Embracing Love: Celebrating Pride and Inclusivity

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Pride Month

Description: Pride Month remains essential as long as hate and discrimination against the LGBTQ community persist. It serves as a reminder that everyone deserves to be loved and affirmed as a child of God. Our church's role is to provide a safe and welcoming space for all, countering the hate with love and acceptance. Pride Month is not just a celebration but a call to action, urging us to stand against injustice and to affirm the dignity and worth of every individual. By participating in Pride Month, we align ourselves with the values of love, acceptance, and inclusivity that are central to our faith. [08:18]

Romans 12:10-11 (ESV): "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord."

Reflection: Think of a way you can show love and support to someone in the LGBTQ community today. How can you be a beacon of acceptance and affirmation in their life?

Day 2: Inclusivity in Jesus' Ministry

Description: The Gospel stories of Jairus' daughter and the hemorrhaging woman illustrate Jesus' commitment to inclusivity. He saw the divine spark in everyone, regardless of their societal status or identity. Jesus' actions teach us to embrace and affirm the worth of every individual in our community. By healing those who were marginalized, Jesus demonstrated that God's love transcends societal boundaries and prejudices. We are called to follow His example by recognizing and honoring the divine presence in each person we encounter. [33:10]

Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt excluded or marginalized. How can you use that experience to empathize with others and promote inclusivity in your community?

Day 3: Self-Acceptance and Individuality

Description: Inspired by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," we are reminded to celebrate our unique identities. Just as Jesus affirmed the worth of those he healed, we are called to embrace our individuality and live authentically, knowing we are all created in God's image. Self-acceptance is a vital aspect of spiritual growth, as it allows us to fully embrace the person God created us to be. By celebrating our individuality, we honor the diversity and creativity of God's creation. [38:04]

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Reflection: What is one unique aspect of yourself that you have struggled to accept? How can you begin to see this trait as a reflection of God's creativity and love?

Day 4: The Role of the Church in Nurturing Future Leaders

Description: By awarding scholarships and supporting the educational pursuits of our young members, we demonstrate our commitment to nurturing future leaders. This act of support reflects our belief in the importance of education and the role of the church in fostering growth and development. Investing in the next generation is a tangible way to ensure that our values of love, inclusivity, and justice continue to thrive. By empowering young people, we help them to realize their potential and to become leaders who will carry forward the mission of the church. [56:16]

1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection: Think of a young person in your community who shows potential for leadership. How can you support and encourage them in their journey?

Day 5: Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Community

Description: Our faith calls us to create a space where everyone feels safe to be their true selves without fear of judgment or exclusion. This involves challenging societal norms and embracing the diversity within our community, ensuring that everyone is celebrated for who they are. A welcoming and inclusive community reflects the heart of God, who loves and accepts each of us unconditionally. By fostering such an environment, we create a space where people can experience the transformative power of God's love. [45:51]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take to make your church or community more welcoming and inclusive? How can you actively challenge exclusionary practices and attitudes?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate Pride Sunday, a day dedicated to affirming and embracing the LGBTQ community within our church and beyond. We reflected on the importance of Pride Month and why it remains necessary in a world where hate and discrimination still exist. Our church stands as a beacon of love and acceptance, welcoming everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We emphasized the need for inclusivity and the role of the church in providing a safe and affirming space for all God's children.

We drew inspiration from Lady Gaga's anthem "Born This Way," which celebrates self-acceptance and individuality. This message beautifully aligns with the Gospel reading from Mark, where Jesus heals Jairus' daughter and a woman suffering from hemorrhages. Both stories highlight Jesus' commitment to inclusivity and his recognition of the divine spark within each person, regardless of societal norms or expectations.

We also celebrated the achievements of our young members, awarding scholarships to support their educational pursuits. This act symbolizes our commitment to nurturing the future leaders of our community. We introduced the Faith Forward Commission, a group dedicated to developing Christian education programs for all ages, ensuring that our church continues to grow spiritually and theologically.

As we move forward, we are called to reflect on how we can be more welcoming and inclusive, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the unique identities of all members of our community. Our faith empowers us to be champions of inclusivity, following Jesus' example of love and acceptance.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Acceptance and Individuality**: Inspired by Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," we are reminded to celebrate our unique identities. Just as Jesus affirmed the worth of those he healed, we are called to embrace our individuality and live authentically, knowing we are all created in God's image. [38:04]
4. The Role of the Church in Nurturing Future Leaders: By awarding scholarships and supporting the educational pursuits of our young members, we demonstrate our commitment to nurturing future leaders. This act of support reflects our belief in the importance of education and the role of the church in fostering growth and development.

5. Creating a Welcoming and Inclusive Community: Our faith calls us to create a space where everyone feels safe to be their true selves without fear of judgment or exclusion. This involves challenging societal norms and embracing the diversity within our community, ensuring that everyone is celebrated for who they are.

