Good Evening Beloved Community!
Here we are once again holding vigil in memory of those killed and injured in Virginia Beach and throughout our nation and the world. We will speak their names during the course of the lighting of the candles. Our lessons are from today's feast day of Justin Martyr.
Tonight we ponder these quotes from Mahatma Gandhi,John Lennon,Jerzy P. Benazir Bhutto, and Gabrielle Giffords who were victims of gun violence.
"Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologize for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you’re right and you know it, speak your mind. Speak your mind. Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears." ~ John Lennon
“It is not enough for a Christian to condemn evil, cowardice, lies, and use of force, hatred, and oppression. He must at all times be a witness to and defender of justice, goodness, truth, freedom, and love. He must never tire of claiming these values as a right both for himself and others.”
― Jerzy Popiełuszko
"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"When you do something noble and beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps." ~ John Lennon
"You can imprison a man, but not an idea. You can exile a man, but not an idea.
You can kill a man, but not an idea." ~ Benazir Bhutto
"The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members" ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!" ~ John Lennon
"Freedom is not an end. Freedom is a beginning." ~ Benazir Bhutto
"Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world; but to change ourselves." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"We live in a world where we have to hide to make love, while violence is practiced in broad daylight." ~ John Lennon
"I dream ...of a world where we can commit our social resources to the development of human life and not to its destruction" ~ Benazir Bhutto
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall... think of it, always." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Instant Karma is going to get you." ~ John Lennon
"To make peace, one must be an uncompromising leader. To make peace, one must also embody compromise." ~ Benazir Bhutto
"There is no path to peace; peace is the path." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." ~ John Lennon
"A people inspired by democracy, human rights and economic opportunity will turn their back decisively against extremism." ~ Benazir Bhutto
"It is better to allow our lives to speak for us than our words." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"It matters not who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love or how you love, it matters only that you love" ~ John Lennon
"When you are right,you have no need to be angry. When you are wrong, you have no right to be angry." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Love is the Answer. What was the Question?" ~ John Lennon
"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one." ~ John Lennon
"Purusing peace means rising above one's own wants, needs, and emotions." ~ Benazir Bhutto
"I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Peace in your mind, peace on earth, peace at work, peace at home, peace in the world." ~ John Lennon
"My resolution, standing with the vast majority of Americans who know we can and must be safer, is to cede no ground to those who would convince us the path is too steep, or we too weak." ~ Gabrielle Giffords
"A small group of determined and like-minded people can change the course of history." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"Don't hate what you don't understand!" ~ John Lennon
"The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
"I am still fighting to make the world a better place and you can, too." ~ Gabrielle Giffords
"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong." ~ John Lennon
"We know that silence equals consent when atrocities are committed against innocent men, women and children. We know that indifference equals complicity when bigotry, hatred and intolerance are allowed to take root. And we know that education and hope are the most effective ways to combat ignorance and despair." ~ Gabrielle Giffords
"The people have the power. All we have to do is awaken the power in the people." ~ John Lennon
"But the safety of the world, in some sense, depends on your saying no to inhumane ideas. Standing up for one's own integrity makes you no friends. It is costly. Yet defiance of the mob, in the service of that which is right, is one of the highest expressions of courage I know." ~ Gabrielle Giffords
Come let us worship.
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the Law and the Prophets.
We will pray and make vigil as we normally do. Please light a candle and or turn on your porch light.
Tonight we begin our vigil time with the Litany Against Gun Violence from Episcopal Peace Fellowship.
A Litany for Gun Violence
Leader: We stand before this Wall of Injustice remembering all who have been harmed by gun violence, both intended and accidental. We lament that an American child is 12 times more likely to die by a bullet than are the children living in all twenty-five other industrialized nations combined. We acknowledge the deep pain and grief in our communities and nation. Will you commit to tear down the walls that divide us, and build-up the one human family, grounded in nonviolence, justice and love?
People: We will with God’s help.
Leader: We stand before this Wall of Injustice remembering all perpetrators and the families of those who commit acts of gun violence. We acknowledge that their lives are also devastated and their hopes dashed. For their sake and ours, will you pray for healing of the pain radiating from every act of violence?
People: We will, with God’s help.
