Funeral service for Alain Blancy - Culte d'actions de grace pour le pasteur Alain Blancy

What follows is the full funeral service in French for Alain Blancy, he would have been 81 today. I shall post the sermon I preached and some extracts from Alain's writing separately. Maybe one day I'll even get around to translating some of it into English. Tradtionally many French Protestant funerals take place only at the cemetry in almost extreme simplicity - a reaction perhaps to what was perceived as Catholic over ritualistaion of death.This Protestant service took place in the local Roman Catholic church and was not short. Afterwards we went to the cemetry in Farges and read Psalm 121 according to the Jewish tradition. I don't think I have ever more regretted that I cannot chant in Hebrew or Yiddish.
Alain Blancy was a remarkable man with an extraordinary history. I'll post some links here over the next few days to some biographical details in English.and French about him and his ecumenical work.
Becasue this is copied from an old document there are some problems with formatting, my apologies.

Culte d'action de grâces lors de l'enterrement
du pasteur Alain Blancy

à l'Eglise de Thoiry, Mercredi, le 4 octobre 2000

Entrée avec versets bibliques :

- Jésus Christ dit : Je suis la résurrection et la vie, Celui qui croit en moi vivra quand même il serait mort

- Le Dieu qui a dit "Que la lumière brille du milieu de l'obscurité" est aussi celui qui a fait briller sa lumière dans nos cœurs.

- Décharge-toi de ton souci sur le Seigneur, il te maintiendra debout

- Ne te laisse pas vaincre par le mal. Sois au contraire vainqueur du mal par le bien.

- Heureux vous qui pleurez maintenant, vous rirez

- Heureux les affliges ils seront consoles

- Toute l'eau des océans ne suffirait jamais à éteindre le feu de l'amour

Accueil par le curé Michel Giboz

Prière - La pasteure Jane Stranz

Cantique
Mon Dieu mon Père, écoute-moi, car ma prière s'élève à toi.
En Jésus Christ, Tu nous l'as dit, je puis Seigneur, t'ouvrir mon cœur.
Ah fais-moi grâce, Dieu tout puissant, tourne ta face vers ton enfant.

Viens je te prie, change mon cœur, guide ma vie loin de l'erreur.
Mon seul désir est de choisir la bonne part sous ton regard.
Que mon offense ne lasse plus ta patience, O Dieu d'amour.

« J'avais encore quelque chose à te dire »
Ainsi commençais, un tas de coups de fil et maintes conversations après des cultes ou des réunions; ainsi commençais aussi un tas de messages sur mon répondeur (Alain est le seul paroissien qui avait régulièrement besoin de téléphoner deux fois au répondeur pour raconter tout ce qu'il avait a me dire!)
Aujourd'hui nous nous retrouvons dans la reconnaissance pour toutes les choses que Alain a trouvé le temps de nous dire, et dans la détresse que sa conversation avec nous est maintenant interrompue.
Mais nous nous retrouvons également dans la confiance que Dieu écoute et entend le désarroi de notre deuil et nous nous retrouvons surtout dans l'espérance que nos conversations d'ici bas trouveront une suite éternelle.
J'hésite a dire ceci, mais je me demande quand même si l'éternité suffira vraiment à Alain pour dire tout ce qu'il a encore à nous transmettre. Ce culte est construit autour de quelques textes que Alain a écrit, pour que sa conversation avec nous puisse se poursuivre aujourd'hui un moment, avant de lui dire au revoir.

Arved Bielschowsky est né à l'aube le 5 janvier 1927 à Berlin. C'était la veille de la fête chrétienne de l'Epiphanie. Célébration de la lumière offerte a toutes les nations. Il est décédé le soir du 30 septembre dans sa chambre à Farges le soir du sabbat à la fin de la fête juive de Rochhachannah qui marque le commencement d'une nouvelle année.

Nous allons entendre un extrait de l'autobiographie de cet homme que nous avons tellement apprécié.

Extrait d'un début d'autobiographie adressé a ses enfants:

Lu par le pasteur Daniel Jouve, président du conseil régional.

Né un 5 janvier 1927, j'ai longtemps cru que ce fut un mardi, "Dienstag" en allemand, dont la fausse étymologie, qui me plaisait, disait jour de service. Mais non un camarade m'ayant montré où un journal d'enfant révélé le calcul du calendrier perpétuel, j'ai dû bien plus tard me rendre à la raison: ce fut un mercredi, "Mittwoch" en allemand, le jour du milieu de la semaine qui la coupe en deux. Cela me plait aussi à présent, car je me sens être double, double allemand français, double juif et chrétien, double ou mélangé, métissé, mâtiné, ouvert, trop à tant d'autres influences au cours de l'existence, par peur d'être enfermé dans l'une alors que l'on est séduit par l'autre sans pour autant le rejoindre par un saut sans retour. Une sorte d'élasticité existentielle, mais avec le contrecoup parfois ne pas savoir où l'on est chez soi, à qui ou à quoi l'on appartient. Ce qui est un avantage souvent: savoir trois langues dont deux maternelles pour ainsi dire, en comprendre d'autres, ou vouloir en savoir davantage, aimer le contact a pour revers de ne pas approfondir ces contacts et de se complaire dans le chatoiement des contrastes. Mais de cela plus tard aussi … Je suis né à l'aube, vers les 7 heures. Ma mère m'a dit avoir encore dansé cinq jours avant pour la St Sylvestre, la nuit du nouvel an.

Message du Conseil National

Cantique
Fais moi comprendre ta charité, et bien entendre ta vérité.
Oui que ta main, sur mon chemin, soit ô Dieu fort, mon seul support.
Que ta puissance soit chaque jour ma délivrance, O Dieu d'amour.

