(materials needed: 3 candles/holders)
Reading: "…put on whatever
will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace."
(Ephesians 6:15)
Leader: We came to the end of the
third triennium of Women of the ELCA in St. Louis.
There we rejoiced in our theme, "Proclaim God's
Peace." Throughout that triennium, we have celebrated
our faith and proclaimed the peace of God to our
families, our communities and the world.
Hymn: LBW #415 -- "God of Grace
and God of Glory"
(The first candle is
lit.)
Community: With joy and
thanksgiving we light a candle. We give thanks to God
for where we have been, what we have learned, how we
have grown, those whose lives have been touched and
how we have lived out our ministries.
Reading: "He has told you, O
mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require
of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to
walk humbly with your God?" (Micah
6:8)
Leader: We were presented with a
new theme at the fourth triennium of Women of the
ELCA--"Live God's Justice." Throughout the next
year and a half, we will continue to seek to increase
our understanding of justice issues. We will work to
strengthen our skills and become effective
advocates for healing and wholeness in society. We
will create a welcoming and safe place for all
people in our homes, our communities and the
world.
(The second candle is
lit.)
Hymn: WOV #763 -- "Let Justice
Flow Like Streams"
Community: With joy and
hopefulness we light a candle. We ask God's blessing
on where we will go, what we will learn, how we will
grow, those lives that will be touched, and how we
will shape our ministries.
Leader: Lord, God of peace and
justice,
Community: You call on us to be
truthful and courageous, to live your
justice.
Leader: Lord, God of justice, there
is much that we must not do.
Community: We must not look away
from injustice and inequality. We must not be silent
in the face of prejudice and intolerance. We must not
accept a climate of hate and fear of those who are
"other". We must not tolerate unfairness and
discrimination.
Leader: Lord, God of justice, there
is much that we must do.
Community: We must be responsive
to the needs of others. We must seek to understand and
embrace diversity. We must name your truth. We must be
the voice of the voiceless. We must confront our
"isms" and phobias. We must decry all forms of
violence. We must model living in true community. We
must proclaim that all children of this world are
fully and equally children of God.
Leader: Lord, God of justice, we
continue this triennium with commitment.
(The third candle is
lit)
Community: We will hold on to
one another, give thanks for each other, and prepare
for the journey ahead. We will grow strong together,
and go forth with God's love, to fill the world with
God's justice.
Hymn: WOV #699 -- "Blessed
Assurance"
(Join hands, as you are
able…)
Leader: In our togetherness, and by
God's grace, we find strength.
Community: Our Father, who art
in heaven….
(Hymn)
Leader: Go in peace. Live God's
Justice.
Community: We will live God's
justice. We will hold God's people in our
hearts.