Leader: We stand before this Wall of Injustice, united in our grief for the violent deaths of over 30,000 Americans by gunfire each year. Will you commit to prayer, study and action, ever hopeful that repentance and transformation will move us forward toward God’s peaceable kingdom?
People: We will, with God’s help.
We light our candles and turn on our porch lights!
I am not here to pass judgement
or point the finger at anyone.
My name was written in the sand
as one who is forgiven.
Strengthened with hope, impervious to shame,
I will walk freely like the freshness
of the dry lands after rain.
Let light spill out of heaven
through my life,
dispelling mediocrity and silent blame.
Too many people, guilt-stricken, wounded,
walk in regret,
feeling bad about failing,
apologise even for breathing.
Raw belief, a passion for others
grows in me,
encircling each moment
with instinctive prayer.
I will carry the freshness
of the dry lands after rain.
Compassion lives in me again.
Andy Raine
or point the finger at anyone.
My name was written in the sand
as one who is forgiven.
Strengthened with hope, impervious to shame,
I will walk freely like the freshness
of the dry lands after rain.
Let light spill out of heaven
through my life,
dispelling mediocrity and silent blame.
Too many people, guilt-stricken, wounded,
walk in regret,
feeling bad about failing,
apologise even for breathing.
Raw belief, a passion for others
grows in me,
encircling each moment
with instinctive prayer.
I will carry the freshness
of the dry lands after rain.
Compassion lives in me again.
Andy Raine
around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O
Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to
you are both alike. Psalm 139:10, 11
Let us light our candles and be at prayer. Tonight let us pray the Beatitudes and Prayer of St.Francis. Before we do this let us pray for peace in the world and an end to violence and terror. Let us remember the people throughout the world who in the last week have been victimized by terror all over the world. We pray for an end to gun violence and for sensible laws to protect God's children. Let us remember that if we lay down all our weaponry of hate and that includes our voices we will be on the way to safety and learning to love our neighbors who are our family members too.
The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.
or this:
Christ is risen. Alleluia.
And has appeared to the disciples. Alleluia.
Holy God,as we pray and light more candles let us pray that we may truly and fully become the loving Family of God. God we know that it is time. We know that this journey into family hood won't be easy but we must take time to lay down our, rage, fear, anger, suspicion, hatred, bigotry, terror, and all that seeks to divide us. Give us we pray courage to learn to love one another as Jesus first loved us. Help us we pray to realize that we are one family and that whatever our race, color, creed, gender, and sexual orientation may be we are made in your image and likeness O, God. Tonight we pray for safety in our cities, towns, counties, states, and nations. We pray for all of our family members nearby and far away who have been affected by violence, abuse, bullying, and degradation this day. We pray for their safety and that you'll wrap your loving and holy arms of protection around them. We pray for the least of these who lack clean water, safe and permanent shelter, nourishing food, and warm clothing. Help us to walk the walk and talk the talk and spread your Gospel of Love to this fragile and broken world. Let us be CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) people this night and forever more. Amen.
And has appeared to the disciples. Alleluia.
Holy God,as we pray and light more candles let us pray that we may truly and fully become the loving Family of God. God we know that it is time. We know that this journey into family hood won't be easy but we must take time to lay down our, rage, fear, anger, suspicion, hatred, bigotry, terror, and all that seeks to divide us. Give us we pray courage to learn to love one another as Jesus first loved us. Help us we pray to realize that we are one family and that whatever our race, color, creed, gender, and sexual orientation may be we are made in your image and likeness O, God. Tonight we pray for safety in our cities, towns, counties, states, and nations. We pray for all of our family members nearby and far away who have been affected by violence, abuse, bullying, and degradation this day. We pray for their safety and that you'll wrap your loving and holy arms of protection around them. We pray for the least of these who lack clean water, safe and permanent shelter, nourishing food, and warm clothing. Help us to walk the walk and talk the talk and spread your Gospel of Love to this fragile and broken world. Let us be CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) people this night and forever more. Amen.
Light of the World Phos hilaron
Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days.
THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:
Let us light these candles in memory of all who were killed in Virginia Beach and all who have been killed by gun violence. Let us speak their names and remember them.
