September 25: Making New Friends

Luke19:1-10 - Why Doesn’t Anybody Pay Attention to ME?

Zacchaeus had a reputation in Jericho as a bully. He may have been small in size, but he made up for it in meanness. At least, that’s what everybody said.

Then Jesus came to Jericho, and he noticed Zacchaeus sitting in a tree all by himself. Jesus stopped and talked to him, and even went home to his house. Nobody else in Jericho was happy about that – except Zacchaeus!

It turns out that Zacchaeus never felt right about how badly he treated others, but it took somebody who would notice him to get him to change. Jesus got to know him better and after that Zacchaeus was practically a brand new person. Right away he began to treat his neighbors better.

Maybe you know someone like Zacchaeus, someone who has been really mean to others but inside feels really bad about it. Or maybe that person, in fact, is you. Do you really want to stay lonely, or would you rather make a new friend?

Light a candle to remind yourself that it’s important to make new friends.

Adults: Turning a person away from violence can begin with spending a few minutes together, listening without judging, and giving them a chance to start again. Zacchaeus got that chance from Jesus.

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Bill Jacobs is Transitional lnterim Pastor at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Medford, Oregon. He loves it when church people try to make new friends of different ages and backgrounds, just in the same way that Jesus did.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 24: A "Little" Praise

“God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble with its tumult."
- Psalm 46:1-3

 

In conversation with my mentor one Sunday afternoon, we were discussing the free spirited nature displayed by my two year old daughter Amaris just earlier in the day. We talked about how comfortable Amaris has become with sitting through and enduring the length of Sunday morning worship services. Dr. Harris brought it to my attention that he was amazed at how Amaris appears to be freely enjoying herself in worship now. It was not long ago when we were discussing how she was reluctant to even leave the pew where we sit each week. That's not the case now! This little lady is leaving her mark Sunday after Sunday, and everyone notices it. It's not the little pieces of paper she leaves torn in the sanctuary floor, that causes people to shake their heads. It's not the residue of whatever snack she enjoyed that morning, that makes the custodian cringe when he is cleaning up after us. However, it's the dancing in her feet, the clapping of her little hands, and the shouts of joy, "Amen...Hallelujah," without provocation, that comes out of her mouth whenever she gets "HAPPY!"

 

While her mother and I are shackled in fear by what our previous situation could have been in the past week, Amaris somehow at two years old, has the ability to see and feel beyond the anxiety that is thick and very much present within us, and still praise God in her own "little" way. Little way, yes! At two she's by far the smallest praiser in the place. Ha! But little praise, of course not! Even though she is the smallest, somehow she makes it a point to be known as the biggest praiser.

 

How: I believe Amaris sees and hears something bigger than the problem(s) that her mother and I face daily. I don't guess I could really speak for her. But maybe she truly knows that God is her "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Hmmmmmm! If this is for certain, than yes, she knows that with God there is a safe place. So when she notices something that appears to not sit right with us, through our expressions or verbal tones; because she sees God, she is able to praise big and fill our spaces with joy and laughter. And through it all, she understands that we are there to embrace her with our love, even when, to us, it seems as though the earth is changing and our mountains in life are shaking all around us.

 

God, give us the courage to look beyond the broken places in our life, and cause us to see you working on something that is bigger than what we face. In your love, Amen!!!

 

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Antonio Redd is the Young Adult President for the National Convocation, and is a member of the Young Adult Commission. He the husband to a lovely wife, Erica, and they are enjoying life with their two year old daughter, Amaris.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 23: Looking for the Lighthouse

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.”
- Psalm 139:11-12

As I reflected on these two verses from Psalm 139 I was reminded of the many times I have said, “You are safe, here in this place” to children and adults alike throughout my years in ministry. I hope it has always been true.

It does not always make sense to us that God could be bright as day even in the darkest of times. How can we find a safe place in the midst of violence or hurt, especially when we are hurt by those who should care for us the most? How can we trust that God can find us even in the darkest of places? The image of a lighthouse comes to mind. Most often, if you aren’t an avid sailor, you notice them more for their beauty against the backdrop of a blue sky. But a lighthouse is most beauty and helpful in the midst of violent wind and rain, guiding a ship back to the safe harbor.

We don’t often recognize our need for a safe “harbor” until we notice even the smallest speck of light piercing the darkness. When you find yourself in the darkness of violence and all the hurt and pain that comes with it, it can be difficult to see the light of a safe harbor. I promise you it’s there, if you are hurting look for the lighthouse, in pastors, teachers, friends, or relatives who the hold light of Christ out like a beacon. Look for the “lighthouse” someone who means it when they say, “You are safe.”

