Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/52581
Sermon Suggestions Many are unfamiliar with Hagar's story. It may require careful retelling. Connections between Hagar's story and realities in our own lives and contexts are close at hand. In preaching on this story, avoid the temptation to excuse Sarah's and Abraham's troubling behaviors. If we insist on treating them as exemplary in every respect, we limit what they have to teach us. The Bible reflects painful images of human brokenness as well as a vision of the fullness of life that is God's intention for us all. Hagar's story provides opportunity to reflect on the ethnic, economic, national and religious differences that prevent our sharing of God's peace and justice together as one human family; to repent; and to celebrate the courage of one remarkable woman. Program Suggestions Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday is an educational opportunity to engage people in reading and discussion of Hagar's story. • Do a dramatic reading of Genesis 16 and 21:1–21. Assign the roles of narrator, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, the angel of the Lord, and God. Following the reading, discuss: What most captures your attention as you hear the story? What questions does it raise for you? With whom do you most identify in this story, and why? Resources Phyllis Trible, "Hagar: The Desolation of Rejection," in Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984), 9–35. Renita Weems, "A Mistress, a Maid, and No Mercy," in Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible (San Diego: LuraMedia, 1988), 1–21. Phyllis Trible and Letty M. Russell, eds., Hagar, Sarah, and Their Children: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006). Order additional copies of this free worship resource (item 27501-12-001) through Presbyterian Distribution Service, 800/524-2612 or www.pcusa.org/store, or download from www.pcusa.org/allwomen. Bulletin covers (item 27501-12-002) are available from PDS, $5/pack of 25. Download a free promotional flier and bulletin cover from www.pcusa.org/allwomen. ᑈᑑᑐᑆᑇᑄᑇᑈᑄᑆᑆᑇ • Gather a group together for a book discussion. Renita Weems provides an accessible, thought- provoking discussion of ethnic and economic dimensions of Hagar's story in Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible (San Diego: LuraMedia, 1988), pages 1–21. Accompanied by thoughtful discussion questions, this book is a rich resource for group reflection. • Reflect on artistic depictions of Hagar's story, which has intrigued artists for centuries. Images are easily accessible through a Google Images search (type in "Hagar and Sarah," or "Hagar and Ishmael"). The following are but a few examples: • Adriaen van der Werff, Sarah Presenting Hagar to Abraham (1699) • Louis Jean Francois Lagrenée, Sarah Presenting Hagar to Abraham (1724-1805) • Guercino, Abraham Casting Out Hagar and Ishmael (1657) • Frederick Goodall, Hagar and Ishmael (1879) • Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, Hagar in the Wilderness (1835) • Michael Falk, Hagar's Expulsion (1998) • Indira Bailey, Hagar (2009) • See also www.bible-art.info/hagar.htm Frances Taylor Gench is professor of biblical interpretation at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and parish associate at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.