On a table at the front,\u202fplace\u202ffive\u202fcandles of\u202fdifferent colours\u202ffor each continent on top of a map of the world\u202f(or beside a globe)\u202falong with a white candle as the Christ candle in the middle.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the start of the worship service, name each continent as its candle is lit, acknowledging brothers and sisters in each continent.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light the Christ candle last (or first) as the source of light for the church everywhere.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the service or at the end of the service there could be prayers for blessing the sisters and brothers in different regions of the world.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional\u202fresources to\u202fshow the connection with the global Anabaptist family:\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on Psalm 40:1-11<\/em>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh Lord, we wait patiently for you,\u202f You have lifted us out of the mud and mire;\u202f You have\u202fput a new song in\u202four\u202fmouths,\u202f You have called us to point others to you\u202f Oh Lord, you are faithful to those who put their trust in you.\u202f Oh Lord, it is not sacrifice or burnt offerings which you\u202fdemand of us\u202f Oh Lord, as we gather, we proclaim your saving acts,\u202f To you we worship, we serve, we pray.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Amen.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Welcome to you who are poor in spirit!\u202f God, in Jesus, welcomes each one of you.\u202f \u2014Nathalie Werner\u202f<\/em>in \u201cWords and prayers for worship\u201d (Editions Mennonites)\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lord, we worship and praise you, we stand humbly before you.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We recognize that you accomplish your plans for the world.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We confess our refusal to see the promise of a new humanity.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We are overwhelmed by the matters of this world.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We are distracted from our commitments by other appeals.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We are victims of our prejudices, our fears, and our short-term vision.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We ask you to transform us in the image of Christ.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We ask you to take us into your service and use us in order that all peoples, all races, and all nations might grow together in peace and mutual understanding.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n We ask these things in the name of Christ, who is the only one that can make our peoplehood a reality.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014Michel Sommer<\/em>\u202fin \u201cWords and prayers for worship\u201d (Editions Mennonites)\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n To be shared with those who live in insecurity\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n All who are born of God have received the gifts of the Spirit of the Lord, are called to be one body loving each other in Jesus Christ, are well prepared by such a love to help their neighbors, not only with money and goods, but also by following the example of their Lord in accordance with the gospel through their blood and their lives. As much as possible they\u202fdemonstrate\u202fmercy and piety. They take to heart the needs of others. They welcome the stranger in their homes. They comfort the afflicted,\u202fassist\u202fthe needy, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and do not look away from the poor\u2026\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014From Menno Simons (1496 \u2013 1561) in \u201cWords and prayers for worship\u201d (Editions Mennonites)<\/em>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our God, our Father, the Father of Light in whom there is no greed… teach us to build up a treasure for ourselves in heaven and not on this earth. Teach us to place our faith in you alone, and not in these passing material possessions. As you have taught us, we pray that\u202fyour\u202fwill be done on this earth as it is in heaven. We now bring you a\u202fportion\u202fof the riches you have entrusted\u202fto us. We pray that you will\u202fpermit\u202fthis\u202foffering\u202fto contribute to the manifestation of your will on this earth.\u202fAmen.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014Nicolas Widmer,<\/em>\u202fde\u202f<\/em>Paroles et pri\u00e8res pour le culte\u202f<\/em><\/strong>(\u00c9ditions Mennonites)<\/em>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Give us the power<\/strong>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n God,\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n Give us the power to trust each other\u202f Give us the power to share knowledge\u202f Give us the power to cooperate\u202f Give us the power\u202f You who saw that it was good.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the day after tomorrow as in the beginning.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n For your kingdom come\u202f Amen\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014This prayer is taken from the book Dancing with the Golden Frog: Global Warming and the Lord\u2019s Prayer, by Herman Heijn, pastor at\u202fDoopsgezinde\u202fGemeente\u202fHaarlem, Netherlands.\u202f<\/em>\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would love to start a mourning brigade\u202f I would love to start a mourning brigade:\u202f\u202f Even if it lasts and lasts.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n I would love to start a mourning brigade;\u202f For\u202fperhaps a\u202fmoment of\u202fcalm\u202fand\u202fbreath.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n By\u202fAnnegreet\u202fvan der Wijk,\u202ffrom\u202f<\/em>Bij Eb & Bij\u202fVloed:\u202fnegentig\u202fgedichten\/gebeden\u202fen\u202fmeer\u202f(At high tide and low tide: poems, prayers and more), published by\u202fDoopsgezind\u202fBruderschapshuis\u202fDopersduin.\u202f<\/em>Annegreet\u202fvan der Wijk is pastor at Doopsgezind Bussum-Naarden,\u202fthe\u202fNetherlands.\u202f<\/em>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n God, we pray, let nothing be lost, but seek us out,\u202f\u00a0 God, we pray,\u202f\u00a0 Breathe us in and out, set us in motion,\u202f\u00a0 By Hans Marseille, from\u202f<\/em>Bij Eb & Bij\u202fVloed:\u202fnegentig\u202fgedichten\/gebeden\u202fen\u202fmeer\u202f(At high tide and low tide: poems, prayers and more), published by\u202fDoopsgezind\u202fBruderschapshuis\u202fDopersduin.\u202f<\/em>\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
preparing our spirits to make space for you,\u202f
knowing you hear our cry.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
and set our\u202ffeet on a rock, giving us\u202fa firm place to stand.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
a hymn of praise to\u202fyou, our God.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who see your care for us will marvel and\u202fput their trust in\u202fyou.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have done wonders; and you have wondrous plans for us.\u202f
Our retelling of your deeds will never end;\u202f
they are too many to declare.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
but our spirits tuned to you:\u202f
our desire to do your will,\u202f
your law written upon our hearts.\u202f\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
your boundless\u202flove\u202fand your unending faithfulness.\u202f\u202f
You are our helper and saviour.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWelcome to you\u2026<\/strong>\u202f <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Welcome to you who mourn!\u202f
Welcome to you who hunger and thirst for justice!\u202f
Welcome to you who are peacemakers!\u202f
Welcome to you who suffer and bear what is unbearable in the name of Jesus Christ!\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is he who wants to bear with us the burdens of these days.\u202f
Let us open ourselves to his presence, and may his joy grip us this morning\u202f
By the grace of his Spirit!\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRepentance \u2013 Forgiveness<\/strong>\u202f <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nConfession of faith \u2013 Commitment \u2013 Consecration<\/strong>\u202f <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA prayer for the offering<\/strong>\u202f<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIntercessory prayer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
and to choose the sustainable way\u202f
that frees your creation from distress.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
and to\u202fseek\u202ffor sustainable solutions\u202f
that allow future generations to live on\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
to take decisions and actions\u202f
that bear fruit sustainably.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
through your Holy Spirit\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
and your glory shine\u202f
for ever.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nA poem for spiritual reflection\u202f<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
to share the loneliness of grief together\u202f
not to say anything that\u202fdoesn’t\u202freally matter\u202f
but just to mourn together\u202f
for what is no longer there\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
a\u202fgroup, a club or just one person\u202f\u202f
who can stay and remain regardless of the clock\u202f\u202f
but just for as long as it takes\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
then I will come, if I may\u202f
with extra handkerchiefs and silent nods\u202f
and here and there a deep, dark sigh\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBenediction\u202f<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
see us,\u202f\u00a0
that we may be found.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
inspire us with your Spirit,\u202f\u00a0
that it is time to rediscover, to tidy up, to cleanse.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that we may\u202fcommit\u202fourselves\u202fanew\u202fto living\u202fand\u202fdare to\u202flive\u202fwith\u202fand through\u202fyou and\u202fto\u202fbe a word of peace.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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