Honoring Women: Journeying Together in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Journeying Together Means Weeping Together

In times of sorrow and loss, the power of community is revealed when we choose to share in each other's pain. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah all experienced deep grief, yet their willingness to weep together created a space of solidarity and compassion. True companionship is not about offering quick solutions but about being present, holding space for one another, and allowing shared tears to become a source of strength. As a church, we are called to be a community that weeps together, offering comfort and presence to those who are hurting. [31:47]

Ruth 1:14 (ESV)
"Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her."

Reflection: Who in your life is carrying a burden or sorrow right now, and how can you offer them your compassionate presence—perhaps simply by sitting with them or listening—this week?

Day 2: Journeying Together Means Respecting Each Other’s Choices

Every person’s journey is unique, and true community honors the different paths we each take. Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi and Orpah’s choice to return home were both valid and personal. Respecting one another means not judging or comparing, but supporting each other’s decisions, even when they differ from our own. In our church and relationships, may we create a space where everyone’s journey is valued and honored, regardless of the direction they choose. [34:37]

Ruth 1:16-19 (ESV)
"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.' And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more. So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem."

Reflection: Is there someone in your life whose choices you have struggled to accept? How can you show them respect and support for their unique journey today?

Day 3: Focusing on Who Over Where

The journey of faith is not just about reaching a destination, but about valuing the people we travel with and the God who leads us. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was rooted in relationship, not location—she chose to journey with Naomi, declaring, “Where you go, I will go.” Our focus should be on the people God places in our lives and on God Himself, rather than being consumed by where we are headed. Let us fix our eyes on God and cherish those who walk alongside us, trusting that the journey together is more important than the destination. [35:39]

Ruth 1:16-17 (ESV)
"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.'"

Reflection: Who are the people God has placed on your journey right now, and how can you intentionally invest in those relationships rather than focusing solely on your goals or destinations?

Day 4: Honoring the Legacy of Women in Faith

Throughout history, women have played a vital role in shaping the faith community, often through quiet strength, sacrifice, and service. From the stories of Naomi and Ruth to the women who have served in our own church, their contributions have been foundational. Honoring their legacy means recognizing their impact, supporting and empowering women today, and ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Let us continue to build a community where the gifts and leadership of women are celebrated and where we stand in solidarity with those who have been silenced. [41:49]

Proverbs 31:25-27 (ESV)
"Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Reflection: Who is a woman of faith—past or present—who has impacted your spiritual journey, and how can you honor her legacy through your actions or words this week?

Day 5: Creating a Community of Love and Support

A church is called to be more than a gathering place; it is meant to be a community where love, support, and shared purpose flourish. By journeying together, we create an environment where everyone is welcomed, empowered, and invited to participate in God’s work. This means supporting one another, lifting up those in need, and working together to make a difference both locally and globally. May we be a church that joyfully journeys together, building a legacy of love and transformation for generations to come. [46:50]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can contribute to building a more loving and supportive community in your church or neighborhood this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of Women’s History Sunday, a time to honor the women who have shaped our faith, our church, and our lives. We began by confessing our tendency to seek fulfillment in worldly achievements and milestones, and asked God to reorient our hearts toward His presence and the community He’s given us. The theme, “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future,” guided our reflections as we listened to stories of women whose faith and perseverance have left a lasting impact.

Drawing from the story of Naomi and Ruth, we explored what it means to journey together, especially through seasons of uncertainty and transition. Naomi’s migration from Bethlehem to Moab was not just a physical journey, but an emotional and spiritual one, marked by loss, grief, and difficult choices. The story reminds us that the journey is often more meaningful when shared, and that companionship can transform even the most challenging paths.

Three lessons emerged from Ruth’s story. First, journeying together means weeping together—sharing in each other’s sorrows and joys, and offering a compassionate presence rather than quick solutions. Second, it means respecting each other’s choices, recognizing that each person’s path is unique and valid, even when it diverges from our own. Third, it means focusing on who we travel with, rather than where we are going; the relationships we build along the way matter more than the destination itself.

We also reflected on the often-overlooked contributions of women in scripture and in our own church history. The Bible, while sometimes seen as male-centered, actually highlights the essential roles women have played in God’s story—from Mary and Elizabeth to the women who first witnessed the resurrection. Today, we honored Mrs. Dorothy Earth, whose quiet strength and service alongside her husband, Bishop James Earth, have blessed our church and the wider community. In her honor, we launched the Leonia UMC Herstory Scholarship Fund, supporting women in need as they pursue education and leadership.

As we continue our Lenten journey, may we become a community that weeps together, respects each other’s journeys, and values the people God has placed alongside us. Let us honor the legacy of women who have gone before us by empowering the next generation to serve, lead, and love.

