| A LITANY OF REFLECTION,From: A Community Wide 9/11 Observance |
| Written by Trish Holland |
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Leader: Ten years we were brought to our knees as a nation in shock, fear, anger, grief. For perhaps the first time, we woke up to God’s truth that we are as vulnerable as the rest of humanity. The forces of national security did not protect our homeland from terrorists turning our own planes into deadly missiles. “We Shall Overcome” was first sung by Americans who faced generations of violence against home and family. It echoed in South Africa, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. When we face our fear, anger, and grief, we, too, can be transformed by God’s powerful grace to act with courage and hope. Please join me in silent reflection on the events of this year. SILENCE All sing: We shall overcome, we shall overcome, we shall overcome some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome some day. Leader: In the wake of 9-11, our differences faded. We stood united one nation under God. Our common grief released a flood of compassion. Citizens left their jobs, traveling thousands of miles, to care for the wounded, to remove the debris, to search for the missing, to bury the dead, to comfort the grieving. Please join me in silence to give thanks for the unity and compassion that rose up within us and around the world bringing us together as one people. SILENCE All sing: We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we’ll walk hand in hand some day. Leader: Inspired by the unity and compassion of millions of Americans from every walk of life, we tasted and saw the harmony of God’s shalom, God’s intention for life together. Please join me in silence and feel your own hunger for a world at peace. SILENCE All sing: We will live in peace, we will live in peace, we will live in peace some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we will live in peace some day. Leader: Our enemy NOW is our own anxiety and fear. We see the rage of terrorists, the lack of respect for human life, the call for retaliation, the escalation of weapons of mass destruction around the world. We are afraid for ourselves, our children, our nation, our way of life, the future of the earth. Please join me in silence as we hear the voice of the Lord: “Do not be afraid. I am with you always.” SILENCE All sing: The Lord will see us through, the Lord will see us through, the Lord will see us through some day. Deep in my heart, I do believe, the Lord will see us through some day. |
