Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA
http://peace.MennoLink.org

A Vigil of Prayer & Worship
for a Moratorium on Capital Punishment

May 15, 2001, 8:00 P.M.

Millersburg Mennonite Church, Millersburg, Ohio

Welcome / Purpose for gathering
Call to worship - Hymnal #720 "Lord, hear our prayer"
Congregational singing - Hymnal #324 "Seek ye first"
Prayer for the victims
Silent prayer
Congregational singing - Hymnal #377 "Healer of our every ill"
Prayer for the offenders
Silent prayer
Congregational singing - Hymnal #143 "Amazing Grace"
Litany of prayer (see below)
Silent prayer
Prayer for deliverance & healing - Hymnal #697 "O Prince of peace"
Closing song - Hymnal #323 "Beyond a dying sun"

"If you are interested in expressing your opposition to the use of
capital punishment, an opportunity to sign a petition against it
will be available after the service."

A Litany of Prayer

(Adapted from the United Methodist Church)
Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	For our social order, that it may show love, mercy,
        justice and peace.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	For all elected officials, that they may govern
        with compassion.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	For all prisons, that they may be places of
        restoration & healing.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	For all prison employees, that they may
        respect prisoners as fellow human beings.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	For all prisoners, that they may have the
        courage not to become embittered or
        hopeless.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	For all on death row, that their lives may be
        spared and that they may walk in newness of life.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	That all may be saved from cruel & unusual
        punishment.

Leader:	We pray to the Lord,
People:	That the death penalty may be seen as
        incompatible with the dignity and self-respect
        of persons, and be abolished.

All:	We pray to the Lord.  God of life, hear our
        prayer.  Amen.

Hymnal used is Hymnal a Worship Book