 
KAIROS Sunday 2007 suggested order of service:
It Is Ours to Plant the Seeds
It is still ours to plant the seeds: a KAIROS
worship service for hope in action
This is an ecumenical service of worship to be used in whole or
in part to strengthen commitment to social justice; simply choose
what you need. This service could be used on “KAIROS Sunday”
(the Sunday before Lent or another Sunday that you choose) to highlight
the ministry of faith in action of the Canadian churches’
social justice organization — KAIROS. See our website at www.kairoscanada.org
for yearly KAIROS Sunday resources including lectionary based sermon
notes, children’s activities and a bulletin insert or to order
a brochure to insert into a Sunday bulletin. If you are reprinting
all or part of this service in your bulletin or using it as oral
material in a public meeting or worship, please include the following
notice: Worship texts for this service ©2006 Keri K. Wehlander
(www.creativeworship.ca) except where indicated. Used with permission/commissioned
by KAIROS.
Suggested Scripture:
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Psalm 146:5 - 10
Ephesians 3: 16-21
Matthew 13:1-9
Suggested Hymns:
For the fruits of all creation: Book of Praise #802, Catholic
Book of Worship III #532, Common Praise #259, Lutheran Book of Worship
#563, Hymnal: A Worship Book #90, Voices United #227
In the bulb there is a flower: Book of Praise #674, Hymnal:
A Worship Book #614, Voices United #703
For the healing of the nations: Book of Praise #736, Catholic Book
of Worship III #503, Common Praise #576, Hymnal: A Worship Book
#367, Voices United #678
We plow the fields and scatter: Book of Praise #807, Lutheran
Book of Worship #362, Hymnal: A Worship Book #96, Voices United
#520
Sent forth by your blessing: Book of Praise #775, Catholic
Book of Worship III #533, Lutheran Book of Worship #221, Hymnal:
A Worship Book #478, Voices United #481
Call to Worship
One: Each tender seedling sings out:
All: Nurture hope this day.
One: Every act of kindness is a sign:
All: Nurture hope this day.
One: Each morning sunburst asks of us:
All: Nurture hope this day.
One: Every word of truth is meant to say:
All: Nurture hope this day.
One: Each persistent prayer gives us the strength:
All: To nurture hope this day.
Hymn
Litany of Lament
Voice 1: Greed stops the flow of the river.
Fear shapes words into lies.
Voice 2: Some say, “Nothing can be done.”
Voice 1: Apathy fouls the air we all breathe.
Hatred shatters our trust in tomorrow.
Voice 2: Some say, “Just watch out for yourself.”
Voice 1: Violence renders soil to ashes.
Arrogance divides neighbour from neighbour.
Voice 2: Some say, “They are too powerful.”
(Silence for reflection)
Voice 1: A sower went out to sow some seeds.
The sun was scorching; the thorns were everywhere.
Voice 2: Some say, “They will never grow.”
Sung response: Strong as Living Trees
Litany of Hope
One: A sower went out to sow some seeds —
The sun was scorching; the thorns were everywhere.
All: We say, “Even if we do not reap the harvest,
it is still ours to plant the seeds.”
One: A peacemaker brings two sides together —
Their words carry hatred; they see no common ground.
All: She says, “Even if we do not reap the
harvest, it is still ours to plant the seeds.”
One: A group pulls debris from a stream —
The waters are murky; the fish are all gone.
All: They say, “Even if we do not reap the
harvest, it is still ours to plant the seeds.”
One: An aid worker describes an impending crisis —
“There are tears on all faces; there is death on all sides.”
All: He says, “Even if we do not reap the harvest,
it is still ours to plant the seeds.”
One: A woman writes to her elected official —
The odds are against her; he has never
listened to her before.
All: She says, “Even if we do not reap the
harvest, it is still ours to plant the seeds.”
One: A teacher showed how bread must be shared with all people —
Leaders condemned him; they claimed God on their side.
He told them, “A sower went out to sow some seeds...”
All: And now we say, “Even if we do not reap the harvest,
it is still ours to plant the seeds.”
Sung Response: Strong as Living Trees
Sermon Starters
Each of the suggested lessons for this service speak of an aspect
of hope. The tree planted by water stays green even in a time of
drought. We discover that hope comes from the state of being “rooted
and grounded in love.” In Jesus’ parable, we are given
the model of an extravagant sower, who plants seeds with reckless
abandon, even planting them in places where they are not likely
to grow. These lessons can be summarized by a text from II Corinthians:
“Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness.”
This message of hope in action would also provide a focus should
you decide to use lectionary-based lessons for Transfiguration Sunday.
The story of Christ’s transfiguration is an example of how
we are given opportunities to glimpse God’s larger vision,
which becomes a source of hope. Such moments help us to remember
that we are part of something much larger than ourselves, and enable
us to act with boldness in our daily lives. In boldness we live
out our faith based commitment to social justice.
With either set of lessons, the following prayer by Oscar Romero
is a powerful resource for talking about hope in action.
