INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY 2015

March 8, 2015

Women of Faith Embracing the Challenge of Being Church of and for the Poor

{The music Bread and Roses is being played while the worship elements (Bible, Candles,

Flowers and Cross) are being placed on the altar.}

Call to Worship

Voice 1: We celebrate womens voices, proclaiming wisdom.

Voice 2: We honour womens lives, forging new paths.

Voice 1: We remember womens faith, strong amid challenges.

Voice 2: We anticipate womens vision, calling us into the future.

All: Past, present, and future, our lives join with women everywhere.

Opening Hymn All Across the Nation (Melodie und Text: aus Afrika-African Womens Day Song)

All across the nation, all around the world

Women are longing to be free

No longer in the shadows, forced to stay behind

But side by side in true equality

Refrain:

So sing a song for women everywhere

Let it ring around and never, never cease

So sing a song for women everywhere

Equality, development and peace.

Women cant be silent, when all around the world

People hurt and hungry, children cry

We will sing for justice and development

And hold the rights of all the people high [refrain]

Women are now working to build a better world

Where the love of peace can rest on every shore

Where men lay down their weapons and learn to love and share

And people work to bring an end to war [refrain]

Opening Prayer (In unison)

All Embracing Mother God, we are grateful for all the blessing you have bestowed

upon us- the breath of life, the sisterhood, the friendship, the fellowship and our

womanhood. We give thanks for showering us delight and joy so that we may

continue to protect life amidst sacrifices and direst of circumstances. We endure and

share each others load amidst life struggles for decent living; to end all kinds of

violence inflicted unto us, to our children and in the environment; to continue to

inspire others to collectively break our silence. Without ceasing, we will gyrate our

hips and bodies, and use our hands and voices to express our very strong resistance

to the injustices and violence of this world.

The International Womens Day Herstory (Audio-Visual Presentation or Drama)

Scripture Readings

Old Testament Isaiah 58:6-9

New Testament Luke 1:46-55

The Now Testament The Womens Situation in the Philippines

Hymn Response Longing for Light (The ECP Hymnal)

Longing for light we wait in darkness

Longing for truth we turn to you

Make us your own your holy people,

Light for the world to see.

Chorus: Christ be our light, shine in our hearts

Shine through the darkness

Christ be our light,

Shine in your church gathered today

Biblico-Theological Reflection

Affirmation of Faith

There are women yearning for good news.

All: We will speak out.

There are women whose hearts are broken.

All: We will reach out.

There are women who have lost their freedom.

All: We will seek justice.

There are women who mourn.

All: We will stand with them.

Testimonies (or Poem Reading)

(You can invite women from different sectors in the community to give testimonies about their

experiences of struggle and hope.)

Offertory

Closing Song Faith in the Service of the People, Faith in the Service of the Poor (Music: Perla S. Dingayan, 1999 Words: Luna Dingayan )

Refrain: Faith in the service of the people,

Faith in the service of the poor.

This is our response to the call of God,

Faith in the service of the poor.

1. Peasants of the field have the vision, of land that is rich and free

They till the land from dawn to setting sun, yet they remain to be poor. 2. Workers of the cities have the vision of decent jobs and decent pay,

They have to work like machinery yet they remain to be poor. (Ref.)

3. Women of the land have the vision of people with dignity,

They work and struggle, caring for their young, hope for a nation that is free. ((Ref)

4. Students and the young have the vision of future that's bright and free,

They work and study, learn the lessons past, hope for a nation that is free. (Ref.)

5. People of the church have the vision of kingdom of God on earth,

A kingdom of justice and righteousness, a kingdom of joy and love. (Ref.)

6. Let us come and celebrate together our joys in the service of God,

And giving thanks for all the work well done, pray for years to come. (Ref.)

Blessing and Sending Off

May God give us passion and hope in our continuing journey towards womens emancipation. May we strengthen our unity and embrace the challenge to love, serve and be in solidarity with the poor. Go now in faith, in hope and in love.

Reference:

Oaks of Righteousness, An International Womens Day Service http://www.united-church.ca

A Liturgical Guide on the Commemoration of the International Womens Day, 2014.

http://www.united-church.ca/