Native American Sunday
…
CALL TO WORSHIP
Everything as it moves, now and then, here and there, makes pauses.
The bird, as it flies, stops on one place to make its nest,
And another to rest in its flight.
In the same way, God pauses, leaving the touch of the Holy Spirit in all of creation.
We too, have the Holy touch in our beings.
Let us now pause ourselves and listen for the voice of God on our hearts.
—Betty Jacob
…
—James 2:1, 8
“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism…’Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
—Randy Jacob
…
As the sun rises in the morning and the moon sets in the evening, fill our day with your light and blessing and help us to rise and set in you. Yahoke!
—Mary McCaskey
…
—based on 1 John 3:1
Leader: God, the Eternal Spirit,
brooded over the face of the deep in creative contemplation.
People: Now the created world’s forests and mountains,
rivers and seas, savannahs and plains,
stars and planets sing praises to God.
Leader: Of one blood our God made all people.
People: We join in creation’s song of praise.
Leader: See what love the Father has given us,
People: That we should be called the children of God.
—George Estes
…
Leader: This is the Lord’s day so we come into the Lord’s presence
with thanksgiving and adoration, so, come!
Come let us worship God, creator of all things and all peoples of the earth.
People: We are here to praise God and to worship the one who created us.
We give thanks and praise through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Leader: AMEN.
People: And Amen!
—Norlan Scrudder
…
Most gracious Creator of the sky that covers us, the wind that moves us, the land that sustains us, the water that refreshes us, the fire that cleanses us. Hear our voices as we call upon your name.
Spirit of the living God, hear me.
In our prayer, we seek your will and guidance to insure tranquility in our hearts toward you, toward our neighbor and toward the earth in which you have blessed us.
Spirit of the living God, sanctify me.
You are the Almighty, calling us to promote peace and to lift up our neighbor so that no one individual, people or culture will be diminished, belittled or abolished.
Spirit of the living God, forgive me.
Help us to wash away the fear of other humans and also the fear of the unknown so that we can truly receive and understand your blessings.
Spirit of the living God, transform me.
Pull our minds and thoughts to reflect upon the past: to evaluate our behaviors, words, actions, and perceptions so that we may appreciate the present and contribute to a more brilliant future.
Spirit of the living God, renew me.
Fill our lives with enjoyment and rejoicing, accompanied with the consciousness of stillness and repose. Grant us safe passage to our places of work, school, home and worship.
Spirit of the living God, assure me.
Today, we gather rich in compassionate cultures, with beautiful backgrounds, dynamic diversities, extraordinary experiences, liberating languages and unfolding understandings. Let us celebrate our unity and adopt one another into your family.
Spirit of the living God, adopt me.
When we leave this gathering of your creation, send us out as witnesses to your comfort and grace. Send us our as a sanctified, forgiven, transformed, renewed, assured and adopted community to express your love with the same intensity as Jesus Christ.
Spirit of the living God, send me.
—Choctaw GA Worship Team celebrating the 200th anniversary of the ministry of the CP Church and the Choctaw people
…
INVOCATION
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
—Randy Jacob
…
Gracious God. We have lifted our voices in worship and praise of your holy name. We continue to give you thanks and praise throughout this service and the remainder of our lives. Receive us, bless us, direct us. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
—Norlan Scrudder
…
God of all creation,
We gather as your people on this day you have made.
We give thanks for the evidence of your presence
Found all around us.
Help us to love your world and all in it,
As you have so loved us.
On this day, when our community celebrates
The ministry of Native Americans,
Open us to a deeper understanding of who we are in relationship with one another.
Help us to recognize the value of the road each has walked
To arrive at this place
And the value of the shared journey before us all.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
—Choctaw GA Worship Team celebrating the 200th anniversary of the ministry of the CP Church and the Choctaw people
…
MUSIC (HYMNS, SONGS, ANTHEMS)
Doxology
Iki Chihowa fehna ka,
Ushi, Chisvs aiena ka
Shilombish Holitopa ma,
Iloh aiokpahanchashke.
—Betty Jacob
…
“Vba Isht Taloa 48”
(This hymn was written by Alfred Wright, a white missionary in the 1840s. The hymn, “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” states that it is imperative that the “Holy Spirit come. We poor (needy) people are waiting. (Come and) bless us. Pi chukvsh” (our hearts) if they are asleep, awaken them. Then bless us with forgiveness.” The hymn is common meter and can be sung to traditional English tunes such as “At the Cross,” “Amazing Grace,” “O How I Love Jesus,” and even “Joy to the World”).
