Roll Down, Justice!
This non-lectionary Lenten series is inspired by Amos, a prophet whose message is that God calls us to let "justice roll down like waters." Worship without justice is not acceptable, rather our songs must move us to action on behalf of the oppressed. Utilizes the music of WDS Guest Expert, Mark Miller. Includes a Holy Week service.
Watch the Get-Ready Webinar!
Wondering if this series is right for your community and want to "see" what's in it?
Watch the "get-ready" webinar with Marcia and Mark to help you get into the spirit of the series and to answer any "get ready" questions!
Why this series for Lent?
Lent was originally a time of preparation for baptism. We reclaim the waters of baptism as our call to love ourselves as children of God, understand God's love for all people and then "go and do likewise" as we love the world and its peoples–resisting evil and alleviating suffering in all its forms. To connect Lent with our call as disciples to acts of justice–making a better world–we see the development of our inner spiritual journeys as essential to our work.
"Justice is what love looks like in public." - Cornel West
And there is no more important time than now for offering more love in this divided world.
Marcia McFee and Mark Miller have created worship in many settings together over many years, weaving their belief in the power of worshiping together as a catalyst for moving hearts, mind and bodies into greater empowerment for good. As we worship together, our voices and actions solidify our bond to God and to one another. When we are active participants in worship, we are formed as active disciples in the world.
Wondering if this series is accessible for your congregation?
"Last year, Mark teamed up with the General Commission on Religion and Race to offer a Lenten study that would invite congregations into conversations about reconciliation with neighbors near and far. I was inspired by this format and decided to create worship to accompany the study this year. We are also expanding that study in many directions so that you can pick and choose among a variety of resources for your small groups that will allow you to enter the conversation at different levels of engagement. Many churches have been talking about justice issues for a long time and will appreciate the deeper dive into more challenging topics. Other congregations will be at a more 'entry' level and will find resources for incremental steps to greater awareness. The prepared worship scripts allow for this spectrum of experience, serving as the theological and spiritual guide for hearing the prophetic call to let justice roll down." - Dr. Marcia McFee
What's Included in the Series
The materials for this series include full worship scripts for Ash Wednesday, all six weeks of Lent, a stand-alone communion liturgy that could be used any week of the series, a Holy Week Pilgrimage Experience, and Easter Sunday. These scripts will give you all the language for litanies and prayers, music suggestions, and a cohesive vision for the flow of worship that you can then adapt and tweak to fit your own context.
Here are some other bonus materials we've included that will give you more ways to bring the series to life in your community:
- Threshold moment music featuring the "Roll Down Justice" anthem by Mark Miller, plus lead sheets for several of Mark's anthems from the Roll Down Justice: Sacred Songs and Social Justice songbook
- Children's time scripts created by Mark Burrows
- Sermon fodder and small group study materials suggested by the General Commission on Race and Religion (UMC)
- Visual and Media Arts ideas
- Series trailer and logo which you have full permission to edit as desired and use in your publicity for the series
- Get-ready webinars featuring discussions with Marcia and Mark about all the materials in the series
Thank you for your support that helps sustain this ministry.
If your church is suffering financially and would not be able to afford these materials, please feel free to contact us about a discount: [email protected]
