PC(USA) - Small Church and Community Ministry

Small Church and Community Ministry: Serving Rural and Urban Congregations


	Affordable Housing and Homelessness Sunday August 12, 2007 Learn more Affordable Housing / Homelessness / Community Development Web sites Minute for Mission: Homelessness / Affordable Housing A Stranger and You Invited Me In: Affordable Housing Advocacy for Presbyterians On Sunday, August 12, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reflects on the issues of homelessness and affordable housing impacting our communities and nation. The latest research done by the National Low Income Coalition shows that because of the increasing cost of housing, affordable housing is out of reach for many families (Out of Reach 2006). Use these resources to consider how your congregation, agency or presbytery can respond locally, regionally or nationally to affordable housing and homelessness issues. Worship ideas for Affordable Housing and Homelessness Sunday Download these worship ideas Call to Worship (based on Micah 6:8, Psalm 72 and Exodus 3) Call to Worship: “A stranger and you invited me in ...” (based on Psalm 23, 26, 27 and 84) Prayer of Invocation Confession and Assurance of Pardon (based on Isaiah 43 and 61 and Luke 4:14-30) A Litany (based on Isaiah 58) A Litany on Affordable Housing Scriptures/Sermon Ideas A Litany to Serve Prayer of Thanksgiving Commissioning and Benediction (based on I Cor. 16:13) Eight ways congregations can provide low-income housing Every church open one room Stories Call to Worship (based on Micah 6:8, Psalm 72 and Exodus 3) Leader: God has showed us what is good; therefore brothers and sisters, what does the LORD require of us? People: Do justice! Love kindness! Walk humbly with our God! Leader: In ancient Israel, the king was called to guarantee justice for the poor, the weak and those without a helper. The purpose of government was to "defend the cause of the poor" and "give deliverance to the needy." People: May we worship the God who sees, hears and knows the suffering of those oppressed among us. All: May we follow in God's righteous path that all might be blessed with prosperity and peace. Amen. Call to Worship: “A stranger and you invited me in ...” (based on Psalm 23, 26, 27 and 84) One: How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! Many: I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. One: Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — Many: ... a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. One: My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Many: Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. One: One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek ... Many: ... that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. All: Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Prayer of Invocation Loving God, Draw us together and make us one as we sing the whole of creation in praise of you, as a new day unfolds its infinite potential. Help us never to lose our sense of wonder, as we see, hear, taste and touch the beauty of this world in all its diversity. Inspire us with the energy to put right all that is bruised or broken: Show us that we are all linked in one humanity. Open our lips that we may sing with joy the Good News of your love for everyone. Open our hands that we may reach out to one another, to touch and to connect. Open our ears that we may listen to the voices of those who are unheard. Open our eyes that we may recognize Christ in the faces of people shunned and marginalized. Open our minds that we may search more honestly for the truth Open our hearts that we may live out your purpose – Amen. Confession and Assurance of Pardon (based on Isaiah 43 and 61 and Luke 4:14-30) Unison: We come to you as a troubled community, Loving God. We are aware that our neighbors in our community face many challenges to accessing decent affordable housing. Working families, young people just starting out and the elderly are unable to find appropriate housing and face extreme financial hardships and psychological stress. Children fall behind in school and suffer from health hazards like lead poisoning and asthma. Forgive us when we grow weary in compassion. Guide us when we stray after idols of wealth or pleasure and fail to relieve the suffering around us. Correct us when we fail in your mission to bring good news to the poor. Leader/Liturgist: (after a moment of silent prayer) Do not become lost in the shame of the things of old. God is about to do a new thing. It is springing forth; do you not perceive it? God blots out our transgressions and forms us as a people, loved and chosen. This is the year of God's favor, the acceptable time. Let us break every yoke of oppression, comfort the broken-hearted and proclaim liberty for all held captive. And let us share a word of peace with each other, remembering God's promise to replace our mourning with gladness and praise. A Litany (based on Isaiah 58) One: Shout out, and do not hold back! Announce to my people their rebellion! Many: Day after day we claim to seek God and delight in God's ways. Yet our nation does not practice righteousness. We serve selfish interests while workers are exploited and oppressed. We point fingers of judgment, quarrel and fight. One: Religious rituals, even fasting, will not please God. Let us "walk the walk" instead of "talking the talk," showing our love for God by our actions to benefit humanity Many: When we share out bread with the hungry, bring the homeless poor into houses, and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then our light will break forth like the dawn. One: God will