MLK 2017: Resources
Below are some resources written for Martin Luther King Sunday, 2017. For your service, you may want to consider interspersing readings from the writings of MLK throughout your service and/or adding a video projection of an excerpt of MLK speaking/preaching.
Call to Worship
One: It is good that there are fire extinguishers in this place.
MANY: Worship.
One: It is good that there is water close by.
MANY: Worship.
One: It is good that God’s Word burns, God’s Spirit blows, and God’s prophets speak.
MANY: Worship.
Prayer of Confession (unison)
We’ve heard things, and said things like this: “faith is private,” and “there is no room for religion in politics,” and “we don’t want to offend anyone.” We confess that sometimes we forget that the Christ we follow brought his faith to the public square constantly. We confess that we forget that we are part of a prophetic tradition that, time and time again, spoke God’s Word to people and systems who could not or would not hear. We confess that sometimes our faith is “so heavenly minded that it is no earthly good.”
Assurance of Pardon
There is time yet. There are prophets like Martin Luther King to learn from. The promise of transformation in Christ is real. Rejoice! We are all forgiven.
Benediction
In 1968, Martin Luther King ended his final Sunday morning sermon with these good words. May we hear them, and be blessed by them as we go…”God grant that we will be participants in this newness and this magnificent development. If we will but do it, we will bring about a new day of justice and brotherhood and peace. And that day the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout for joy. God bless you.” Ending of sermon, titled ,“Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” (King’s final Sunday morning sermon on 3/31/1968)
© Rev. Kevin Goldenbogen, 2017