Creating the Church of Tomorrow: An adapted prayer by Archbishop
Oscar Romero
God of hope,
Help us to step back and take the long view.
Remind us that what we do in our lifetime
is only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is your work..
Nothing we do is complete, which is only a way of saying that your
realm always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No one program accomplishes the church’s mission.
No set of goals includes everything.
Help us remember what we really are about:
we plant seeds that will one day grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need future development.
We provide yeast that produces
far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything.
Knowing this frees us, for it enables us to do something.
It may seem incomplete, but it is really a beginning,
a step along the way.
Our efforts provide an opportunity
for your grace to enter and do the rest.
You are the master builder, and we work with you.
We may never see the end results that are known to you.
Even so, we are prophets of a future
that holds your promise.
Amen.
Hymn
Prayers of the People
Holy One,
there is much to tend to.
Hatred cuts country from country,
people from people
and is a constant companion to war.
Trusting that the future holds a promise yet unseen,
we pray for seeds of peace in every place of conflict.
(Specific countries may be named here.)
Holy One,
there is much to tend to.
Carelessness and greed have harmed the earth
and every form of life is now affected.
Trusting that the future holds a promise yet unseen,
we pray for seeds of renewal for our water, our air, our soil, and
for all forms of life everywhere.
Holy One,
there is much to tend to.
Consumerism has damaged our patterns of living
and brought constant focus to things we don’t need.
Trusting that the future holds a promise yet unseen,
we pray for seeds of compassion to reshape
the heart of our common life.
Holy One,
There is much to tend to.
Illness, loss and fear accompany so many we know
And we aren’t always sure how to walk beside them.
We name those we hold in our hearts before you now...
(members of the congregation name those they hold concern for
silently or out loud)
Trusting that the future holds a promise yet unseen,
We pray for seeds of healing in the lives
of all those who need your presence.
Holy One,
there is much to celebrate.
People are asking hard questions.
Courage emerges each day.
New approaches are being articulated
to help us find another way.
Trusting that the future holds a future yet unseen,
we recognize these seeds of vision
and we offer thanks.
Holy One,
with open hands, receive the prayers we offer this day.
Amen.
Hymn
Offering Prayer
Gracious God,
Through each cycle of sun and moon,
Between each season of planting and harvest,
We receive in abundance.
Love grows alongside grace.
We pick handfuls of imagination for free,
And rely on the roots of wisdom without asking.
We are certainly blessed.
With wonder, we name all that we have received.
With gratitude, we share our gifts without measure. Amen.
Sowing Seeds for Tomorrow
(Have tables set up at various locations within your worship
space. Each one should have small containers with soil in them,
a bowl of seeds, and a pitcher of water. The worship leader should
have three bowls: one with soil, one with seeds, and one with water
in it. One suggestion for the type of seed to use would be sweet
peas, as they germinate quickly.)
One: Jesus, our teacher, walks with us
as we sow seeds for tomorrow.
(Leader cups hands around some soil, and lifts it from the bowl)
This soil represents the choices of the past,
and the potential of the future.
(Leader cups hands around some seeds and lifts them from the
bowl)
These seeds represent the hopes we carry
for our common life together in
this world.
(The leader may invite people to name these hopes at this point.)
(Leader cups hands around some water and lifts it from the bowl)
This water represents transformation, for as it touches the seed,
it brings new life.
(Leader invites members of the congregation to go to one of the
stations, plant some seeds in one of the containers, and water the
seeds. A song might be sung or an instrumental piece of music might
be played as people are doing this. When everyone is back in their
seats, the leader continues:)
One: In planting these seeds, we proclaim our hope:
All: Our actions, however small, are part of God’s greater
vision. Amen.
Hymn
Blessing
One: The road we walk may seem long —
All: God will grant us persistence.
One: The vision may seem dim —
All: God will grant us wisdom.
One: The companions may seem few —
All: God will grant us courage.
One: The task may seem impossible —
All: God will grant us faith. Amen.
(Aside from prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero, all written material
is ©2006 Keri K. Wehlander)
KAIROS Sunday Announcement for placement in a bulletin:
Kairos — What’s that? It’s a Greek word meaning
a moment of crisis and opportunity, a decisive moment to act in
hope. But it is also an organization that unites eleven Canadian
churches and church agencies, including our own church, in work
for social justice. KAIROS advocates on a broad range of justice
issues while supporting anti-poverty initiatives in Canada and social
change groups in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Collaborating with 100 local ecumenical groups, KAIROS promotes
grassroots education and action that is popular and principled.
If you are looking for social justice resources of any kind, want
to get connected with a local ecumenical group or just want some
more information on our church’s work through KAIROS, please
contact 1-877-403-8933 or info@kairoscanada.org or check out the
website at www.kairoscanada.org
CREDITS:
Original liturgy by Keri Wehlander: www.creativeworship.ca
with suggestions by the staff and the Education and Animation Program
Committee of KAIROS
Song by Linnea Good
Layout by Dinah Greenberg/NOMAD Design
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