AFFECT: MARCH 2020

MARCH 2020

Welcoming Refugees

In Worship: A Litany

MISSIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE: The following prayer resource is for use in a worship setting. Photocopy permission granted. CBF field personnel Karen Morrow extends hope and hospitality to refugees through ministry partnerships in Fort Worth, Texas.

Learn more at cbf.net/morrow

One: Lord, we are a people at home in Your love.

Many: May we extend Your love to our neighbors and invite them to find a home in Your love, too.

One: Lord, so many of Your people around the world must flee their homes because of persecution and violence.

Many: May we be a people of welcome to refugees who resettle nearby.

One: Lord, we are a people at home in Your peace.

Many: May we extend Your peace to the people we encounter in our daily lives: at the store, in our jobs, at our schools and in our neighborhoods.

One: Lord, so many of the people You created and love around the world endure the lingering trauma of violence.

Many: May we be a people who pray and work for healing. May we offer spaces where all feel welcome and where we practice carrying one another’s burdens. One: Lord, we are a people at home in Your grace and mercy.

Many: May we extend grace and mercy to everyone we encounter.

One: Lord, so many of the people You created and love are wounded by the injustices of the world.

Many: May we be a people who work for justice even as we extend grace and mercy.

All: Lord, please help us walk closely with You as You form us more deeply into a people who offer love, peace, grace and mercy to all we meet. Pour out Your perfect love, peace, grace and mercy on our neighbors who have fled violence as refugees and are working hard to rebuild their lives. Help us notice the people whom You love, who are all around us. Amen.

APRIL 2020

Abundant Living

In Small Groups

MISSIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE: The following outline is designed for small groups or Bible studies to engage Scripture and missional action. Photocopy permission granted.

1. Prepare by reading the story about Rosalie on pp. 18-20 in this issue of fellowship! 2. Have a volunteer read 1 John 4:7-21. 3. Ask: What do you think it means to love your brothers and sisters? 4. If there is someone in your community who is a refugee, ask them to come and share their experience with the group. 5. If a refugee is not available to share, consider as a group the following questions based on what you know of the refugee experience: • What hopes and dreams might refugees have as they arrive in a new country? • What challenges might a refugee to our country face? • What help might a new arrival to our country need? 6. Say: The writer of 1 John tells us that, in order to truly love God, we must love our brothers and sisters around us. Rosalie found Karen Morrow in Fort Worth, Texas, and Karen helped Rosalie achieve her dream of education for herself and her family. 7. Ask a volunteer to read the first four paragraphs of the article aloud. 8. Ask: How did Karen help Rosalie achieve her dream? 9. Have a volunteer read the next three paragraphs aloud. 10. Say: Notice what Rosalie says about her having people around to help support her. 11: Ask: What did people do to support Rosalie and her sons? Did you notice how many churches partner with Hope Library to help make it possible? 12. Have a volunteer finish reading the story aloud. 13. Say: Notice how Rosalie says, “Hope Library transformed my life.” Karen’s ministry and that of Hope Library helped Rosalie and her family achieve their dream of education and abundant living.

CBF field personnel Karen Morrow’s ministry in Fort Worth helped Rosalie achieve her dream of education and abundant living .

Learn more at cbf.net/ogm

14. Close in prayer for Rosalie as she continues her studies to become a social worker. Pray for her three sons as they continue in their education. Pray for all the students who attend Hope Library, that they would flourish and succeed in their studies. Give thanks for all who give to help make Hope Library possible. Pray for Karen Morrow as she continues to minister to refugees in Fort Worth.