A Ridley Park UMC Publication
More Publications

CELEBRATION FOR PEACE SERVICE
February 28, 1991
 
We welcome you to this "Celebration For Peace" and thank you for being here. Six weeks ago we met here to pray that hostilities would not come about and that the peace would not be broken. It was and we were all crushed by it. We have all prayed for this moment to come and now that it has, we must give thanks to God that it has ended this quickly and with a minimal loss of life to our service men and women.
 
Hymn of Praise "For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" #1
 
INVOCATION OF THANKSGIVING AND CELEBRATION
Leader:Most compassionate God, we gather tonight as we rejoice in your power for new life.
People:MOST COMPASSIONATE GOD, ONLY YOU COULD HAVE CARRIED US THROUGH THE REIGN OF CHAOS WITH WHICH WE HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED.
Leader:Without you, we would have crumbled in despair.
Without you, all our hope would have vanished.
People:YOU GAVE US THE COURAGE TO FACE THE FUTURE. YOU GAVE US THE STRENGTH TO LIVE IN UNSEEN HOPE. YOU GAVE US WILL TO CONTINUE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.
All:GATHER WITH US TONIGHT, GOD OD LOVE AND STRENGTH.
HEAR OUR WORDS OF JOY!
HEAR OUR PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND CELEBRATION!
BLESS US WITH YOUR SPIRIT. AMEN.
 
A PRAYER FOR DISCERNMENT (Unison)
 So often, God of wholeness, we are a torn people. We set ourselves apart based on differences, distinctions, judgments, and opinions. We tear ourselves from within as we strive for independence and justice. We do not recognize our common longings for peace, for healing and deep meaning within life. Yet, in spite of ourselves, emerging from the heart of Christ, you come to us in reassuring love. May we see the power of your Spirit as it blesses us with hope and feeds us in joy. In the unity of that Spirit we draw together to sing and pray as your renewed children. Amen.
A SHARING OF THOUGHTS
 
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING  Now Thank We All Our God  #49
 
OUR PRAYER FOR THE WORLD
 Let us all sing "Kumbayah" First two stanzas:
          "Kumbayah, my Lord"
          "Someone's crying, Lord"
Prayer for those who are crying.

Personal Prayers

Third stanza: "Someone's praying, Lord"

Prayer for those who are praying.

Personal Prayers

Fourth stanza: "Someone's singing, Lord"

Prayer for those who are singing.

Personal Prayers

Fifth stanza: "Come by here, my Lord"
CLOSING PRAYER
HYMN OF CELEBRATION "God Bless America"
BENEDICTION
 
You are now invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a time of fellowship to share in the joy that we have found now that the sounds of battle have ceased.
More Publications



RPUMC