#LaitySunday #LetUsWorship Read the scripture and download the bulletin to prepare for Weekend Worship and Weekly Bible studies!
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Laity Sunday Worship Special Guests
In the United Methodist Church, Laity Sunday celebrates the ministry of all Christians to love God and neighbor. As we (the people) grow in grace to become “all love” disciples in community, we gather with others and connect all to God’s love in Jesus Christ.
This year for Laity Sunday worship, we welcome guest speaker, Ebani Abram, a a community leader who is no stranger to Inglewood First UMC as she has helped us strategic plan and canvass the community in support of our affordable housing development!
Ebani was born in Michigan, grew up and resides in South Central Los Angeles, and has deep roots in Louisiana. Her three young adult daughters and her grandson are her greatest accomplishments. She organizes with API (Asian-Pacific Islander) RISE, Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, is an LA Voice Action Board Member, and a core team member of LiveFree USA’s Street Certified Team. Atherton Baptist Church in Hawthorne, CA is her church home where she serves as a youth worker and is a certified Bible Enrichment teacher.
Ebani strongly believes in and advocates for building people power, inspiring her community members to be civically engaged, and making “good trouble” through the power of the protest. One of her daily prayers is for God to make her a woman after God’s own heart, like David.
For Laity Sunday, we also welcome back special guest vocalist, Mr. Donald Perry!
Inglewood First UMC reflects on the sermon and scripture from the previous Sunday’s worship. Below, you fill find questions that can be used for Bible Study, small groups or personal devotion. Let the scripture speak in to your life! Expect great things!
Opening Prayer
Kind and gracious Lord, you are the creator of all things, the author of life, and our loving God. We thank you for your faithful presence in our lives, and we thank you for the Word of God.
As we prepare to study your Word together, we ask you to open our minds. Help us clear away the clutter and quiet any outside voices so we can hear only what you long to speak to us.
Scripture: Luke 18:1-8 (Common English Bible)
Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ”[b] 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Summary:
What is God’s future for our lives? Our families? The church? The world? As believers, we are not called to wait on the future, but to walk into it. We are marching to Zion! The future is now!
The widow has a persistent faith in the face of an unjust judge. She does not take “no” for an answer! We too are called to be persistent for God is just. The future is now!
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- In this scripture, an unjust judge relents to the protests of a determined widow. Jesus reveals God as one who hears and responds to the cries of those who are suffering. Even though the widow is consistently denied, why does she continually return to make her case to the judge? Why does the judge finally give in? Though we may not get an immediate response, why is it important to continue to express our needs to God? Have you ever prayed to God for a long time and finally got your prayer answered? What are you/we praying for right now?
- What does this scripture teach you about persistence?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?
Discipleship Huddle Questions:
- How is it with your soul?
- How does your soul prosper?
Closing Prayer
God, who lifts up the humble, give us guidance to see how we might be part of your mission of the redemption of the world. Give us the hands of compassion to extend your love and grace. Amen.