Call to Celebration
Mothers. Mothers. Mothers.
This day we celebrate mothers and others who have fulfilled the role of mothers.
Thank you, God, for blessing us with this day of celebration.
You have given us this day to celebrate nurturing.
You have given us insight into the nurturing care of a mother.
You have shown us King Lemuel’s mother’s description of a virtuous mother in Proverbs 31.
You have revealed the devoted motherhood of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Through their examples, we are reminded of your divine nurturing and inclusive power.
You have also endowed this spirit of loving care in others and shown that motherly nurturing can even surpass gender and can extend to all aspects of God’s creation.
Empower us all to honor and support the mothers and the other motherly.
Amen
Offertory
Dear God, please make us all more nurturing and supportive of all the motherly and those who need nurturing. Show us more and better ways to nurture our world. Please help us to recognize the sense of community children need to grow in your will. Amen
Service May 8
Scripture Lesson
John 10:22-30 NIV
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”