Deuxième extrait d'autobiographie destine a ses enfants:

Lu par Paul Champagne du Groupe de Recherche œcuménique du Pays de Gex (Le GROG)

Mon plus vieux souvenir, ou les deux plus anciens … sont les suivants: Je suis dans mon landau, le soir, la nuit tombée, poussée par ma chère Frieda, la bonne que j'aimais plus que ma mère et pour cause! Et soudain je suis frappé pour toujours par la vision du ciel étoilé (dont Kant dira qu'il est avec l'immortalité de l'âme l'un des deux mystères ou l'une des deux merveilles de la création). L'autre souvenir plus prosaïque: je marchais déjà et en me rendant au fond du jardin au carré de sable, je suis soudain furieusement aboyé par notre grand chien noir derrière sa grille, bien sur, mais qui m'a fait sursauter et m'a effrayé au point d'aller courir à la maison … Ainsi le noir de l'existence peut être aussi bien le ciel étoilé que le chien furieux, prêt a déchirer. La beauté et le calme comme les cris et la haine. Il etait pourtant beau ce chien. Je ne sais pas la suite. Les souvenirs sont des lambeaux qui s'impriment sans contours ni repères, sans suite ni enchaînements …

Il est très émouvant de pouvoir lire ces passages tirés de souvenirs de notre ami.
Nous sommes reconnaissants aux enfants d’Alain, qui ont permis cette lecture. Elle nous rappelle la sensibilité extrême de celui qui nous a si longtemps aidé à découvrir, à goûter la beauté des textes que nous étudions ensemble. Elle nous rappelle combien, lors de nos discussions dont l’œcuménisme ne faisait pas toujours disparaître la vigueur des convictions de chacun, il savait jeter un regard apaisé, et apaisant, sur ces situations. Je crois que l’hommage le plus beau, celui auquel tu serais,- j’ aimerais pouvoir dire, tu seras,- le plus sensible, Alain, ce sera que nous sachions poursuivre notre travail de dialogue, entre membres du Grog et avec d’autres, en essayant de ne pas perdre l’immense capacité d’écoute, et cette tolérance extraordinaire dont tu nous donnais l’exemple.

Cantique
Toi qui m'appelles dans ton amour, rends-moi fidèle par ton secours.
Protège-moi, et conduis-moi loin du danger, O bon Berger.
Vois ma faiblesse et me soutiens par ta tendresse, je t'appartiens

Prière
Cantique
Comme un souffle fragile ta parole se donne
comme un vase d'argile ton amour nous façonne.

Ta Parole est Murmure comme un secret d'amour
Ta parole est blessure qui nous ouvre le jour.

Genèse 28 versets 16 à 22
en allemand - Esther Wieland,
en français - Bertrand de Cazenove

Cantique
Comme un souffle fragile ta parole se donne
comme un vase d'argile ton amour nous façonne.

Ta parole est naissance comme un secret d'amour
Ta parole semence qui promet la moisson

2 Corinthiens 4 versets 6 à 9 et verset 16
Anne Rose Lafougère, Présidente du Conseil Presbytéral de l'Eglise Reformée à Ferney-Voltaire

Cantique
Comme un souffle fragile ta parole se donne
comme un vase d'argile ton amour nous façonne

Ta parole est partage comme on coupe du pain,
Ta parole est passage qui nous dit un chemin.

Marc 16 versets 1-8
Yorgo Lemopoulos, secrétaire général adjoint du Conseil œcuménique des Eglises

Prédication
La pasteure Jane Stranz

Cantique
Trouver dans ma vie ta présence, Tenir une lampe allumé
Choisir avec toi la confiance, Aimer et se savoir aimé
Croiser ton regard dans le doute, Brûler à l'écho de ta voix,
Rester pour le pain de la route, Savoir reconnaître ton pas.

Trouver dans ma vie …

Brûler quand le feu devient cendre, partir vers celui qui attend,
Choisir de donner sans reprendre, fêter le retour d'un enfant.

L'homme œcuménique:
Lu par le Père René Beaupère du Groupe des Dombes
qui a témoigné de leur collaboration pendant presque 40 ans au centre Irénée à Lyon et au groupe des Dombes.

Je pense que le véritable œcuménisme signifie cette liberté de réunir et de relier même ce qui - par nature - sépare les humains. Me sera-t-il permis de me reconnaître chrétien, même avec cet héritage de mon passé juif, droit dans la lignée de mes ancêtres, sans être déchiré en moi-même et sans devoir trahir, ou Christ, ou mes ascendants ? Me sera-t-il donné de faire avancer cette unité, cet œcuménisme dans mon propre corps et dans ma propre vie, de manière à ce que je puisse éprouver cette nouvelle unité en moi-même et par moi-même, afin de vivre la réconciliation entre ce qui est séparé dans le monde et s’y oppose en ennemi? Je ne pourrai éviter ce conflit, moi qui suis un homme en recherche et qui vit et vivra toujours de la grâce. Il n’existe pas d’autre œcuménisme pour moi que celui qui ose tenir ensemble la repentance et la lutte et qui les met en pratique.
Alain Blancy: 'Versöhnung als Solidarität und Anerkennung' in Genfer Zwischenbilanz: Werkstattberichte von Mitarbeitern des Ökumenischen Rates der Kirchen, Gesammelt, kommentiert und herausgegeben von Christfried Berger, Berlin; Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 1981. Traduction Yo Ludwig.

Message de Monseigneur Guy Bagnard Evêque de Belley Ars:
Lu par le curé Giboz

Le pasteur Alain Blancy vient de nous quitter. Je voudrais m'associer à la peine de sa famille et de ses nombreux amis, en même temps qu'à leur espérance. J'ai rencontré autrefois le Pasteur à Paris alors qu'il travaillait au comité mixte Protestante-Catholique. Il était passionné par la recherche de l'unité entre les chrétiens. Il avait expérimenté à une grande profondeur combien le témoignage de la foi recevait une fécondité de la communion entre les chrétiens. Les paroles du Christ résonnaient comme un appel pressant: "Père qu'ils soient un comme nous sommes un." L'amour de l'unité était devenu comme le cœur de sa vie. Les catholiques, aujourd'hui font mémoire dans la liturgie, du pauvre d'Assise. C'est précisément ce jour là que nous accompagnons notre ami. J'y vois plus qu'une coïncidence. C'est pour moi, le signe que le dialogue œcuménique est appelé à s'élargir au dialogue inter religieux: ce que nous appelons l'Esprit d'Assise. Chercher à réunir tous les hommes dans une même famille et accueillir sur terre le plus beau cadeau que puisse nous offrir l'Esprit Saint: celui de la paix. La paix est en effet ce climat où tous les hommes peuvent se reconnaître comme frères. Pasteur Alain Blancy, au nom de tout le diocèse, je vous exprime ma profonde gratitude et je vous dis : A Dieu.

Cantique
Trouver dans ma vie ta présence, Tenir une lampe allumé
Choisir avec toi la confiance, Aimer et se savoir aimé

Ouvrir quand tu frappes à ma porte, briser les verrous de la peur,
Savoir tout ce que tu m'apportes, rester et devenir veilleur

Extrait d'une lettre
Olivier Blancy

Je voudrais en cet instant, non sans une certaine émotion, mais avec une grande joie intérieure, vous évoquer aussi fidèlement que possible, la mémoire de mon oncle Alain. Avec lui, j’ai eu le privilège de vivre et partager des moments très profonds au cours de ces dernières années. En effet, j’étais en proie à de grandes difficultés personnelles concernant mon identité.
Je dois dire qu’Alain m’a accompagné dans cette recherche et cette lutte, pour le moins vitales et d’un enjeu capital. Son soutien et son aide ont constitué pour moi un repère très précieux. Sa capacité d’écoute, la chaleur de son cœur, la qualité de son échange tout autant que son intesité, ont contribué d’une manière prépondérante à me permettre de retrouver un nouveau souffle et plus de lumière sur mon chemin.

