Guidelines for Aids Memorial Sunday, 18 May 2008

Guidelines for Aids Memorial Sunday, 18 May 2008

GUIDELINES FOR AIDS MEMORIAL SUNDAY, 18 MAY 2008 INDEX 1 Suggestions for the preparation of the worship service on Aids Memorial Day 2 Hymns 3 Candle ceremony with children 4 Prayer 5 Personal story of HIV and/or Aids 6 Confession 7 Sermon Matthew 11:6 8 Prayer 9 Commitment 10 Departure The suggestions that follow are made available by the Aids Forum of the DRC family. They were compiled by the Executive Committee of the AIDS Task Group of the Combined Commission for Diaconate of the DR Church (Western and Southern Cape) and the UR Church (Cape) in cooperation with CABSA (the Christian AIDS Bureau project of the Huguenot College) as well as leaders of the Calvin and Moravian Churches. The guidelines are not a complete church service, but serve as an aid for the planning of a church service. More information about HIV and AIDS can be obtained from CABSA by visiting the website at www.cabsa.co.za, or by contacting the office at (021) 873 0028, or by e-mail to management@cabsa.co.za. 2!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008!

1 Suggestions for the preparation of the worship service on Aids Memorial Day It is important that the preacher, liturgist and any other persons who will form part of the worship service, are well-prepared. Preparation of course includes praying for the event. Pray for those who will be performing as well as for everyone who will be attending the service, especially those present who are living with HIV (some openly, others secretly and also those who are still unaware of the fact). Pray for those who are directly affected by this. Pray that the Holy Spirit triumphs over the spirit of ignorance, denial and stigma so often still present amongst members of the congregation, with the Spirit of love (care, support, acceptance, etc) and responsibility. It is further important that the worship liturgy (programme) as well as the phrasing of various aspects be planned in advance. Keep in mind that it is first and foremost a worship service, in other words the weekly gathering of the congregation to meet with God. See to it that the various elements function within this context. The congregation is focussing on a specific need in its midst, but is doing it in the presence of God. The body of Christ is aware of HIV and Aids in its midst, but never unaware of Christ, its Head. Make use of the material provided. Take into account the local circumstances (the congregation s customs). Remember, the material is not intended to be prescriptive, but rather to assist with the planning of a meaningful worship service, focussing on the need resulting from the HIV pandemic. It is strongly recommended that symbols and symbolic acts be part of the service. Lighting a candle. Posters. Signing a declaration. Bringing presents for children in need, etc, etc. These are only suggestions, however, there are many more possibilities. For more information, visit www.cabsa.co.za (click on Christian Programmes for Special Events and go to Aids Candlelight Memorial Sunday ). You will find various new as well as previous guidelines. It is further important to approach this event with a positive and motivated attitude. Keep in mind that the identity of church members who are living with HIV, is usually unknown. Stigma is still a problem with many negative consequences. People in need and those who have to carry their burdens in loneliness therefore wish to be assured of the congregation s loving attitude. We have to reach to one another over the dividing wall of stigma, embrace one another and support one another. Only the love of Christ will conquer this dividing wall. Remember to be sensitive by avoiding expressions contributing to the stigma. Rather use phrases expressing love and understanding. Avoid referring to people who are infested. (Even be careful with infected.) Always refer to people living with HIV. And as far as possible use inclusive ( we and us ) language. So do not refer to them as the sinners and the unbelievers. See to it that those who will be performing are aware of this. Lastly, it is important not to overload the service. It is not necessary to do everything recommended. Be selective in a meaningful way. The various elements of the service must be interconnected.!aids Memorial Sunday 2008! 3

