Dedication to Peace Service

Written for the Peace-Justice-Service Committee
of Ohio Conference of the Mennonite Church

(At some point at the beginning, we lit a candle at the front of the congregation as a symbol of Christ among us.)

Opening:

One: Welcome to all God's people who are gathered together this evening at Berlin! It is Christ who has brought us together and the Spirit who binds us as one.

Many: We come to worship God, the creator of all that is good. We come to hear the good news of peace that Christ brought to all. We come to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

One: And we come to celebrate the church, a motley group of people brought together by a common love. We celebrate these people who shout the light bedazzling "yes" of God against the dark deadening "no" of the world.

Many: We gather as the people of God, to participate in Christ's mission of peace in the world and to receive again the hope of the Spirit.

One: Jesus is our Lord! We have come to sing and to worship.

The service included candle lighting. As each person lit their candle (from the Christ candle), they were encouraged to make a commitment for peace, so that as the light increased in the building, so did the visible commitment to God’s peace. At some time, I discovered that some counties outlaw candle lighting services, which made this service civil disobedience!)

Closing:

One: As we leave this time of sharing, we take along our "Yes!" to God.

Right: Yes! We will be lit candles of love against the darkness of hate.

Left: Yes! We will be joyful songs filling the silence of indifference.

Right: Yes! We will be a hopeful community in a discouraged world.

Left: Yes! We will bring life to people surrounded by death.

Many: For we are people of love, of joy, of hope, of life. We are followers of the Prince of Peace and we will carry that peace with us as we go into the world.

One: Excited by the possibilities of peace, all the people of God shouted:

Many: Yes!

One: And then, knowing they were not sure to what they committed themselves, the followers of the Prince of peace, who lived with the indwelling Spirit, whispered, in awe,

Many: Amen, and so be it.

One: And now go forth to live your "Yes!" to God, knowing that you are held by a love that will not let you go. In the name of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer, Amen.

Susan Mark Landis