Micronesia — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this “Temple … an instrument of ongoing revelation in the life of the church. Its symbolism and ministries call people to reverence in the presence of the Divine Being. Transformative encounters with the Eternal Creator and Reconciler await those who follow its spiritual pathways of healing, reconciliation, peace, strengthening of faith, and knowledge.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:8a

Today in our prayers we remember the people of Micronesia, located in the western Pacific Ocean. Micronesia is comprised of thousands of small islands.

Scripture Reading—Jeremiah 29:4-5,7,11 NRSV

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

Prayer for Peace

Barb Harmon

God of unfettered hope,

We have told the story and we have waited, and now our waiting is almost over. As we kneel again before the manger, to gaze with wonder and awe, bless us with the expectation of fulfillment of the mystery we see. How can it be that this humble and vulnerable child represents the hope of all the ages?

We tiptoe into this sacred space, wanting to observe. But we stay silent, because in our inner beings, we don’t want to awaken this sleeping child. We are fearful of what participation in this mystery might mean for us. What does it mean to put our hope in this child? What does it mean to live into a story where, after the peace and joy of this night, the next words recorded are the massacre of innocent children? And to recognize that as we seek to welcome this child, vulnerable children around the world are, in this very moment, engulfed in suffering. What is our complicity in this suffering? What does it mean to confront our own sin, fear, and tendency to exclude? How can this community act to proclaim, “And on earth, Peace!” when we are still afraid of each other in this place?

God, bless us this day to hear the story anew, to hear how this story calls us. Be patient with us as we both desire and resist the transforming impulse at work in the depths of our beings. Shape our lives and this community of Christ so that mutually our deepest yearning might be to embody this hope and invitation—Emmanuel, God with us! Bless us with the same trembling in our souls that the shepherds encountered—the trembling that manifests as fear converted to wonder. Nurture in us the ways of peace. Help us live in the tension of that which we cannot comprehend—joy and suffering, peace and conflict, manger and cross. And send us with these words—as both question and hope—that persistently invite us into the mystery of the kingdom already among us: What child is this?

In the name of Jesus, the embodiment of hope and peace. Amen.

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 432 in Community of Christ Sings, “What Child Is This.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 432.

Prayers of the People

As we enter a time of guided prayer, meditation, and musical reflection, you are invited to offer silent prayers or meditate during the moments of quiet. The context for our Prayers of the People begin with ourselves and move outward, in rippling waves to those we know and love, to strangers and enemies, to the entire world, to all of creation.

Will you join with me in this time of prayer and meditation acknowledging your soul’s yearning for God’s presence and peace? Silently join your heart with God’s.

Pause.

O God of love, grant us your peace. We struggle with insecurities and fears, weighed down with issues that affect our sense of worth and wholeness. Grant us peace that calms the inner turmoil of our souls and affirms that we are beloved.

Pause.

O God of life, grant us your peace. We strive for relationships that are fair, equitable and filled with compassion, yet we often find ourselves enslaved in conflicts with others, even those we love. Grant us the strength to listen with our hearts first that we may grow in deeper connection with those whom we call friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family.

Pause.

O God of hope, grant us your peace. We have grown weary of the sounds of war, violence, oppression and diminishment of men, women and children, yet we fail to heed your urgent invitation to act for justice. Grant us the courage to extend our hands in acts of mercy, service, and peacemaking. We remember all nations, including Micronesia, the country we pray for today.

Pause.

O God of all creation, grant us your peace. We understand that we are made of the same substance as all living things, yet fail to grasp your vision of the sacredness of creation. Make us more aware and weave us into oneness. Grant us a glimpse of your love for creation in all its forms and the compassion to act in ways that respect and honor the genius of your universe.

Pause.

O God of peace, we offer ourselves as vessels of your grace and peace, so that from where we stand, waves of your loving presence will emanate to bless your world. In and through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Musical Reflection

Sending Forth

Live simply. Value others.

Honor the earth. Walk in sacred footsteps.

Go in peace.