Health and Human Service Sunday Archives
2010 Resources
Theme: Holy Boldness
Litany:
2009 Resources
Theme: Follow Me
Scripture: Mark 1:14-20
And
after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "the time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel." And as
He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the
brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of
men." And they immediately left the nets and followed Him. And going
on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. And immediately He
called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the
hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
Sermon Seeds
In Mark's Gospel, we read the story of how
the first four disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John, are called by
Jesus to be disciples. According to the writer, in just four verses, all
four of these fishermen leave their boats and nets, their jobs, and
their families to follow Jesus. Most people would wait for a time to
think through such a decision, to weigh the consequences, to think about
the family business and the implications of the career move. The
writer of Mark's Gospel doesn't delve into any discernment process,
whether they were practicing Jews, if they had good relationships with
members of their families, or even if the fishing was good or bad. Mark
merely writes, "And immediately, they followed him."
If you have ever gone fishing, you know that the sport or profession
is not for the impatient, weak of faith, and unhopeful. Perhaps Jesus
recognized these qualities in Peter, Andrew, James and John. What we do
know is that, after joining Jesus, these disciple's lives were
radically changed. And, as we lift up Health and Human Service Sunday,
we remember the call of Jesus to minister to those who are burdened by
health challenges. Writers of the Gospel frequently use stories of Jesus
ministry to and healing of people whose lives have been affected by
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual challenges.
When we claim to be followers of Christ, we must be aware of our call
to heal, to minister, to walk with our brothers and sisters in sickness
and in health.
Suggested scriptures:
Matthew 25:31-46: "I was sick and you visited me"
Matthew 26:6-13: A woman ministers to Jesus
Mark 5:23-43: Jesus heals Jairus' daughter and the woman with the hemorrhages
(whom he not only heals in the body but restores to society)
Luke 10:25-37: The great commandment of love is demonstrated by a Samaritan
John 13:1-20: The healing ministry of touch and servanthood
I Corinthians 12:12-31: The interrelationships in the Body of Christ, unity in diversity
II Corinthians 4:7-18: Determination, hope, and faith, despite diversity
Litany for 2009
This
litany is based on "Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care" developed by
Faithful Reform in Health Care, a coalition of national state and local
faith organizations and individuals working to elevate a vision of
affordable, quality health care for all.
A Litany for Health and Human Service
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!
"One: Gracious God, you have called us to the ever-widening ministry
of health and healing. We desire to follow you wherever you lead us. We
thank you for giving us the unique ministry of health and healing. You
have given us particular skills abilities to address the present health
care crisis. Work in us and through us merciful God to be the
first-responders in caring for the sick and the injured.
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"
One: As people of faith, we envision a society where each person is
afforded health, wholeness, and human dignity. That vision embraces a
system of health care that is inclusive, accessible, affordable and
accountable.
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"
Inclusive:
Health care is a basic human right and human need which includes every
person. All human beings are created equal, with a divine will that we
live together as n inclusive community.
One: Therefore, we are called to treat one another with dignity and
compassion with particular concern for those who are most vulnerable.
This mandates acting on our concern for the well-being of every person,
including the provision of needed health care for the sake of the common
good.
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"
Accessible:
All persons should have access to health services that provide
necessary care and contribute to wellness. Humanity is sacred and all
persons should benefit from those actions which contribute to our health
and wholeness.
One: Therefore, we are called to act with justice and, love, to
ensure that all of us have access to the health care we need in order to
live out the fullness of our potential both as individuals and as
contributing members of our society. We must work together to identify
and overcome all barriers to and disparities in such care.
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"
Affordable:
Health care must contribute to the common good by being affordable for
individuals, families and society as a whole. In the sacred act of
creation, we are endowed with the talents, wisdom and abundant resources
necessary to meet the needs of one another, including the health care
needs of all.
One: Therefore, in our calling to be faithful stewards, we
understand our responsibility to use our health care resources
effectively, to administer them efficiently, and to distribute them with
equity.