Shilombish Holitopa Ma! Pi chukvsh nusi atukma
Ish minti pulla cha, Ant ish okchvlashke,
Hatak ilbvsha pia ha Ish pi yohbiechikbano;
Ish pi yukpalashke. E chim aiahnishke
—Randy Jacob
…
Suggested Hymn: Jesus Loves Me, This I Know with the chorus being sung in American Indian (Cherokee)
Tsis a ki ke u, tsis a ki ke yu,
Tsis a ki ke yu, a khi no hih se ho.
—Mary McCaskey
…
- Majesty
- Here I Am, Lord
- Lift High the Cross
The use of this hymn is especially seen in verse 4 which says “Let every race and every language tell of Him who saves our soul from death and hell.”
—Norlan Scrudder
…
- How Great Thou Art
- Holy Spirit (tune: Amazing Grace)
Shi-lom-bish Ho-li-to-pa ma! (O Holy Spirit!)
Ish min-ti pul-la cha, (You must surely come)
Hat-tak il-by-sha pi-a ha (And bless our)
Ish pi yuk-pa-lasj-ke. (poor, oppressed souls).
- Christ Has Called Us to New Visions
- Choctaw DoxologyI-ki Chi-ho-wa feh-na ka, U-shi Chi-svs ai-e-na ka,Shi-lom-bish Ho-li-to-pa ma, I-loh ai-ok-pa-han-chash-ke.
—Choctaw GA Worship Team celebrating the 200th anniversary of the ministry of the CP Church and the Choctaw people
…
CALL TO CONFESSION
We have not always done what is right. Let us now lift up prayers for justice.
—Betty Jacob
…
Leader: We have not run the race to the finish.
People: Our vision has been clouded.
Leader: We have aimed at the mark and we have missed.
People: Our vision has been misdirected.
Leader: We have gone to the river and not waded in.
People: Our vision has been fearful.
Leader: We have gone to the mountain and have not climbed.
People: Our vision has been short-sighted.
All: Remove our fear and give us a new vision. Amen.
(Let all present spend a moment in silence examining their walk in the Way.)
—Mary McCaskey
…
—based on 1 John 3:17-18
Leader: How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods
and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help?
People: Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
—George Estes
…
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Almighty God, and we have grievously sinned against each other in thought, word and past deed. We, therefore bow silently, remembering our own sins and events past and present that has caused grief and pain to our sisters and brothers of other origins. Let us silently confess our sins.
—Norlan Scrudder
…
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Adapted from Gifts of Many Cultures
O Mighty One, when we have not beheld the winds, the beauty of the purple sunset, and the mystery you hide under ever leaf and rock, forgive us.
When we do not humble ourselves and recognize that we are small and weak
and you are strong and wise, forgive us.
Make my hands respect the things you have made.
Give me strength, not to fight, but to lift up.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
In Jesus, our Brother’s name. Amen.
—Betty Jacob
…
O Great Spirit, we have not paid attention to your planting, your growth, your produce and your people. Your winds have blown and we have not been moved. Your sun has shined and we have grown cold. There are many days we never think about you. We go in search of that which does not fulfill. Forgive us and turn our hearts toward you. Amen.
—Mary McCaskey
…
O God, we confess that the pages of U.S. national history are spattered with the blood of Native Americans, and that still today, many of your Indian children languish in severe poverty and despair. Too often their plight remains unnoticed among those who have not walked the Trail of Tears. Show us the path of justice and grant us the courage to pursue it, in the name of the one who lives in the “least of these.” Amen.
—George Estes
…
Almighty God we humbly confess that we have often thoughtlessly been a part of a culture that sins against even those we love and care for very much. For those sins and others we can name only in our hearts, we beg for your undeserved forgiveness. Please restore harmony where division has prevailed. Forgive us. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
And Amen!
—Norlan Scrudder
…
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
God is a good God, one that sees our fault and still chooses to forgive us. We give you thanks.
O God for your mercy. Amen.
—Betty Jacob
…
—Psalm 103:11-12
As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is God’s love to those who fear God. And as far as sunshine is from sunset, the Lord has separated us from our sins.
—Mary McCaskey
…
—based on Titus 3:4-7
Leader: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done,
but according to his mercy,
through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
People: This Spirit God poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
so that, having been justified by his grace,
we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
—George Estes
…
Though our sins be many God has promised that if we are faithful and sincere in confessing our sins that we receive forgiveness from Christ our Lord. I therefore proclaim to you that in Christ, we graciously receive forgiveness. AMEN.
—Norlan Scrudder
…
CHILDREN’S SERMON
…
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O Great Spirit make my eyes behold your truth.
