Disability Acceptance Sunday is a day for the church to celebrate the created blessing of people with disabilities, to acknowledge God’s love for the community, and to take stock of how well the church is doing at inclusion.
In my tradition of the United Methodist Church serving in WV, Disability Acceptance Sunday is typically celebrated the second week of March. Different traditions and churches will often have different dates and times to celebrate disability acceptance.
These aspects of worship were written and free to use by any church or denomination. Please credit Rev. Shannon Blosser or Autism Inclusion Mission in your bulletin or publication materials.
Disability Awareness Sunday Liturgy
Call to Worship
L: We gather as one body to worship the Lord who is present in all people.
P: We are the body of Christ, gathered to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
L: We are one body in Christ. God’s love is present in every person, regardless of their abilities or needs. Every person, abled or disabled, is a child of God and a person of worth.
P: We are one body, all of us, gathered to worship the Lord.
L: Let us worship the Lord as one body, but let us welcome and embrace every person and see everyone as God sees everyone.
A: We are one body in Christ. We are all God’s beloved children.
Opening Prayer
A: Holy and gracious Lord, we gather as the body of Christ that is reflected in many parts. Each of us gathered here reflects your glory and love. You love us all the same, regardless of our abilities, strength, condition, or need. Help us to grow in your love, so that we may reflect your love for all in our world today. In Christ we pray, Amen.
Litany of Confession and Pardon
L: Holy God, we gather as one body in your love. We celebrate that you are the God of Holy Love. Yet, we confess that we have not always shared your love freely and equally.
A: Help us, Lord, to be people of your holy love.
L: We have practiced ableism, believing that some people and some bodies are worth more to you and your kingdom than others. You call us to love every person the same, yet we are guilty of treating people with disabilities as less than.
A: Forgive us, Lord.
L: Forgive us, Lord, when we are more concerned with our own needs than with how to make the church more accessible to people with disabilities.
A: Forgive us, Lord.
L: Remind us of the moments when we have used discriminating words and phrases to describe people with disabilities. Remind us of moments when we have used terms that harm people with disabilities to mock or joke with others. Remind us when we have failed to use our words to reflect your glory.
A: Forgive us, Lord.
L: Remind us of moments when we have failed to listen to authentic voices about the needs of the disability community. Remind us of moments when we have felt we know better. Remind us of moments when we have ignored the hurting and marginalized in our community.
A: Forgive us, Lord.
L: Remind us of moments when we’ve treated people with disabilities as less than. Remind us of moments when we’ve treated an adult like a child. Remind us of moments when we’ve ignored your presence in front of us as a disabled person.
A: Forgive us, Lord.
L: You are the God of Holy Love, and though we fall short of your glory, you still love us. Help us to receive your pardon and mercy this day. Enable us to be people who share your holy love freely, especially people with disabilities.
A: Forgive us, Lord. Free us to love you and love one another freely and openly today, tomorrow, and always. Amen.
Shannon Blosser 