2 HYMNS Congregations have different preferences about hymns. Therefore persons who plan the service should choose appropriate hymns or songs. From the DRC Liedboek Lied 184:1-4 Lied 334:1-4 Lied 486:1, 3, 4 Lied 509:1, 2, 4 Lied 523:1, 3, 4 From the URCSA Nuwe Sionsgesange SG 203:1, 3, 4 SG 238:1-3 SG 240 SG 246:1-3 SG 270:1, 4 From the Hosana (Xhosa) 30 Yinceba engakanani na? 160 Njengoko ndinjalo, Nkosi 161 Mabeze bonk abantu 295 Singabazalwana 391(2) Noba imekw iyaxina 3 Candle ceremony with children Background Make the posters well in time before the service (see examples of texts and themes below). If practically possible, the children could be involved. Boys and girls between 6 and 16 may be used for this activity. Choose 6 children for this part of the liturgy (or 11 children who will be moving two-two). One of the older children will light the large candle and the others will light candles and receive posters. If it is a joint service the selection should represent various denominations. Each of the children will be receiving a red ribbon and a candle (the child lighting the largest candle does not receive a candle). The posters are to be placed at the large candle before the time, to be handed over to the children. Before the service select 5 points where the posters will be clearly visible and where the congregation will be able to read them. Show the children before the service where to place their posters. Alternatively the organiser should issue clear instructions so that the activity does not become unnecessarily drawn-out. 4!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008!

Activity 1. Children to move towards large candle It could be a good idea to have the children walk into the church from strategic point(s) to attract the focus to them. 2. Lighting the candles A child lights the large candle, having said the following prayer: Dear Jesus, You are the light of this world. Thank you that nothing can extinguish your light - Not even HIV and Aids. We pray that your light will shine in each heart which might harbour a dark shadow today. Amen 3. Introduction of posters Each of the children (or group of 2) receives a poster and reads the contents out loud so that everyone present can hear. 4. Lighting the candles Each boy and girl get the opportunity to light his/her candle at the large symbolic candle. 5. Placement of posters The children take the posters to the various points and place it for everyone to see. Candles must preferably be put out or placed safely at a distance from the posters. Texts and poster messages Poster 1 John 3:16 - Also for those living with HIV and Aids! Aids together we can be the difference Poster 2 John 15:12 - My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Aids what would Jesus have done? Poster 3 1 Corinthians 13 - HIV positive love... that s all I ask. Aids heard enough What are we going to do? Poster 4 Philippians 2:4 We should serve each other. Aids parents, please be an example to us, the children! Poster 5 1 Corinthians 12 We need each other. Aids and the church we can do everything through Christ (Phil 4:13).!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008! 5

4 PRAYER Lord, Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, we are standing here today, before you, as your children through Jesus Christ. Our country is weeping because of so many fathers, mothers, young people and children who have died of Aids. We bring the thousands of orphans to your throne. Embrace them with your fatherly love. We thank you, the Great Healer, for existing medication and pray for funds to able to distribute it to each and every person in need of it. We also ask that you provide the researchers with the knowledge to create a successful vaccination against the epidemic. We pray for everyone living with HIV and everyone affected by it. Lord, in praying for the alleviation of child suffering, we ask that you touch our hearts so that we will gladly make ourselves available wherever and whenever you wish to use us. We are at your disposal with what we have and who we are so that those living with HIV can experience your love through us. O endless, merciful and loving Creator of all things and King of all, please stop the HIV virus on its path of destruction. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen 5 PERSONAL STORY OF HIV AND/OR AIDS If someone living with or directly affected by HIV and AIDS is willing to share their story, it will bring the reality of the pandemic to heart. Be careful to do this in a sensitive way, as indifference may have negative outcomes. The person may be hurt or the situation may reinforce wrong attitudes. Please arrange this ahead of time and ensure before the meeting that the person is emotionally and spiritually prepared. Do not announce the person as an HIV+ person or someone who has lost a family member to AIDS. Just say the person will share his/her story, and then let him/her tell it in his/her own words. 6!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008!

