1. United Methodist Women
Mission u
Educate to Transform

2. Session 4 covenantal living – let’s make it work!

3. Centering Thought
“The heritage offered to us as people of faith through the stories and
people of scripture is one way that God helps us discern our role in
God’s redeeming work in the world”
(Embracing Wholeness, Chapter 4).
Note: Sacred Geography and blessings on the altar

4. O For a World (Tune: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing)
O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways, where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.
O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved, where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

5. We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice, that opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.
The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise. Tell who mourn: outcasts belong, who perish will rise.

6. O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace, where time in tears will be no more, all but love will cease.

7. Arky, Arky
The Lord said to Noah, “There’s going to be a floody, floody.”
Lord told Noah, “There’s going to be a floody, floody. “
Get those animals out of the muddy, muddy,
Children of the Lord.
2. The Lord told Noah to build him an arky, arky.
Lord told Noah to build him an arky, arky.
Build it out of gopher barky, barky,
Refrain: (after verses 2, 4, 5)
So rise, shine, give God the glory, glory. Rise, shine, give God the glory, glory.
So rise, shine, give God the glory, glory. Children of the Lord.

8. Arky, Arky
3. The animals, the animals, they came in by twosies, twosies,
The animals, the animals, they came in by twosies, twosies,
Elephants and kangaroosies, roosies.
Children of the Lord.
4. It rained and poured for 40 daysies, daysies,
It rained and poured for 40 daysies, daysies,
Almost drove the animals crazy, crazy,
Refrain: (after verses 2, 4, 5)
So rise, shine, give God the glory, glory. Rise, shine, give God the glory, glory.
So rise, shine, give God the glory, glory. Children of the Lord.

9. Arky, Arky
5. The sun came out and dried up the landy, landy. The sun came out and dried up the landy, landy Everything was fine and dandy, dandy, Children of the Lord. Refrain: (after verses 2, 4, 5) So rise, shine, give God the glory, glory. rise, shine, give God the glory, glory.

10. Interview with Noah p. 208 in book

11. Sing! “I Will Trust in the Lord”
I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord till I die.
I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord, I will trust in the Lord till I die.
2. Will you trust in the Lord?
3. Leaders, will you trust in the Lord?
4. Preachers/Teachers, will you trust in the Lord?
5. Everyone: I will trust in the Lord… till I die.

12. Pray together:
Holy Giver of Life, help me find in the story of Noah and his trust in you – where you used him to save the entire creation – a message of hope and direction for us. Tap me on the shoulder and urge me to build and strengthen caring and holy communities where people are saved from their sin and find your will in their lives. Amen.

13. In what ways do you see love in the scriptures?
The heritage offered to us as people of faith through the stories and people of scripture is one way that God’s redeeming work for the world is revealed to us.
T-P-S:
In what ways do you see love in the scriptures?
In a sentence or two, how would you describe your spiritual heritage?
Who are your biblical heroes/sheroes? Why does this person bring meaning to your life? Write these on a card; ushers will collect.

14. Combine 2-3 pairs to discuss these questions as assigned:
What do you find fascinating about Noah’s reaction to God? What do you find challenging?
What was Noah called to do?
How is Noah’s relationship with the animals depicted?
What can we learn from Noah’s trust in God?

15. God’s covenant was not just with Noah but all living things
God’s covenant was not just with Noah but all living things. What does it mean to be in covenantal relationship with all of life and also to life a life of wholeness and abundance? – read p. 96, 2nd par. What does it mean to live a covenantal life like Jesus? – read p. 97-8

16. Write 1-2 sentence responses to at least 3 of these questions found on p. 210-211.
What is most challenging about loving your neighbor as yourself?
How would you guide someone in the goal of loving God completely? What’s the first step?
What harm do you see in the environment in your home geographical location ?
What environmental challenge rips your heart out?
What does it mean to step back and understand that sin is not just an individual act?
What is meant by: “eating is the most intimate thing we do?”
Reflect on your answers. See the section on “Practices for Covenantal Living on pp : healthy eating, sacred rhythms, Holy Communion, joy-filled recreational life, Sabbath, stewardship, being rooted in place, meaningful work.

17. Ponder: “Living into wholeness is at its core about peace.” – p. 109
“Caring for creation requires much of us…to listen,…to do our work in solidarity with all of life…and remember that we when we [do] we also care for Christ through his incarnation in all of creation.” – p. 109
“Society’s refusal to hear the cry of the poor is inseparable from our refusal to hear the cry of the earth.” – Pope Francis, see Laudatosi.com.
“The toxicity of what we’re doing to our planet and the toxicity of racism have the same roots.” – Sr. Simone Campbell, quoted by B. McLaren in The Great Spiritual Migration, p. 88.

18. Photo by Sharon Brown Christopher
Even when we feel worn and depleted, there is new life for us when we dare to open our hearts.
Photo by Sharon Brown Christopher

19. “Making it Work” read Celeste Savage’s story on p. 212
Where will you make it work? God’s covenant was not just with Noah but all living things.
In your notes, (where you will read them again), write what you will do to embrace wholeness and serve God, the under-served, children, the voiceless, the plants and animals?
As we sing “Here I am Lord” (#593) commit yourself to making it work in your community.

20. Stand and sing:
I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, my hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night? I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

21. Stand and sing:
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night? I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

22. Stand and sing:
I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts are satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night? I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

23. Pray together:
Holy and Gracious God, you have reminded us of what we are called to do. You have reminded us of our heritage through biblical and everyday spiritual leaders and mentors. You have challenged us to be place-makers and to be community builders. We sit, kneel, or stand in your presence asking for strength and vision so that we can be all that you desire for us. In the name of our brother Jesus, we pray. Amen.

24. United Methodist Women
Mission u
Educate to Transform