As a faith practice, justice and mercy are the tangible expressions of loving our neighbors as God has loved us. They are the ways that we live like Jesus here and now, affirming the goodness of God’s image in others and anticipating the overflowing shalom—peace and flourishing—that characterizes God’s coming kingdom.
Pick and choose from the ideas below to shape a worship service or plan a series. Also see our Worship Service on Justice and Mercy and Intergenerational Activities on the Faith Practice of Justice and Mercy.
Sermon Supports
- Foundational Essay: Rhythms of Justice and Mercy
- Bible passages
- Micah 6:8—What God requires
- Isaiah 10:1-2—A warning
- Isaiah 58:9-10—A promise
- Revelation 21:1-4—A vision for the future
- Recommended Resources from the Faith Practices Project
Music Suggestions
(We’ve indicated the songs from our hymnal Lift Up Your Hearts with “LUYH.”)
- Justice Songs album by Porter’s Gate
- “All Are Welcome” (LUYH)
- “Blest Are They” (LUYH)
- “Christ, Be Our Light” (LUYH)
- “Compassion Hymn” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
- “Hear the Call of the Kingdom” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
- “His Mercy if More” by Keith and Kristyn Getty
- “Let Justice Flow Down” (LUYH)
- “Lord, I Need You” by Matt Maher
- “Magnificat/Mary’s Song” (any arrangement)
- “No Longer Slaves” by Bethel Music
- “Waymaker” by Leeland
- “We Are Blessed” (Andy Flannagan)
Worship Ideas
Below you’ll find ideas that can be modified and woven into a worship service as a way for people to experience this practice.
- Begin with this video version of Psalm 139. Remember that all are created in the image of God.
- Pair a picture book with Micah 6:8. Explain that justice and mercy are ways of loving our neighbors as God has loved us. Invite everyone to keep those actions in mind as the story is being read. Afterward, reflect together on where and/or how you see justice and mercy being practiced in the story. Does the story remind you of anything in our world or your life today? When might it be helpful to remember this story and verse? How might God be calling you to show justice and mercy? Some book suggestions:
- Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Maddour
- Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds
- Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan
- Illustrate a litany with a story. Pair the Litany for All Nations Heritage Week with the picture book The Celebration Place by Dorena Williamson.
- Frame it. In the post Seeking Justice Inch by Inch: Practical Ways to Honor the Image of God in Everyone, Jill Benson explains how she uses a mini-frame as a reminder to look for “one-inch ways to seek justice.” Share her idea in a message; send people home with the tool.
- Send people out with the sample litany from Just Amos: A Four-week Series(Reformed Worship, June 2014).
For even more worship ideas, check out the wonderful resources on these curated lists: Worship: Justice, Worship Inclusive of All Abilities, Worship Resources about Racism and Racial Reconciliation, Social Justice Resources for those who Preach or Plan Worship.
Take-it-Home Resources
Encourage and equip people to continue exploring this faith practice by providing them with a resource to take home. Some ideas:
- Send each household home with a mini-frame as a reminder to “look for one-inch ways to seek justice” as described in Jill Benson’s post, noted above.
- 5 Ways to Practice Justice and Mercy with Kids for each household with children.
- The booklet Faith Practices: Holy Habits That Help Us Love God and Our Neighbor, Listen to the Spirit, and Become More Like Jesus.
Digital Images You Can Use
Use these memes for PowerPoint presentations, social media shares, print pieces, and so on.