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"
Accountable:
Our health care system must be accountable, offering a quality,
equitable and sustainable means of keeping us healthy as individuals and
as a community. As spiritual and sacred vessels, we are responsible
for he care of our bodies to the best of our ability and to care for one
another regardless of individual circumstances.
One: Therefore, individuals, families, governments, businesses, and
the faith community are called to work in partnership for a system that
ensures fully-informed, timely, quality and safe care that treats body,
mind and spirit.
All: Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men!"
Thank
you for calling us to follow your way. Help us to see your vision for
health and healing. Help us to always hear the call regularly and give
us the courage to respond.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
- Collaborate with state and local organizations to advocate for
health care for all by bringing the moral voice of the faith community
to the table. Help organize a citizen health care forum in your
community to address health care concerns and report them back to your
local or state political representatives.
- Hold a candlelight vigil for those in your community who are without or have limited health care insurance.
- Begin process for establishing a health ministry at your local
church (that includes parish nurses, physicians, allied health
professionals and other interested persons) to educate and inform
members about current health care crisis and to work on health
promotion, disease prevention and health disparities. The UCC provides
training on beginning a lay minister of health program and how to begin a
parish nurse program. (www.ucc.org/justice/health)
- Consult the directory of UCC-related CHHSM members at www.chhsm.org and select a ministry for a special offering; a visit and a tour; or a project that engages all members of the congregation.
- Contact a local health or human service program and learn how
members of the congregation can provide volunteer services or plan a
party for residents, patients or clients.
- Begin the dialogue on including sexuality education at your church.
When we speak about health and wholeness in our lives, we must include
our sexual health. The United Church of Christ has developed sexuality
education resources for all ages (www.ucc.org/justice/sexuality-education).
- Organize a health Fair for your church and community. The UCC HIV and AIDS Network has resources to help (www.ucc.org/ucan)
and often times local health departments are eager to provide
assistance and staff for health screening. Be sure to include HIV
anti-body testing as one of the screenings.
- Create a health information rack with brochures about key health
issues, including HIV. Leave room for seasonal opportunities, such as
where to get flu shots and other current events and issues. www.etr.org has large variety of brochures on a wide range of health concerns.
2008 Resources
2008 Theme: Called to Share God's Healing Touch
Theme: Called to Share God's Healing Touch
Mark 1:29-31
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered
the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's
mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at
once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the
fever left her, and she began to serve them. [NRSV]
LITANY
ONE: In love, God calls us to health and wholeness in our own lives.
ALL: For all who care for us emotionally, physically and spiritually;
For all who hold us, encourage us and challenge us,
who stir us emotionally to make healthy responses
to the ebb and flow of living;
For all who provide guidance and support
for our sexual and mental health,
We give you thanks.
ONE: In love, God calls us to mission among those in need.
ALL: For all who offer food or shelter or a listening heart;
For all who gently hold a troubled hand
or sit silently in simple accompaniment;
For all who offer therapy or surgery,
who bring intervention or enable rehabilitation
with a full measure of hope,
We give you thanks.
ONE: In love, God calls us to care for the least among the children of God.
ALL: For all who honor and care for those who are aging,
who rock babies and children in need of comfort
in an unkind and terrifying world;
For all who offer care in community clinics and at health fairs,
who diligently work to end epidemics,
who value the disabled among us;
For all who see each person's worth
and actively oppose discrimination,
We give you thanks.
ONE: In love, God calls us to open our hearts to the meaning of discipleship.
ALL: Grant that we may have the wisdom and will, O God,
to embrace the healing and service ministry
of Jesus Christ and make it truly our own.
Inspire us, Holy One, to trust that your healing love
will use our humble efforts to bring
health and wholeness to us
and to the whole human family.
Litany by Rev. William R. Johnson, VP for Member Relations,
UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries,
www.chhsm.org
© 2008 United Church of Christ. Permission to reprint reources on
this page granted to congregations and other nonprofit organizations for
use in worship and other liturgical settings. For more information
contact hwa@ucc.org or phone 866-822-8224, ext 3217. www.ucc.org/health
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