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Laquita C. Brown
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Tara Welch Gallagher
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Mary Louise Gayle
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Alexander Mikhail Gusev
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Katherine A. Nixon
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Richard H. Nettleton
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Christopher Kelly Rapp
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Ryan Keith Cox
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Joshua A. Hardy
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Michelle "Missy" Langer
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Robert "Bobby" Williams
"IF YOU SPEAK MY NAME, I WILL LIVE FOREVER."
Herbert "Bert" Snelling
We light this candle of remembrance.
For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:
We light this candle of consecration.
May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.
IN LAK’ECH
TÚ ERES MI OTRO YO.
YOU ARE MY OTHER ME.
SI TE HAGO DAÑO A TI,
IF I DO HARM TO YOU,
ME HAGO DAÑO A MI MISMO.
I DO HARM TO MYSELF.
SI TE AMO Y RESPETO,
IF I LOVE AND RESPECT YOU,
ME AMO Y RESPETO YO.
I LOVE AND RESPECT MYSELF.
LUIS VALDEZ
Let us confess our need for God’s healing grace.
Compassionate God,
we confess our weaknesses and our need for your
strengthening touch.
We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,
while others are beyond our control.
We turn to you, source of life,
and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ
for the gifts of true healing and life in you. Amen.
Minister
May the God of love visit us in our times of trial and weakness,
and raise us to newness of life, through Jesus Christ, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
A Smudging Prayer (Metis Aboriginal Ministries)
Creator,
our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.
We confess that we are weak and broken images of you.
We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth.
We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.
our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.
We confess that we are weak and broken images of you.
We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth.
We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.
How good and pleasant a thing it is when God’s people live together in unity. Psalm 133:1
"We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that has buried its head in the sand, waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and the absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better." ~ Thurgood Marshall
"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love?' These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will be many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." - Henri Nouwen
"We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that has buried its head in the sand, waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and the absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better." ~ Thurgood Marshall
"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love?' These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will be many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." - Henri Nouwen
Christ our Passover Pascha nostrum
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
Let us pray the words of the Morning Prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer:
MORNING PRAYER
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
Your name be praised.
and ponder this:
"I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me.”
136 Confitemini
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
4 Who only does great wonders, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
5 Who by wisdom made the heavens, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
6 Who spread out the earth upon the waters, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
7 Who created great lights, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
8 The sun to rule the day, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
9 The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
10 Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
12 With a mighty hand and a stretched-out arm, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
13 Who divided the Red Sea in two, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
15 But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
16 Who led his people through the wilderness, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
17 Who struck down great kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
18 And slew mighty kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
20 And Og, the king of Bashan, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
21 And gave away their lands for an inheritance, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
22 An inheritance for Israel his servant, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
24 And delivered us from our enemies, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
25 Who gives food to all creatures, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
116 Dilexi, quoniam
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of
my supplication, *
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever
I called upon him.
2 The cords of death entangled me;
the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
I came to grief and sorrow.
3 Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *
"O Lord, I pray you, save my life."
4 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *
our God is full of compassion.
5 The Lord watches over the innocent; *
I was brought very low, and he helped me.
6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul. *
for the Lord has treated you well.
7 For you have rescued my life from death, *
my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
8 I will walk in the presence of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written,
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’
20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
John 12:44-50
Summary of Jesus’ Teaching
44 Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. 47I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, 49for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. 50And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’
Let us pray:
O God, who has given your Church wisdom and revealed deep and secret things: Grant that we, like your servant Justin and in union with his prayers, may find your Word an abiding refuge all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ, who with the Holy Spirit lives and reigns with you, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Litany for the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath
Sunday, December 13, 2015
written by the Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, Episcopal Bishop of Maine
Giver of Life and Love, you created all people as one family and called us to live together in harmony and peace. Surround us with your love as we face the challenges and tragedies of gun violence.
For our dear ones, for our neighbors, for strangers and aliens, and those known to you alone, Loving GodMake us instruments of your peace.
God of Righteousness, you have given our leaders, especially our President, and _____ our Governor, the members of Congress, the judges of our courts and members of our legislatures, power and responsibility to protect us and to uphold our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
For all who bear such responsibility, for all who struggle to discern what is right in the face of powerful political forces, Loving God
Make us instruments of your peace.
God of Compassion, we give you thanks for first responders, for police officers, firefighters and EMTs, and all those whose duties bring them to the streets, the lobbies, the malls and the homes where the carnage of gun violence takes place day after day. Give them courage and sound judgment in the heat of the moment and grant them compassion for the victims.
