. If you would like to share about a way you are seeking to serve others, please email Karen Brown.

Benediction:

May God bless you and keep you.
May the very face of God shine on you and be gracious to you.
May God’s presence embrace you and give you peace.

Closing Hymn: My Soul Cries Out (Sing the Story #124)
“A cry from Mennonites across the US for an end to white supremacy and police brutality against our siblings of color. This virtual hymn sing project has been a labor of love.”