Midweek Message
LABC Update – Saturday, June 17 , 2023
Family,
While the decision by the Southern Baptist Churches to disfellowship two major churches with female pastors seems distant, almost medieval, for many it is very hurtful and is a reminder of old wounds.
In response, and as a way of re-stating LABC’s commitment to women in pastoral ministry, I share this beautiful hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette.
Pastor Jim
A HYMN-PRAYER CELEBRATING WOMEN IN MINISTRY
(and a response to the news of Southern Baptists excluding women from serving as pastors). Please share with others.
God Of the Women
SLANE (“Be Thou My Vision”)
God of the women who answered your call,
Trusting your promises, giving their all,
Women like Sarah and Hannah and Ruth —
Give us their courage to live in your truth.
God of the women who walked Jesus’ Way,
Giving their resources, learning to pray,
Mary, Joanna, Susanna, and more —
May we give freely as they did before.
God of the women long put to the test,
Left out of stories, forgotten, oppressed,
Quietly asking: “Who smiled at my birth?” —
In Jesus’ dying you show us our worth.
God of the women who ran from the tomb,
Prayed with the others in that upper room,
Then felt your Spirit on Pentecost Day —
May we so gladly proclaim you today.
O God of Phoebe and ministers all,
May we be joyful in answering your call.
Give us the strength of your Spirit so near
That we may share in your ministry here.
Tune: Traditional Irish melody (“Be Thou My Vision”)
Text: Copyright © 1998 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Included in “Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship” (Geneva Press) and “Voices Found: Women in the Church’s Song” (Episcopal Church Publishing).
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com
New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
This morning on LABC Zoom – Pastor Carolyn leads A Time For Prayer at 10:00
Online: https://zoom.us/j/8599095914
Dial-in: 1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 859 909 5914
Password: 192833
One tap mobile: +16699009128
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