Reflection and Renewal: The Dignity Of All Divine Image-Bearers (based on Genesis 1:27)

God, we give thanks for the original goodness in which you created everything. Your grace, which surrounds us and dwells within your entire universe, is a pure gift without limit.

When we forget these truths, we sometimes call our very humanity itself "unclean," despite the fact that you created us in your divine image and called it “good.”

Help us to be aware of times when we - either knowingly or unknowingly - have caused your goodness to be hidden or masked. Forgive us for when we’ve shied away from the restorative work of removing obstacles to your abundant life and grace.

Remind us once again that you see us as precious, worthwhile, and having priceless value. Forgive us for when we have allowed voices other than yours to tell us that some people are somehow not equally and  fully human, are of lesser worth, and have no value.

Help us to remove our distorted lenses of pride and fear so that we can clearly see your reflection when we look at ourselves and when we look at your world.

Amen.

Biblical Pronouns For God Include Feminine Ones: How Do We Utilize Them? - Aaron Potek

The concept of a feminine component to God has roots in traditional Judaism.

Although God in the Hebrew Bible is predominantly described using masculine imagery and pronouns (especially when translated into English, which lacks any gender neutral pronouns), there are several instances where feminine imagery and pronouns are used.

After all, the concept of a feminine component to God has roots in traditional Judaism.

For those of us who works with language in a church leadership setting (songs, liturgy, preaching, etc.), there are a few ways to work with this issue, including:

1) Use female pronouns for God.  While referring to God as "she" might distracting since we're not accustomed to it, that concern may be outweighed by the significant downside of using exclusively male pronouns for God.

2) Remove all pronouns for referring to God. While this may technically be the most accurate way to speak about God, it can be linguistically challenging. Nevertheless, avoiding gendered pronouns may be the best way to disentangle God, and, by extension, conceptions of authority, from destructive affiliations with a particular gender.

3) Use the singular "they." The first human is referred to as “them” in Genesis 1:27. In Genesis 1:26, God says, "let US make man in OUR image."

Yes, changing the way we speak about God can feel daunting. But these changes can be viewed as progress, moving us away from a flawed conception of God as “masculine.”

Maybe these changes can bring us closer to the fulfillment of the second commandment: “You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image, or any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the earth below…” (Exodus 20:4).

The full article is available here

Benediction: God Continues To Create, Speak, Guide, and Breathe New Life (based on Genesis 1:27)

Since we believe that God speaks to us in all sorts of ways, may we listen carefully for that still, small voice that brings words of hope and love.  

Since we believe that God uses things in our everyday lives to guide us, may we be receptive to those nudges.

In our everyday lives, may we put that divine guidance into action so that we can help to bring out the best in everyone and everything.

Responsive Benediction: God Breathes Life (based on Genesis 1:27)

Reader: We believe God still creates ...
All:  ... so may we continue to be made new.

Reader:  We believe God still speaks,
All:  ... so may we listen carefully.

Reader: We believe God still guides ...
All:  ... so may we walk in God’s way.

Reader: We believe God still breathes life into being ...
All: ... so may we be light and life to God’s world.