Living Water Association ONE, Heartland Conference

Check your Heartland Conference United Church of Christ June Connections Newsletter or Streams of Connection for details!

Check out this week's Streams of Connection newsletter! www.livingwaterone.org/streamsofconnection

Need a sermon for this Sunday? Check out the Sermon Seeds - "Faith" - from Rev. Dr Cheryl Lindsay, for this week's lectionary text, Mark 4:35-41: https://tinyurl.com/mvx5uaca

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Juneteenth by Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson

We give thanks to God
for freedom and emancipation of the enslaved people.

God heard the voices and supplications of enslaved people
those enslaved beyond Emancipation Day in 1863
cheated of their lives and livelihood by oppressors
beyond the pale of human rights and dignity.

From the shacks and plantations of Texas they cried:
“God, we pray, save our children!”

The snares of death encompassed them in the places
where they were held captive and used as commodity
God inclined his ear to them
delivering them from the distress and anguish of this living hell.

From the shacks and plantations of Texas they cried:
“God, we pray, save our lives!”

Because of their skin they were deemed less than farm animals
these African and African American people made in the image of the Divine
therefore they called on God all day long
praying to God to loosen their chains.

From the shacks and plantations of Texas they cried:
“God, we pray, keep us from harm and danger!”

We will pay our vows to God
in the presence of all people
we give thanks and praise to God
for the full emancipation for these human beings.

From the shacks and plantations of Texas they sang:
“God, we thank you for saving our lives.”

“All persons henceforth shall be free”
were the words spoken in 1863
today we reinforce with thanksgiving
God’s life, love and liberty.

From the depths of our hearts we cry:
“God, we thank you for deliverance.”

UCC News - Calls for Prayers for Peace: The United Church of Christ is calling for your prayers for peace as wars and conflicts continue to escalate around the world. Injustices and inequalities manifest as racism, discrimination, gender-based violence, economic disparities, and other issues.

As a communal response to uplift these sorrows and support our neighbors near and far, General Minister and President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson calls the church to a season of prayer. Prayer undergirds our witness, ministry, and advocacy as we work for peace and a just world for all. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4kcr3b2v

Global Ministries Weekly Prayer - Pray with Germany: https://tinyurl.com/y3f3ytuu

Today, we celebrate the people in our lives who encourage us, guide us, and protect us. We give thanks for loving relationships with fathers. For those who experience strained relationships, estrangement or have lost a father, we walk with you in love. May you be blessed by our Waymaker!

The Heartland Generosity & Stewardship Network is again holding a Preaching Challenge! Give us your best 12 minute sermon on generosity and/or stewardship. Send your video clip to: [email protected] with the subject line: Preaching Challenge by August 31, 2024. First prize is $100 plus some bling. All entries will be acknowledged. The winner will be announced at the Annual Gathering in September.

Join us for a UCC Webinar on Thursday, June 20 at 3:30pm - Healing as Freedom, Freedom as Healing: Lineages of Emancipation toward Wholeness Juneteenth 2024. Register today! https://tinyurl.com/nhewjkdd

Need a sermon for this Sunday? Check out the Sermon Seeds - "Seed" - from Rev. Dr Cheryl Lindsay, for this week's lectionary text, Mark 4:26-34:

THIS Thursday at 7pm! The Zoom link is available now - make sure to check your email or the Heartland Conference United Church of Christ Fast Five.

Global Ministries Weekly Prayer - Pray with Ghana: https://tinyurl.com/57jcma9v

The Zoom link is available in Heartland Conference United Church of Christ's Fast Five newsletter, sent out every Monday morning!

Check out this week's message, Embracing Nonviolence: A Gospel Response to Tragedy, from Minister of Faith in Action, Michael Anthony Howard: https://livingwaterone.org/embracing-nonviolence/

Need a sermon for this Sunday? Check out the Sermon Seeds - "Kin-Dom" - from Rev. Dr Cheryl Lindsay, for this week's lectionary text, Mark 3:20-35: https://tinyurl.com/3htvuwev

The deadline to fill out the church ministry survey has been extended to June 14!
https://livingwaterone.org/church-ministry-survey/

Global Ministries Weekly Prayer - Pray with India: https://tinyurl.com/46s9xmdx

As the attention of the world focuses on the 2024 elections, what will be the role of churches that embody the prophetic tradition of the Christian faith? How will justice-centered ministries be called to act? Join us for this free webinar as we address these questions. https://bit.ly/PropheticMinistry2024

Need someone to fill in on a Sunday? Check out the pulpit supply list! Recommended compensation: $200 for one service; $250 for two services; mileage at $0.67 or current IRS rate. https://livingwaterone.org/pulpit-supply-list/

From our Minister of Faith In Action, Michael Anthony Howard - Love is Louder is a national initiative proudly organized by the United Church of Christ's Gender and Sexuality Justice Ministries in collaboration with the Heartland Conference and the Living Water Association. This campaign, rooted in love and inclusivity, seeks to amplify our collective voice of support for gender and sexuality justice, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges and debates, including those surrounding transgender care.

On June 1st, at Cleveland Pride, we have a unique chance to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to love and acceptance. By participating in the Pride March and Festival as a combined group of congregations, we can make a profound statement of solidarity with our LGBTQ+ siblings and allies. I urge you to consider signing up your congregation to march, host a booth, attend worship, or volunteer as part of our collective effort. Your presence matters, now more than ever.

Learn more: https://www.ucc.org/loveislouder/

Need a sermon for this Sunday? Check out the Sermon Seeds - "Sabbath" - from Rev. Dr Cheryl Lindsay, for this week's lectionary text, Mark 2:23-3:6: https://tinyurl.com/47znvjm6

Save the Date! A followup to our Cultural Humility boundary training with Dr. James Knight is set for Wednesday, October 2, at The Bath Church. Registration will open in August.

Global Ministries Weekly Prayer - Pray with Japan: https://tinyurl.com/522bdsu9