Galoshes. A Full-Length Raincoat. And a Rain Hat.
I heard a story once, about a community in the midst of a drought – the worst drought they'd seen in years. Feelings of fear and anxiety overwhelmed the townspeople. It was planting season and the lack of rain had made the soil difficult to till, the seeds difficult to sow, and an abundant crop unlikely. As the hot, rainless days stretched into weeks, and the weeks threatened to turn into months, the community's worry became frenzied. The pastor of a local church called a prayer meeting focused solely on asking the Lord to provide rain.
Before the meeting was set to begin, the pastor gathered outside of the church with two of his trusted leaders. As the three chatted, they saw one of the oldest women in their congregation walking toward them. Her name was Mother Mary. On this hot, humid day, Mother Mary had arrived at the prayer meeting dressed in galoshes, a full-length raincoat, and a rain hat. As Mother Mary walked up to the pastor and the others, they expressed their happiness to see her, but asked what she was doing in galoshes, a full-length raincoat, and a rain hat on a 95-degree afternoon with not a single cloud in the sky. She looked incredulously at the pastor and responded, saying: "Why would I come here to pray that the Lord will bring rain if I don't believe that the Lord will actually provide it?”
With that, the pastor led the group inside, and as more folks arrived, the prayer became focused and fervent. As the prayers continued, the community began to hear drops of rain on the church roof. The drops became larger, and fell faster, and the gathered neighbors rejoiced. After a time of celebration, people began to prepare themselves to head home, and it was in that moment they realized that only Mother Mary was ready for what had come after the drought, because only Mother Mary trusted God to truly answer their prayers.
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In this space, we hope to walk with you through each day of General Conference, offering a daily reminder that God is with you in your life and in your ministry, and will provide faithfully for the future. As some of us serve in various capacities at General Conference, and as others remain with their home churches and meet for rehearsals, meetings, Bible study classes, worship services or lunch with a friend, may we all have the faith of Mother Mary, and show up each day in our galoshes, rain coats, and rain hats.
Daily Prayers and Calls to Worship
April 23 | April 24 | April 25 | April 26 | April 27 | April 28
April 29 | April 30 | May 1 | May 2 | May 3
Fellowship Spotify Playlists
God Reigns | Embracing God's Vision
Day 1
April 23, 2024
Invitation
When we stand at the edge of fear and worry, God invites us to step into the waters of faith and trust. When we stand at the edge of the world's pain and need, Jesus invites us to step into the land of humble service. When we stand at the edge of our hunger and thirst: the Spirit invites us to sit at the Table of grace. God-ever-with-us: you draw us near to your heart, so that, cradled in compassion, we might see the brokenness of all who are around us. Teacher-beside-us: you draw us near to yourself, so that, by following you, we may discover the deep joy of serving the broken of the world. Spirit-within-us: you draw near to us with your peace, so that, reconciled and restored to God, we may be the healers to a world shattered by despair. God in Community, Holy in One, as we draw near to you in this time, we lift the prayer you have taught us, saying, Our Father . . . ~ written by Thom Shuman
Song of the Day
Gathering
O God, you are the gathering one who calls us into community with each other to love and work, to support and heal. You are the gathering one who calls us into community with all people; to bring justice and hope, freedom and truth. You are the gathering one who calls us into community with the whole creation; to live in harmony, to cherish and renew. Let us worship the God who makes us one. ~ Author unknown, Christian Aid website
Song of the Day
Day 2
April 24, 2024
Day 3
April 25, 2024
Faithful
Give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make His deeds known to all the people! For He is the Lord, our God, faithful to a thousand generations! Sing His praises; tell of His wonderful works, and glory in His holy name! Let those who seek the Lord rejoice! For He is the Lord, our God, faithful to a thousand generations! Search for God, and for His strength. Never stop looking for Him. For He is the Lord, our God, faithful to a thousand generations! ~ Author Unknown
Song of the Day
Guide
Come, bless the Lord who guides us, whose wise teaching directs our days and focuses our minds at night; whose presence sustains us and surrounds us here. We bless the Lord who is present among us. We will not be shaken or live in fear, but will sing God’s praise and worship with joy! ~ Author Unknown
Song of the Day
Day 4
April 26, 2024
Day 5
April 27, 2024
Glorified
God comes into a world filled with uncertainties and darkness. God seeks out the voids of belief and conviction. God embraces the wounded and broken. God knocks down the walls of division and strife. God is the candle shining in the darkness of our days. God is the light of our lives. God is the one who makes all things new. Praise be to God, now and forevermore! Prayer of Approach Loving God, whose touch can heal the broken places of life, touch us today... God of peace, whose spirit of peace can quiet our spirits of confusion and despair, reassure us today... Forgiving God, whose call to repentance promises grace upon grace, place your mercy in our souls today... You who heal the sick and liberate the imprisoned, who bring justice in the midst of oppression and strength in the midst of weakness, pour out your spirit of power upon us today. Open our hearts to new faithfulness, redirect our waywardness, and hold us gently in your goodness. We confess our need to you, and we turn to you with hearts filled with hope, remembering the promises you have made to us. May your name be glorified in us and through us. We ask it through Christ Jesus, your only begotten son, he who is our Lord and our Saviour, our brother and our friend. Amen. ~ based on materials by Peter K. Perry
Song of the Day
Calling
