September is Peace Month
Sunday September 16, 2012, Peace Vigil
|
by Pastor Paul
Called to Live a Life of Peace
Throughout Jesus' ministry He calls us to live a life of peace. In the beatitudes those who pursue peace are not only blessed but are also called the sons of God. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus gives a commandment to:
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Our early brethren acknowledged Jesus' command to live a life of peace and acted upon it. They set forth to put into practice the principles of peace regardless of the penalties and punishment imposed upon them.
In keeping with the Biblical teachings and Brethren traditions, we will set our sights on the principles of peace particularly as they pertain to Jesus? admonition to be peacemakers. Our studies of the Scriptures will encompass and explore the definition of peace, the power of non-violence, the pursuit of peace, and the practice of peace.
Testimonies will be given by some within our congregation as to how God used them as instruments of peace and some of the many challenges they sustained in their stance for peace.
On Sunday, September 16 we will be hosting a prayer vigil for peace from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. with refreshments immediately following.
We invite all to come join us as we join hands to pray for peace in the lives of our children, our churches, our community, our country and the world and also to seek God's discernment and direction as to how He will use us to be the instruments of His peace.
|
THE PRAYER OF ST FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, let me show pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith in you.
Where there is despair, let me show hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Grant that I may seek not so much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood, as to understand.
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is pardoning that we are pardoned.
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
|
Scriptures Concerning Prayer
Repeatedly in the Word of God, the Lord tells us that He wants to answer our prayers. He wants to do great things for us -- miracles!
Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to Me, and I will answer you and I will tell you great and unreachable things you do not know."
And from the book of John: "If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (John 15:7).
"You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it" (John 14:14).
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you... Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name" (John 15:16).
I John 3:22 tells us, "We have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him."
What Should We Pray
Pray for your local church and pastor.
Pray for our Government and its leaders.
Pray for our President.
Pray for our nation
Pray for a spiritual awakening of Christ's Body of Believers that would begin in each of us.
Pray for families to embrace Godly standards.
Pray for our educational systems and teachers
Pray for special issues concerning our neighborhoods and your city
Pray for Christian organizations and their leadership
"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." 1 Samuel 12:12a
|
Pray for Peace Observance
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012
6 - 7 pm here at church
Come and participate in this observance, spending time praying for peace: for our world, our country, our neighbors, our family and ourselves. Refreshments following.
Eastwood is registered at On Earth Peace as being a participant in observing International Day of Prayer (September 21) See:
Eastwood is on the list of churches/groups observing the international day of prayer for peace.
There are three possible kinds of group participation. Perhaps next year we can consider inviting other community groups for a vigil:
Observance— A set-aside time during your regular gathering, focused on praying about violence and peace.?
Vigil—A public prayer meeting, vigil, rally planned with 2-3 other faith or community groups.
Listening Initiative—A focused effort to reach out and gather up stories from people in your community. Present what you hear in a public vigil.
|
2011 Peace Observance
Song: God Is a River - by Peter Meyer
Welcome - Charlotte Ebie
Hymn - Great Is Thy Faithfulness
St Francis prayer - Bonnie Swisher
Hymn - Sweet Hour of Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer - Marilyn Gryder
Song: Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream - Richard Tobias
Introduction to silent prayer - Charlotte Ebie
Time of silent prayer
Song: Everything Is Holy Now – by Peter Meyer
Closing song: Let There Be Peace On Earth
Followed with Refreshments in the social hall
|
2010 Peace Observance
We observed Peace Month in September. Special Thanks to Charlotte Ebie, along with Witness and Missions, in planning and presenting the worship services and the Pray for Peace Vigil!
During morning worship on September 12, Edith & Leone talked about local peace efforts that included Open M, Haven of Rest, our local food pantry and recognition of volunteer work to the community from church members. On September 19, Richard talked about our contributions to the CROP walk. On September 19 we observed a peace vigil at church, with area churches invited to participate. This was followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. Our peace pole was rebuilt (thanks to Pastor Paul & John Konst) and can be seen in front of the church beside the street. Charlotte gave a brief history and dedication prayer for it during morning worship on September 26. Also, on September 26, Xinia talked and showed slides about her involvement in a recent Mexico Mission Trip.
|
God is a River – by Peter Meyer
In the ever-shifting water of the river of this life
I was swimming, seeking comfort; I was wrestling waves to find
A boulder I could cling to, a stone to hold me fast
Where I might let the fretful water of this river ‘round me pass
And so I found an anchor, a blessed resting place
A trusty rock I called my savior, for there I would be safe
From the river and its dangers, and I proclaimed my rock divine
And I prayed to it “protect me” and the rock replied
CHORUS:
God is a river, not just a stone
God is a wild, raging rapids
And a slow, meandering flow
God is a deep and narrow passage
And a peaceful, sandy shoal
God is the river, swimmer
So let go
Still I clung to my rock tightly with conviction in my arms
Never looking at the stream to keep my mind from thoughts of harm
But the river kept on coming, kept on tugging at my legs
Till at last my fingers faltered, and I was swept away
So I’m going with the flow now, these relentless twists and bends
Acclimating to the motion, and a sense of being led
And this river’s like my body now, it carries me along
Through the ever-changing scenes and by the rocks that sing this song
CHORUS:
God is the river, swimmer
So let go
|
Let There Be Peace On Earth
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment with peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father, sisters all are we.
Let me walk with my sister in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
|
Everything is Holy Now
When I was a boy, each week
On Sunday, we would go to church
And pay attention to the priest
He would read the holy word
And consecrate the holy bread
And everyone would kneel and bow
Today the only difference is
Everything is holy now,
Everything, everything, Everything is holy now
When I was in Sunday school
We would learn about the time
Moses split the sea in two
Jesus made the water wine
And I remember feeling sad
That miracles don’t happen still
But now I can’t keep track
‘Cause everything’s a miracle
Everything, Everything, Everything’s a miracle
Wine from water is not so small
But an even better magic trick
Is that anything is here at all
So the challenging thing becomes
Not to look for miracles
But finding where there isn’t one
When holy water was rare at best
It barely wet my fingertips
But now I have to hold my breath
Like I’m swimming in a sea of it
It used to be a world half there
Heaven’s second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air
‘Cause everything is holy now
Everything, everything, Everything is holy now
Read a questioning child’s face
And say it’s not a testament
That’d be very hard to say
See another new morning come
And say it’s not a sacrament
I tell you that it can’t be done
This morning, outside I stood
And saw a little red-winged bird
Shining like a burning bush
Singing like a scripture verse
It made me want to bow my head
I remember when church let out
How things have changed since then
Everything is holy now
It used to be a world half-there
Heaven’s second rate hand-me-down
But I walk it with a reverent air,
Cause everything is holy now
|
What is the International
Day of Prayer for Peace?
It was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and then-United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan. It is celebrated annually on September 21 (or the closest Sunday).
|
For more information, go to the website of On Earth Peace: www.onearthpeace.org
|
|
|
