Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2020 Resources www.discipleshomemissions.org January, 2020 Historical Facts Dear Beloved Community, 1929 Born Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 15 in Atlanta, Ga. “NO WORK IS INSIGNIFICANT. ALL LABOR THAT UPLIFTS 1948 Graduates from Morehouse College, ordained HUMANITY HAS DIGNITY AND IMPORTANCE AND SHOULD a Baptist minister BE UNDERTAKEN WITH PAINSTAKING EXCELLENCE.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1951 Graduates from Crozier Theological Seminary I have always honored and commemorated life of the Rev. 1953 Marries Coretta Scott Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his birthday.. My mother 1954 Becomes pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist would take us to a play, concert, museum, parade or Church, Montgomery, Ala. gathering where we would learn and honor the life of Dr. 1955 Receives PH.D. degree in Systematic Theology King. That evening, I would write up a full report on what from Boston University; Rosa Parks, arrested I experienced and learned that day. for refusing to give up her seat on segregated The next day I would return to school with my report and bus sparks the Montgomery bus boycott; a note from my mother, which read, “ Dear Teacher, Sheila becomes president of the Montgomery was out to commemorate and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Improvement Association; first child, Yolanda Martin Luther King, Jr. She has completed a summary of is born the day and what she experienced…..” 1957 King founds the Southern Christian My mother predicted my teacher’s response because the Leadership Conference (SCLC); organizes the letter closed with, “I realize that this is not recognized as Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom; awarded the an official holiday, but it should be. Therefore, until it is, NAACP Springarn Medal; second child, Martin it will be recognized as one in my home. My children will is born learn his life and legacy.” 1959 Travels to India I am grateful that was instilled in my life at an early age. 1960 Becomes co-pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist It was never a day off, it was always a day full of service, Church in Atlanta; imprisoned at Reidsville education and honor. state penitentiary in Georgia The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 20, 2020, marks 1961 Launches desegregation campaign in Albany, the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates Ga.; third child, Dexter, is born the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each 1962 King joins racial protests in Birmingham, Ala. year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a 1963 Arrested at a demonstration in Birmingham; day off,” MLK Day encourage all to volunteer to improve writes “Letter from Birmingham Jail”; delivers their communities. “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on We encourage you to use these resources for study and to Washington; fourth child, Bernice, is born share with your congregation and community. Make it a 1964 King awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Day On, not a Day Off. 1965 Joins the SCLC in Selma, Ala., for its march to Blessed to be a blessing to you, Montgomery 1966 Launches the Chicago Freedom Movement; organizes the “James Meredith March Against Fear” Rev. Sheila P. Spencer 1967 Forms the Poor People’s Campaign Director of Christian Education 1968 Assassinated on April 4 in Memphis, Tenn. and Faith Formation 1983 T he U.S. Congress passed a bill declaring the Disciples Home Missions third Monday of January each year as Martin POBox 1986, Indianapolis,IN 46206-1986 Luther King, Jr., Day. President Ronald Reagan (317) 713-2634 signed the bill into law on November 2, 1983, [email protected] fifteen years after King’s assassination. 2 Scripture References Genesis 37:18-20 the realm of heaven. Blessed are you when others They saw him in the distance, and before he reached revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of them, they plotted to kill him. They said to each evil against you falsely on my account Rejoice and other, “Here comes that dreamer. Now is our chance; be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so the let us kill him and throw him into one of these pits prophets who were before you were persecuted. and say that a wild beast has devoured him. Then we Matthew 5:44 shall see what will become of his dreams. But I say unto you. Love your enemies, bless them Psalms 82:304 that curse you, do good to them that hate you, Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain and pray for them that despitefully use you, and the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the persecute you. weak and the needy, deliver them from the hand of John 15:11-16 the wicked. These things I have spoken to you, that joy may Proverbs 21:3 be in your, and that your joy may be full. This is Do what is right and just; that is more pleasing to my commandment, that you love one another, as I God than sacrifice. have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, Isaiah 1:16-17 that one lay down one’s life for a friend. You are my Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove friends if you do what I command you. No longer do the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease I call you servants, for the servant does not know to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct what the master is doing; but I have called you oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the friends, for all that I have heard for God I have made widow. known to you. You didn’t chose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit Isaiah 51:7 and that your fruit should abide; so whatever you Hearken unto me, you who know righteousness, ask God in my name, may it be given to you. the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of people, and be not dismayed by their Galatians 3:28 revilings. There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male nor female; for you are Amos 5:21-24 all one in Christ. I hate, I despise your feats, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me Colossians 3:12-14 burnt offerings and cereal offerings, I will not accept Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and them, and the peace offerings of your fatted beasts, beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise and patience, forbearing one another and, if one of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will has a complaint against another, forgiving one not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and another; as God has forgiven you, so you also must righteousness like and overflowing stream. forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Matthew 5:3-12 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the realm of 2 Peter 3:13 heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall What we await are new heavens and a new earth be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall where, according to God’s promise, the justice of inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and God will reside. thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. I John 4:7-8 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God; and everyone who loves is born of God and God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be knows God. The one who does not love does not called the children of God. Blessed are those who know God, for God is love. are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is 3 Litany A Litany from African American Lectionary Leader: Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s churches, schools, communities; and greatness was anchored in his desire on every battlefield. to serve, rooted in his obedience to his Leader: May Dr. King’s spirit infuse us with call, and guided by his strength to love. courage, discipline us with restraint, Today, we celebrate Dr. King’s personal and equip us with hope. sacrifice, and we recommit ourselves to his vision for a peaceful world founded People: May we, as the beneficiaries of on the powerful principles of love, Dr. King’s drum major leadership, nonviolence, and economic and social understand that we are responsible for justice for the entire human family. the stewardship of the earth and all that is within it; and that God, one day, People: May we nurture Dr. King’s dream, will require us to give an accounting. plant it on the hearts and minds of our children, and live out its true meaning Leader: May we not be afraid to seek the in our daily lives. guidance of God, incline the ear of the Holy Spirit, and employ the assistance Leader: May we, in the spirit of Dr. King, put of the angelic host to overcome those on the whole armor of God and stand negative forces that birth war and not against the unjust actions and unfair peace. policies of oppressive governments; join with our brothers and sisters to People: May we, like Dr.