Global Day Service 5th December 2020 at 8pm26 Nov 2020
Global Day Service
5th December 2020 at 8pm
on
MU Facebook Live and You Tube
We are delighted that The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester will be preaching at this service and it will also include reflections and music from members around the world.
Below is the order of the service for you to follow.
Welcome and call to worship
Welcome to our virtual service which is part of Mothers’ Union’s global action against domestic and sexual abuse. We have been so pleased to see so many members from around the day join in raising their voices on behalf of the voiceless to say “No More 1 in 3”
As we now come to the end of the day we use these voices for worship and prayer reflecting on those survivors of domestic abuse and we cry out to our loving, righteous God for and end to the devastating statistic that one in three woman globally will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
And of course our God is not a God of numbers and statistics, for he knows and loves every single one of us. He knows the number of hairs on our head and we are, each one of us, so very precious to him.
Before we begin, we want to make sure all who are watching know that throughout the service we will be hearing survivor stories and talking about Domestic Abuse. Although this will of course be done in a gentle way we know that these things can be traumatic and triggering to some who have not been forewarned.
So, let us start our time of worship together.
I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:1-2 (NLT)
We draw near in faith to the Lord who draws near to us with love
and hears our prayers for mercy.
Opening hymn
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to His feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like thee His praise should sing?
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise Him for His grace and favour
to our fathers, in distress;
Praise Him still the same for ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
Father-like He tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame He knows;
In His hands He gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Widely as His mercy flows.
Angels help us to adore Him;
ye behold Him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before Him;
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Henry Francis Lyte (1834)
Opening prayers and confession
Loving Lord,
who came to proclaim justice,
make us bold to speak out truth
and break the power of silence.
Loving Lord,
who came to minister mercy
make us agents of compassion
to release the oppressed from fear.
Merciful and loving God,
forgive us when we have closed our eyes
to the sufferings of others;
when we have stayed silent
in the face of abuse and oppression;
when we have declined to challenge
unacceptable actions and attitudes.
Take away our selfishness
and fill us with new resolve
to proclaim justice and mercy
in the name of Christ. Amen
Jesus stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
Luke 4:16-19
Why “No More 1 in 3” is important to me
A reflection from Britain and Ireland
Reading
A Woman’s Psalm
O God, I am a woman in a violent world
let me know your peace.
Let blind rage born of despair
not find its target in me.
Let the value of my life
not be reduced to the jewellery I wear.
Let my family life not end
that life in a gang may begin.
Let rape not violate my body
nor anger ravage my soul.
Let fear not enter my heart
but caution sharpen my mind.
Let the light of Christ so shine in me
that I may reflect your love.
Let the joy that the apostles knew
infuse my spirit and alleviate my pain.
Let Love who suffered and died on the cross
find resurrection and new life in the world you love.
O God, I am a woman in a violent world
let me know your peace.
Elizabeth Kaeton, (from Lifting Women’s Voices: Canterbury Press; 2009)
Hymn
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
He burns with holy fire
With splendour He is crowned
How awesome is the sight
Our radiant King of light
Be still for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
David J. Evans
Homily/ Sermon
Intercessions
As we start our time of prayer together please take a moment to still your minds and light a candle or three, to signify and remember that we pray to God for no more 1 in 3.
Loving Lord,
hear our cries for justice
and break the chains of abuse
that all may live in safety.
Loving Lord,
hear our cries for righteousness
and break the chains of oppression
that all may live in freedom
Loving Lord,
hear our cries for mercy
and break the chains of fear
that all may live in peace. Amen
Stir us with a resolve not to be silent.
To speak out
against the abuse of power;
especially in our homes.
To speak up
for those who have been pushed down
in any way.
To speak to
the needs of those who are suffering
at the hands of another.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ,
who extended his forgiving hands to all. Amen
Great God we give you thanks that you call us out of silence
to name hidden and domestic violence.
We pray for all those women who despite suffering from violence, continue to care for family and children, to grow and prepare food, carry water, earn a living and offer support to others.
Great God we give you thanks that you call us out of silence
to name hidden and domestic violence.
We pray for women who are trafficked as domestic or sex workers; for women who are raped and do not know how to find words to name their pain or a way into the future.
Great God we give you thanks that you call us out of silence
to name hidden and domestic violence.
We pray for transformation of our societies which often find it easier to judge the victims of violence than to solve the problems of injustice
We pray that women's voices may be heard and considered in all peace and reconciliation work.
We pray for a transformation in the violent way many men act towards and think about women.
Great God we give you thanks that you call us out of silence
to name hidden and domestic violence.
We pray for right and just relations between women and men that together we may transform and overcome violence in all its forms and learn to celebrate our diversity and interdependence
Great God we give you thanks that you call us out of silence
to name hidden and domestic violence.
We look forward to the age of peace, when violence is banished, both women and
men are able to love and to be loved, and the work and wealth of our world is justly shared.
Oh Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayers.
Amen
Why “No More 1 in 3” is important to me
A reflection from overseas
Final Hymn
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve you to the end;
Be Lord forever near me,
My Master and my Friend!
I shall not fear the battle
If you are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If you will be my guide.
Oh, let me feel you near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw in nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
Oh, let me hear you speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will!
Oh, speak to re-assure me,
To hasten or control!
Oh, speak, and make me listen,
Oh guardian of my soul!
O Jesus, you have promised
To all who follow you,
That where you are in glory
There shall your servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve you to the end;
Oh, give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend!
Oh, let me see your foot-marks,
And in them plant my own!
My hope to follow duly
Is in your strength alone,
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end!
At last in heaven receive me,
My saviour and my friend!
John Ernest Bode (1869)
Closing Prayers and Blessing
May God give us eyes
to recognise abuse where it exists.
May God give us a heart
to reach out in compassion.
May God give us courage and resolve
to make a difference wherever we are.
And the Blessing of God Almighty,
the Holy Trinity,
guide our steps today,
this week and always.
Go in peace and in resolve. Amen
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