### [38:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[08:18] - The Necessity of Pride Month
[09:19] - Importance of Being Open and Affirming
[10:13] - Military Appreciation Month
[11:12] - Feeling Unloved and Unaffirmed
[11:55] - Matthew Shepard's Story
[12:48] - Equal Rights and Treatment
[14:18] - LGBTQ Youth and Mental Health
[16:42] - Embracing Diversity in Our Church
[18:28] - Celebrating Our Achievements
[31:56] - Gospel Reading: Mark 5:21-43
[34:56] - Community Engagement and Support
[36:40] - Pride Sunday Celebrations
[38:04] - Born This Way: Self-Acceptance and Individuality
[40:05] - Jesus' Ministry of Inclusivity
[41:10] - Embracing Our Unique Identities
[42:43] - God's Image and Gender
[44:02] - Seeing God in Different Images
[45:51] - Creating a Welcoming Community
[49:05] - Teaching Inclusivity to the Next Generation
[50:37] - Reflecting on Inclusivity and Acceptance
[56:16] - Scholarship Awards and Faith Forward Commission
[60:13] - Honoring Dr. George Gobel's Legacy
[65:52] - Prayers for Our Community
[68:59] - Celebrating Diversity and Giving Joyfully
[71:45] - Closing Blessing and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the circumstances that led Jairus to seek out Jesus? ([31:56])
How did the woman with the hemorrhages demonstrate her faith in Jesus? ([31:56])
What was Jesus' reaction to the crowd's disbelief when he said the child was not dead but sleeping? ([33:10])
How does the sermon describe the importance of Pride Month in relation to the LGBTQ community? ([08:18])

Interpretation Questions

What does Jesus' healing of Jairus' daughter and the hemorrhaging woman teach us about inclusivity and recognizing the divine spark in everyone? ([33:10])
How does the message of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" align with the Gospel stories shared in the sermon? ([38:04])
In what ways does the church's role in awarding scholarships reflect its commitment to nurturing future leaders? ([56:16])
How can the church challenge societal norms to create a more inclusive and welcoming community? ([45:51])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt unloved or unaffirmed. How can this experience help you empathize with the LGBTQ community and support them better? ([11:12])
How can you personally contribute to making your church a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone, regardless of their background or identity? ([45:51])
What steps can you take to celebrate your unique identity and encourage others to do the same, inspired by the message of "Born This Way"? ([38:04])
How can you support the educational pursuits of young members in your community, and why is this important for the future of the church? ([56:16])
In what ways can you challenge societal norms that limit others, and how can your faith guide you in this process? ([50:37])
How can you actively participate in creating a safe space where everyone feels free to be their true selves without fear of judgment or exclusion? ([45:51])
Think of a specific action you can take this week to show love and acceptance to someone who might feel marginalized or excluded. How will you implement this? ([50:37])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "It's important to allow every child of God to know that they are affirmed. And part of the reason why people also don't come to church is because if they have a loved one who is part of the LGBTQ community, they don't want to be part of a place that does not welcome and love their loved one." [10:13] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The beauty of Christ Church UCC is that we welcome everybody around that table. We don't ask you, well, what's your sexual preference? We don't care. All we care about is your sexual preference. All we care is that you know that you are loved and that you are affirmed as a child of God." [11:12] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Born this way serves as an anthem for the LGBTQ plus community in encouraging them to embrace their identities with pride. And not pride as in the regard to where we say that's a sin. The pride as in the word. Don't be ashamed of who you are." [41:10] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Our faith reminds us that we are all created in God's image, worthy of love and acceptance. See, listen to that. God's image, worthy of love and acceptance. So if we are all made in God's image, how can that be if there's more than one gender?" [42:43] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Let us, our faith, empower us to be champions of inclusivity. Just as Jesus championed the marginalized and the outcast. Many members of the LGBTQI community have felt ostracized by religious institutions. Let this be a turning point. Let us celebrate the unique gifts each person brings to our community. Building a welcoming space for all." [50:37] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Think of a moment where you felt so unloved, so unaffirmed, that multiply that times 100. That's what a lot of LGBTQ people go through, particularly in June, particularly during the holidays, when they're reminded that their family does not want them sitting at the table." [11:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus saw a divine spark within each person, regardless of their background or identity. Jesus encounters with Jairus and the woman are testaments to this message. He doesn't hesitate to heal the leader's daughter, defying societal expectations. He reaches out to the hemorrhaging woman, affirming her worth despite her unclean status. Both individuals are restored. Not just physically, but also in their sense of self." [40:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Our faith reminds us, once again, we are all creative. All. Doesn't have an asterisk. All creative in God's image. The message of Born This Way extends beyond self-love. It envisions a world where everyone is celebrated for their individuality. This is not just a community or one-on-one relationship. It's a community that you and I this is what we are called to create." [44:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Imagine a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of different colors backgrounds and identities. Those of you who are doing knitting or crocheting you know about that tapestry different colors right? Different threads that you use so I know I've heard Alice and Kathy say well I don't use this material because it's just so hard to work but yet there are people who use that hard material to work with just like in our church sometimes we have some people who are all to work with." [47:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "How can we be more welcoming and inclusive as a faith community? What are some ways we can challenge societal norms that limit others? How can we celebrate the unique identities of all members of our community but fostering a space that embraces authenticity that's what I get for talking fast we can create a vibrant and welcoming community that reflects the message of love and acceptance taught by Jesus after all he is the guy we follow that's why we're Christians." [50:37] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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