Aussi, je voudrais maintenant vous associer à mes pensées en lisant un extrait de deux de ces lettres :
1ère lettre datée 10 octobre 1997 de Farges
Mon cher Olivier,
Je suis très confus de recevoir de ta part cette expression de ta gratitude. Il ne fallait pas te faire de souci, ni pour mon état, ni pour ton soi-disant anus de mes forces. D’abord je me sentais très bien – la fatigue si elle vient, n’intervient que quelques jours après la chimio.
Ensuite, j’ai reçu autant, sinon plus que je ne peux donner. Ton affection me comble déjà et ta confiance me rend confus. Les échanges avec toi sont un enrichissement, aussi pour moi. Donc, ne te fais aucun cas de conscience. Si je sens que c’est trop, j’aurai la liberté de te le dire sur le moment même. Je crois que ce partage est une grâce qui nous est donnée. Et c’est à un « Autre » qu’il faut en rendre grâce....
Bon courage et à pas trop longtemps.

Je t’embrasse

Alain

2ème lettre datée du 10 octobre 1986 (de Lyon)

Mon cher Olivier

Chacun est comme il est. Souvent on ne voit qu’une face, celle du soleil. Mais où il y a du soleil, il y a de l’ombre. Et l’inverse, où il y a de l’ombre, il y a cachée, de la lumière. Tu es dans la phase de l’ombre. Mais la lumière existe. La souffrance est la nuit de l’espérance. Si tu souffres, alors tu es en bonne voie de guérison. C’est plus facile à dire qu’à vivre.
Tu es seul dans ta situation. Mais chacun est en fin de compte seul. Et pourtant nous faisons effort pour sortir un peu vers les autres, pour les connaître, pour être reconnu par eux. C’est cela la société. Pas plus facile à vivre que la solitude. Mais il faut sans cesse aller et venir du groupe à soi, de soi au groupe. C’est le rythme de la santé. Tu as trop été obligé de vivre avec toi-même. Puises-tu trouver des fenêtre, puis des portes vers les autres, des autres vers toi. C’est risqué. Le bonheur est au prix du risque. Je te le souhaite bien vite et bien fort. Tu le peux, tu le veux, je le crois.
Ton oncle Alain.

Proposition de prière d'intercession sous forme de lamentation sur le psaume 91, en mineur.

Ecrit par Alain Blancy et lu par lui lors de la cérémonie officielle du 50eme anniversaire de la Cimade au camp de Gurs

Avec répons

Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison.

Seigneur, notre Dieu, roi du monde, béni à jamais,
Quand le fracas des armes couvrait ton silence,
Quand le filet des chasseurs dénichait sous tes ailes les petits apeurés,
et qu'on nous demandait : où est ton Dieu ?
Que fallait-il répondre ?

Quand la peste brune rodait dans l'ombre,
et que son fléau s'abattait en plein midi,
Quand la terreur de la nuit cognait à la porte du refuge :
"police, ouvrez!" et qu'on nous lançait : Que fait ton Dieu ?
Comment répondre ?

Quand les sanctuaires volaient en éclats dans la Nuit de Cristal,
Quand les barbelés acérés dardaient leurs pointes en plein jour,
et qu'on nous narguait : Que peut ton Dieu ?
Quelle réponse donner ?

Quand des anges gardiens se déguisaient en démons tentateurs,
Quand leurs bras vengeurs livraient aux tigres et aux dragons dévoreurs
et qu'on nous demandait : Que peut ton Dieu ?
Que répondre ?

Quand les enfants nés s'engouffraient sans retour dans le brouillard de la nuit,
Quand la boucle des "Gott mit uns" s'abattait en Schlague sur les dos courbés
et qu'on nous assénait :
Que dit ton Dieu ?
Qui peut répondre de toi ?

Et pourtant, nous osons encore et toujours t'invoquer :
Seigneur, notre Dieu, roi du monde béni à jamais.
Voici qu'à notre tour, nous Te convoquons comme prévenu
au tribunal de l'histoire, que nous Te demandons compte
du silence dont Tu T'es emmuré,
Qu'enfin Tu parles aux enfants des hommes
par les survivants de Ton peuple,
Que Tu déchires les cieux et descendes de ton splendide isolement,
Que Tu Te mêles à la glèbe de la terre
Au peuple que Tu mis au monde,
Au fils que tu aimas, à la fille que tu chéris,
Pour qu'enfin nous sachions et que le monde en frémisse,
Qu'en celui qu'ils ont percé gît celui qui les conçut.
Que tu dises : J'étais là, avec toi, J'étais là, portant ta croix,
Je criai de ta voix, je survivais dans ta foi.

Alors, Seigneur, nos cris, nos silences n'auront pas été vains,
malgré nous, malgré tout, nous étions tes témoins;
Notre mort, notre vie te mettaient en question et en cause.
Il te faut, Seigneur, des témoins pour survivre,
des survivants pour témoigner, te citer à leur barre.
Alors tu es, Seigneur, notre Dieu, roi du monde, béni à jamais.
Ne laisse pas la terre aux mains des impies,
Viens et reviens Te mettre à la question, pour répondre ainsi que tes prophètes :
"Hineni, Me voici, Moi en toi, toi en Moi.".

Notre Père - Rimsky Korsakov

Cantique (traduction française de Komm Herr segne uns)
Viens et nous bénis, Dieu de la rencontre
C'est toi qui unis, ton amour le montre,
Garde tes enfants au creux des tempêtes.
Comme au temps des fêtes, sois toujours présent.

Tes dons généraux, ta surabondance,
Pour les malheureux ouvrent une danse.
Feu qui nous saisit, porte témoignage !
Esprit de partage, viens ô Jésus Christ.

Porteurs de la paix, La paix que tu donnes,
Semeurs désormais pour le bien des hommes,
Nous voulons Seigneur, dans la vigilance,
Que ton règne avance, toi, le vrai bonheur.

Sois toujours présent, comme au temps des fêtes
Garde tes enfants au creux des tempêtes.
Viens et nous bénis, Dieu de la rencontre,
Ton amour le montre, c'est toi qui unis.

