Reader 1: Welcome: Peace Greetings from around the World Reader 2: Oom Shan-ti. ding Reader 3: Sha- lom ah leh-hem ding Reader 4: Sah- lame ah leh hem! ding Reader 5: La Pah Chay in Tay ! ding Reader 6: La Pay ohn voo. ding Reader 7: Der Free den in Deer ding Reader 8: La Pas con oo Sted Reader 9: Pea nah Kah nee ding Reader10: May PEACE be with you. May PEACE be with all. All Grade 4: Amen. Call to Worship Reader 11 : Come together, talk together: Let our minds be in harmony. Reader 12: Common be our prayer, Common be our end, Common be our purpose, Common be our desires. All of Grade 4: United be our hearts, United be our intentions, Perfect be the unity among us. Reader 13: Let us stand now and sing together:
Cantor (11) Please join us in singing, The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
During this second Week of Advent, our hearts and our minds turn to thoughts of peace. And so we pray
From the beginning of time, in every corner of our world, the human race has known their need of salvation. The Advent tradition of making a Jesse tree reminds us of all the people, beginning from Adam and Eve right up to T he announcement of John the Baptist of the Messiah’s coming. They all cried out with longing: “Come and set us free, O God.” With them, let us now raise our voices in an Advent Song that tells our belief in God’s promise of salvation to all humankind.
Reader 12: We turn now to the words of Isaiah, a prophet esteemed by Jews, Christians and Muslims throughout our world. Reader 13: Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths. For from Zion shall come forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Reader 12: The Lord will judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. Readers 12 and 13: O house of Jacob, come! Let us walk in the light of the Lord. The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God!
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Dear God, our world is in such need of your message of peace. Each person, according to his or her own prayer tradition, calls to you Dear God, our world is in such need of your message of peace. Each person, according to his or her own prayer tradition, calls to you To help us to bring peace to our world which is darkened by sin and disunity. We pray now with the words of a teacher, a rabbi, who carries Isaiah’s message of peace into our own time. Reader 14 Let the rain come down and wash away the ancient grudges, and bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations. Reader 15 Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt and the neglect.
Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows.
Reader 16: Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness, so that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of our neighbors.
Reader 17 Let the earth, nourished by rain, bring forth flowers to surround us with beauty.
Reader 18 Winston Churchill once said: Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Reader 19 That world leaders may have the courage not only to speak up for peace, but also to sit down, listen and negotiate. For this we pray. Reader 20 Pablo Casals once said, “The love of one’s country is a splendid thing, But why should love stop at the border? Reader 21: That people of every nation will come to the aid of those living without proper food, clothing and shelter no matter where on earth they might live. For this we pray.
Reader 22: Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Reader 23: That people in every land will reach out to those in need, praying for them and making sacrifices so that no one is ever lonely or abandoned. For this we pray Reader 24: Siddharta Gautama, the Enlightened One, told us, “ Better than a thousand words is one word that brings peace.” Reader 25 That each of us may speak a word of peace this day – a word of kindness or of forgiveness. For this we pray
O God, you are the source of life and peace. Praised be your name forever. We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace. Hear our prayers this day for a lasting peace. We know your power changes hearts. May those who are estranged join hands in friendship; May all nations seek the way of peace together. Empower all people to live in your law of love Amen.
Reader 26: We invite you to stand with us and recite the World Peace Pledge.
Reader 27 Let us bow our heads and pray for God’s blessing: Upon all who walk this earth by this rule of life, may peace and mercy be upon them. And may the Lord of peace give each of you peace at all times in every way . Amen.