Community Interfaith Service of Prayers for Peace
March 27, 2003 7:30 p.m.
Evangelical Congregational Church, Westborough, Massachusetts

Prelude Peace Be Unto You

Choral Introit Dona Nobis Pacem (God, Give Us Peace)
        Choir of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church


Call to Prayer 

Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You.

Great and wonderful are Your works, wondrous are your ways.

Thank You for the many splendored variety of Your creation.

Thank You for the many ways we affirm Your presence and purpose, and for the freedom to do so.

We stand in awe and gratitude for Your persistent love for each and all of Your children:

Christian, Jew, Muslim, as well as those with other faiths.

Eternal God, Creator of the universe, there is no God but You. Amen.

(Adapted from a prayer written by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders, and used in many interfaith services during the Gulf War)

Introduction and Welcome

Lighting of a Peace Candle (unison prayer)

O God, we light this candle for peace, for we need light to dispel the darkness and fear that has overtaken our world. May this candle burn as a sign of peace, offered to the One each of us calls Holy. Amen.

*Hymn #722 This is My Song Finlandia

A Prayer in Time of War (responsive)

One: Eternal God, who calls us to peace, we find ourselves again in the wilderness of war. With hopes dashed on the rocks of failed diplomacy, in a time when nations are filled with distrust and fear, we cry out to you for mercy.

All: With memories of a fragile peace now lost, we ask for courage to face this time of uncertainty and vulnerability. God, in your mercy, strengthen us.

One: Loving God, hear the lament of our hearts for anything and everything worthy of peace that we have neglected on the road to war.

All: Some of us have spoken harsh words; some of us have closed our ears to dialogue; some of us have been silenced by our own confusion. God, in your mercy, forgive us.

One: Righteous God, in whose sacred justice both mercy and truth embrace, help us to see in all persons, including those we now call our enemy, the grandeur of your image and likeness.

All: Across the chasm of our separation open our eyes to our common humanity, pronounced good by your voice at the dawn of creation. God, in your mercy, reconcile all people to one another, and to your vision of peace.

(adapted from the web site of The United Church of Christ)

Children’s Story "Sadako and the Thousand Cranes"
 

Anthem Songs of Peace
       Children from Alhuda Academy of Westborough
After the songs, the children may leave for an activity, or remain with their families.

Readings from Sacred Scriptures

    Tanakh - Hebrew Scripture Isaiah 2:4, and prayer

    New Testament – Christian Scripture I John 4:16b,18-21, and prayer 

    Holy Qur’an – Muslim Scripture Surah 1:1, and prayer

Anthem Al Kol Eileh
     Choir of Congregation B’nai Shalom

Prayers of Intercession

One: Dear God, many of the families of those who enlisted in our armed services in peace time never expected this nation to face a military threat, never imagined that as reserves their loved ones would be called to active duty. Many of the men and women in our armed services have never faced real danger, have never been in life or death situations, have never been in a war. No one is ever fully prepared for war, fully prepared to take another person’s life, fully prepared to face an untimely death. As unprepared as we all are for the unthinkable, we turn to you and entrust into your hands the lives and hearts of our loved ones serving in the military, and the medical personnel and chaplains called to assist them. We pray especially for pastor Steve Misarski of New Hope Chapel, and for . . . (members of the congregation may speak the names of family members or friends in the service).

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: We pray for the country of Iraq, land of Abraham, father of three great religions; ancient realm of the two rivers; birthplace of civilization. We pray for Iraqi families and children in the path of destruction who have done no wrong but who will suffer, and perhaps die in this war and its aftermath.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: We pray for those in our country and community whose family roots are in the Middle East, and who have experienced persecution, or violation of their rights because of religion, race or ethnicity, and for those who fear for relatives and friends in the war zone.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: In this time of massive events, we pray for the leaders of the world, and of our own country: religious leaders, political leaders, diplomats, and ambassadors, that they may be given the wisdom to make a just and lasting peace.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: We pray for the agencies of compassion, who will try to feed the hungry, bind up the wounded, and find shelter for the displaced.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: We pray for the residents of Westborough, that we may not be divided by this war, but that we may practice mutual respect and cherish the freedom to disagree.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: We pray for all people everywhere who live in fear, and for our own fear.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: Now in silence, we offer the prayers of our hearts . . . (a time of silence)

All: Amen.

(adapted from United Methodist, United Church of Christ, and Iona Community sources)

Anthem Let Us Walk in Peace
      Choir of The Evangelical Congregational Church

For a World at War

God of all the world, as we focus our prayers on the needs of those involved in the war in Iraq, we are mindful that there are many wars and armed conflicts taking place around your world today. In Afghanistan, Congo and Ivory Coast, in Nigeria, Colombia, and Chechnya, in Burma, Kashmir and the Philippines., between Israelis and Palestinians, and in too many other places, your children know war and conflict fueled by present injustices and wrongs remembered. Provide the people in such situations the hope and faith and love to endure. Provide leaders the courage and vision to seek and implement nonviolent solutions, which do justice for all. Bless the efforts of those who work for peace in all these places. Amen.

(Adapted from the web site of The Presbyterian Church, USA)

Lighting of Peace Candles

* Hymn Light One Candle
     (clergy recess during hymn, carrying candles back to each house of worship)

Benediction

Postlude Let There Be Peace on Earth

*Those who are able may stand