6 CONFESSION* (* This confession has been taken and adapted from material of the Moravian Church, and subsequently translated). P: Let us approach the Lord in prayer and confession so that we may be forgiven through Christ, Immanuel, God with us. P: Lord, we are in your world and we are your people C: You have created us with your hands P: We live amongst HIV and Aids. C: We are all affected by HIV and Aids. P: Our lives and health are being threatened today. C: Many of us are already sick and lonely. We have already lost our loved ones in death. P: Heal our hearts and our sorrow. C: You are Immanuel. You are God with us (Matt. 1:23) You will never leave or forsake us (Hebr. 13:5) P: Today we are also suffering from the stigma of HIV and Aids. C: Many of us are judging others. P: Therefore we confess our sins C: We confess our ignorance, fears and doubt. We confess our judgemental attitude. We confess that we do not show enough love. We confess our indifference with regard to our own health and lives. P: We pray to You, that You will forgive us and bless us. C: Hear us, merciful Father. Use us all so that we can be channels of hope to all who need us; that we will contribute to comforting, care and healing. P: Let your Holy Spirit inspire and spur us on to help our neighbour. C: Help us to see your face in the faces of those living with HIV and Aids. Help us to be your healing hands in a world of so much pain and heartache. All: Amen!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008! 7

7 SERMON MATTHEW 11:6 Scripture: Matt 11:2-6 BLESSED IS ANYONE WHO DOES NOT STUMBLE ON ACCOUNT OF ME Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?, John the Baptist asked Jesus. The real question being: Are you the Messiah? John did not ask this himself, because he could not. He was in prison, and therefore he sent his followers. - One wouldn t be completely wrong to hear some reproach in John s question and it is quite understandable. After all, John was the one who had to open up the road for the Messiah. John was the one who called upon people to convert themselves, even Herod. And because he showed no fear in doing it, he now found himself in prison. Whilst in prison, he heard what the Messiah was doing (Matt 11:2); how He taught people, how people flocked to Him and how He cured people. But John had no part in all this excitement. He was in prison. His future was uncertain and the chances of a fair trial very slim. He harboured mixed feelings of doubt and reproach was Jesus the One? If indeed, why was he (John) in prison? One can t help but feel a bit of sympathy for John. IT IS NOTICEABLE THAT JESUS DID NOT PROVIDE A DIRECT ANSWER. - Jesus did not say Yes or No. Instead he said: Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me. Why did Jesus reply in this manner? I think there are at least 2 reasons for Jesus s dual response to John. - In PART ONE Jesus s reply intends that John would come to his own conclusions, having heard the observations of the disciples. He was familiar with the prophesies. He knew the prophesy about the coming of the Messiah in Isa 61 as well as Isa 35. And this is how Jesus works with us too. We hear his parables and see how the prophesies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Him. We know of his death and resurrection. But eventually it all boils down to a personal decision (John 9:39). No one can respond on my behalf to Jesus s question in Matt 16:15: Who do the people say the Son of Man is? But what about you... who do you say I am?. - PART TWO of Jesus s reply is contained in verse 6: Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me RSV: Blessed is he who takes no offence at me. 8!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008!

NIV: Blessed is the person who does not fall away on account of me. NLT: God blesses those who do not turn away because of me Or: who are not offended by me. Now why should someone start doubting if he sees the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind receive sight? But this is NOT the reason why Jesus thought there was a possibility, even a probability, that people would start doubting Him. The potential problem lies in the last sentence of verse 5: and the good news is proclaimed to the poor... Jesus said: What I do, is to preach the gospel of hope to the poor. And not only preach; the poor are being evangelised, brought to faith, and therefore brought into the community of believers! And this had the potential to make people doubt and even take offence since they could feel this was too much. Note that the poor does not merely refer to people with little or no money. Some of the poor were so poor that they could not keep to the Law. They could often not come into the temple. They were not purified, did not have money for offerings and did not know the Law. The poor were therefore outcasts and victims. The word poor was associated with sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors; people who were deemed to be impure according to the Law. These were people one would rather have avoided... for your own safety and benefit (even though you would reason that you did not hold anything against them as people ) NOW JESUS COMES AND SAYS: TO THESE THE GOSPEL IS PROCLAIMED THESE PEOPLE ARE EVANGELISED TAKEN UP IN THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS - It was therefore quite possible for some people to start doubting Him, wondering if they were doing the right thing. Some could even be taking offence. By implication Jesus said: You will be tempted, but do not yield to the temptation. Do not start doubting and you will be blessed! (verse 6) CHRISTIANS OF TODAY EXPERIENCE A SIMILAR TEMPTATION We as Christians are quick to say yes to any healing or conversion through the Holy Spirit; however, we are reluctant to say yes, absolutely yes to the evangelisation and EMBRACING of people living with HIV and Aids. - Some members of the church are reluctant to accept and welcome people living with HIV or who are sick. People living with HIV tell us that they are afraid of acknowledging their status, since in their experience they are often avoided and ostracised. Therefore they rather keep quiet and live in silence within the community. The result is that they are not receiving support and taken up and integrated into the community. This is not how the Lord wants it. He went to great lengths to reach out to the poor they who!aids Memorial Sunday 2008! 9

