Description
Mother’s Day is an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and give thanks for people in our lives who have shown us motherly compassion, nurture and guidance. Protection is a call to worship that focuses upon the imagery of God being like an eagle offering protection and gentle encouragement to action (Deuteronomy 32:11). When we have experienced this kind of care from mothers or motherly figures in our lives it is a direct reflection of the kind of love and care our God lavishes upon us. Therefore, this call to worship contains a direct opportunity to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving.
Motherhood is a complex journey that is full of longing, pain, provision, prayer and overwhelming joy. Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 -2:1-11 captures some of the complexity of this journey as we follow her to becoming a mother and her utter reliance on God throughout. Provoked, Poured Out, Promises and Praise breaks the story up into those four themes for deeper reflection. It invites all of us to ponder the character of God, reflect on our own experiences as children and adults and come to God with our whole selves. We too can experience renewal and love through Jesus Christ so just like Hannah our response is nothing but explosive praise.
Hearing Hannah’s Story is an interactive bible reading that complements this reflection by emphasising the different characters and their responses to one another. The congregation is invited to corporately embody each character by calling out various sound effects. In doing so, participants of all ages are caught up in the story and naturally begin to ask ‘how would I respond?’
Pictures of Mothering is an opportunity to respond to the Spirit’s prompting through various images of mothering. In the bible there are many references that liken God’s character and action to that of a mother (eg Isaiah 66:13). Some of these images are used among others to assist us in other up our prayers of praise, petition, confession and thanksgiving.
