Written by: The Reverend James W. Dennis, III (2018) Edited by: The Reverend Samuel L. Green, Jr. Director of Christian Education The Right Reverend Samuel L. Green, Sr. Presiding Prelate
The Call To Remembrance Today we pause to remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those faithful 9 martyrs at Mother Emanuel AME Church who fell victim to racism and hatred and now live in eternal victory in Christ Jesus. We pause to remember and call before the Lord: (Read each name aloud and pause in silence. Libations may be poured in remembrance for each life. The Reverend Clementa Pinckney Cynthia Hurd The Reverend Sharonda Coleman- Singleton Tywanza Sanders Ethel Lance Susie Jackson Depayne Middleton Doctor The Reverend Daniel Simmons Myra Thompson We also give thanks today for those who survived the Emanuel tragedy and for their continued witness to the relentless love of God. May God continue to strengthen them as they live to tell the story.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving Will you pray with me? Eternal God, we pause to give you thanks for the victims and the survivors of the Emanuel 9 shooting. We rejoice today because through this tragic experience, we are reminded that evil and hatred does not have the last say, but that love overcomes all fear and that your grace comfort us through times of pain and sorrow. We pray that the legacy of the Emanuel 9 will continue to live through us and that in these times of injustice we will remind the world of your justice. We pray that in these times of heighten fear that we remind the world of your steadfast love for all of your children. We pray that in these times of indecisiveness that we remind the world of good it is when God s children dwell together in unity. Make us your light in the darkness of this world so that all will come into the knowledge of your love through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. The Scripture Lessons (Recommended) Old Testament Psalm 27:1-6; 13-14, NIV Psalm 46: 1-3; 10-11 New Testament St. John 14:27 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Songs of Praise (Recommended) Blessed Assurance We ll Understand It Better By and By I Need You To Survive (Hezekiah Walker) Grateful (Hezekiah Walker) Love Lifted Me Moment of Reflection (This can be done as a silent reflection or the minister can allow someone to share a brief reflection of the event or ways towards healing through God s love and grace.)
Litany of Remembrance (All Standing) Leader: O God, our help throughout the ages and our Sustainer for years to come, we thank you for the lives of the our brothers and sisters of Mother Emanuel AME and all the ways they have blessed us. People: Some are still with us. Some are no more. Leader: May the remembrance of their love, their courage, and their compassion call us to gratitude throughout our lives that generations yet to come may give you praise for their legacy until that day when you make all things new. People: We pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will continue to comfort and heal all that have been affected by this tragedy. We pray that your love will surround them on this day and continue to give them the strength and power to continue their journeys of faith. Leader: We know that the Emanuel 9 did not die in vain. We pray that you make us a living testimony of their lives and that their stories, told through us, will bring love, justice, and harmony to the world. All: In a time filled with tragedy we dare to hope for a time yet to come in which the slaughter of innocents, greed, the ambitions of power, and cultural, racial and religious bigotries are but memories of a dim and unenlightened past. Prayer of Healing God, we come before you with faith in your promise that whatever we ask for in your name will be granted to us. We come trusting in your great love for us and believing that you know all that we are in need of. God we pray that you will bring healing to us as we continue to uplift the legacies of the Emanuel 9 and the survivors. Bring your healing love into every corner of our hearts and release all the buried and unhealed hurts, pain, and anger that we may harbor within us. Heal all feeling sadness, loneliness, fear and anxiety. Heal all feeling guilt, despair, feelings of betrayal and rejection. Heal all feelings of anger, hatred, resentment and bitterness. God our trust is in you. Lead us and guide us. Inspire and strengthen us. Teach us how to forgive and how to be forgiven in healthy and healing ways. Always remind us that love conquers even the most senseless acts of violence and hatred. And then Lord, empower us to be witnesses of your healing power and bring glory, honor and praise to your name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Benediction And now unto God who is able to keep us in all our ways and to present us faultless before the presence of God s glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, comforter and redeemer, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.