were being treated with contempt by eating with them, for instance. He knew some of his followers would be offended maybe even start doubting and ask: Is He the Messiah? Some might even fall away from Him desert Him That is not his will. Therefore the warning: Blessed are those who do not stumble on account of me they will be blessed. Make sure that you do not miss that blessing. Jesus calls upon us, his followers, to reach out to those who are being disregarded by the community and to embrace them, as He did. AIDS MEMORIAL SUNDAY is a day on which we bring to mind God s great compassion (Rom 12: 1). On this day Christians are called upon to follow Jesus Christ s example, to embrace people who are hurting, to take them up into the one body of Christ. And in so many cases people who are living with HIV are in any event our brothers and sisters and therefore part of the body of Christ! Here we get to share in one another s happiness and heartache and to support one another in love. Amen. 8 PRAYER Father in heaven, we thank you for your son, Jesus Christ. We thank You for His example. During His life on earth He reached out in love to the so-called outcasts in the community. We thank you that You have called us as His followers to reach out to people that have been hurt by life. Help us embrace them with love. Forgive us for ignoring those that have been shunned and marginalised by society. We confess that our lack of speaking and reaching out was due to our own fear. At this Aids Memorial Sunday we commit ourselves without reserve to people that live with HIV and Aids. And to every one that is effected by the disease. We commit ourselves to be actively involved in addressing all forms of need and crises. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen 9 COMMITMENT (Adapted from a pledge that was used at the launch of the video: The URCSA Cares) Leader: Congregation: In thankfulness we commit ourselves to be a caring, justice-seeking, nurturing community. We covenant together in commitment to God and one another. 10!AIDS Memorial Sunday 2008!

Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: Leader: Congregation: Leader: As God loves us and cares for us, we too, will be a caring community. We welcome into our community and into our church all persons whose lives have been touched by HIV-infection and living with HIV. We say to all: As God welcomes us into God s covenant, you are welcome in our congregation. We will be a justice seeking community. As a congregation, we will oppose all forms of discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. We will be a nurturing community. We will care for one another and love one another as God has loved us in Jesus Christ. We will pray for the healing of God s creation. We will be Christ s presence in each other s lives, especially in the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS. We will be witnesses to God s unconditional love. Through Christ s example we are made stronger in faith, finer and gentler in spirit. Through Christ the Saviour and the power of the Holy Spirit and God s goodness and grace, we are set free to love, serve, witness and care, unconditionally. Let us now affirm together, as people of God, a covenant to care. As members of the body of Christ, we covenant together in the Name of God, to assure people living with HIV and AIDS that they will never be destitute of our Christian love, care and compassion. We invoke for ourselves Christ s words in Matthew: 25: I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was sick and you visited me. We will make true our confession: We must stand where God stands. Go and follow Christ! 10 DEPARTURE One of the congregants comes forward and takes the burning candle. This person leads the way to the door, symbolising that the congregation takes the light of Christ to the world. The congregation follows.!aids Memorial Sunday 2008! 11

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