Worship: Indigenous Justice

In worship, we interact with God, singing, listening, speaking, waiting.  We present our lives to God and watch for the ways that God will shape us. Worship roots us in the story of our God, who is a God of justice.  This rootedness gives us hope and patience to continue God's mission of justice and reconciliation.

The following is a list of worship resources that have a special focus on Indigenous justice.  We encourage you to use them with your congregation, small group, or in your own devotional life.

Special Services

These special days, both in June each year, provide a specific opportunity to focus on Indigenous Justice in congregational worship.  Although many of the resources below are written for these specific occasions, they can be used or adapted for any time of year.

National Aboriginal Day
June 21 is National Aboriginal Day, a day to celebrate Canada's Indigenous people and their contribution to this country. In worship, we remember God's call to justice and reconciliation with the first peoples of this land.  The Christian Reformed Church produces a special bulletin cover or insert each year, and has produced or compiled a variety of worship resources, found below.

Anniversary of the Prime Minister's Apology to the Survivors of Indian Residential Schools
The Prime Minister's Apology to Survivors of Indian Residential Schools, given on June 11, 2008, marks an important step along the journey of reconciliation.  In worship, we repent of the sins of assimilation and racism, commit ourselves to service to God, and receive  God's blessing for the journey of reconciliation.

Worship Resources

Responsive Readings and Liturgical Resources

• Responsive Reading 1 for National Aboriginal Sunday
   
• Responsive Reading 2 for National Aboriginal Sunday
   
• Liturgical Resources for commemorating the Prime Minister's Apology

Video

Prepared by the CRC's Aboriginal Ministries Committee for National Aboriginal Day, this four-minute presentation echoes the words of the Prime Minister's Apology on June 11, 2008. It is ideal for a meditative pre-service or offertory segment. Special thanks to Anita Van Zeumeren and Sam Cooper.

Sample Sermons

• "Keeping Promises" by Rev. Curtis Korver, for National Aboriginal Day, June 24, 2007. Proverbs 22:28, 23:10-11.

• "The Gift in Apology" from the United Church of Canada, for First Nations Day of Prayer, June 226. Micah 6:1-2, 6-8; Matthew 5:21-26.

Resources from our Partners

Presbyterian Church in Canada

• We Are One in the Spirit (2010) - "Liturgical resources, including church school activities, for services of worship in support of healing and reconciliation in Canada."
• Healing and Reconciliation Sermons for Study and Worship (2010) - Eleven sermons, written and delivered by Lori Ransom, former Healing and Reconciliation Program Animator for the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
• Healing and Reconciliation Liturgical Kit (2007) - Includes worship service and sample sermons.

Anglican Church in Canada

• "A New Agape" worship resource 
• Gospel Based Discipleship - A scripture study and worship method, including daily gospel readings
• Worship resources for Aboriginal Sunday (scroll down)

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

United Church in Canada