Welcome and Intimations
-
CH4 704 I Vow to Thee My Country
-
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
the love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
-
And there's another country I've heard of long ago,
most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
-
-
Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Hearing the Names of the Fallen
-
CH4 712 What Shall We Pray for Those Who Died
-
What shall we pray for those who died
those on whose death our lives relied?
Silenced by war but not denied,
God give them peace.
-
What shall we pray for those who mourn
friendships and love, their fruit unborn?
Though years have passed, hearts still are torn;
God give them peace.
-
What shall we pray for those who live
tied to the past they can’t forgive,
haunted by terrors they relive?
God give them peace.
-
What shall we pray for those who know
nothing of war, and cannot show
grief or regret for friend or foe?
God give them peace.
-
What shall we pray for those who fear
war, in some guise, may reappear
looking attractive and sincere?
God give them peace.
-
God give us peace and, more than this,
show us the path where justice is;
and let us never be remiss
working for peace that lasts.
WGRG / The Iona Community
-
-
- Numbers 1:1-16, 44-54
- John 15:1-17
Meditation
-
CH4 710 I Have a Dream
-
“I have a dream”, a man once said,
“where all is perfect peace;
where men and women, black and white,
stand hand in hand, and all unite
in freedom and in love.”
-
But in this world of bitter strife
the dream can often fade;
reality seems dark as night,
we catch but glimpses of the light
Christ sheds on humankind.
-
Fierce persecution, war, and hate
are raging everywhere;
God calls us now to pay the price
through struggles and through sacrifice
of standing for the right.
-
So dream the dreams and sing the songs,
but never be content:
for thoughts and words don’t ease the pain:
unless there’s action, all is vain;
faith proves itself in deeds.
-
Lord, give us vision, make us strong,
help us to do your will;
don’t let us rest until we see
your love throughout humanity
uniting us in peace.
2005 Pamela J. Pettitt
-
Offering
Prayer of Intercession
-
CH4 528 Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
-
Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love;
where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord;
and where there’s doubt, true faith in You.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.
-
Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, only light;
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
O Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.
-
Make me a channel of Your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all men that we receive;
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
1967, OCP Publications
-
The National Anthem
Blessing