TEACHING OTHERS TO LOVE VETERANS
EMPOWERING CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO LOVE VETERANS, THE MILITARY & families:
knowing HOW TO HELP IS OUR BATTLE!
9/11 Service and Ritual
For 9-11 Survivors:
God of the mourner and the witness,
Grant solace and peace to those still held by physical, emotional and spiritual distress from the attacks of 9-11. Release them from visions of death and destruction, from guilt or shame, from fear or anger. Bind their wounds with your steadfast love. Lift them on your wings of kindness and grace.
Blessed are those who have found peace.
Blessed are those without tranquility.
Blessed are those who speak.
Blessed are those who stay silent.
Blessed are those who have healed.
Blessed are those who suffer.
Blessed are those who forgive.
Blessed are those who cannot forgive.
Blessed are You, Our God, Source of strength for survivors of violence and tragedy in every land and in every age. Blessed are You, Lord God, Source of hope and comfort.
Lamentations 3: 47 – 58
To the Terrorist:
You who would hold the sky captive,
The sea prisoner,
The land in chains…
You who hide in caves,
Retreat to the wilderness,
Disappear behind false names and forged papers…
You who smuggle guns and arms,
Hide rockets in cities and bombs in homes,
Build weapons against the innocent and the bystander…
You whose designs are destruction,
Whose plans are fear,
Whose joy is hate…
You who harden your hearts
And wrap yourselves in death…
What evil has robbed you of your love,
Your compassion,
Your goodness,
Your humanity?
What lies have invaded your minds
So that you choose to die in order to kill?
We who love our lives and liberty
Stand firm and strong against terror.
We will defend our nation and our people.
We will protect our land and our homes.
And we pray for you to find hope and comfort
In lives of peace.
Song: Amazing Grace (2 verses)
Memorial Prayer for 9-11 First Responders:
God of the selfless,
God of the strong and the brave,
Grant a perfect rest among the souls of the righteous
To those who died in service to others because of
The 9/11 attacks on the United States.
May their dedication to protecting life serve as a shining lamp of love
And the works of their hands bring us all merit in heaven.
Bless the souls of all who have died to save others,
Civilians and professionals,
The trained and the untrained,
In every age and in every land,
Men and women who answered the call of honor, duty and service.
May their memories be sanctified with joy and love.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.
Adapted from “A Liturgy for 9-11 “ by Alden Solovy
At this time we shall light a candle in honor of those we lost. Please take turns coming forward to light a candle if you wish. The light shall remain a symbol of what once stood and the love and hope that remain in the wake of the terror brought to the US. We will then observe a moment of silence & we will eat lunch. You may also stay by the candles and pray or grieve or reflect as you feel comfortable. Chaplains will be available to pray with you after the service.
(TAPS will play in the background – IT Specialist James Lane will play offline while we take turns lighting candles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndkWFhpZqoE
God Bless the USA Tribute to 9/11 featuring Lee Greenwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1vw22ewhY
Food Blessing: At the Hand of Terror II: A 9-11 Memorial Prayer:
Creator of all,
Source and shelter,
Nourishment for our bodies and souls,
Grant a perfect rest under a tower of peace
To those who died in the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
Remember the works of their hands
And the message of their hearts.
Grant their families peace and comfort for Your name’s sake
And for the sake of those who perished.
Bring an end to violence and terror,
Speedily, in our days.
May their memories be sanctified with joy and love,
As our bodies are nourished with this food,
May their souls be bound up in the bonds of life,
A living blessing in our midst as we strive to honor their memories.
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(Service ~15 min in length including videos)