Worship display for 9-11 Remembrance by Kim Evans, member of the CUMC worship arts team. Includes 10 candles for the anniversary, two larger candles for the twin towers, two smaller candles for the Pentegon and Pennsylvania, red flowers in memory of the blood that was shed, rocks representing the rubble left behind, and yellow ribbons of hope.

Call to Worship and Prayer
for the 10^th Anniversary of 9/11
For a PDF version of this worship resource, click here
Call to Worship and Prayer for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

Signs are posted inviting the congregation to enter sanctuary in silence. The lights in the sanctuary are low. “Remembering 9/11” is on the presentation screen. The two main candles on the altar table are lit. Ten unlit pillar candles are placed across the front of the altar table.

As the service begins, four persons enter and enact a reader’s theater script by Eddie James entitled 9/11: We Remember

As the readers exit, other persons enter. One (or several) lead the prayer while another person lights the candles.

ONE VOICE
We gather today with persons all over the world to remember and to pray. We light ten candles, one for each year since our world changed. We gather together in faith, in hope, in God’s infinite love.

Heavenly Father, we commend to your mercy and grace all who died in the September eleventh attacks and all who have died in the past ten years while laboring to end terrorism.

Light candles 1-5 as each of the following is read
In New York City: 2,342 persons
In Arlington, Virginia: 184 persons
In Shanksville, Pennsylvania: 40 persons
411 New York City rescue workers
Thousands of military personnel

Over 70 countries lost loved ones that day: family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, heroes. In the face of their loss we claim your goodness, your faithfulness, and your power to bring good out of evil.

ALL VOICES
Traditional Setting, all speaking: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Contemporary Setting, all singing: We Will Run, chorus only

ONE VOICE
Compassionate One, it has been ten years, yet the pain is fresh for so many. Comfort all who continue to mourn the loss of loved ones. Come with assurance and peace for all who remain fearful for the future. Bring wholeness and hope to every broken place-
To broken bodies, broken hearts,
and broken spirits
To broken relationships, broken systems, and broken faith

Light candle 6

ALL VOICES
Traditional Setting, all speaking: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Contemporary Setting, all singing: We Will Run, chorus only

ONE VOICE
Our world remains a dangerous place O God, but with you there is safety and shalom.

ALL VOICES
You are our Rock, our Shield, our Defender.

ONE VOICE
Light candle 7 as the following is read

Draw together leaders of every nation. Give them ears to hear your wisdom and the courage to respond. Inspire them to work together for peace, justice and freedom.

Light candle 8 as the following is read

Strengthen all who risk their lives to protect others. Guard and favor all who work to make your world a place of peace.

ALL VOICES
Traditional Setting, all speaking: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Contemporary Setting, all singing: We Will Run, chorus only

ONE VOICE
We light these final candles for our enemies and for ourselves.

ALL VOICES
God of the Nations, it is so hard to love and pray for those who hate us. Help us to be faithful.  Save us all from revenge, false teaching, and blind suspicion. Help us all recognize our contributions to conflict. Help us all understand the hurt that causes the hate. Change the hearts of all who seek their way by evil and violent means. Create in us clean hearts that beat with your unconditional compassion. Leave no one in the dark. Fill us all with your light.

Light candles 9 and 10.

Make us all instruments of your peace. Amen.

ALL VOICES
Traditional Setting, all singing: Let There be Peace on Earth
(United Methodist Hymnal #431)
Contemporary Setting, all singing: We Will Run, chorus only

Conclude with passing the peace to one another

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© 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia and Nicole Sallee
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

For more information on the art and the use of this prayer in other settings, please refer to the copyright information page.