Indonesia — map

Gathering in Silence

Call to Prayer

Lighting of Candle

Invitation

In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to this service of peace. “Listen to the Voice that echoes across the eons of time and yet speaks anew in this moment. Listen to the Voice, for it cannot be stilled, and it calls you once again to the great and marvelous work of building the peaceable kingdom.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 162:1b

Today, Palm Sunday, we remember in our prayers the people of Indonesia, a nation in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is home to more than 17,000 islands of which 8,000 are inhabited and over 300 languages spoken. Indonesia contains beaches, volcanoes, Komodo dragons and wildlife-filled jungles.

Scripture Reading—Palm: Psalm 118:1, 24, 26, 29

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his stadfast love endures forever! This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Prayer for Peace

Vallie Sooter Kirkwood

Christ of the palm, we pray for peace…

for red clay earth embracing seed,

for tropical rain forest’s canopy,

for redwood’s strength to lift up sky

and dandelion’s watchful eye…

May they bloom flower and air to breathe.

Deep peace to all that’s emerald green.

Christ of the colt, we pray for peace…

for wobbly legs and knobby knees,

for first steps taken joyously,

for elephant’s thunderous echoed step

and dainty footprints of spider’s web…

May all that share our Earth be free.

Deep peace to all on land or sea.

Christ of the people, we pray for peace...

for wrinkled wise and baby fresh,

for tones of skin to bond and mesh,

for hearts that beat to one clear drum,

pulse with shalom, your kingdom come…

May love be spoken in every tongue.

Deep peace to all who wait and long.

Christ of all hope, we pray for peace…

triumphal entries of release,

for branches laid and bridges built,

for living water cleansing guilt,

May Christ be praised, Creator, Son,

Holy Spirit, three in one…

Deep peace of God. Amen. Welcome!

Hymn

Today’s hymn is 647 in Community of Christ Sings, “The Peace of the Earth.” Sing or silently reflect on the meaning of the text as it is sung. Hymn number 647.

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 Indonesia, 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.