Author: Synod Resource Center
Company: Northwest Synod of Wiscosin

"ON LIVING GOD'S JUSTICE"
(materials needed: 3 candles/holders)

Reading: "…put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15)

Leader: We came to the end of the third triennium of Women of the ELCA in St. Louis. There we rejoiced in our theme, "Proclaim God's Peace." Throughout that triennium, we have celebrated our faith and proclaimed the peace of God to our families, our communities and the world.

Hymn: LBW #415 — "God of Grace and God of Glory"
(The first candle is lit.)

Community: With joy and thanksgiving we light a candle. We give thanks to God for where we have been, what we have learned, how we have grown, those whose lives have been touched and how we have lived out our ministries.

Reading: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Leader: We were presented with a new theme at the fourth triennium of Women of the ELCA--"Live God's Justice." Throughout the next year and a half, we will continue to seek to increase our understanding of justice issues. We will work to strengthen our skills and become effective advocates for healing and wholeness in society. We will create a welcoming and safe place for all people in our homes, our communities and the world.
(The second candle is lit.)

Hymn: WOV #763 — "Let Justice Flow Like Streams"

Community: With joy and hopefulness we light a candle. We ask God's blessing on where we will go, what we will learn, how we will grow, those lives that will be touched, and how we will shape our ministries.

Leader: Lord, God of peace and justice,

Community: You call on us to be truthful and courageous, to live your justice.

Leader: Lord, God of justice, there is much that we must not do.

Community: We must not look away from injustice and inequality. We must not be silent in the face of prejudice and intolerance. We must not accept a climate of hate and fear of those who are "other". We must not tolerate unfairness and discrimination.
Leader: Lord, God of justice, there is much that we must do.

Community: We must be responsive to the needs of others. We must seek to understand and embrace diversity. We must name your truth. We must be the voice of the voiceless. We must confront our "isms" and phobias. We must decry all forms of violence. We must model living in true community. We must proclaim that all children of this world are fully and equally children of God.

Leader: Lord, God of justice, we continue this triennium with commitment.
(The third candle is lit)

Community: We will hold on to one another, give thanks for each other, and prepare for the journey ahead. We will grow strong together, and go forth with God's love, to fill the world with God's justice.

Hymn: WOV #699 — "Blessed Assurance"

(Join hands, as you are able…)

Leader: In our togetherness, and by God's grace, we find strength.

Community: Our Father, who art in heaven….

(Hymn)

Leader: Go in peace. Live God's Justice.

Community: We will live God's justice. We will hold God's people in our hearts.

Adapted by Eleanor B Johnson, Greenwood, WI, Northwest Synod of WI