Ageless Wisdom. The Gift of Older Adults to the Church. Worship Suggestions for 2008 Older Adult Recognition Sunday

Transcription

1 Ageless Wisdom The Gift of Older Adults to the Church Worship Suggestions for 2008 Older Adult Recognition Sunday

2 Ageless Wisdom A member of the Virginia Conference Older Adult Ministry Council started one of the Council meetings earlier this year by sharing some of the wisdom he gained as a young boy from his grandmother. He described his grandmother as the greatest theologian he has ever known. (And, by the way, that s my grandmother in the upper left corner of the front cover.) Many of us can share examples of how the older adults in our lives and churches shaped us, helping to form our Christian values and beliefs, teaching us what it means to be the church. In our churches today, we have many wise and deeply committed older adults who have stories of faith to share. They are a vital part of our church s witness to the world. We must offer these older adults the ways to express their faith and commitment, to continue learning and growing in their faith, to nurture and encourage younger generations. Too often we are not intentional in our churches about engaging our older adults in ministry. Sadly in our worship and program planning, we often do not consider that our spiritual growth and church experience can take on new life as we age. We fail to remember that one of the blessings of aging is the opportunity to leave a legacy. There is a rich history and tradition in our churches and denomination that only those who have experienced it can pass on to younger generations and new church members. The stories of the faith learned and experienced by our older adults need to be honored and celebrated. The 2001 Annual Conference adopted the following resolution regarding Older Adult Recognition: Be it resolved, that the Virginia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church recognize its older adults for they have answered, and continue to answer God s call in mission, ministry, and service to others, by yearly designating a Sunday as Older Adult Sunday; and, Be it further resolved that each Virginia United Methodist Church be encouraged to recognize and honor its older adult members on Older Adult Sunday; and Be it further resolved, that local congregations, districts, and the Virginia Annual Conference continue to lift up the needs and concerns of older adults and the development of ongoing, intentional older adult ministries. At our 2006 Annual Conference, the first Sunday in May of each year was set as Older Adult Recognition Sunday. Celebrating Older Adult Recognition Sunday provides an opportunity to share and recognize the wisdom of our older adults. There is so much for us to learn together, so many ways for us to support and care for one another, so many ministries for us to embrace across the ages! -Martha Stokes Virginia Conference Director Lay Life and Work, Disabilities, and Older Adult Ministries Why is This Recognition Important? From a global standpoint, the world s population is aging at an accelerated rate. By 2020, the number of people over 50 years of age in the United States will grow 74%, while people under 50 years of age will increase by only one percent, according to the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of 83 years. Within our denomination, we know that fifty percent of the membership of The United Methodist Church is 60 years of age or older. The average United Methodist is 57 years of age. 42 percent of older adults in the United States attend religious services on a regular basis. This means that there is a tremendous number of older adults in our communities just waiting to be invited into our churches and to participate in our ministry...so LET S GET GROWING!