For our brothers and sisters who risk their lives and their serenity as they rush to our aid, Loving God
Make us instruments of your peace.
Merciful God, bind up the wounds of all who suffer from gun violence, those maimed and disfigured, those left alone and grieving, and those who struggle to get through one more day. Bless them with your presence and help them find hope.
For all whose lives are forever marked by the scourge of gun violence, Loving God
Make us instruments of your peace.
God Who Remembers, may we not forget those who have died, more than 30,000 this year, in the gun violence that we have allowed to become routine. Receive them into your heart and comfort us with your promise of eternal love and care.
For all who have died, those who die today, and those who will die tomorrow, Loving God
Make us instruments of your peace.
God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Empower us to change this broken world and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. Give us power to rise above our fear that nothing can be done and grant us the conviction to advocate for change.
For your dream of love and harmony, Loving God
Make us instruments of your peace.
All this we pray in the name of the One who offered his life so that we might live, Jesus the
Christ. Amen.
The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh: A Litany for Peace
As we are together praying for Peace, let us be truly with each other.
Silence
Let us pay attention to our breathing.
Silence
Let us be relaxed in our bodies and our minds.
Silence
Let us return to ourselves and become wholly ourselves.
Silence
Let us be aware of the Source of Being common to us all and to all that is.
Silence
Evoking the presence of the Great Companion, let us fill our hearts with our own compassion—towards ourselves and toward all living beings.
Silence
Let us pray that all living beings realize that they are all nourished from the same Source of Life.
Silence
Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of needless suffering.
Silence
Let us pray that we may live in a way which will not needlessly deprive other living beings of air, water, food, shelter, or the chance to live in health.
Silence
With reverence for Life and with awareness of the sufferings that are going on around us, let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth.
FOR WORLD NEIGHBORLINESS - Peter Marshall
O God, we pray for a broader vision of the needs of humanity, and a deeper compassion to fill those needs; for a planting of the seeds of concern for all humanity in our hearts; for a tapping of the wells of generosity.
May we live together as people who have been forgiven a great debt.
May we be gentle, walking softly with one another.
May we be understanding, lest we shall add to the world’s sorrow or cause to flow needless tears.
May we be as anxious for the rights of others as we are for our own.
May we be as eager to forgive as we are to seek forgiveness.
May we know no barriers of creed or race or sex, that our love may be like Yours—a love that sees all people as Your children and our kin.
May we be ministers of humanity.
++
Services of Religion: Free Nation and Free World
God, who has made us one nation out of many peoples, amid our diversities of race and tradition, unite us in a common love of freedom and in a high ambition for our national life.
Continue in us the pioneering spirit which led our fathers across the estranging sea and up held them in the wilderness.
Deepen in the people of this land a devotion to the common commonweal, so that we may open new doors of hope to the neglected and oppressed; cleanse our hearts from the greed which preys upon others; and deliver our politics from corruption.
Help us to establish this land in righteousness.
Endue with the spirit of wisdom those entrusted with authority, that there may be peace within our borders, and that we may stand among the nations of the earth an example of justice and a power of good will.
Let Your peace, O God, rule in all our hearts.
To every council where nations bring their hopes and fears, grant wisdom and mutual understanding, that distrust and hatred may be diminished, and a common law of justice be established.
Let peace, O God, prevail throughout the earth.
From Walk With Me On Our Journey:
Let us be infused with God's love and the Holy Spirit's fire as we pray.
God infuse our bodies, minds, and spirits with love and compassion for our family members with whom we disagree.
God infuse our bodies, minds, and spirits with strength and good health so that we may boldly stand for the least of these our family members and do justice, love, mercy and walk humbly with You O, God of Love.
God infuse the bodies, minds, and spirits with your healing power to all of our family members who are ill and suffering from any illness either chronic or short term. We pray for all newly diagnosed family members and those especially having surgery.
God infuse the tender emotions of all who grieve the courage to mourn boldly and with the knowledge that it is ok to go through the grieving process and not to have please others and look happy and be expected to be back to normal.
God infuse the leaders of this world with the knowledge that peace is the only way and that wars, violence, terror, and injustice serve no one. May peace prevail upon earth. We pray that we may be united in love and not divided by hate.
