CALL TO WORSHIP

         Still in the shadow of the tragedy of September 11, we come again to God’s house seeking a special blessing of comfort at this time of pain from events that go far beyond our imagination and understanding. With new awareness of His whole world, we want to acknowledge God’s acts of blessing "for all that dwell below the skies,’" especially renewing our vision and hope for this blessing in those places where hunger, hopelessness, hate, insecurity, isolation, idolatry or greed seem to win out over love of fellow beings, the safety of community, sharing of earth’s plenty, protection of the weak, peacemaking, and love of God.

(written by Ellis Shenk)

Confession

Leader: O Prince of peace,
                    from peace that is no peace,
                    from the grip of all that is evil,
                    from a violent righteousness…
People: deliver us.
Leader: from paralysis of will,
                    from lies and misnaming,
                    from terror of truth…
People: deliver us.
Leader: From hardness of heart,
                    from trading in slaughter,
                    from the worship of death…
People: deliver us.
Leader: By the folly of your gospel,
                    by your choosing our flesh,
                    by your nakedness and pain… 
People: heal us.
Leader: By your weeping over the city,
                    by your refusal of the sword,
                    by your facing of horror…
People: heal us.
Leader: By your bursting from the tomb,
                    by your coming in judgment,
                    by your longing for peace …
People: heal us.
All: Grant us peace. AMEN

Hymnal #697 - Peace litany, 20th c., source unknown

Children's Time

     [As the children are involved in the front of the sanctuary, the ushers pass copies of the picture to the right out to the rest of the congregation to ponder.]

         I wanted to share something with you this morning. Barbara Poole shared it with me last Sunday. It's a picture that was drawn by the son of one of the people she works with. He is eight years old. Like many of you, he saw what happened in New York on September 11. He used his gift for drawing to come of with this. What do you see in it? What do you think about it?

         Listen to the children.....

Benediction

"Take Hold of the Eternal Life"

One:  God has entrusted us with many good things.

All:  Yet we wander from God's way and fall into temptation
            and senseless pursuits that lead to our own destruction.

One:  People of God, turn from these harmful ways. Instead,
            pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance,
            and gentleness. These are God's good things.

All:  We will fight the good fight of the faith, taking hold of
            the eternal life to which we are called and for which God
            created us.

One:  I charge you to keep the commandments until the return
            of the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed and only Sovereign,
            the King of kings and Lord of lords. To him be honor
            and eternal dominion. Amen.

- Russ Matteson, manager
Brethren Press Marketing and Sales
Church of the Brethren General Board