Make my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden. Amen.
—Betty Jacob
…
O Great Spirit, come.
Illumine us, cleanse us, move us.
As light, fire and wind,
Give us the truth.
And help us to speak that truth in your name. Amen.
—Mary McCaskey
…
O God, your son Jesus taught that you are Spirit, and that we who worship you must worship in spirit and truth. Awaken our minds and hearts to receive your truth, and ignite our spirit with the flame of your Spirit, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—George Estes
…
—(prayer from ancient liturgies of the Church)
Come Holy Spirit. Come as Wind and Cleanse. Come as Fire and Burn. Come as Light and Reveal. Convict, Convert, Consecrate until we are wholly Thine. Amen.
—Norlan Scrudder
…
SCRIPTURE TEXTS/SERMON IDEAS
Deuteronomy 7:6-8, and John 3:16—Why did God choose the Jews? Why did God choose you?
—Betty Jacob
…
- Psalm 65 (A Psalm of Thanksgiving for the earth’s bounty)
- Luke 18:9-14 (A parable noting that even those despised by others can find grace in the Great Spirit)
Both of these passages are for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost and can be well be adapted.
—Mary McCaskey
…
- Exodus 33:12-23
- Possible Sermon Themes or Ideas
- “Consider, too, that this nation is your people” (v. 13)
- “There is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock (v. 21)
- “I will put you in the cleft of the rock” (v. 22)
- “You shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.” (v. 23)
—George Estes
…
- Lectionary scriptures as appropriate to the theme
- Mark 4:28–Emphasizing God’s gifts to all humankind. It could be expanded to include the entire parable of the growing seed.
“All by itself the soil produces grain–first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head”….
—Norlan Scrudder
…
SOCIAL MEDIA HELPS (VIDEOS, TAPED SONGS)
…
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Directional Prayer
Facing North, holding incense (optional) read these words:
Lord, God of all creations, we face the north, the direction from which the cold winds blow. Warm our hearts when we become cold hearted. Allow your love and your light to warm and renew our hearts. We praise you, Lord, for your creation, for the plants, the trees, and the animals. May our hearts be warm and open to your presence around us in the plants, trees, and animals.
Facing East say:
Lord, God of all creation, we face the east, the direction in which the sun rises. We remember how Jesus rose from the dead bringing light and life to darkness and death. We celebrate the sunrise, Lord, as we celebrate the new life that we have in your love. May our hearts be open to your Spirit as we live in your new life.
Facing South, say:
Lord, God of all creation, we face the south, the direction from which warm winds enter our lives. We look forward to living in your warmth as we experience your presence in the people we encounter this day. Warm us, Lord, with your love. Renew our hearts and bring new life through your love.
Facing West, say:
Lord, God of all creation, we face the west, the direction from which storms enter our lives. We ask for your protection, Lord. As storms enter our relationships, our understanding of ourselves, and our understanding of others, Lord, calm the storms in our lives. Give us strength to endure trials, and give us peace when we experience turmoil and strife.
We ask you, Lord, God of all creation, to be with us this morning. We ask for your protection, we seek your wisdom, we enjoy your presence in others and in nature. Amen.
…
The Blessing
Youth: The Lord be with you!
Adults: And also with you.
Youth: Lift up your hearts
Adults: We lift them to the Lord!
All: Let us worship the God who loves us, claims us,
calls us and remains ever faithful.
O Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
Hear me!
I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty,
And my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset,
My ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
But to fight my greatest enemy—myself.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. Amen.
—Randy Jacob
…
As children of the Great Spirit, we remind ourselves of those events that draw us close to you.
- We pray for our families as they encounter the daily events of living…
- We remember the gifts you have given us and seek to use them wisely…
- We encounter the unknown and ask you to guide us in wise paths…
- When we wander astray, we ask for directions toward the right…
- As we make decisions, speak to us in ways we can understand…
- Help make us brave and daring to follow you…
- And last of all, we pray for the spirit of those departed that you have called from this earth to the great unknown…
- All of this we offer in our understanding of ourselves and as much as you have revealed to us about you.
—Mary McCaskey
…
Leader: Since the early 1800s
Cumberland Presbyterians have had a witness among Native American peoples, especially with the Choctaw, Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations.
Mission groups have served among the Lakota Sioux, as well as other Nations.
People: God of all, shine the light of your gospel
among all peoples and nations in our time.
Leader: Today Choctaw Presbytery in southeastern Oklahoma has seven congregations, five ordained ministers, two candidates for ministry, and a presbyterial administrator.