satisfy our parched places, water us like a garden, and make our bones strong. Many: We will rebuild the ancient ruins and bridge the gaps that divide us. We will be called "restorers of streets to live in." One: This is the Sabbath, the holy day acceptable to our God. Many: When we truly delight in God by living justly, we will be lifted up and fed with the heritage of our mothers and fathers in faith. One: This is God's promise; it can be trusted. Thanks be to God! A Litany on Affordable Housing All: Lord, when did we see you homeless? One: Each year in the United States, three and a half million people live in shelters or on the streets. Many: Over one million of these are children living in homelessness whose families are struggling to survive. One: Lord, when did we see you with insufficient wages? Many: A person with two children has to earn over fifteen dollars an hour in order to afford housing in this country. One: A person working full-time at minimum wage lives five thousand dollars below the poverty line for a family of three. Many: Lord, when did we see you in need of housing? One: Many families on the waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance vouchers must wait for years before receiving housing. Many: Almost 15 million U.S. households pay over 70 percent of their incomes on housing. One: Lord, when did we see you homeless? Many: Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” One: Is this not the fast, which I choose to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6) Many: Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house ... One: … when you see the naked, to cover them; and not to hide yourself from your own kin? (Isaiah 58:7) All: But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever- flowing stream. (Amos 5:24) Scriptures/Sermon Ideas Social and economic justice is clear and predominant biblical themes. Christian and Jewish texts remind us that those in poverty have often been made poor through oppression, greed and broken relationships with the human family. Here are a few of the scripture texts that can be read or used for your sermon. Genesis 15:13-16 — God promised to end homelessness for Israel and give them a new home. Exodus 2:23-25 — God hears the cry of the destitute homeless. Exodus 3:1-12 (and other excerpts from chapters 1, 2 and 3) — God hears, sees and knows human suffering, especially that caused by economic exploitation. God's will is for slavery and oppression to end and for Creation's gifts to be shared by all. Leviticus 19:9-18 (or Deut. 24:10-21) — In grateful response to the God who frees from slavery and oppression, the community sets rules to provide for the needs of the lowest wage workers, widows, orphans and aliens. Isaiah 65:17-25 — In God's realm, work brings life's necessities in ample supply, and our children and elders dwell in health and security. Jeremiah 29:1-9 — As people exiled from our true home, we are to seek the welfare of the city within which we find ourselves. Amos 5:21-25 — Our worship offends God if not accompanied by righteousness and justice within society. Micah 6:6-8 — Ending homelessness is what God requires us to do. Mathew 25:31-46 — Our love of Christ is demonstrated through our regard for "the least of these," those despised and forsaken in our communities. Acts 2:43-47 and 4:32-35 — The Pentecostal blessing of the Holy Spirit leads to sharing by all so that none experience scarcity. Ephesians 2:11-22 — Christ is our peace, breaking down the walls that divide us and building one united household in God. James 2: 14-26 — Ending poverty and homelessness takes action and cannot be done by confession along. A Litany to Serve For such a time as this We have been called from the streets and the churches to this place to love and serve. In such a time as this We have heard the cries of the hungry, the poor and the homeless. There are many who need God’s love. There are many who need our love. In every place the powers and principalities are at work. We affirm that God is in the midst healing, challenging, comforting, supporting, sustaining and loving. In such time at this God has blessed us with gifts and talents to serve those in need. God works with us. God works through us. For such a time as this God has called us to speak for justice, act for righteousness and serve with love; turning sorrow to joy. Prayer of Thanksgiving Thank God for love — for love that turns us to one another to look with surprise into the eyes of a different face and to see someone who belongs to us Praise God for love — for love that draws us together out of strangeness and indifference to find friendship and reunion Thank God for love — for love which softens our hearts reaches across the divide, brings us close, unites us Praise God for love — in love with each other in love with God in the love of God, we belong together. Commissioning and Benediction (based on 1 Cor. 16:13) Leader: Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. And go with the blessing of God our generous and gracious Creator, following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, our Savior and Friend, and rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. We want to acknowledge that the worship materials here have been contributed by Communities of Faith for Health Families – Healthy Homes, St. Louis, Mo.; Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless, Chicago; Housing First, New York City; and the PC(USA) Washington Office. Eight ways congregations can provide low income housing Work with Habitat for Humanity to build a new home with a family. Provide a volunteer team for a housing repair/rehab project