Bénédiction

Order of Worship for Epiphany

The following service of holy communion according to the Anglican rite has been prepared by the Venerable Colin Williams, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches. Colin will preside at the eucharist on Monday and Rev Michael Wallace, general secretary of the World Student Christian Federation will be deacon. Michael, who comes from New Zealand, was ordained deacon with the Old Catholic or Christian Catholic Church here in Switzerland. That has meant he's had to learn some interesting liturgical French. Nothing like having to lead prayers in a language to put you on an upwards learning curve! And sometime over the weekend I'll have to write a sermon.
Time constraint is always our main concern on a Monday morning but occasionally we allow ourselves an extra 15 minutes for communion or other special services.
Afterwards we'll have a pot luck breakfast and share some traditional galette des rois for epiphany - this kind of fellowship is important in an ecumenical community when we are very aware that we cannot all share together in the eucharist.

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION – (WESTERN) EPIPHANY
7 January, 2008, Chapel of the Ecumenical Centre

GATHERING

Gathering Hymn Cantai ao Senhor Agape 12

Welcome and Introduction
God in Christ has revealed his glory.
Come let us worship.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
the Lord's name is greatly to be praised.
Give him praise, you servants of the Lord.
O praise the name of the Lord!

Greeting
The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Prayers of Penitence
When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.

We have not held out the word of life in a dark and twisted world. Lord have mercy,
Gospodi pomilui (Agape 28)

We have failed to share our bread with the hungry. Christ have mercy,
Lord have mercy (Agape 28)

We have closed our hearts to the love of God. Lord have mercy,
Gospodi pomilui (Agape 28)

The leader pronounces God’s forgiveness.

Gloria Gloria a Dios Agape 26
(v1 Spanish v2 English v3 German)

Prayer of the Day
Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey's end in Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

WORD

Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Matthew 2:1-12
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to You O Lord

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you O Christ

Homily The Revd. Jane Stranz

The Prayers of the People

Let us worship the Saviour with joy
and make our prayer to our heavenly Father.

The Magi came from the east to worship your Son:
Father, grant to Christians everywhere the spirit of adoration . Especially we pray for the Church in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Iraq

Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.

The infant Christ received gifts of gold, incense and myrrh:
Father, accept the offering of our hearts and minds at the beginning of this year
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.

The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ:
Father, grant an abundance of peace to your world, especially in Kenya, in Pakistan, in the Middle East, in Serbia and Kosovo
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.

The Holy Family lived in exile and in the shadow of death:
Father, look in mercy on all who are poor and powerless, and all who suffer
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.

Your Son shared the life of his home and family at Nazareth:
Father, protect in your love our neighbours, our families and all who work in this Centre
Lord of glory,
hear our prayer.

Rejoicing in fellowship with the shepherds, the angels, the magi, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph
and all the faithful departed,
we commend ourselves and all people to your unfailing love.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers
For the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ

The Sharing of Peace
Christ came and proclaimed the gospel,
peace to those who are far off and peace to those who are near.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you.

Hymn Let us Break Bread Together Agape 52

MEAL
The Preparation of the Table
Look upon us in mercy not in judgement;
draw us from hatred to love;
make the frailty of our praise a dwelling place for your glory.
Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is right to praise you, Father, Lord of all creation; in your love you made us for yourself. When we turned away you did not reject us, but came to meet us in your Son.
You embraced us as your children and welcomed us to sit and eat with you.
In Christ you shared our life that we might live in him and he in us.
He opened his arms of love upon the cross and made for all the perfect sacrifice for sin.
On the night he was betrayed, at supper with his friends he took bread, and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to them, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his body is the bread of life.
At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine, he gave you thanks, and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins; do this in remembrance of me.
Father, we do this in remembrance of him: his blood is shed for all.
As we proclaim his death and celebrate his rising in glory, send your Holy Spirit that this bread and this wine may be to us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy gifts make us one in Christ, our risen Lord.
With your whole Church throughout the world we offer you this sacrifice of praise and lift our voice to join in singing the eternal song of heaven:
Santo, santo, santo, !Mi corazon te adora. Mi corazon te sabedecir !Santo eres Senor
Holy, holy, holy. With joy my heart adores you! My heart cries out to worship you! Holy are you Lord!
Dieu saint, Dieu saint, Dieu saint! Mon coeur, mon coeur t’adore! Mon coeur le sait, mon coeur le dit,: sacré est ton nom!

Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in our own language…

Breaking of the Bread
We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world.
God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life.

Giving of Communion
God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people.
Jesus Christ is holy; Jesus Christ is Lord; To the glory of God the Father.

During the giving of Communion we sing Eat this Bread (Agape 20)

Prayer after Communion
Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek:
May we, with the Wise Men, being drawn by your light,
recognise the glory of your presence in your Son,
the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Amen

SENDING

Blessing
May the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shine in your hearts and fill our lives with his joy and his Peace. And the blessing…

All turn to face the door
L The Cross,
C We shall take it.

L The Bread,
C We shall break it.

L The Word,
C We shall bear it.

L The Joy,
C We shall share it.

L The Gospel,
C We shall live it.

L The Love,
C We shall give it.

L The Light,
C We shall cherish it.

L The Darkness,
C God shall perish it.

Dismissal
L Let us go in peace,
C Thanks be to God.

Sending Hymn Nun Danket Alle Gott Agape 62

Advent 3 - the true light that gives light to everyone

This Service for the third week of Advent was put together by Béatrice Mukhtar from Sudan, she's been working as a youth intern in the WCC worship office for the past 12 months.
(instructions in itallics and bold for responses said by all.)

“The True light that gives light to everyone”

Words of Welcome
Call to Worship

This is the season of holy waiting.
We wait for the time when the desert will bloom abundantly.
We watch for the day when all God’s people will come together with singing.
We wait while the dawning light appears on the horizon.
Come let us walk in the light of God!

Song: Siyahamba ~ we are walking in the light of God ~ Thuma Mina 107; sung first in Zulu then in English

Bible Reading - Isaiah 35:1-10 (read in Spanish and Swahili)

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

Song Response: Kindle a Flame from Iona

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way, the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Song Response: Kindle a Flame

Gospel Reading - John 1:1-9 (Read in Arabic)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Song Response: Kindle a Flame

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Carry the Light - a dance by Ngu Wah Kyaw

Lighting the Third Candle ~ Time to Change

We light three candles to remind us of John the Baptist.
He told people that Jesus was coming but that meant things would have to change. He said that we should make the world a fairer place for poor people who don’t have enough to eat and who get treated badly by people with more power. Life is still unfair for lots of people and it doesn’t help if we all think nothing can ever change.

Prayers of intercession
(Through the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle this week we pray for the peoples and churches of Benin, Ivory Coast, and Togo.)

