MEMORIAL DAY—May 31, 2021

A MEDITATION OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MEMORIAL DAY Song—Almighty Father Strong To Save (Click Here) Prayer O God of all the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy.  We remember also those fallen among both allies and foes.  Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land and all the world share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines.  May the sacrifice of those who gave their live for a greater good never be in vain, lest we forget. To you, O God, we pledge our lives to the making a just peace, now and forever. Amen. The Gettysburg Address—Remembering especially the lives that have been lost in slavery, racism, and serving a nation that knew not the dignity and due reverence due all people of color. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that "all men are created equal" Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow, this ground-- The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here. It is rather for us, the living, to stand here, we here be dedica-ted to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth. —President Abraham Lincoln God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. —Isaiah 2. 4 Prayer Almighty God, before whom stand the living and the dead, we your children, whose mortal life is but a hand's breadth, give thanks to you: For all those through whom you have blessed our pilgrimage, whose lives that have empowered us, whose influence is a healing grace, we lift up thankful hearts. For the dear friends and family members whose faces we see no more, but whose love is with us for ever. For the teachers and companions of our childhood and youth, and for the members of our household of faith who worship you now in heaven. For those who sacrificed themselves, our brothers and sisters who have given their lives for the sake of others. That we may hold them all in continual remembrance, and ever think of them as with you in that city whose gates are not shut by day and where there is no night. That we may now be dedicated to working for a world where labor is rewarded, fear dispelled, and the nations made one, O God, save your people and bless your heritage. Day by day we magnify you, and worship your name, for ever and ever. Amen. —John Hunter, Scotland, 20th C., Adapted. “Greater love has no one than this,  that one would lay down his life for his friends.”  —John 15. 13 Prayer Freedom is a gift, it’s a treasure. And though we all may agree on that truth, it’s often easy to take for granted the greatest gifts that God has given us in our lives. But those most precious gifts are never free. They came with a price. With sacrifice. They were worth fighting for. And are still worth fighting for today. Many brave men and women were willing to face hard battles in order for us to enjoy that gift of freedom today. For all those who have protected our nation, for the men and women in uniform, together, we say “Thank You.” We take time to remember today, and say a prayer of gratefulness for the many who have been willing to pay a great price for our freedom. May God help us to live so courageously, may we follow the brave examples of those who have gone before us… Thank you for reminding us that there’s incredible love and sacrifice displayed when one is willing to stand strong and fight for freedom. This service of love and sacrifice on behalf of all people, points us directly to the greatest love of all, the very gift and sacrifice of Christ. Our Savior was willing to pay the ultimate price, so that we can live free. Forever. Dear God, We thank you for the freedom you have given to us, and for the price that was paid by Christ so that we could live free. We remember today. The cost of it all. The great sacrifice for freedom. We thank you for the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, so courageously for our nation. We ask for your covering and blessing over them and their families. We pray that you would be gracious and encircle them with your peace. We pray for your great favor and goodness to be evident in their lives. Please be with all those who wear the uniform, who serve our communities and nation every single day. We ask that you provide your protection, that you would be their guiding force who leads the way, and their rear guard who keeps them safe from behind. We ask that you would draw them to yourself amidst the dangers they face in a dark world, for you are the Truth, you are the Way, you are the Light. Help them to walk wisely. To stay covered in your armor. Give them godly discernment. Make them constantly aware of what lurks close by. Help them to be men and women of prayer, realizing that this is where their greatest help comes from. Help them to stay united and strong, bold and resolute, determined and unwavering. Bless their families. Bless those they love. Give them your great favor, this day, and every day. Thank you that in our nation today ● we are free to worship ● we are free to pray ● we are free to read your Word ● we are free to speak ● we are free to share. For this, we are incredibly grateful. Yet, we understand how quickly these freedoms can be taken away. Give us an increased awareness of the spiritual battle we’re in. Help us to stand strong in you and for your purposes. Thank you that as believers, we can be assured, you will never leave us, and are with us always, in this life, and the next. Thank you for your truth that says, who the Son sets free is free indeed! We know that in you alone, true freedom is found. Amen. —A Prayer for Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Have Fought for Our Freedom, Debbie McDaniel In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. —John McCrae Slaughtered in Racism Simply Because They Were Black In a White Privilege World Song—Lift Every Voice and Sing  (Click Here) Prayer For Tulsa On this day, O God, we would he remised to not prayer for the city of Tulsa and the families who live with memories of those slain there. We remember that day on this 100th year anniversary praying that the remains on those victims who perished at the hands of white racism, may be found and provide not only some kind of closure for their families that remain, but also that we as a nation will begin to erase racism from our culture. May their Names be known. May their Names be recited. May their names become the mantra of protest. Say their names! May Black Lives Matter in the hearts and minds and actions of we a people of privilege. And, may there not only be repentance, but reparations in some way that leads to reconciliation. For we know that when even one suffers we all suffer. And, we know the depths and breadths of how acute racism has broken the sacred oath of our covenent with you, O God. May there be justice. May there be peace. Blessed are You and blessed is your realm of righteousness, forevermore. —GLakeDylan Prayer of Dedication O God, may we be instruments of your just peace: overcoming racism overcoming misogyny overcoming xenophobia overcoming the bias against LGBTQT+ persons overcoming the greed of the wealthy overcoming the economic injustice that keeps people in poverty overcoming all that keeps us from being your people in the world for the sake of all people. Grant this, O God of mercy and compassion, may our brokenness be healed. Song—This Is My Song (Click Here) —Mahatma Gandhi