God Created All Living Things Good: A Litany for Disability Awareness Sunday

Leader: God created all living things. God created humans in God’s image,¹ and God said that God’s creation was good!²
People: So we, too, believe that people of all ages, shapes, and abilities are created in the image of God.

Leader: God called leaders like Jacob who limped from a hip injury³ and Moses who had a speech disability⁴ to lead God’s people!
People: So we, too, welcome pastors and leaders with disabilities alongside pastors and leaders without disabilities.

Leader: The Psalms celebrate that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God has loved us since before our birth!⁵
People: So we, too, celebrate each child, with and without disabilities, as a unique and wonderfully made gift from God.

Leader: Jesus welcomed children and said that His followers were to come to God like children!⁶
People: So we, too, are to be open and childlike in our praise of God and love of neighbor.

Leader: Jesus reached out to people with mental and physical disabilities and helped them be welcomed members of their communities!⁷
People: So we, too, welcome all people into our congregations, worship, and fellowship.

Leader: Paul taught that the Church needs people of all gifts and abilities in order to be the whole Body of Christ!⁸
People: So we, too, look for the gifts that each of us brings to the church and our communities, and we help each person find ways to serve God.

Leader: Paul preached and spread the gospel throughout much of the known world despite his poor vision and thorn in the flesh that kept him humble!⁹
People: So we, too, are witnesses for God, offering our whole selves without excuses.

Leader: Only God our Creator, Savior, and Spirit is perfect!¹⁰
People: We are all human, called, not to be perfect, but only to do our best as loving followers of Jesus who help build God’s reign on earth and bring hope and justice for all.

All: AMEN.

Scripture References

  1. Genesis 1:27

  2. Genesis 1:31

  3. Genesis 32:25–31

  4. Exodus 4:10

  5. Psalm 139:13–15

  6. Mark 10:13–15

  7. Mark 5:19; Luke 18:35–43

  8. 1 Corinthians 1:12–35

  9. Galatians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

  10. Mark 10:18; Romans 3:21–25

By Deaconess Lynn Swedberg (2023)

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