FOR REFLECTION
“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings,
we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”
Thurgood Marshall
CALL TO WORSHIP Bishop Desmond Tutu.
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice,
you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral,
the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
Insead, Jesus calls us to act boldly for mercy and justice,
Let us worship the God of many names and no name at all–the God of Justice..
OPENING HYMN We Are Called – Haas | Notre Dame Folk Choir
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Pastor Don: May the Peace of Christ be with you.
Congregation at Home: And also with you.
Pastor Don: Consider three ways that you can extend peace to one another this week through a phone call, text or email.
CHRISTIAN READING Acts 10:34-38
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
RACIAL THEMED RAP VIDEO by Beacon Light – Color Blind | Break These Chains
THEME READING Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist
“The opposite of racist isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘anti-racist.’ What’s the difference? One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist. One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist. There is no in-between safe space of ‘not racist.”
SERMON
“On Becoming Antiracist”
Rev. Don Ludwig
If you prefer to read the sermon text, click here.
RESPONSIVE THEME / ANTHEM
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (arr. Arnold Sevier)
Performed by the Aeolians of Oakwood University
LYRICS
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on through the light
Take my hand, precious Lord
And lead me home
When my way grows dreary
Precious Lord, lead me near
When my life is almost gone
At the river I will stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand, precious Lord
And lead me home
PASTORAL PRAYER
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear” (Psalms 46:1-2).
Spirit of life and of love, god of many names and no name at all, hear our prayers. Be with us, spirit, in these times that would trouble—that should trouble—us all. Call us to say no to hatred, to racism, to all that would hold some of us—and ultimately all of us—back.
May we see in our coming together a path forward, and may we see ourselves on this journey together. Grant us courage, grant us wisdom, grant us perseverance. When words are not enough, call us to act in love and compassion in all that we do, that we might build that Beloved Community and that it might help all of us to find our way, together, to freedom—to justice—to equity—for all. A-men.
TIME FOR OFFERING
As we reflect on all of our blessings, individually and as a community, may we consider how we may give of ourselves so that the work of Christ’s love and peace may continue throughout our world. (Please contact staff@southmin.org, or one of our Trustees to discover simple ways you may give electronically or via mail. Thank you for supporting the staff and on-going ministries of Southminster Presbyterian Church).
CLOSING HYMN
Lift Every Voice and Sing by J. Rosamund Johnson (Glory to God #339)
Sheet music: https://hymnary.org/hymn/GG2013/339
FINAL BLESSING BENEDICTION
Friends, We are resilient people. WE GOT THIS! Please let me know if there is anything that you need as we continue to imagine a world of health, hope, peace, and solidarity.
Now, as you enter a new week, have hope, good people of Southminster.
Have hope that the way will emerge. Have hope that we will move forward.
Have hope in a world of equity and justice for all.
And live each day by that hope — this day and forevermore. Amen.
