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Weekly text: Romans 12:9-21
Faith focus: Overcome evil with good.
Other texts: Proverbs 20:22; Galatians 5:22-23
Visuals: white (and/or blue) worship cloth; open Bible; symbols: heart, road sign, story figure, kazoo or party horn, footprint shape, feather, adhesive bandage, olive branch
Opening prayer: "Teach me" (Together, page 6) or "Prayer of Saint Francis" (Together, page 8, or HWB 733).
Suggested songs:
"We Are People of God's Peace," HWB 407
"Strong, Righteous Man of Galilee," HWB 540
"Make Me a Channel of Your Peace," SJ 56
"Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace," HS 1118
Children’s time: Ahead of time, find some pictures or newspaper stories of wrongdoing in your community and world. When the children gather, show them these pictures and headlines. Say, "Even though we live in a beautiful country and world, there are still bad things that happen. Can you think of some evil things that happen?" Listen to their ideas. As peacemakers, talk about how we can bring good to bad situations. Read the book, One Child, by Christopher Cheng (Crocodile, 2000).
Find the worship symbol for today (olive branch). This is an ancient symbol of peace. Explain that it takes many years for an olive tree to produce fruit. In times of war, olive trees are destroyed and it is impossible to harvest olives. An olive branch gives us hope that peace will someday come and good will overcome evil.
Sing "Shalom, My Friends" (Gather 'Round CD). The lyrics are in Together, page 2.
Pray together: "Faithful God, help us bring your goodness to the bad things in our world. Fill our hearts with your love and hope. Thank you for loving us. Amen."
Scripture reading: Romans 12:9–21 (or HWB 850)
Sermon seeds: Our text shows how Christians are to treat people within and beyond the community of faith: genuinely love, loathe evil, and join good. There is no room for triumphalism. The responsibility for peace is two-sided and love always overrides vengeance. What are stories from history where love overcomes evil? Is it harder to practice love in the faith community or outside? Where do you see good overcoming evil in your families, workplaces, schools, community, and world?
Song: “Go Now in Peace,” HWB 429
Benediction: May God’s hope and healing flow through you. May you be an instrument of peace wherever you go this week. Go in peace and love. Amen.