sponsored by a nonprofit housing development organization, e.g., paint-up, fix-up projects. Become an active member of a low-income housing development organization in your community, e.g., Bethel New Life. Work with a family in your community to repair/rehab the family’s home. Provide funding or a no/low interest loan to support a non-profit housing development organization to create or build affordable housing. Acquire, rehab, and sell/rent an affordable housing unit, e.g., transitional housing or shelter for homeless. Partner with a non-profit housing development organization to develop affordable housing in your community. Join with other congregations and/or neighborhood organizations to form a nonprofit housing development corporation. Every church open one room: 77 Ways Emergency Intervention Programs Assessment and Referral Center Housing Search Center Emergency Shelter Emergency Respite Bed Emergency Home Sharing Emergency Shelter For Youth (16-17) Emergency Shelter For Youth (18-21) Tent City Emergency Detoxification Center Emergency Meal Program Emergency Food Bank Emergency Kitchen/Diet Facility Emergency Clothing Bank Emergency Hygiene Center/Public Restroom/Shower Emergency Laundry Facility Emergency Day Care Center For Children Emergency Day Center For Women Emergency Storage Program Emergency Transportation Program Emergency Mail Box Program Emergency Phone Service Protective Payee Spiritual Program — prayer, sing, worship, bible study Music (Singing): (Spiritual/Emotional Externalization) Dancing/Exercise /Sports Art therapy — drawing, painting, woodwork Massage Program Field Trips — Picnic Special Events — Birthdays, New Years Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Beauty Shop Check Cashing Service Self-defense Class Outreach Program Prevention Program AA and NA Group After-Care Program — Case Management/Mentor After-School / Tutor Program for Children Anger Management Class Counseling — Individual Counseling — Group Eviction Prevention Program Housing — Transitional Housing For AIDS Patients Housing For Farm Workers Housing For Mentally Ill — Short/Long Term Housing For Older Women Housing For Pregnant Women Housing For Victims of Domestic Violence Legal Service Library Program Life Skill Training Literacy Program Money Management Class Parenting Class Resource/Education Center Share House Long Term Solution Program Housing — Permanent Housing For Women With Criminal History Housing For Women With Substance Addiction Housing For Mentally Ill — Cluster Model Housing For Mentally Ill — Group Home Model Housing For Victims of Prostitution Housing for Families (Women With Children) Career Counseling Education — GED Class ESL Program Job Training: Computer Program Job Training: Cooking Class Job Training: Gardening/Farming/Landscaping Job Training: Housekeeping Training Program Job Training: Sewing/Crocheting/Knitting Job Search Center/Job Bank Health Care /Dental Care Program Income Generating: Bazaar Program Thrift Shop Inclusive-Multi Cultural Church Partnership/Sponsorship Church Christian Faith and Public Policy Church Participates in the Development of Political Will and Policy to End Homelessness Stories Network Ministries, San Francisco, Calif. San Francisco Network Ministries works cooperatively with the people of the Tenderloin neighborhood for the empowerment of all, proclaiming good news for the poor and seeking liberty for those who are oppressed. Since its founding in 1972, Network Ministries has provided a wide range of effective and compassionate service including computer training, affordable housing, kids programs, a safe house for prostituted women, memorial services for poor and homeless people, pastoral care for those with AIDS and political advocacy regarding issues that affect the Tenderloin and its people. The Rev. Glenda Hope is the Director of Network Ministries. Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Homelessness to Housing Ministry, New York City Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church ministers with its homeless neighbors by providing a shelter ministry and a feeding program, as well as working with public issues related to homelessness. Open Door Community, Atlanta, Ga. The Open Door Community is a residential community in the Catholic Worker tradition (sometimes called a Protestant Catholic Worker House). This community seeks to dismantle racism, sexism and heterosexism; abolish the death penalty; and create the Beloved Community on Earth through a loving relationship with some of the most neglected and outcast of God’s children: the homeless and people in prison. They serve breakfasts and soup-kitchen lunches, provide showers and changes of clothes, staff a free medical clinic, conduct worship services and meetings for the clarification of thought and provide a prison ministry, including monthly trips for families to visit loved ones at the Hardwick Prisons in central Georgia. They also advocate on behalf of the oppressed, homeless and prisoners through nonviolent protests, grassroots organization and the publication of a monthly newspaper. The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta supports the Open Door Community. Bethel New Life, Chicago, Ill. The Bethel New Life mission is to realize God’s vision of a restored society by empowering individuals, strengthening families and building neighborhoods through community-driven, solution-oriented and value-centered approaches. Bethel New Life has developed single and multi-family housing units, and created numerous economic development opportunities and assets for/with its community.


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