Today is Mother’s Day, a day in which we recognize, honor, and remember the women who shaped our lives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and even mother-figures we have chosen or who have chosen us. They made plans for us and helped us make sense of our world. They taught us to hope. Many of us have tried to pass this hope on to our daughters and granddaughters and those to whom we might be mother-figures.
For Silent Reflection:
(From Gifts of Many Cultures, Kathy Wonson Eddy & Maren C. Tiribassi, Edd.)
Pieces, A world in pieces, A life in pieces . . .We want to live in new times, Lord God. We want to see flourishing signs of hope that we may put the pieces together And rebuild a united world.
- Ernesto Barros Cardoso, Brazil
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. Anonymous, China
Quote for Today:
“For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “Plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11-12.
Today’s Scripture passages:
Isaiah 42: 8-9, 43:18-21 48: 6-7.
These verses have been combined into a responsive reading for our call to worship. The leader will read a line and then a tone will sound, signaling your response.
Call to Worship:
One: I am the Lord, that is my name;
All: My glory I give to no other, Nor my praise to idols.
One: See, the former things have come to pass, And new things I now declare;
All: Before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
One: Do not remember the former things, Or consider the things of old.
All: I am about to do a new thing;
One: Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
All: I will make a way in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert.
One: You have heard; now see all this; And will you not declare it?
All: From this time forward I make you hear new things,
One: Hidden things you have not known.
All: They are created now, not long ago;
One: Before today you have never heard of them,
All: So that you could not say, “I already knew them.”
For Mothers and Daughters Everywhere and Those Who Love Them:
MOTHERING DAUGHTERS
Nurturing, teaching, and scolding,
As I learned to cope with my world.
Thank you, God, for my mother,
She watched over the teen-ager I became
Guiding, listening, encouraging,
And eventually letting go.
Thank you, God, for my mother.
She supported the woman I became,
Respecting, critiquing, and cheering,
Until I was able to take care of her.
Thank you, God, for my mother.
I took care of the child she was,
Playing, planning, and watching,
And learning what I’d never learned before.
Thank you, God, for my daughter.
I sheltered the teen-ager she was,
Hoping, waiting, and worrying.
Sometimes I even understood her.
Thank you, God, for my daughter.
I marvel at the woman she’s become,
Cheerful, competent, and caring,
And how she takes care of me.
Thank you, God, for my daughter.
Lyn Pickhover