Written by Trish Holland
Monday, 22 August 2011 01:29
Leader: Ten years we were brought to our knees as a nation in shock,
fear, anger, grief. For perhaps the first time, we woke up to God’s truth that
we are as vulnerable as the rest of humanity. The forces of national security
did not protect our homeland from terrorists turning our own planes into
deadly missiles. “We Shall Overcome” was first sung by Americans who
faced generations of violence against home and family. It echoed in South
Africa, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. When we face our fear, anger,
and grief, we, too, can be transformed by God’s powerful grace to act with
courage and hope.
Please join me in silent reflection on the events of this year.
SILENCE
All sing: We shall overcome, we shall overcome,
we shall overcome some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
we shall overcome some day.
Leader: In the wake of 9-11, our differences faded. We stood united
one nation under God. Our common grief released a flood of compassion.
Citizens left their jobs, traveling thousands of miles, to care for the
wounded, to remove the debris, to search for the missing, to bury the dead,
to comfort the grieving. Please join me in silence to give thanks for the
unity and compassion that rose up within us and around the world bringing
us together as one people.
SILENCE
All sing: We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand,
we’ll walk hand in hand some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
we’ll walk hand in hand some day.
Leader: Inspired by the unity and compassion of millions of Americans
from every walk of life, we tasted and saw the harmony of God’s shalom,
God’s intention for life together. Please join me in silence and feel your
own hunger for a world at peace.
SILENCE
All sing: We will live in peace, we will live in peace,
we will live in peace some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
we will live in peace some day.
Leader: Our enemy NOW is our own anxiety and fear. We see the rage
of terrorists, the lack of respect for human life, the call for retaliation, the
escalation of weapons of mass destruction around the world. We are afraid
for ourselves, our children, our nation, our way of life, the future of the
earth. Please join me in silence as we hear the voice of the Lord: “Do not
be afraid. I am with you always.”
SILENCE
All sing: The Lord will see us through, the Lord will see us through,
the Lord will see us through some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
the Lord will see us through some day.
http://www.pres-outlook.com/reports-a-resources/for-church-officers/11773-a-litany-of-reflectionfrom-a-community-wide-911-observance.html