The presbytery, comprised of small, rural congregations,
struggles with limited resources and relies on sacrificial leadership.
People: O God, strengthen, we pray, the churches of Choctaw Presbytery—
Cold Creek, Lone Star, McGee Chapel, Panki Bok,
Pigeon Roost, Rock Creek, and Round Lake.
Grant wisdom and perseverance in difficult circumstances
to the clergy and lay leaders of Choctaw Presbytery.
Leader: Camp Israel Folsum, named for the first Choctaw ordained to the ministry,
has been a powerful vessel of spiritual growth since 1969
for generations of Choctaw believers,
and as a channel for service and support
among countless non-Indian CPC congregations and individuals,
as well as Christians from other denominations.
People: Spirit of the Living God,
fall afresh on the ongoing work of Camp Israel Folsum
and its dedicated volunteers.
Leader: Cumberland Presbyterians, including Native Americans,
have a continuing calling to serve the cause of Christ among Indian peoples.
People: Spirit of truth,
open our eyes to opportunities to share heart and hope in tangible ways
among Native Americans, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—George Estes
…
As a congregation of believers in Jesus Christ, our Lord you are invited to share any prayer concerns or prayer requests at this time.
(time of silent prayer)
We come, Almighty God offering prayers of petition for those who are in our prayers this day. Only you know that for which we pray but always our prayers are offered with the hope that “Thy will be done” through us and for those in our prayers. Amen.
—Norlan Scrudder
…
LITANY
A Litany of Thanksgiving for the Americas and their People
Leader: For the flesh of the earth; for the silver and gold of the southern mountains, which gave wealth to the western world and enabled many millions to come to these continents.
People: For the silver and gold of the northern mountains, which prospered these new arrivals; for all these precious metals, which were remade into the coins of kingdoms and brought to birth a new world economy,
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
Leader: For human flesh, the native peoples of South and North America, whose lives were forfeit in wars, massacres, sickness, and starvation.
People: Whose labor built new cities, industries, fortunes, and dynasties; whose freedom was the price of progress and whose slavery was the foundation of settlement,
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
Leader: For the fruits of the earth and the skill of native hands; for cotton which clothed millions for the first time, for the rich dyes which brought them color,
People: For rubber which spawned thousands of new inventions, for the technology and industry which rose from these gifts,
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
Leader: For the unending basket of food, coaxed from Mother Earth by the hands of her Indian children; for potatoes, corn, beans, squash, peanuts, and sweet potatoes.
People: For the skill in planting, care and harvesting taught freely to the Europeans, for all these things which brought health and growth to the populations of Europe and new settlers to American shores,
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
Leader: For the makings of medicine; for quinine, ipecac, curare, petroleum jelly, witch hazel and a host of medications.
People: For the medicine women and men who shared them freely,
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
Leader: For rivers and streams, passes and paths; for the path making and path taking of America’s first peoples, for their leading the newcomers across these paths,
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
People: For personal liberty; for the freedom found first by European-Americans in the lodges and circles of Indian tribes, for the tribal governments of federated nations that gave birth to American democracy.
All: We offer a song of honor and thanks.
All: Accept, O God, our honor song, and make our hearts thankful for what we have been given. Make our hearts humble for what we have taken. Make our hearts thoughtful to make some return. Make our hearts strong to do as you bid us, in the name of our Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ your Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
—Betty Jacob
…
(The only difference in the celebration of the death-salvation provided for us by Jesus of Nazareth is that when the elements are brought by the elders all who partake, stand up. To stand is to honor the calling of God through the Passover event showing that God’s chosen people would be made free from slavery and bondage in Egypt. A requirement of God for the people was unleavened bread, manner of eating and that belts be fastened, shoes on the feet, coats on, walking stick in hand and standing. To the non-Indian CP Churches that remembrance, we assume, is shown in the using of unleavened bread, which we also do. )
Doxology
Iki Chihowa fehna ka,
Ushi Chisvs aiena ka,
Shilombish Holitopa ma,
Iloh aiokpahanchashke.
—Randy Jacob
…
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Because you have granted us a measure of understanding, O God, we want to learn more. Because we have found your promises to be true, we want to share them. Because we have experienced the truth concerning the stewardship of a life well-lived, we ask that others know the truth as well. We use our offerings to accomplish more than we could ever imagine.
—Betty Jacob
…
(The offering is taken at the beginning of the service and may not be done this way in non-Indian congregations. The theology behind this is to convey that the first thing I do is to come, giving myself and what I have.)
—John 3:16
“…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
“I gave my life for thee, What hast thou given to me?”