Key Takeaways

1. True companionship is found in shared vulnerability. When we allow ourselves to weep together, we create sacred space for healing and solidarity. Sometimes the most powerful ministry is simply to sit with someone in their pain, without trying to fix it, and to let them know they are not alone. [33:05]
2. Respecting each other’s choices is an act of love and maturity. Ruth and Orpah both made valid, personal decisions in response to their circumstances, and neither should be judged for the path they chose. Honoring the unique journeys of others, even when they differ from our own, is essential for authentic community. [34:37]
3. The journey is more about who we travel with than where we are going. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was rooted in relationship, not destination. Our lives are enriched when we focus on the people God has given us, trusting that He is present and at work in the journey itself, not just the outcome. [37:22]
4. The legacy of women in faith is often built through quiet, persistent service. From biblical figures to the women in our own church, their contributions have shaped our communities in profound ways, even when their voices have been overlooked or silenced. Recognizing and honoring these stories is a vital act of justice and gratitude. [42:55]
5. Empowering others, especially those whose voices have been marginalized, is a continuation of God’s redemptive work. By supporting initiatives like the Herstory Scholarship Fund, we participate in creating opportunities for women to lead, learn, and serve, ensuring that the next generation can stand on the shoulders of those who came before. [46:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Prayer of Confession
[03:00] - Introduction: Women’s History Sunday
[05:20] - Honoring Women Who Impacted Our Faith
[08:45] - Women’s History Presentations
[15:30] - Reflections on Journeying: The Princeton Trip
[26:28] - Lessons from Naomi’s Migration
[28:58] - Journeying Together: Weeping Together
[31:47] - Respecting Each Other’s Choices
[34:37] - Focusing on Who Over Where
[37:22] - Women’s Legacy in Scripture
[41:49] - Honoring Mrs. Dorothy Earth
[44:58] - Launching the Herstory Scholarship Fund
[46:50] - Empowering Women for the Future
[58:10] - Announcements and Offering

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ruth 1:1, 14-19 — (The story of Naomi and Ruth’s journey, their shared grief, and Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi)

Observation Questions

According to Ruth 1:1, what circumstances led Naomi and her family to leave Bethlehem and move to Moab?
In Ruth 1:14, what did Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah do together, and what does this show about their relationship?
What different choices did Ruth and Orpah make in Ruth 1:14-19, and how did Naomi respond to each?
In the sermon, what are the three key lessons we learn from Ruth and Naomi’s journey together? [[31:47]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Journeying together means weeping together.” Why might it be important to share both joys and sorrows with others, instead of just offering advice? [[33:05]]
Both Ruth and Orpah made different choices about their future. What does this teach us about respecting the unique journeys of others, even when their decisions are not the same as ours? [[34:37]]
The focus of Ruth’s journey was not the destination, but the person she was with. How does this challenge the way we usually think about our own goals and plans? [[35:39]]
The sermon highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in the Bible and in church history. Why do you think it’s important to recognize and honor these stories? [[42:55]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about “weeping together” and creating a community where people can share their pain without needing quick solutions. Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to simply be present with them in their struggles? What would it look like for you to offer that kind of support this week? [[33:05]]
Think about a time when someone close to you made a choice you didn’t agree with. How did you respond? What would it look like to respect their journey, even if it’s different from your own? [[34:37]]
Are there ways you tend to focus more on “where you are going” in life, rather than “who you are traveling with”? How might you shift your focus to value the people God has placed alongside you? [[35:39]]
The sermon honored Mrs. Dorothy Earth and other women whose quiet service shaped the church. Who are the women (or men) in your life or faith community whose contributions have gone unnoticed? How can you honor or thank them this week? [[42:55]]
The Herstory Scholarship Fund was created to empower women in need. Are there practical ways you can support or encourage someone—especially a woman—who is pursuing education, leadership, or service? [[46:50]]
The sermon mentioned that sometimes women’s voices are still silenced in church and society. Have you ever witnessed this? What can you do to help create space for everyone’s voice to be heard in your community? [[42:55]]
As we continue through Lent, what is one specific way you can help our church become a place that “weeps together, respects each other’s journeys, and values the people God has placed alongside us”? [[46:50]]

Sermon Clips

Sometimes what we need most is not advice, but simply someone who will sit with us and share in our pain. As a church, may we be the community of that weeping together community, offering compassionate presence to one another. [00:33:16] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

For Luke, the journey was not just about where she is going, but who she was with. She chose Naomi and declaring, where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. It's not about where, but it's about you. We often get caught up in destinations, but Luke's story reminds us that the people we travel with matters more than the place where we are heading. [00:36:36] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

As a church, I pray that we become a place where we honor and respect each other's unique journey. Whether they are young or old, whether they are citizens or immigrants, or whether they are black or white, by respecting one another, we truly journey together. [00:35:56] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

May our church be a place where we joyfully journey together and creating a community of love and support. And that invites and welcomes even more people into our shared work of faith. [00:46:59] (22 seconds) Edit Clip

Because through the stories that we heard from the mother of Lut, mother of Juliet, and then Dr. Tyson, there was no woman who was just sitting behind. They did something. They did something. So we will not sit here and we're done. We will put our efforts together and we will make the changes. [00:46:33] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

I am standing on the shoulders of generations of pastors' wives. And we want to honor their sacrifices and service. And we are doing that by launching a new initiative we call the Leonia UMC Herstory Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will support women in need as they begin and continue their education. [00:44:06] (45 seconds) Edit Clip

I believe that this fund will be able to support many women who have lost their voices and create the transformative opportunities for them through training institutions and empowering them to learn and grow. [00:46:15] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

Let's think about the story of Jesus and the birth begins with the friendship and sacrifices of Mary and Elizabeth and his death story with his deepest ends with his deep love for his mother moreover the first person to witness the resurrection was woman. [00:39:44] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

True companionship respects the individual journeys of those we work with, even when they are taking a different direction. If you are driving the highway, you may have noticed another car is traveling with you some same direction, and you will wonder, is this car following me? For a while, it seems like we are heading together in the same direction, same destination. But eventually, one car turns and we go another way. That is life. [00:35:14] (42 seconds) Edit Clip

When we share the journey with someone, even traffic doesn't feel as burdensome. Because our focus shifts from the destination to the journey itself. The same is true, not just only our physical journey, but also for our emotional and spiritual one. [00:28:43] (27 seconds) Edit Clip

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