3 How Should We Celebrate Older Adult Recognition Sunday? An Older Adult Recognition Sunday provides the opportunity for a congregation to celebrate the gifts and contributions of older adults, to honor the traditions and legacy of our elders. This Sunday should also call the church to action in addressing the needs of older adults in the congregation and community. In addition to Sunday, May 4, 2008, there are many other times when a service of recognition of this type may be held. A few suggestions include: Any time during the month of May which is recognized as Older Americans Month by the U.S. Administration on Aging and Adult Abuse Prevention Month. The Sunday following Labor Day which is recognized as Grandparents Day. During the month of November which is recognized as National Family Caregivers Month by the U.S. Administration on Aging. In conjunction with United Methodist Women s or Men s recognition services. A Sunday set aside to recognize older adults gives every congregation the opportunity to challenge our inclusion of all persons into the full life of the church. This can be a time when older adults can offer their gifts and graces to the congregation and to God as participants, liturgists and leaders in this celebration. As you celebrate this special Sunday, let it be an opportunity for the congregation to focus on the needs of older adults. Use it as a time to address the accessibility of the church buildings, to look more closely at programs and ministries, and to listen to listen to the voices of the older adults as they share their dreams and visions for the church as well as their experiences along their spiritual journeys. The following worship service suggestions are based upon the theme of Ageless Wisdom. Tailor the recognition service to your congregation. Many other activities can take place during the day or month of Older Adult Recognition outside the worship service. Plan a presentation on the history of your church and/or community, shared by the older adults who have experienced it first hand. Have a musical celebration including songs of the appropriate eras for the seniors in your congregation. Share in a time of storytelling between the older adults, children, and youth. These stories can be shared in Sunday School classes, in church fellowship gatherings, or during Sunday worship. Have a church dinner using all the older adults favorite family recipes, then share the recipes and special stories that go with them. The ways to share the wisdom of our elders are endless! For more information about Older Adult Ministries, contact: Lay Life and Work Disabilities Older Adult Ministries Office Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church PO Box 1719, Staples Mill Road, Glen Allen, VA Phone: (804) or (800) ext. 153 or 154 Website: We envision churches where all God s people are welcomed at table, nurtured, and transformed to be Christ to others in the world.

4 Call to Worship Ideas: Worship Suggestions - From Rev. Mitzi Manning Leader: Aging is the human condition from the moment of our birth People: Each stage holds a mixture of joy and sorrow, pain and mirth. Leader: Let us worship the God of all. People: People from all of life s stages, young and old, weak and strong. Leader: Claim the eternal Rock of Ages in whose love all belong. People: Let us worship the God of all. Or from Psalm 148 and Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord. For God s name alone is exhalted. God s glory is above earth and heaven. Praise the Lord! Congregational Prayer: - From Rev. Mitzi Manning Eternal and loving God, today we give thanks to you for your goodness through all the years of worship and witness in this congregation. We give thanks for your grace in calling those who started the (NAME OF YOUR CHURCH) church community and in calling all of us to be your people. We thank you for your love, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior, and in your gift of the Holy Spirit. We remember with love those who came before us, and we honor with love those who have modeled for us Christian love and devotion. Give us the assurance, Lord, that we too belong in that great cloud of witnesses who are your church. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. A Litany for Aging: - By Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr. Leader: Then the Lord said, My spirit shall not abide in mortals forever, for they are flesh; their days shall be 120 years. (Gen. 6:3) People: Dear Lord, we do need time to grow. Leader: Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. (Ex. 20:12) People: We pray that the long years will be good years. Leader: The glory of youth is their strength, but the beauty of the aged is their gray hair. (Prov. 20:29) People: Give us strength and experience. Leader: Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you. (Deut. 32:7) People: Remind us to ask, and teach us to listen. Leader: Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Prov. 16:31) People: Day by day, we strive to be more holy. Leader: Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Prov. 23:22) People: We are grateful for parents who teach and nurture in love. Leader: So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. (Psalm 71:18) People: We love to tell the story of Jesus and his love. Leader: In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap. (Psalm 92:14) People: We must look past the wrinkles and see the soul. Leader: You who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. (1 Peter 5:5) People: Yes, we too will soon know and understand.give us wisdom so that we may serve others as we have been served. Amen

