At home in any land

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2017 Travelers (L to R) Matt, Bobbie, Kirsten, Pastor Rick, Andrew, Christina, Isabella, Lydia

Last week in worship, the travelers were commissioned.

Pastor Duane: During the month of July, eight people will represent Shepherd of the Valley as we work shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in the Tungamalenga, Makifu, and Usolanga parishes.

Pastor Randy: These travelers are not going for vacation time, but they will grow in Christ’s love, serve in Christ’s name, see Jesus in others, and experience God’s presence and power. Mission trip participants, listen to a reading from First Peter that gives you a task and purpose for your journey:  “Love each other deeply... and share with each other without complaining. Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others… Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised.”  (I Peter 4:8-11, New Century Version)

Pastor Duane: Travelers, will you accept the task to love, serve, and speak in Jesus’ name with the strength that God provides? If so answer: I will and I ask God to help me.

Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, serving while you work and while you play, on this trip and in your daily life? If so answer: I will and I ask God to help me.

Will you graciously accept the gifts that our brothers and sisters bring and tell stories of God’s mighty actions when you return? If so answer: I will and I ask God to help me.

May Almighty God, who has given you the will to do these things, give you the strength and compassion to perform them. Amen.

(To the congregation) And I ask you, as members of this community of faith: Will you support and pray for these servants of Christ, listen to their stories, and celebrate what God is doing through our Tanzania partnership? If so answer: We will.

I invite the congregation to extend a hand in blessing as we pray.

Almighty God, by the power of the Spirit you have knit these your servants into the one body of your Son, Jesus Christ. Look with favor upon them in their commitment to serve in Christ’s name.
Grant these travelers the strength to carry your blessing from this place to the next, and may they be at home in any land, for all the earth is yours. Strengthen us all in our Christian vocation of witness to the world and of service to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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