Let us pray for homes where things are changing.
(Silence)

Where there is a new baby.
Where someone has left home or is moving.
Where someone is ill or someone has died.
Where someone has lost the job or has a new job.
Where people are considering a change in their lives.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sung Response: Lumière de Dieu (Thuma Mina 150 - in French)

Let us pray for countries where things are changing.
(Silence)

Where there is a new government and new hope or new fears.
Where prices are going up.
Where schools or hospitals are closing.
Where there is war and violence.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sung Response: Lumière de Dieu (Thuma Mina 150 - in German)

Let us pray for people who make things change.
(Silence)

Leaders who have power but don’t always do good things with it.
People who try to change the law,
so that it will be better for poor women and men.
People in the media who say things that people listen to.
Ordinary people who make the world a better place.
People who have changed situations
whereby poor and marginalised people have been helped and
given opportunities to be self-supporting.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Song Response: Lumière de Dieu (Thuma Mina 150 - in English)

We say the Lord’s Prayer, each in our own language.

Song: El cielo canta alegria (Thuma Mina 54 - all verses in Spanish)

Blessing
Hold your light out to the world
And let people of all nations feel the warmth of God’s love
as they encounter the Word made Flesh through Christ our Lord.

Follow, where the Spirit of Hope leads us.
Listen, as the Child of Peace cries for us.
Rejoice, as the love of God embraces us
and let us go
with Hope, Peace and Love in our hearts
and the blessing
of Creator, Child and Spirit for ever within us.
Amen.

Advent worship - This is what we hope

This is what we hope ~ Advent Worship, Ecumenical Centre, Wednesday 12 December 2007

This worship was put together by Simon Oxley, the prayer towards the end is copyright Janet Morley, All Desires Known 1988. One of the hymns comes from Common Ground,
sorry I don't have a copy so cannot give the copyright. The French verse in that same hymn comes from Arc en Ciel's Psaume 42. "Soon and very soon" is © 1971 by Bud John Songs, Inc.\Crouch Music Company. All rights reserved. the reposnsive in various langauges is from Taizé and "Ososo" can be found in the Agape hymnbook.

The worship opens in darkness and a Maori song is sung solo, expressing the longing for light in the darkness.

Hymn, (German words for this hymn also exist in the new EGB, please note that these French words come from Arc en Ciel and not from the new French hymnbook Alléluia, I much prefer these words, which stick less closely to the original Latin which follows the great advent antiphones which I love, I'm probably the only person who even worries about these things but anyway get in touch if you want to know more!)
1. Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

2. Oh! Viens Jésus, oh! Viens Emmanuel !
Nous dévoiler le monde fraternel,
Où ton amour plus fort que la mort,
Nous régénère au sein d’un même corps.
Chantez, Chantez, il vient à notre appel
Combler nos cœurs Emmanuel. !

3. Oh! Viens Jésus tracer notre chemin;
Visite-nous étoile du matin.
Au fond de nos regards fais monter
L’éclat soudain du jour d’éternité.
Chantez, Chantez, il vient à notre appel
Combler nos cœurs Emmanuel !

4. Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path of misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Prayer (can be said by all of responsively)
Lord God,
we adore you
because you have come to us in the past:
you have spoken to us in the law of Israel
you have challenged us in the words of the prophets
you have shown us in Jesus, what you are really like.

Lord God,
we adore you
because you still come to us now:
you come to us through other people in their love and concern for us
you come to us through those who need our help
you come to us now, even as we worship you.

Lord God,
we adore you
because you will come to us at the end:
you will be with us at the hour of death
you will reign supreme when at all institutions fall
you will still be our God when our history has run its course.

We welcome you, the God who comes.
Come to is now in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

We hear the word of hope for the time of Isaiah
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. (Isaiah 40.1-11)

We sing of the same hope for our times
(The English words here are from the Iona hymn book Common ground and it says try to sing it lightly and fast, like a dance. It's an old Genevan Psalter tune for Psalm 42 so as we always get complaints about doing too much in English I managed to find one verse in French which fitted in quite well with these new English words)

Comfort, comfort now my people
speak of peace - so says your God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness,
burdened by a heavy load.
To our cities now proclaim:
God shall take away your shame.
Now get ready to recover:
guilt and suffering are over.

2. Hear the herald's proclamation
in the desert far and near,
calling all to true repentance,
telling that the Lord is near.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
For your God prepare a way.
Let the valleys rise to greet him
and the hills bow down to meet him.

3. Dans ma nuit mets ta lumière
Dans mon coeur ta vérité
Pour guider jusqu’au sauveur
Le retour de l’exilé.
A nouveau Dieu de ma joie
Je ferai monter vers toi,
Avec tous ceux qui te chantent,
Ma ferveur reconnaissante.

4. Straighten out what has been crooked;
make the roughest places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble,
live as fits God's holy reign.
Soon the glory of the Lord
shall on earth be shed abroad.
Human flesh shall surely see it;
God is ready to decree it.

This is our hope
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. (Martin Luther King)
This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Wait for the Lord, his day is near.
Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart.

(Read in Korean)
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them. … I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive; I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this. (Isaiah 41)
This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Nah ist der Herr, es kommt sein Tag
Nah ist der Herr, habt Mut, bleibt Wach.

Testimony to hope 1 - In Spanish
This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Confia em Deus, teu Salvador,
Confia em Deus, Ele é amor.

(Read in German)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1.46-54)
This is our hope
Sung response(Reader lights candle)
Confia em Deus, teu salvador
Confia em Deus, ele é amor.

Testimony to hope 2 - from Samoa
This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Nah ist der Herr, es kommt sein Tag
Nah ist der Herr, habt Mut, bleibt Wach.

By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1.78-79)
This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Confia em Deus, teu salvador
Confia em Deus, ele é amor.

Testimony to hope 3 -From Sudan

This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Nah ist der Herr, es kommt sein Tag
Nah ist der Herr, habt Mut, bleibt Wach.

Nothing worth doing is completed in our lifetime,
Therefore, we are saved by hope.
Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
Therefore, we are saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone.
Therefore, we are saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as from our own;
Therefore, we are saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness. (Reinhold Neibuhr)

This is our hope
Sung response (Reader lights candle)
Confia em Deus, teu Salvador,
Confia em Deus, Ele é amor.

Hymn: (during the singing you are invited to light candles of hope)

O-so-so O-so-so, pyong-wha ui-im-gum
u-ri-ga han-mom i-ru-ge ha-so-so.

Come now, O God of love, make us one body,
come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people.

Viens, viens, libérateur et libère-nous,
Viens, viens ô maître réconcilie les peuples.

