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Weekly text: Genesis 26:12-33
Faith focus: Depart in peace.
Visuals: white (and/or blue) worship cloth; open Bible; symbols: heart, road sign, story figure, kazoo or party horn, footprint shape
Opening prayer: HWB 674
Suggested songs:
"Here in This Place," HWB 6
"I'll Praise My Maker," HWB 166
"Gentle Shepherd, Come and Lead Us," HWB 352
"Let There be Light, Lord God," HWB 371
Children's time: Ask the children, "Do you ever get angry? What do you do when you get angry?" Listen to their ideas. Read, When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry, by Molly Bang (Blue Sky Press, 1999) or "Harold leaves his job" (Together, page 26). Say, "As peacemakers, sometimes the best thing to do when we are angry is to walk away and find something else to do. It is better to leave a bad situation than say or do something we'll be sorry for later. When we walk away, God goes with us and God's peace surrounds us." Find the worship symbol for today (footprint shape). It reminds us that sometimes the way to peace is to walk away from conflict.
Sing "Peace Before Us" (Gather 'Round CD) using actions, if you wish. The lyrics are in Together, page 3, or SS 16.
Pray together: "Dear God, sometimes we get really angry. Help us know when it is best to walk away. Thank you that your peace goes with us. Amen."
Give the children a plastic zipper bag with a small ball of play dough. Invite them to make a foot or another story symbol when they return to their families.
Scripture reading: Genesis 26:12–33
Sermon seeds: In this passage, Isaac encountered a series of conflicts with his neighbors. Isaac’s peacemaking strategy was to walk away. Sometimes letting a conflict play itself out by not aggressively addressing it can be an effective strategy. By responding to the Philistines in a nonaggressive manner, Isaac found a way to live with them in peace. How do you decide when to confront conflict and when to walk away? Wells of refreshing water and feasts of nourishing food between former enemies are both powerful symbols in this story. What have been symbols in your life when you have let go and moved on? When has God’s peace been with you, as with Isaac, in his leaving?
Song of response: “We Are People of God’s Peace,” HWB 407
Offering
Song: “You Shall Go Out with Joy,” HWB 427
Benediction: May God’s wisdom go with you. Know when it is wise to let go and move on. Go in peace and grace. Amen.
