Streams of Mercy

I was reminded this Sunday of something I learned years ago in ministry. When something has happened that needs to be addressed from the pulpit, it’s often better to address that issue in the prayers of the day than in the sermon. Prayer puts things in a larger perspective, above political agendas, and keeps folks from thinking they’ve heard a “political” sermon.

For example, this week’s sermon was “Written on Our Hearts” from Jeremiah 31, where God says the law will no longer be written on stone tablets for public display, but on the heart, to be displayed in the living of our lives. This is a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; a covenant written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts, a covenant that works from the inside out.

In light of this week’s shootings and continuing political shaming and blaming from all sides, I felt the issues must be addressed, but better in prayer than in the sermon. These words were shared as a part of the Prayers of the People: “O God, with your law of love written on our hearts, may we treat all people with love and respect, and may we have the courage to call out those who would oppress and mistreat others because of their racial or ethnic background. May we work together to overcome all that would seek to divide us, and turn us against one another. Instead of blaming someone for the challenges and difficulties we face, in the deep south, at the border, or in the heartland, help us to find the way forward together, always working for the greater common good, above national self-interest.”

Sometimes it’s also easier to sing about those concerns, especially if the hymn texts are set to familiar hymn tunes. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote a beautiful new hymn text on Saturday March 20 and shared it for use in worship today. We sang it to the tune of “The Church’s One Foundation” as a part of our Prayers of the People today.

“God in Our Church’s Teaching"

God, in our church’s teaching, may we be bold and clear;

may it become our practice to counter hate and fear.

We’ve said that Jesus’ message is one that’s filled with love,

and yet our sweeping statements are clearly not enough.

Isaiah boldly told us you hate our worship ways

when we ignore injustice and simply offer praise.

And Jesus gave a warning: When we – in sin and pride-

refuse to welcome others, we turn our Lord aside.

May these be crucial lessons we teach the old and young:

that racist ways are evil, that sexist ways are wrong.

In Sunday schools and pulpits, may this be what we speak:

God made each person precious, beloved and unique.

O God, we grieve the violence, the shootings, and the hate;

We grieve our own indifference – our speaking out too late.

God, in our church’s witness, may we say loud and clear:

We welcome every neighbor. We work for justice here.

I give thanks for Gillette’s ministry, as she helps us to find words to address the concerns of our day through her hymn texts set to beloved and familiar hymns. Permission is given for free of this hymn by local churches and ecumenical groups, with no need to write for permission to use the hymn. She encourages the sharing of this hymn with pastors, church musicians, worship planners, activists and others who might find it helpful. Such a generous and loving spirit, and truly a prophetic voice in our day. May God continue to bless her ministry among us!

Elizabeth