5 Children s Message: - By Alan Brown Good Morning! How many of you go to pre-school, kindergarten, or elementary school? (count ) Those of you who don t go to school now, probably will in a year or two. Why do you go to school? (seek replies, then ) To learn? To get smart? To know things? To be able to do new things? Any other reasons?... In Sunday School we learn about Jesus and God, and what God wants us to do. Almost every day we learn something new, or how to do something in another way, or to do it easier or better. Do you play games? What games do you play?...you probably play them better than you did the first time. They are now easier, aren t they, and you have more fun because you have played them so many times. What is this?...(hold up a small baseball bat) What do you do with it?...it takes practice to be able to hit the ball, and make it go where we want it to go, doesn t it? Could you do it the first time you tried? The more times you tried, the better you got at hitting the ball, right? As you grow older, you will probably be better and better at hitting the ball, and hitting it just where you want it to go. The older we get, the more we learn and the more we know, and the more things that we can do. Just think about all that your older brothers and sisters know, and all the things that they can do. Your mothers and fathers are pretty smart, aren t they? Your grandmas and grandpas have had even more years of learning and experience. Just think of all they must know, and of all the things that they may have done. Some day, you might ask them about what they did when they were children like you, and about the things that they have done since they grew up. When someone has learned a lot and is real smart, and knows how to do things right, we sometimes say that they are wise. Remember the story of the three wise men that visited the baby Jesus? The Bible tells us about wise women, too. Wisdom is a bigger word that means about the same thing as being wise. We have wise men and women here in our church today. Who do you think they are?...well, many of them may be ones like your grandparents. In their many years, they have learned a lot, and how to do different things. When we want to know something or how to do some job, we can ask them because of all that they know. These wise men and women use their wisdom to help others and our church. Visual Activity Ageless Ageless Wisdom: Pass It On! - By Annie Pierce Using the story of Joshua and the remembrance stones as a word picture, make a banner/paint a picture/build a monument, sharing ageless wisdom building stones. This can be done during the Older Adult Recognition Service or as part of a church program. Have an older adult tell a short story (life experience) for each of the stones. Then place that stone on its Foundation Stone, completing the picture. Build the monument under the Bridge. Other stones could be used if you feel they are more appropriate. The idea is to pass on the ageless wisdom that has been gathered during our life and living. Wisdom is to be respected. (Job 12:12) Productivity is to be valued. (Psalms 92:12-14) Faith is to be passed along. (Psalms 145:3,4) Older adults are the living bridge between yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

6 Ageless Wisdom Pass It On! Yesterday Tomorrow Today Older Adults Are The Living Bridge Between The Two Visually - through action of placing rocks to form a bridge or foundation, by putting the stones on a ban- ner, or other means - have older adults build the bridge between yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Invitation Tithing: Time, Talent, Money Acts of Loving Kindness Missions Foundation Stone Of Reaching Out Have an older adult share a life experience or story related to each of the Foundation Stones of Reaching Out. For example: Invitation - Share when you invited a friend, family member, or co-worker to church Tithing - How you learned to give of time, talents, money, and the rewards of giving Acts of Loving Kindness - Giving and receiving a hug, card, telephone call, visit, or meal - The blessings of serving others Missions - Reaching out beyond our doors: pray, give, go

7 Commitment Learning Personal Discipline Heritage Foundation Stone Of Discipleship Have an older adult share a life experience or story related to each of the Foundation Stones of Discipleship. For example: Commitment - When you chose to join the church Learning - A favorite Sunday School Class, Teacher, Youth Fellowship activity Personal Discipline - Personal devotions, Bible study, learning to pray Heritage - Our family, our faith, our church After sharing each experience or story, have the stone placed on the Foundation Block. Creative Protector of Resources Fairness To/For All Physical and Mental Health Listen, Laugh, Love Foundation Stone Of Healthy Living Move, Do, Share Examples for the Foundation Stones of Healthy Living: Physical and Mental Health - Good Habits Listen, Laugh and Love - Examples of these in your life that make it healthy Move, Do, Share - Involved in Life Creative - Using what you have, where you are Protector of Resources - Wise choices, earth, water, sky, products Fairness To/For All - Economical, social, legal justice After sharing each experience or story, have the stone placed on the Healthy Living Foundation. Placing the above four layers of the foundation will complete our monument/bridge.