God infuse those who care for children the knowledge and courage to be real caregivers who will protect and keep them from harm. We pray for an end to child abuse in all of its forms.
God infuse all women with courage to get out of violence and abusive situations that they may find safety and make with confidence sensible escape plans. We pray for all women's and children's shelters.
God infuse our lives with love, peace, hope, and joy!
God infuse our hearts with love, mercy , and compassion to pray and give thanks for________________
God infuse our bodies with strength so that we may live healthy lives and practice good habits.
Jesus we thank you and others for being good role models of being prayer pilgrims , prayer walking, justice, love, mercy, and inclusion. We give thanks for your dying on the cross to save us once and for all and that we no longer need to fear or be ashamed. All these our prayers and thanksgivings we lift up to you in your most Holy Name. Amen.
The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.For he that is mighty hath magnified me, * and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.For he that is mighty hath magnified me, * and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
A variation of the Lord's Prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
For the Diversity of Races and Cultures
O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you
for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and
show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until
our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all
your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenUnsettling force:
We’re a new unsettling force
And we are powerful a new
unsettling force
And we’re here, we’re a new
unsettling force
For liberation and we’ve got nothing
to lose but our chains
And we’ve got nothing
to lose but our chains
Luke Nephew
O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you
for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and
show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until
our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all
your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenUnsettling force:
We’re a new unsettling force
And we are powerful a new
unsettling force
And we’re here, we’re a new
unsettling force
For liberation and we’ve got nothing
to lose but our chains
And we’ve got nothing
to lose but our chains
Luke Nephew
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Psalm 23- Bobby McFerrin
The Light and Love of Christ I hold out to you is my promise that we are family one to another this day and always. The Light of Christ in Me , Recognizes the Light of Christ in you. We lift up these our prayers in Jesus most holy name. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
those who have died: God will bring them to life with Jesus.
Alleluia.
Go in peace in the name of Christ.
Bonus prayers and Litanies:
Litany in the Wake of a Mass Shooting (bishopsagainstgunviolence.org)
God of peace, we remember all those who have died in incidents of mass gun violence in this nation’s public and private spaces.
Six dead at the Wisconsin Sikh Temple.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Twelve dead at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Twenty-eight dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Six dead at Santa Monica College, California.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Seven dead at a Hialeah, Florida apartment complex.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Thirteen dead at the Washington Navy Yard.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead at Fort Hood, Texas.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Seven dead in Isla Vista, near UC Santa Barbara.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Five dead at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Washington.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Six dead in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Nine dead at Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Sixteen dead at a San Bernardino, California office.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ten dead at Umpqua Community College, Oregon.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Six dead in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead at a Hesston, Kansas office.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Five dead at a Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania backyard party.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Fifty dead at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Five dead at Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Five dead at Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead in Fresno, California.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Eight dead in Lincoln County, Mississippi.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead at an Eaton Township, Pennsylvania supermarket.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Nine dead at a Plano, Texas football-watching party.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Fifty-nine dead at a Las Vegas, Nevada concert.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Twenty-seven dead at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Seventeen dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Five dead at the Veterans Home in Yountville, California.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead at a Nashville, Tennessee Waffle House.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ten dead at Santa Fe High School, Texas.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Five dead at the Capital Gazette Newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead at the Fifth Third Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Four dead at a Rite Aid distribution center in Aberdeen, Maryland.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Eleven dead at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Thirteen dead at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
All those who have died in any incident of gun violence.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
For survivors of gun violence.
Grant them comfort and healing.
Hear us, Lord.
Grant them comfort and healing.
Hear us, Lord.
For those who have lost loved ones to gun violence.
Grant them peace.
Hear us, Lord.
Grant them peace.
Hear us, Lord.
For those first responders who care for victims of gun violence.
Protect and strengthen them.
Hear us, Lord.
Protect and strengthen them.
Hear us, Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
These optional prayers may be added
For Survivors of Abuse and Violence
Holy One, you do not distance yourself from the pain of your
people, but in Jesus bear that pain with us and bless all who suffer
at others’ hands. Hallow our flesh and all creation; with your
cleansing love bring healing and strength to all who were affected by violence at the Borderline bar today in Thousand Oaks California; and by your
justice, lift them up, that in the body you have given them,
they may again rejoice. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
In Times of Personal Distress
Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered
as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize
that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have
no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for
eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen.
