Catoctin Presbyterian Church, Waterford, Virginia • June 12, 2022
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Playing the State Anthem of Ukraine
The Current Situation
Song: “Blowing In the Wind” by Bob Dylan
https://genius.com/Bob-dylan-blowin-in-the-wind-lyrics
A Short Theological Reflection
Litany of Peace with candles
For the sovereign nation of Ukraine, its government, and leaders:
For strength, courage, wisdom, and safety for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and for the Ukrainian government, that they may continue to lead and serve their people; for the sovereign territory of Ukraine to be restored with recompense and aid that they may rebuild and be made whole.
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
For the people of Ukraine:
For strength, courage, wisdom, safety, and comfort for all their citizens; for those countless who mourn their dead; for the injured and the sick; for the besieged and those who are hungry or thirsty; for those who have sent loved ones away to safety and yet themselves remain; for those who have seen the living nightmare and barbarity of modern warfare.
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
For the armed forces and volunteers of Ukraine:
For strength, courage, wisdom, and safety for all who defend their homeland; for those who bear the brunt of the battle; for those who go against too large a foe with too little supplies except the will to repel invaders; for those who are tempted to hate; for those who remain to care for others – the soldiers, the wounded, the orphaned, the elderly.
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
For the refugees and displaced people of Ukraine:
For strength, courage, safety, and resources for all who have been forced from their homes; for those who now rely on the kindness of strangers, and for those who have no obvious means of support; for those who would fall prey to exploitation; for those grieving in a foreign land.
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
For the nations giving aid and receiving Ukrainian refugees:
For courage, compassion, and generosity for all who would supply the needs of the dispossessed; for open and tender hearts toward the suffering of those arriving from afar; for persistence in mercy and hospitality that outlasts and overtakes those who complain about “the others” or suffer from compassion fatigue; for abundant resources and willingness to share necessities and dignity with refugees and adequate arms for defense in Ukraine.
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
For Russia, its people, and leaders:
For those who have engineered this war to have their hearts and minds turned away from violence, greed, and power; for truth and goodness to prevail; for Russia to respect and abide by the Geneva Conventions; for Russian military personnel to turn back from any call, order, or temptation to commit war crimes or atrocities; for open and compassionate hearts toward their neighbors; for courage, strength, wisdom, and safety for those who oppose the war.
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
For our nation, for all nations and peoples, especially those at war, and for peace at last:
[From the Mainau Prayerbook For International Organizations]
“O God, we pray for all international organizations of goodwill, that their efforts may lead to a strengthening of those influences which make for peace. Great sacrifices have been made for war; awaken in us and in all people, O God, the willingness to make great sacrifices for peace, so that the day may be hastened when no nation shall draw the sword against another, and people no longer shall learn to fight.”
Leader says: Lord, let there be peace.
People respond: Let there be peace.
Leader says: Lord, let it begin with me.
People respond: Let it begin with me.
Light candle
Candle Lighting and Singing
“We Shall Overcome”
(public domain)
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome, some day
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace, some day
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid, TODAY
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day
“The Hammer Song”
(believed to be public domain)
If I had a hammer
I’d hammer in the morning
I’d hammer in the evening
All over this land
I’d hammer out danger
I’d hammer out a warning
I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
If I had a bell
I’d ring it in the morning
I’d ring it in the evening
All over this land
I’d ring out danger
I’d ring out a warning
I’d ring out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
If I had a song
I’d sing it in the morning
I’d sing it in the evening
All over this land
I’d sing out danger
I’d sing out a warning
I’d sing out love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land
Well I got a hammer
And I got a bell
And I got a song to sing, all over this land
It’s the hammer of Justice
It’s the bell of Freedom
It’s the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land