—(from the hymn “I Gave My Life for Thee”)
As we sing “Vba Isht Taloa 59” let us bring forward our tithes, our offerings and our hearts as a gift to our Savior God.
(“Vba Isht Taloa 59” is a hymn of dedication of myself, “Immi toba lashke,” making myself to be Christ’s. (v. 2b) “Sa chukvsh…Ima li pullashke,” I give my heart to him (v. 3 and v. 4 says “Okla (as in Okla homa) e moma” Let all us people honor Jesus in this way.)
Vba Isht Taloa 59
- Vno na sa yimmit 2. Vba Aki yokvt
Chisvs pulla hoka Sa hohoyo hoka
Im antia li mak ocha Holitoblit wakaya lish
Hikia li hoke. Immi toba lashke.
- Sai okchaya taklvt, 4. Okla e moma kvt
Vba Aki yoka Chisvs pulla hoka
Sa chukvsh oka mominchit Anukchetot, holitoblit,
Ima li pullashke. Iloh aiashashke.
—Randy Jacob
…
(This can be used at any time during the service, but it is suggested that the offerings be brought to the altar by the people, usually while singing a hymn.)
O Great Spirit, you have given us all things in the earth. You have filled our baskets to the brim. Because you have filled our baskets, your goodness runs over and we celebrate by returning to you a portion of your gift in thanksgiving. Use it as you use us.
—Mary McCaskey
…
God gives us good things, including the gifts of cultures different from our own. Art, language, music, craftsmanship, and saga from the tribes and nations of indigenous peoples are blessings often overlooked. In gratitude for all God’s good gifts, we make our offerings today.
—George Estes
…
God has provided food from the earth, the light of Christ for our pathway, the breath of the Holy Spirit upon our cheek, and all good gifts in our lives. We now offer our lives and other gifts we bring to God through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
—Norlan Scrudder
…
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Accept, O God, our offerings, and make our hearts thankful for what we have been given. Make our hearts humble for what we have taken. Make our hearts thoughtful to make some return. Make our hearts strong to do as you bid us, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ your Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
—Betty Jacob
…
O Great Spirit, we thank you for your gifts even as we seek to make those gifts symbols of our worth and your choosing to keep us close by your side. Amen.
—Mary McCaskey
…
Spirit of harmony and wholeness, breathe upon these offerings to cleanse and enliven them for your holy work, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
—George Estes
…
Creator God, we have lifted our voices through prayers and songs to worship you in spirit and in truth. Now we lift these offerings given freely by these, your people, and send them to places of need in your world and through your holy name. Amen.
And Amen!
—Norlan Scrudder
…
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
Go and live so your spirit may go to God someday without shame. Amen.
—Betty Jacob
…
Let us walk in peace.
Let us share the spirit.
Let us claim the truth. Amen.
—Mary McCaskey
…
Reflecting the Light of the world, be children of light. Following the Prince of Peace, be peacemakers. Built on the Rock, be the church.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
The love of God,
And the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Amen.
—George Estes
…
Go in peace. Serve the Lord by serving and loving those who are in need of your precious love. Light our pathway with the light of Christ as we follow that light into our world.
Now may the grace, love and peace
of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
go with you all now and forever more. AMEN.
And Amen!
—Norlan Scrudder
…
Creator God, each of us is like an unfinished sunset, radiating our own special kind of light on things, beautiful yet always becoming and waiting to be appreciated. Help us, O Spirit, to be a source of love for one another so that radiant beams may be seem amongst us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
—Choctaw GA Worship Team celebrating the 200th anniversary of the ministry of the CP Church and the Choctaw people
…
OTHER HELPS (COMMISSION, COMMUNION, BLESSINGS)
In Choctaw Presbytery, of course, every Sunday is Native American Sunday! The lectionary, prayers, songs, hymns, are very adaptable to a Native American worship service. Sermons can take a Native American flavor by searching out Indian/Native American issues, happenings, etc. These are posted on tribal websites, tribal newspapers, news stations/streams, etc. For Choctaws, go to choctawnation.com. The week before Native American Sunday could be designated “Buy Indian/Native American Week” to encourage people to intentionally search for Indian/Native Americans and buy their products which can be art, books, clothing items, drums, food, videos, movies, etc. There are 500-plus nations, tribes, bands in the United States.
—Betty Jacob
…
- Learn the Round Dance Friendship Song and Dance
- Tell the Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom called“Crossing Bok Chitto”
—Choctaw GA Worship Team celebrating the 200th anniversary of the ministry of the CP Church and the Choctaw people
