Document
OPENING
I believe in the sun
though it is late in rising.
I believe in love,
though it is absent
I believe in God
though God is silent...
Text from an unsigned inscription found on the wall of a cave in Cologne where Jews had been hiding.
PSALMODY
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
God makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
WORD
A reading from Proverbs
Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
“To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to one who understands
and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
I, wisdom, live with prudence,
and I attain knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
I have good advice and sound wisdom;
I have insight, I have strength. (Proverbs 8:1-14)
Holy Wisdom, Holy Word,
Thanks be to God.
Time for reflection
Song: O Lord, hear my prayer (Taizé)
Prayers
Intercessory Prayer
Blessed be the Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe who calls us to pray for the world of which we are a part; a world of pain and suffering, error and hate, yet a world of vigilance and hope, truth and love.
Lord God of compassion, hear our prayer for those who suffer today for the horrors of the past. For survivors of the Holocaust whose memory of its awfulness still haunts and hurts, from generation to generation.
O Lord hear our prayer…
Lord God of the nations, we entrust to you the peoples and churches in Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey. Heal the memories and wounds inflicted by early 20th century genocides of Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian communities.
O Lord hear our prayer…
Lord God of healing, sustain those who work for reconciliation and understanding peace, respect and tolerance. Guide organizations that foster friendship and heal hurts and bitter memories, that promote faithful encounter and honest dialogue.
O Lord hear our prayer…
Lord God of truth, encourage interfaith dialogue and international peace and relations, encourage those who pioneer new ways of thinking and understanding and those with fresh visions of a world where we respect each other’s diversity and celebrate the richness of each other’s traditions, where we learn from one another and glimpse something of the Mystery that you are.
O Lord hear our prayer…
Lord God of comfort, hear our prayer for those who are caught in the world’s conflicts; innocent men, women and children. Hear their cries, feel their pain and loss, see their desolation.
O Lord hear our prayer…
God of Mercy, hear us as we pray for those who are dying, with no-one to care for them, no-one to love them, those who die and nobody knows their name. Send us to the lost and afraid, the destitute and the dying, the lonely and the oppressed. Give us grace, give us energy and give us a vision of your love and empower us to do your will.
O Lord hear our prayer…
Lord we confess that by silence and ill-considered words, we have built up walls of prejudice. Lord we confess that by selfishness and lack of sympathy, we have stifled generosity and left little time for others. Holy Spirit, speak to us. Help us to listen to your word of forgiveness, for we are very deaf. Come fill this moment and free us from sin.
Amen.
Cathedral Church of St George, Cape Town (Archbishop Desmond Tutu)
The Lord’s Prayer (in our different languages)
Blessing
God bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face
and make you prosper.
Go in peace.
Thanks be to God!