O-so-so O-so-so, pyong-wha ui-im-gum
u-ri-ga han-mom i-ru-ge ha-so-so.


Prayer
For the darkness of waiting
of not knowing what is to come
of staying ready and quiet and attentive,
we praise you, O God:
For the darkness and the light
are both alike to you.

For the darkness of staying silent
for the terror of having nothing to say
and with a greater terror
of needing to say nothing,
we praise you, O God:
For the darkness and the light
are both alike to you.

For the darkness of loving
in which it is safe to surrender
to let go of our self-protection
and to stop holding back our desire,
we praise you, O God:
For the darkness and the light
are both alike to you.

For the darkness of choosing
when you give us the moment
to speak, and act, and to change,
and we cannot know what we has set in motion,
but we still have to take the risk,
we praise you, O God:
For the darkness and the light
are both alike to you.

For the darkness of hoping
in a world which longs to you,
for the wrestling and the labouring of all creation
for wholeness and justice and freedom,
we praise you, O God:
For the darkness and the light
are both alike to you.

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ
your world awaits you.
In the longing of the persecuted for justice;
in the longing of the poor for prosperity;
in the longing of the privileged for riches greater than wealth;
in the longing of our hearts for a better life;
and in the song of your Church,
expectation is ever present.

O come, Lord, desire behind, our greatest needs.
O come, Lord, liberator of humanity.
O come, Lord, O come, Immanuel

Hymn
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King,
Alleluia, alleluia, we’re going to see the King!

No more crying there we are going to see the King,
No more crying there we are going to see the King,
No more crying there we are going to see the King,
Alleluia, alleluia, we’re going to see the King!

No more dying there we are going to see the King,
No more dying there we are going to see the King,
No more dying there we are going to see the King,
Alleluia, alleluia, we’re going to see the King!

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King,
Alleluia, alleluia, we’re going to see the King!

Exit singing and dancing!

Advent liturgy for visit of Archbishop of Baghdad

The following service was prepared for Monday morning worship in the ecumenical centre Geneva on December 10 2007 attended by a group of church leaders from churches living in situation of conflict. The meditation was given by Archbishop Asadourian of Baghdad, that text is not included here but he spoke both of the way Christians prepare duringr Advent and of the desperately difficult situation of people in general and also of Christians in Baghdad today.
The liturgy was prepared from various sources, in particular Ruth Burgess's wonderful book Candles and Conifers was used for the opening sentences and closing benediciton (said by the Armenian Archbishop of Tehran!). Those parts remain her copyright. The prayer of confession is adapted from an Anglican resource available on the internet and the prayers of intercession are adapted from the WCC's Porto Alegre worship book Em Tua graça.
The music came for the most part from Agape, which is jointly published by the LWF and OUP. Other music was the Magnificat from Marty Haugen's Holden evening prayer and the Lord's prayer in Syriac.
Ruth Burgess has published several other books for the various periods of the liturgical year and I shall treat myself next to Eggs and Ashes which is the Lenten and Easter series. I love the titles!
And finally Simon Barrow put the opening Bible quote from Zechariah on his blog and that was the seed for putting the service together. It's a great peace-making call to worship. Credit where credit is due - we are not only creative on our own!

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
(Zechariah 3.6b)

WORDS OF WELCOME

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

As farmers wait for rainfall
As prisoners wait for freedom
We wait for the coming of God

As exiles yearn for home
As peacemakers yearn for justice
We long for the coming of God

As travellers search for shelter
As disciples look for answers
We prepare for the coming of God
(Coypright Ruth Burgess)

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

♪ Agape 73 (all verses in English)
Praise the God of all creation God of mercy and compassion
Alleluia, Alleluia Praise the Word of truth and life!

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
When our faith is rooted deeply in you, O God, our lives reflect your
kingdom values of justice and righteousness, but sometimes our lives become
so entangled with the values of the world, that your values take second place.

Forgive us, O God,
and reconnect us to the Holy Spirit, source of power and life.

Merciful God, strip our hearts and minds of all that prevents our lives being
firmly rooted in you.
May our lives bear fruit worthy of our faith in you, as we watch and wait
for your breaking into our world once more, in the person of Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the Lord our God, who does wondrous things . (Psalm 72: 8)
The most wondrous of all being God's entry into our world in Jesus Christ,
"not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
"Those who believe in him are not condemned." (John 3,17, 18)
Thanks be to God!

♪ MAGNIFICAT (from Holden evening prayer)

Leader: An angel went from God to a town called Nazareth to a woman whose name was Mary. The Angel said to her, “Rejoice O highly favoured, for God is with you. You shall bear a child, and his name shall be Jesus, the Chosen One of God most high.” And Mary said, “I am the servant of my God, I live to do your will.”
(immediately to The Magnificat)

SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 11. 1-10

♪ Agape 107 (please remain standing for the reading of the gospel)
Word of Justice Alleluia Come to dwell here Maranatha
Tu Pardonnes, Alléluia, tu te donnes, Maranatha.
♪ Word of gladness, Alleluia, Come renew us. Maranatha!
O sagesse, Alléluia, ô promesse. Maranatha!

Gospel: Matthew 3. 1-12
♪ Agape 107
Word of power alleluia live within us maranatha.
Tu libères alleluia tu nous sauves maranatha.
♪ Word of healing alleluia heal our sorrow maranatha.
Tu consoles alléluia nos tristesses maranatha.

MEDITATION

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION (based on Isaiah 61)

God of Grace, teach us to proclaim the year of your favour.

♪ Agape 110
Yarabba ssalami amter alayna ssalam,
yarabba ssalami imla’ qulubana salam.

In a world in bondage we pray for all who try to be oaks of righteousness,
for those who break the chains of injustice and bear witness
that a world transformed through grace is possible.
Hear our prayer for those who plant signs of your kingdom of love and justice in cities and countryside ruined by war, hatred or ecological disaster.
We pray especially for the peoples of Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

God of Grace, send your Spirit upon us that we too may proclaim good news.
♪ Agape 110
Yarabba ssalami amter alayna ssalam,
yarabba ssalami imla’ qulubana salam.

God of Grace, teach us to proclaim the year of your favour.
We pray for all those imprisoned by grinding poverty and degrading work,
for human beings treated and traded like items on a balance sheet.
Hear our prayer for all who yearn for liberation from unjust systems and oppressive regimes and especially for those fleeing war, famine or economic devastation.

God of Grace, may your word be fulfilled in our and their hearing today.
♪ Agape 110
Yarabba ssalami amter alayna ssalam,
yarabba ssalami imla’ qulubana salam.

