Veterans Day

		VETERANS DAY November 11, 2021 A LITURGY FOR WORSHIP Use As Much Or As Little As You Choose
		Whether you call it Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day, November 11th has long been a day on which to remember and give thanks for those who have served their country. It might be more of a cultural celebration, but along with Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Fathers Day, and Thanksgiving, it is certainly a time that invites prayer. Any confusion of church and state associations, I would suggest, that we pray for those things that having a deep and shared meaning by many. We especially share prayer in the acknowledgement that while PTSD is not new, we have come to realize that war zones and conflictual experiences do not often end when a person returns to non-military service. Therefore, I would have us pray for healing and peace, along with giving thanks for those who have made sacrifice or paid the ultimate cost, in the name of freedom. No, the cultures and politics of international reelations is not that simple. They are complex, probably beyond what we know and have access to. Yet, the more we learn over the years, I belive that prayer is not only fitting, but a duty. As such, I offer this service of prayer for however you would choose to use it. Opening Words Our God is the Sovereign over the Realm of Peace with Justice. It is that Kin-Dom that we live in and devote our lives to. We seek to love God and one another in each and every possible way. Yet we live in a broken world where relationships are broken. The cause of war is this very brokenness. So we pray for God's redemptive and reconciling Love to bring us through places and times of warfare, into the Shalom that is the wellness of being whole. Opening Prayer O God, our Strength and Defender; with whom there is peace beyond our ability to understand; with whom there is the Source of all Light and Truth; with whom there is the perfect intentions and works that lead people into life that is full and abundant: grant us your Wisdom and Guidance, that in each day and every situation that we may have the strength of courage to follow in your way. May we, like your Only-Begotten and Beloved-One, bring you praise and thanksgiving in living your will here on earth as it is in heaven. O Blessed and Eternal Trinity, One God, world without end. Amen. Scripture Reading—Amos 5. 14-15, 24 God, the God of Hosts, says: Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. —NRSV Scripture Reading—Psalm 46 God is our refuge and our strength, who from of old has helped us in our distress. Therefore we fear nothing— even if the earth should open up in front of us and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea, even if the earth’s waters rage and foam and the mountains tumble with its heaving. There’s a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst, it will never fall— God will help it at daybreak. Though nations are in turmoil and empires crumble, God’s voice resounds, and it melts the earth. the God of Hosts is with us— our stronghold is the God of Israel! Come, see what YHWH has done— God makes the earth bounteous! God has put an end to war, from one end of the earth to the other, breaking bows, splintering spears, and setting chariots on fire. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; The God of Hosts is with us— our stronghold is the God of Israel! —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. (adapted) Scripture Reading–Galatians 5. 13-26 My sisters and brothers, you were called to freedom; but be careful, or this freedom will provide an opening for self-indulgence. Rather, serve one another in works of love, since the whole of the Law is summarized in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you go on snapping at one another and tearing each other to pieces, be careful, or you may end up destroying the whole community. Let me put it this way: if you are guided by the Spirit, you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence. Since our flesh is at odds with the Spirit—and the Spirit with our flesh—the two are so opposed that you cannot do whatever you feel like doing. If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. It’s obvious what proceeds from the flesh: lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, arguments, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and so forth. I warn you as I have warned you before: those who do these sorts of things won’t inherit the kindom of God! By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against these sorts of things there is no law! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their ego, with its passions and desires. So since we live by the Spirit, let us follow her lead. We must stop being conceited, contentious and envious. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Scripture Reading—John 8. 31-36 Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you live according to my teaching, you really are my disciples; then you’ll know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “We’re descendants of Sarah and Abraham,” they replied. “Never have we been the slaves of anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You’ll be free’?” Jesus answered them, “The truth of the matter is, everyone who lives in sin is the slave of sin. Now a slave doesn’t always remain part of a household; an heir, however, is a member of that house forever. So if the heir, the Only-Begotten-One, makes you free, you will be free indeed. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Prayer—from UMC Book of Worship Teach us, God of every nation, to see every question of national policy in the light of our faith, that we may check in ourselves and in others every passion that makes for war, all ungenerous judgment, all promptings of self–assurance, all presumptuous claims. Grant us insight to recognize the needs and aspirations of other nations, and remove our suspicions and misunderstandings, that we may honor all people in your way, as shown to us in your Only-Begotten-One, Beloved do You. Amen. —altered Prayer—from the UMC Book of Worship Righteous God, you rule the nations. Guard brave men and women in military service. Give them compassion for those who confront them as enemies. Keep our children from hate that hardens, or from scorekeeping with human lives. Though for a season they must be people of war, let them live for peace, as eager for agreement as for victory. Encourage them as they encourage one another, and never let hard duty separate them from loyalty to your way, as we know in your Only-Begotten-One, Beloved by You. -(Presbyterian Worship Book, U.S.A., 20th Cent., altered.) Prayer—from the UMC Book of Worship O God, you are the hope of all the ends of the earth, the God of the spirits of all flesh. Hear our humble intercession for all races and families on earth, that you will turn all hearts to yourself. Remove from our minds hatred, prejudice, and contempt for those who are not of our own race or color, class or creed, that, departing from everything that estranges and divides, we may by you be brought into unity of spirit, in the bond of peace. Amen. —(Church of Scotland, 20th Cent., altered.) Prayer—UMC Book of Worship Remember, O Sovereign of Peace, the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues. Deliver us from every evil that obstructs your saving purpose, and fulfill your promises of old to establish your Realm of peace. From the curse of war and all that creates it, O God, deliver us. From believing and speaking lies against other nations, O God, deliver us. From narrow loyalties and selfish isolation, O God, deliver us. From fear and distrust of other nations, from all false pride, vainglory, and self–conceit, O God, deliver us. From the lust of the mighty for riches, that drives peaceful people to slaughter, O God, deliver us. From putting our trust in the weapons of war, and from want of faith in the power of justice and good will, O God, deliver us. From every thought, word, and deed which that the human family and separates us from the perfect realization of your love, O God, deliver us. Amen. —(England, 20th Cent., altered.) Prayer of Intercession—from the UMC Book of Worship Grant, almighty God, that all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer. Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer. Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer. Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve You in them, and love one another as You loves us. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer. We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal Kin-Dom. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer. We offer these prayers as those who follow in the way of Jesus your Christ. Amen. —Book of Common Prayer, 1979, altered)