Peace Sunday 2023 – Liturgies

Opening prayer

Proclaim the Dawn of God’s Reign 

This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: “Let my people go so that they can hold a festival for me in the desert” (Exodus 5:1).

Out of the house of slavery, through troubled waters, into the wilderness a new people is born;

You are God’s own.

Put your trust not in power nor in wealth

But in the One who is creator, sustainer and liberator on heaven and on earth, and called out to celebrate the breaking of every chain.

We are here to proclaim the dawn of God’s reign.

—Taken from Cláudio Carvalhaes, Liturgies from Below: 462 acts of worship: Praying with People at the Ends of the World [Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2020], 35. Used with permission.

GKMI Petra-Depok, Indonesia, celebrated being a new creation on Peace Sunday, 18 September 2022, with a special guest. Sadanand Hembrom joined the service from India by video. The congregation’s Global Youth Summit (GYS) participants suggested Sadanand Hembrom, GYS delegate from Brethren in Christ Church Nepal, should speak to the church on Peace Sunday. Ary Rusdianto had interpreted him into Indonesia during the satellite service from GKMI Solo. Photo: Silvania Rusdianto

Benediction

Benediction for Stepping Out into the Empire

And now, even as you step out into the Empire,

Be not of this structure, but be:

The light that liberates

The salt that savours

The hand that heals

The water that washes,

Until all have access to God’s great and beautiful creation. 

Amen.

—Taken from Cláudio Carvalhaes, Liturgies from Below: 462 acts of worship: Praying with People at the Ends of the World [Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2020], 57. Used with permission.