Lord of light, help me see your light in others especially when the darkness is overwhelming. Amen.

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Rev. Andrea Brownlee is the Senior Pastor as First Christian Church in Perry Iowa. She has been serving in congregational ministry for 12 years and has served churches in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Iowa.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 22: You Are Safe

 

God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

- Psalm 46:1-3 

When I was a little girl, a very long time ago, we played a game called "War" in the woods next to our school at recess.  The object of the game was to capture or “kill” all of the kids on the opposing team. I often volunteered to be in charge of guarding the prisoners.  Amid all the noise and confusion of the game, I sat peacefully on a log, knowing that I would be safe from capture or harm in that place.  Whenever a classmate was captured and placed in my care, I could assure them saying, “Don’t worry. You are safe here.”  Today when I am afraid, I seek that place within myself that feels like that clearing, that place where God resides inside me.  For God is truly my refuge and my strength. God is always with me, in times of peace and in times of trouble.  And when God is with me, I need not fear.  

Dear God, let me be with you always, for when I am with you, I am safe. 

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Maria Tafoya is Senior Pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Selma, California.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 21: Finding Safety

“If God is for us, who is against us?” - Romans 8:31

During the summer my husband, two children and I enjoy going canoeing at local lakes.  We pack up our canoe, maybe some snacks and often our fishing gear.  Once on the lake we rely on a few things to stay safe.  There's the pontoon attached to the side of the canoe that provides stability.  There are the life jackets that ensure security.  There's the whistle for getting others' attention in the case of an emergency.  We also do our best to move slowly, pay attention to each other and watch where we are going.  It takes a little of everything, the safety of the canoe and the safety of our actions, to make sure we don't fall out of the canoe or flip it over.

Life is similar in that we need safety, to feel safe and be safe.  It is created through our actions and through the presence of God.  Both are needed.  Both are possible.  Both will help during those moments when the waters get rough.  For it is true, God is rooting for us and does desire for us to be safe, whether we are in the middle of a lake, walking down the street or going to school.  God is for us.

God, we pray we may know you are there for us no matter what we face, helping us to find safety.  Amen.

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Rev. Alicia Speidel serves as minister at Hood River Valley Christian Church in Hood River, Oregon. She enjoys spending time with family, camping, fishing and playing games.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 20: God Is a Safe Place

Read together Psalm 16.

The poets who wrote the Psalms called God a fortress, a shield, a shelter, a rock, a light, a protector, a savior, a shepherd, and a refugee. In other words, even when things are bad—and they often were bad for those poets—God is with us, helping us stay safe and be brave.

See if your library has the book TheInvisible String by Patrice Karst. Read it as a family. This lovely book reminds us that we are connected by strings of love, so we are never alone. Because God loves us, we can always find a place of refuge, safety, comfort, and courage.

Get creative with the activity below. Use the act of drawing as a time of prayer, or say a prayer based on the drawings when you are finished.

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Caroline Hamilton-Arnold serves as Associate Director of Week of Compassion and lives in New Haven, CT. Her passion is connecting people with the creative, re-creative power of the living God through stories and faithful action.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 19: God is with us

All of the violence in our neighborhoods, towns, and world is sometimes too awful to think about.  When we hear of the violence, we want to do something. Many times the response is more violence because we believe that this will solve our problem. As Christians, this cannot be our response because violence doesn’t create peace.  God doesn’t call us to throw punches at the problem, God calls us to show peace and understanding. The majority of the time violence we want to use as a response stems from wanting to protect ourselves and our families.  The One who can and will protect you and your family, already is. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says, “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted , but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” and in Psalm 23:1-2 it reads, “ The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still water; he restores my soul. He leads me in right path for his name’s sake.” God will keep you safe because you are God’s beloved child. God wants us to stand together, to pray together, and to work together toward peace. Even when we wake up and another tragedy has happened, we can know that God is with us.

Dear God, Thank you for being with us through all of the violence in our world. Keep us safe, as you always do. Amen.

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Kate Summers is a senior at Mount Carmel High School.  She lives in Illinois with her parents, who are both pastors, and her brother who attends the University of Illinois.  Serving as the Vice Moderator for the General Youth Council, she is excited to serve as the Moderator next year. She is also a part of her Regional Youth Council, is a section leader for the Marching Aces, is treasurer for Interact, and serves on band council, the Youth Advisory Board, National Honor Society, and Aces for Christ.  Kate takes Honors classes, voice lessons, and sings in 3 choirs. In church, Kate serves as a junior deacon, is an active member of CYF, and has been going on mission trips since she was 4 years old. She plans to study Religion and English in college with hopes of going on to seminary to become a minister.

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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org.