8 Hymn Suggestions: - From Sue Lewis The United Methodist Hymnal #117 The Faith We Sing #2027 The Faith We Sing #2221 Cokesbury Hymnal #157 O God, Our Help in Ages Past Now Praise the Hidden God of Love In Unity We Lift Our Song Forward Through the Ages Message Starters: Ageless Wisdom A Look at Wisdom for Older Adult Ministry - By Rev. Carol Bookwalter Wisdom, in its simplistic understanding, is knowledge guided by understanding. According to Scripture, wisdom comes from five overlapping sources: The Spirit Exodus 31:3 The Lord Exodus 36:1-2 God s Law Deuteronomy 4:6 Fear of the Lord Proverbs 9:10 Righteousness Proverbs 10:31 Wisdom is attributed to believers in forms that are in agreement with the sources of wisdom given above: Luke 21:15 Wisdom is given by Christ 1 Corinthians 12:8 Tells that wisdom is a gift of the Spirit Ephesians 1:17 Wisdom is given by God Colossians 1:9 Paul prayed for wisdom for the church at Colossae James 1:5 Anyone lacking wisdom may ask for it and God will give it Wisdom is seen in people: Exodus 31:2 God filled Bezalel with wisdom as knowledge and understanding how to do all kinds of crafts needed to build the Tabernacle, the wisdom to work with one s hands. Proverbs 31:26 Wisdom is given to the spouse to balance priorities between work and home. Acts 7:9-10 Wisdom was given to Joseph to work for Pharoah, showing the gifts of administration and business. Deuteronomy 34:9 Joshua was filled with a spirit of wisdom when Moses laid hands upon him. This wisdom granted him abilities of good leadership in assuming the role from Moses. Ezra 7:25 Reports that Ezra, according to wisdom, appointed magistrates and judges. This is wisdom in administration and management as well as a keen insight of distribution of work Daniel 1:17 God gave Daniel and others knowledge and intelligence in all branches of literature and wisdom even to understand dreams and visions. Acts 6:3 The people were to choose men to serve in the new church. These men were to be known or seen as being filled with the Spirit and wisdom. Wisdom can be identified by others by observation. 2 Peter 3:15 Paul is noted as having wisdom in his writing the churches. This type of wisdom is knowledge and insight into human need.

9 From the above list, one could say that wisdom can be described as: 1. Good statesmanship 2. Useful in technical and mechanical skills 3. Necessary in understanding and knowledge 4. Provides insights into management and assessment of needs. The following list reveals several uses or outcomes of wisdom: Proverbs 3:13 Wisdom gives blessings 4:5-10 Benefits many 5:1-6 Helps keep evil away 8:1 Is priceless Ecclesiastes 7:12 Preserves life 9:18 Is better than weapons James 3:17 Wisdom produces good fruit (as of the Spirit). I recently visited in the hospital a soon to be 92 year old. She was bright and lively, with words of God flowing freely from her lips. She shared how a hospital employee had asked her how she maintained her happy outlook and was not down regarding being hospitalized. The older woman shared, I learned years ago my worrying didn t help, rather made matters worse. So I learned to give them to God and just go about my life. As we talked, I inquired more of how she had learned and practiced that. She shared how as a child she and her twin brother were quite common in interests and ways of doing things. However, as they grew older, she realized how their worrying only seemed to make them out of sorts. In Sunday school, she had learned that we should not worry (Matthew 6) and decided to try it. If anything came her way that she couldn t do anything about, she d pray: God, I can t do anything with this, so it must be Yours. I give it to You. Then she d leave it, and go on. She warned me, Don t go back and pick it up again. She further added that it sure makes life easier if you don t worry. Its takes up too much of your time time to do other things. She noted that her twin kept on worrying, and he seemed to have so many different health problems that she didn t have. She attributed that to his worrying too much. This is true wisdom from God that has been gained through years of experience! In the nursing home where she lives, she has a kitchen in which she prepares meals for other residents on special days in their lives. She bakes cookies and brownies a couple of times a week to share with others. She is a constant witness to staff and residents that God s love does not fade with years. She also is an example of wisdom in prioritizing life with skills and abilities to do and make things. Until recently she made gifts by sewing for others. This older adult is truly an example of wisdom and skill gained through years of experience and following God s Word. Ageless Wisdom The Gift of Older Adults to the Church