A Service of Proclamation and Prayer

In the early 1990's, Mennonite Media Productions produced a video entitled, "Beyond the News: Hope for Bosnia." In that video, Gerald Shenk (now at Eastern Mennonite Seminary) introduces viewers to Lazar. Lazar is a young member of Christ's Pentecostal Church in the city of Novi Sad in Serbia. During fighting between Serb and Croat forces around the Croatia city of Osijek, Lazar refused a direct order to participate in the shelling of the city. "I am a Christian," Lazar said, "I don't want to kill anyone."

While conducting training in Serbia in the early and mid 1990's, Bob Williamson of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (Lombard, IL) became acquainted with Lazar and his fellow believers at Christ's Pentecostal Church in Novi Sad. The nonviolent witness of this small Christian community during a difficult time in their nation's life moved Bob. Currently, Novi Sad is one of the cities that has experienced NATO attacks.

In response to renewed fighting in Yugoslavia and NATO military action there, Bob has prepared the following suggestions for a service of proclamation and prayer for congregational use. This outline and its components should be adapted for local and current use. Suggestions for hymns and other worship elements are drawn from both Hymnal: A Worship Book (WB), and The Mennonite Hymnal (MH).

Suggested hymns:
WB #226, #322, #334, #346, #405, #408, #540
MH #198, #295, #439, #454, #455

A SERVICE OF PROCLAMATION AND PRAYER

GATHERING

Greeting
Introductory Words

Our worship today is a special service of proclamation and prayer occasioned by war -- war once again in Yugoslavia. Within these last weeks, our own country has been engaged in military action there. We gather today to hear God's Word on war and peace. We gather as well to respond to that Word, both by proclaiming our faith and by joining in prayer for the victims of war. May our hearts be open to the Word of God today.

Opening Prayer - WB #672

Hymn

PROCLAMATION

Scripture: Micah 4:1-4 (or) WB #833 (or) MH #687
Prayer
Hymn

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16 (or) WB #834
Prayer
Hymn

Scripture: &verse('Matthew 5:38-48') (or) MH #696
Prayer
Hymn

Scripture: &verse('Romans 12:9-21') (or) WB #850 (or) MH #704
Prayer
Hymn

Meditation:

Some points for reflection:

1. The ideas of the Lordship of Christ and the Kingdom of God undermine identities rooted in nationality, ethnicity, or race. Where do we root our identities?

2. In this time of interest in reclaiming "values," followers of Jesus are called to live and offer an alternative set of values to a world that regularly lives out its old patterns of violence. What values do we live by and espouse?

3. Paul calls us to "overcome evil with good." Ultimately, we believe that this is a more realistic approach to real change than the age-old pattern of resorting to violence. Do we act on the basis of this belief?

4. One member of a Serbian church with which MCC has worked refused orders to take part in military attacks because, he said, "I am a Christian." Are we as clear about what we believe, and equally ready to act on it?

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

Affirmation of Faith
Congregational Response / Sharing
(or)
Statement of Faith - WB #710 (or) WB #711 (or) MH #723

Offering (possibly for relief work of Mennonite Central Committee)

Prayer of Confession - WB # 691 (or) WB #697 (or) MH #739

Words of Assurance - WB #704 (or) I John 1:8-9

Prayers of Intercession - WB #720 (or) the following responsive prayer:

Let us pray for believers throughout the world and for all people, bringing to God the needs of all:

Merciful God, listen now to the prayers of your people as we seek to respond to your Word.

For your church throughout the world, that all who confess the name of Jesus give faithful witness to his lordship; that Christians separated by national boundaries remain one in Christ; that our fellow believers in the Balkan region be strengthened and protected in this time of violence.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the entire world under the lordship of Jesus, that statesmen strive for genuine peace and justice among nations; that your wisdom calm and enliven the minds of world leaders; that nonviolent alternatives to war be imagined and supported with energy.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the victims of war and hatred, that all may find safety of body and soul; that refugees be cared for and return again to their home and families; that the injured and the grieving know your comfort and healing.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the whole human family, that all may hear your Word both with our ears and with our hearts, that all may learn to put away the spirit and weapons of war; that all may find the mind of Christ and reflect it in our lives.

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

Gracious God, source of all that is good, hear the prayers of your people both spoken and unspoken, and bless this world of your making; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Closing Prayer - WB #731 (or) WB #732 (or) WB #742 (or) WB #756 (or) WB #760

Hymn

Benediction - WB #767 (or) WB #769 (or) WB #772 (or) MH #733

Other action ideas:

• Write to your political leaders calling for a halt to all violence in Yugoslavia.
• Write letters to your local newspapers expressing your opposition to the use of violence in Yugoslavia.
• Offer speakers on biblical non-violence from your church to neighboring churches.
• Support longer-term efforts toward a Peace Tax Fund. peacetaxfund@igc.apc.org
• Fund efforts to provide job training and opportunities for those in your own country who consider military service for economic reasons.
• Ask your political leaders to invest significant time and money in developing imaginative strategies and skilled personnel to work at non-violent approaches to conflict around the world.