A Service of Lament in Response to Racial Killings
(Approximately 20 minutes)
Gathering Comments
Call to Worship
How Long, O God, How Long?
How long, O God, will we beat Our plow shares into swords? How long will we hear shouting More than Your healing word? How long will we draft slogans While blood flows through our streets? Oh hear our pleas of anguish! How long, O God, how long?
How long will we burn green fields While poor ones cry for bread? How long will we speak hatred While love remains unsaid? How long will we grant worth through The color of one’s skin? We pray for transformation; How long, O God, how long?
(Written by O. I. Cricket Harrison- July 7,2016. It may be read or song. The meter is 7.6.7.6.D. Suggested tune: PASSION CHORALE)
Reading : Habakkuk 1:1-5
Time of Prayer
At this time, we offer prayers for persons of color who have lost their lives to racist systems and acts by agents of those systems. We include the 136 persons of color who have been killed by police in 2016
(End with a 2min 16 seconds period of silence in recognition of the killing of 136 persons of color by police between January 1 and July 9, 2016)
Reading: Jeremiah 31:15-16
Time of Prayer
At this time, we offer prayers for all those who have lost their lives to racist systems include the police officers and their families who were killed in Dallas.
(End with a time of silence)
Reading: Psalm 130:5
Time of Prayer
At this time, we offer prayers for healing and reconciliation for our congregations, our communities, and our world.
Dismissal that invites support for the journey through ongoing action and reflection.