A Prayer of Comfort in God
God, you are my help and comfort; you shelter and surround me
in love so tender that I may know your presence with me, now
and always. Amen.
For Emergency Workers
God our strong deliverer: when those charged with the urgent
mediation of your healing power feel overwhelmed by the numbers
of the suffering, uphold them in their fatigue and banish their
despair. Let them see with your eyes, so they may know all their
patients as precious. Give comfort, and renew their energy and
compassion, for the sake of Jesus in whom is our life and our
hope. Amen.
or this
Divine Physician, hear our prayers for those in emergency medicine.
By your healing power, grant them quick minds and skillful
hands. Strengthen them in times of trauma. In quiet times, give
them rest and assurance of the value of their work. Keep them
ever prepared for the work you have called them to do, for your
mercy’s sake. Amen
For a death by violence ( EOW2 )
O God our Vindicator, come speedily to our help. Receive the
souls of your children, into the arms of your mercy, and deliver
their assailant to justice, that your holy Law may be served,
and your peace renewed; through Jesus our Savior. Amen.
A Litany Anticipating Heaven
Let us pray with confidence, anticipating heaven, and let the
people respond, “Lead your child home.”
To the gates of Paradise
Lead your child home.
To your mercy-seat
Lead your child home.
To the kingdom of heaven
Lead your child home.
To your true sanctuary
Lead your child home.
To the multitude of the blessed
Lead your child home.
To the welcome-table
Lead your child home.
To the nuptial chamber
Lead your child home.
To the New Jerusalem
Lead your child home.
To eternal bliss
Lead your child home.
To the company of the saints
Lead your child home.
To the Supper of the Lamb
Lead your child home.
To the garden of delight
Lead your child home.
To the throne of majesty
Lead your child home.
To the lights of glory
Lead your child home.
To the Canaan-ground
Lead your child home.
To the highest heights
Lead your child home.
To the crown of glory
Lead your child home.
To the land of rest
Lead your child home.
To Jordan’s other shore
Lead your child home.
To the Holy City, the Bride
Lead your child home.
To the safe harbor
Lead your child home.
To the fount of life
Lead your child home.
To the gates of pearl
Lead your child home.
To the ladder of angels
Lead your child home.
To the land of milk and honey
Lead your child home.
To the clouds of glory
Lead your child home.
To the refreshing stream
Lead your child home.
To the reward of the righteous
Lead your child home.
To the dwelling-place of God
Lead your child home.
The Lord's prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
now and for ever. Amen.
or the alternative form.
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
now and for ever. Amen.
Good night all! I love you ! Have a blessed night. Let us always remember and love each other and never forget.
With love and blessings,
Sara
Resources:
A to Z quotes
Enriching Our Worship 1 and 2
Lectionary Page
Metis Aboriginal Ministries
Book of Common Prayer
YouTube
All other portions are cited above.
Northumbria Community
Prayers of Power from the Harvard Square Library
As Maria says in "The Sound of Music" "Let's start from the very beginning!"
We must seek common ground and question our words, deeds, and thoughts towards each other . This is called self-examination!
We must recognize the holy in all people, places, places of worship, and in God's Cathedral of life.
We must walk like Jesus walked, Talk like Jesus talked, Love like Jesus loved. Forgive like Jesus Forgave.
We need to get a mirror and look at ourselves and see who God sees and who God made.
We need to look at ourselves and tell ourselves this "I love you!'
We need to begin to reacquaint ourselves with our family members and seek to not be estranged.
We need to show love for one another with generosity and care.
We need to begin to stop the hate and violence towards all our family members who differ from us.
We need to be practitioners of social justice, civil disobedience, and peaceful non-violent protest without fear and whenever necessary.
We need to model ourselves after God and Jesus and engage in radical love and hospitality towards everyone.
We need to choose our words and actions rightly.
We need to stop politicizing events such as 9/11 and come together as one.
We must sow seeds of Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy.
We must strive to respect the dignity of every human being.
We must strive to make peace and show those who do not know how to make peace the right way with love, justice, mercy, and humility.
We must learn to be one with one another without spite and without malice.
We must love!
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