Ever-calling God, We give thanks that you have gathered us into your church and graced us with your faithful presence. We ponder our history, ancient and still developing, and marvel at the many expressions of your church. Grant us the vision to be a part of a new reformation for the Church that will bring ever more joy and justice to the world. Continue to gather us, the diverse lot of us, into Jesus’ vision and dream that your faithful people may be one in you. Amen ~ Rev. Bonnie Tarwater
Song of the Day
Day 6
April 28, 2024
Day 7
April 29, 2024
Challenging
Loving, living God, be among us now. Show us your ways. Guide our steps. Live in us, that we may be people of steadfast hope and powerful giving. Help us hear your words, challenging us to give you all the things that are yours. Help us remember that all we are and all we have are gifts from you, gifts to be shared in service and love. Holy One among us, help us be a holy people who receive your word with joy and live your message with love. Amen. ~ Mary Scifres
Song of the Day
Present
Here, in this place, God welcomes all the dreamers, as well as the doubters: here, the worriers and wanderers can call on God by name. Here, in this time, we can remember all the ways God has graced us: here, in these moments, we are reminded that God is with us, always! Here are gathered those daring enough to step out of comfort into the unknown: here, in this faith space, we will find the courage to cry out, 'God, save us!' in every situation. ~ Thom Shuman
Song of the Day
Day 8
April 30, 2024
Day 9
May 1, 2024
Giving
We are here, in the name of Christ Jesus. So ask right now, and it shall be given to you. Seek right now, and you will find. Knock right now, and the door will be opened. ~ Bruce Prewer
Song of the Day
Empowering
This new day is fresh with possibility to encounter the Living Christ. With bright eyes, let us search. This new day is fresh with possibility to understand the Living Christ. With engaged minds, let us ponder. This new day is fresh with possibility to be moved by the Living Christ. With compassionate hearts, let us feel. This new day is fresh with possibility to respond to the Living Christ. With solid devotion, let us follow. This new day is fresh with possibility to serve the Living Christ. With humble intention, let us act. This new day is fresh with possibility to praise the Living Christ. With strong voices, let us sing. ~ Rev. Christine Sobania Johnson
Song of the Day
Day 10
May 2, 2024
Day 11
May 3, 2024
With Us
What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God. What does God command of us? To love God with all our heart, and all our soul, and all our mind, and all our strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. God does not call us to ease or to comfort. But to presence, and abundance, and grace in our struggle. Let us worship the God who believes in us, and trusts in us, and abides with us. Let us worship the God who will ask much of us, but will be beside us every step of the way. ~ Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy
Song of the Day
Listen for God
We offer you two playlists for the weeks ahead.
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God Reigns is a testament to the rain God provided Mother Mary and her community. It begins by reminding us that we love because God first loved us. God opened God's self to you and me, and to all who gather in God's name. It then invites you to turn your attention and intention to praise, to our response. The playlist is rounded out with songs that are filled with the energy and excitement of a people who know that, with God, all things are possible, and want to share that excitement with the world. We have included songs that speak through the languages of people across our denomination; and although not every language is represented, we are reminded that God's language is one of love.
Embracing God's Vision helps us explore the clarity that comes when we look through the lens of God’s perfect vision. Each song is our petition to God to help us see each other, our ministry, and our world as God sees.
God Reigns
Embracing God's Vision
General Conference Links
May the grace of God be with you today and all days!
The Fellowship of Worship Artists
The Fellowship of Worship Artists exists to assist worship leaders in creating transformative worship experiences which bring people into deeper relationships with God and each other. We offer tools and resources for each worship arts area, including choral, dance, art, drama, visual design, preaching, handbells, instrumentals, technical / audio visual, spiritual direction, and liturgy creation. Founded in 1955 as the National Fellowship of Methodist Musicians, The Fellowship provides opportunities to experience meaningful worship, weekly devotionals, print and digital communication resources, and regional and national events. We are an ecumenical organization and all are welcome.
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We acknowledge that we have been blessed by the gifts and presence of a variety of people. We covenant to uphold the sacred worth and dignity of all persons, without exception. We welcome all into membership and leadership in The Fellowship, including:
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persons with divergent theological and political convictions, even as we seek to emphasize our connectedness and unity in Christ;
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persons of all races, cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic conditions;
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persons at all places on the spectrum of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression;
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persons of various ages and life experiences, and persons who are differently abled.
Christ made no mistake in opening the table of grace to everyone. Therefore, our membership and its leaders commit to embrace one another with boundless compassion and affirmation so that the reign of God might be made known “on earth as it is in heaven."
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To receive our member benefits – including Fellowship Reflections Devotionals, Fellowship Connections, WorshipArts Magazine and Worship Cues, dance and drama scripting and choreography, handbell resources, worship slide packs, job listings from around the country, and more – join The Fellowship of Worship Artists today! Thank you for your support.