God of Grace, teach us to proclaim the year of your favour.
We pray for all who suffer in mind, body or spirit and for all people longing for healing.
We pray for liberation from stigmatising attitudes towards disabled and ill people.
Hear our prayer particularly for the people and churches of Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal as we pray for and with them through the ecumenical prayer cycle.

God of Grace, give us the oil of gladness instead of mourning.
♪ Agape 110
Yarabba ssalami amter alayna ssalam,
yarabba ssalami imla’ qulubana salam.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (sung in Syriac)

BLESSING (please rise)
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

We walk in the wilderness searching for meaning
May God baptise us with mercy and fire

We walk in the city thirsting for justice.
May God baptise us with integrity and hope.

We walk towards Bethlehem seeking a Saviour.
May God baptise us with holiness and joy.
(Coypright Ruth Burgess)

Any may the blessing of God
Father Son and Holy Spirit come upon us now and remain with us for ever.
Amen

Prayers of lamentation for Zimbabwe

The following service is a simple service based on Bible verses, simple prayers and times of silence. It works well for midday as the service lasts approximately 15 minutes. A short sung response is included, this is from the ecumenical hymbook Thuma Mina but a Taizé chant could work equally well. Of course these prayers can be adapted for use in other situations, these were originally put together for midday prayers for peace during the war in the Lebannon in 2006.

Prayers of Lamentation for peace, justice and reconciliation in Zimbabwe

Silence

How lonely sits the citythat once was full of people!How like a widow she has become,she that was great among the nations!She that was a princess among the provinceshas become a vassal. (Lamentations 1.1)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Blessed is our God now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
she refuses to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more. (Jer 31:15)

Even when I cry out, "Violence!' I am not answered;
I call aloud, but there is no justice. (Job 19:7)

Silence

For these things I weep;my eyes flow with tears;for a comforter is far from me,one to revive my courage;my children are desolate,for the enemy has prevailed. (Lamentations 1.16)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild animals; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the haunts of violence. Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Rise up, O God, plead your cause; remember how the impious scoff at you all day long. (Ps 74:18-22)

Remember this, O Lord,
Remember this, O Lord

Silence

My eyes are spent with weeping;my stomach churns;my bile is poured out on the groundbecause of the destruction of my people,because infants and babes faintin the streets of the city. (Lamentations 2.11)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Remember this, O Lord,
Remember this, O Lord.

Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame.
Do not let the downtrodden be put to shame.

Rise up, O God.
Rise up, O God.

Silence

They cry to their mothers,‘Where is bread and wine?’as they faint like the woundedin the streets of the city,as their life is poured outon their mothers’ bosom. (Lamentations 2.12)

Song: Nkosi, nkosi yibanceba Krestu, Krestu yibanceba

Prayers for the enemy (from the Eastern Orthodox tradition)
O Christ, Our God, who prayed for those who crucified You, and asked us, your servants, to pray for our enemies; forgive those who hate and oppress us and, through Your Grace and love for humanity, change their lives from doing wrong and wickedness to love for their neighbors and life filled with goodness. That none of them may perish because of us but rather they and us together be saved through penitence; we pray You, Lord, hear us and have mercy.

Silence or time for free prayer…

We are longing for the day, when the prophecy of Micah will come true, when "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Affirmation
The cross is the way of the lost.
The cross is the staff of the lame.

The cross is the guide of the blind.
The cross is the strength of the weak.

The cross is the hope of the hopeless.
The cross is the freedom of the slaves.

The cross is the water of the seeds.
The cross is the consolation of the bonded labourers.

The cross is the source of those who seek water.
The cross is the cloth of the naked.

The cross is the healing of the broken.
The cross is the peace of the church.
(St. Yared, Ethiopia)

You are invited to leave the chapel in silence

An order for morning prayer from Theodore A. Gill

Morning Prayers in the Ecumenical Centre Geneva 6 December 2007
We pray for the churches and people of Liberia and Sierra Leone through the ecumenical prayer cycle. In addition, we remember those whose lives have been touched by violence, and people and churches living with HIV and AIDS.

We approach God together

Let us pray.
Heavenly Father: you have filled the world with beauty.
Open our eyes to see love in all your works,
so that, while enjoying the whole creation,
we may serve you with gladness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We sing together – Thuma Mina 69. Je louerai l’Eternel (in French)

We hear from the Gospel Matthew 21:33-46
33"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' 39So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time."
42Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'? 43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. 44The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."
45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet. (copyright NRSV)

Response: Thuma Mina 69. Ich lobe meinen Gott (in German)

We join in common prayer
This week in the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle we remember the people and churches of Liberia and Sierra Leone. We also pray for families who have been caught up in acts of violence – including the family of Naomi and Mark Beach in South Africa and those in Guyana who have loved and respected the late pastor Ian David. We pray, too, for all who live with HIV and AIDS.

We pray for:
those we have just described, and those whom they love: may all share in your grace
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
those who work to create just communities: may we discover the way to peace
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
those who serve Christ in the Pentecostal movement, the Lausanne movement and the
Roman Catholic Church: may they remain ever faithful to you, and worthy in stewardship
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
and bless, O Lord, all who bear witness through the ministry of minority churches
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Let us also pray for:
the work of the ecumenical movement encouraged and supported from this place
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
the elected leaders and staff of the organizations represented in the Ecumenical Centre
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit acting in and
through each of the churches
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
our family members, friends and colleagues who especially need our prayers at this time
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer
ourselves, especially in all that troubles us today
Silence followed by Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

We pray the Lord’s Prayer together (each in our own language)

Closing response: Thuma Mina 69. Praise, I will praise you, Lord (in English)

We ask God’s blessing on Creation
O LORD, have compassion on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as we have been afflicted,
and for as many years as we have known evil.
Let your work be made known to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
May the favour of the LORD rest upon us.
O God, cause the work of our hands to prosper:
may the work of our hands prosper in your sight.

We are sent out, to love and serve the Lord
Declare God’s glory among the nations,
the marvellous works of the Lord among all peoples.
For God is great, and greatly to be praised;
the Lord is to be revered above all gods.
Bless the Lord our God.
The Lord’s name be praised! Amen.

We exchange signs of Christ’s peace

(This morning prayer service was compiled by Theodore A Gill, in part based on prayers by Simon Oxley)

Petite méditation pour la semaine de prière pour l'unité

Le thème de la semaine de prière pour l'unité des chrétiens en 2008 est "Priez sans cesse". Vous pouvez trouvez des resources sur le site du COE.

Le Rassemblément des Eglises Chrétiennes de Genève m'a invité à faire une méditation pour ouvrir une rencontre récente pour préparer ce 100ème anniversaire de la semaine de prière.

"Priez sans cesse"
1 Thess. 5: 17

C’est implacable, impitoyable
Les impératives
Le réveil du matin
Le bruit du téléphone, portable ou fixe,
la course à la prochaine réunion,
le défilé de misère aux infos
Fais ceci, fais cela…
les courriels qui attendent une réponse
la tentation d’acheter, de faire, d’avoir
si tu avais seulement ça tu serais - heureux, belle, sage, riche…

implacable
la publicité pour ce que l’on peut acheter
comment dépenser utilement et inutilement de l’argent
impitoyable
la culpabilité de ne jamais avoir le temps pour faire quoique ce soit
les demandes de faire ceci de faire cela…
les autres ont faim et nous mangeons trop
des enfants et parents qui ont besoin de nous
une copine qui a besoin de parler un peu
implacable
le temps qui passe
les jours d'une vie
les minutes qui ne suffisent pas

Et voila encore une impérative de la Bible
« Priez sans cesse »

A comprendre comme une autre contrainte impitoyable?
Un autre point d'ordre du jour à achever?
Un autre fardeau ?

Ou à recevoir comme une offre gratuite -
De repos, de pause, de sens, de profondeur, de sommeil, de créativité…

Non pas implacable mais éternel - l'amour de Dieu
Non pas impitoyable mais miséricordieuse
L'invitation à offrir son faire et ses frustrations, ses joies et ses peines
A Dieu qui écoute tout, qui transforme tout
Et qui nous donne l'assurance qu'il a toujours du temps pour nous
La prière sans cesse de Dieu a commencé
Bien avant le jour qu'il a dit
"Que la lumière soit"

« Priez sans cesse »
N'est pas une contrainte supplémentaire
Mais une reconnaissance essentielle
De prendre du temps pour nous mêmes et pour notre créateur

Prions alors sans cesse…

copyright 2007, Jane Stranz

Liturgy for the International Day of Prayer for Peace

Vigil for Peace – 21 September 2007 - held in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva

Welcome to a time of meditation in five movements or stations which has been prepared for the International Day of Prayer for Peace. Two formal times of prayer and meditation are planned at 8.30 and 12.15, the gathering point is at the foot of the African cross in the main entrance foyer. You can however, also participate other times of the day, moving from the African cross to the stations in the chapel.

The first movement, gathering before God to pray for peace, is at the foot of the African cross in the entrance foyer.
The second movement, listening to the call of Christ, is in the chapel standing in the waters of baptism in front of the mosaic of Christ’s baptism.
The third movement, contemplation and confession, is in front of the icon of St Stephen.
The fourth movement, forgiveness and transformation, is in the Coventry cross side-chapel.
The fifth movement, becoming living stones, is in the rainbow area.

We hope that the information on this sheet will help you as you move, reflect and pray from one station to the next, either alone or as a group. Others may arrive before or after you and be at different stages of their journey of praying for peace.

1. Gathering before God to pray for peace
We gather at the foot of the African cross, trusting that God, one in three and three in one, will hear our prayer. As we gather we pray through the psalms, we sing and we look upon the images of joy, of hope and of violence carved into the face of the cross.
As a symbol of violence each of us is invited to pick up a stone from the foot of the cross.
Psalm 145.14-19, 21
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever, world without end Amen.

As we gather to pray for peace we contemplate the burden of war and violence in our world. At the beginning of our prayerful journey you are invited to take up a stone as a symbol of violence and we sing “Senzenina” What have we done?

2. The call of Christ ~ Blessed are the peacemakers
As we stand in the waters of baptism at the entrance to the chapel and look towards the mosaic of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan we seek to open our ears to Christ’s call to us. The Beatitudes will be read, silence will be kept as we reflect on what being baptized with Christ may mean for our own commitment as we pray for peace.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5 3-12)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Sing ~ Jesus Christ is waiting (verses 1 and 5) Words Iona, music noel nouvelet

3. Contemplation and confession
We remember the story of St Stephen as we contemplate this icon, the religious intolerance which led to his stoning. We are invited to reflect not only on the wounded victims of war but also to remember those sent to war against their will and those suffering violent oppression. In praying for our enemies we recognize too the “enemy” we may be to others, the stones we hold in our own hands, the violence we do to others with our words … we confess our sin.

Sing ~ Agios o Theos

Prayer of confession
We confess to you, Lord, what we are:
We are not the people we like others to think we are;
We are afraid to admit even to ourselves what lies in the depths of our souls.
But we do not want to hide our true selves from you.
We believe that you know us as we are and yet you love us.
Help us not to shrink from self-knowledge:
Teach us to respect ourselves for your sake;
Give us courage to put our trust in your guiding power.
Raise us out of the paralysis of guilt
Into the freedom and energy of a forgiven people.
And for those who through long habit
Find forgiveness hard to accept, we ask you to break their bondage and set them free,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (c Caryl Micklem, from Contemporary Prayers for Public worship)

Sing ~ Agios o Theos

4. Forgiveness and transformation
We gather to listen to words of forgiveness in the side chapel. The Coventry cross on the altar is a powerful symbol of transformation and reconciliation, the cross is formed from pieces of bombs which fell on Coventry and Dresden during the second world war. As we listen to listen to words of forgiveness and transformation from the Bible, we lay down our weapons, our stones. Forgiveness transforms our heart of stone, in Christ God calls us to be living stones.

Come to Christ, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2.4-5)

Silence

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54.10)

Silence

He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; (Micah 4. 3-4)

We lay down our stones and rise as forgiven and transformed people to sing as we make our way to the rainbow chapel.

Sing ~ El Senyor és la meva força - from Taizé sung in four languages

5. Becoming living stones
We remember the rainbow is the sign of God’s promise and covenant with all humanity. In humility and simplicity we offer our prayers for peace, praying for the building of God’s peaceable kingdom, committing ourselves to becoming living stones of peace …in our families, work places, societies and world.
After formal prayer and the blessing you are invited to take a brush and paint the word peace in your own language as part of our commitment to peace. Please paint on the paper provided!

Creator God, we come to you in prayer,
We come to you subdued by the events happening in the world today.
How often have we cried to you that our eyes may be opened?
How often have we cried to you that our mouths may speak words of love, not condemnation.
Almighty teacher, teach us other ways of seeing,
Other ways of hearing,
Teach us a new language, the language of Jesus Christ
And lead us towards a new understanding of our fellow human beings
That touched by your love, barriers can be broken
And the reality of peace will come. (c Pamela Klimcke, Ireland in Timeless Prayers for Peace - altd.)

Silence and time for free prayer

The Lord’s prayer – said by each in their own language.

Blessing
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God.