Notes on the Service

The service of Holy Communion for Peace is adapted from existing worship resources of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its full communion partners and reflects upon the ELCA Social Statement: For Peace in God’s World.

Permission is granted for congregations to reproduce the service of Holy Communion for Peace provided that no part of the reproduction is for sale, copies are for local use only, and the copyright notices appear as indicated in the acknowledgments.

The service may be used at any time the church desires to pray for peace. Worship planners are encouraged to adapt these texts as necessary. The Kyrie, Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Great Thanksgiving, and Lamb of God may be sung. If an offering is taken, it may be designated for a local or international agency that works for peace.

Some portions of this liturgy, such as the introduction to the peace, offertory prayer, eucharistic prayer, post-communion prayer, prayer for peace, blessing, or dismissal could be included in the liturgy every Sunday as the congregation continues to pray for peace.

For Peace in God’s World says,

We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share with the Church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers. In the liturgy of Holy Communion we pray "for the peace of the whole world," asking, "Lord, have mercy." Our petition unites faith in the Triune God with our world's sufferings and hopes.

We are grateful for the legacy of peacemaking given to our church by its predecessor communities. We confess that too often we have fallen short in our responsibility for peace. We pray for forgiveness, and for the faith that in love acts for earthly peace. We dedicate ourselves anew to pray and to work for peace in God's world.

The elusive quest to build earthly peace is multifaceted, and for us belongs in a context that extends far beyond our own efforts and time. Our faith active for peace begins and ends with God, the alpha and omega of peace. Living still in a time when hate, injustice, war, and suffering seem often to have the upper hand, we call on God to fulfill the divine promise of final peace.

"Give God no rest" (Isaiah 62:6-7) until that day when "the wolf and the lamb shall feed together.... They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord" (Isaiah 65:25).

"Give God no rest" until that day when the nations "shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isaiah 2:4).

We await the fulfillment of God's promise of eternal peace, not in resignation, but in grateful joy and active hope, for our time and place are also God's. God, who makes earthly peace possible, calls us to gather in worship. Baptized into Christ, we hear the Gospel and share Holy Communion, the foretaste of the peaceful feast to come. The Holy Spirit sends us into our everyday communities to be agents for peace. We are called to pray, and to live, for peace in God's world.

We do the liturgy and we disperse, trusting that the peace of God in Christ Jesus, "which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7), goes with us and prepares us to be peacemakers.

Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

From For Peace in God's World adopted by more than a two-thirds majority vote (803-30) as a social statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by the fourth Churchwide Assembly on August 20, 1995, at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the God of our salvation,
who bears our burdens and + forgives our sins.
Amen

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
whose face is hidden from us by our sins,
and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts:
Cleanse us from all our offenses,
and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires,
that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you,
confessing our faults,
confiding in your grace,
and finding in you our refuge and strength;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

God so loved the world
that while we were yet sinners
Jesus Christ was given to die for us.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit
God promises to heal us and forgive us.

Let us confess our sin
in the presence of God and one another.

Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal,
have mercy on us.

For boundless love of self,
and for failing to walk with humility and gentleness:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

For longing to have what is not ours,
and for hearts that are not at rest with ourselves:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

For misuse of human relationships,
and for unwillingness to see the image of God in others:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

For jealousies that divide families and nations,
and for rivalries that create strife and warfare:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

For inequity in sharing the gifts of God,
and for carelessness with the fruits of creation:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

For hurtful words that condemn and angry deeds that harm:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

For idleness in witnessing to Jesus Christ,
and for squandering the gifts of love and grace:
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, have mercy on us.

The God of all mercy and consolation has reconciled the world
through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
forgiving you all your sin.
By the power of the Holy Spirit
may the image of God be restored in you,
the wisdom of God renewed in you,
and the breath of God revived in you,
in the name of the blessed and holy + Trinity.
Amen

ENTRANCE HYMN

GREETING
The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

KYRIE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above, and for our salvation,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, the well-being of the Church of God,
and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God,
all thoughts of truth and peace come from you.
Kindle in the hearts of all your children the love of peace,
and guide with your wisdom the leaders of the nations,
so that your kingdom will go forward in peace
and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of your love;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

FIRST READING: Micah 4:1–5

A reading from Micah.

In the days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For our of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 85

Antiphon: Righteousness and peace shall go before the Lord. (Ps. 85:13)

You have been gracious to your | land, O Lord;*
you have restored the good for- | tune of Jacob.
     You have forgiven the iniquity | of your people*
     and blotted out | all their sins.
You have withdrawn | all your fury*
and turned yourself from your wrathful | indignation.
     Restore us then, O | God our Savior;*
     let your anger de- | part from us.
Will you be displeased with | us forever?*
Will you prolong your anger from | age to age?
     Will you not give us | life again,*
     that your people may re- | joice in you?
Show us your mer- | cy, O Lord,*
and grant us | your salvation.
     I will listen to what the Lord | God is saying,*
     for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
     and to those who turn their | hearts to him.
Truly, his salvation is very near to | those who fear him,*
that his glory may dwell | in our land.
     Mercy and truth have | met together;*
     righteousness and peace have | kissed each other.
Truth shall spring up | from the earth,*
and righteousness shall look | down from heaven.
     The Lord will indeed | grant prosperity,*
     and our land will | yield its increase.
Righteousness shall | go before him,*
and peace shall be a pathway | for his feet.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 2:13–18

A reading from Ephesians.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Matthew 5:9
Alleluia! Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Alleluia!

GOSPEL: John 15:9–12
The Holy Gospel according to John, the fifteenth chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY

THE PRAYERS
O God,
your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection,
teaching them to love all people as neighbors.
As his disciples in this age,
we offer our prayer on behalf of the world
in which we are privileged to live
and our neighbors with whom we share it.

Let us pray for the whole human family. . .
Holy God, maker of heaven and earth,
you created all people in your image.
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion
to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time,
all nations and races may serve you in harmony
around your heavenly throne.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for the nations of the world. . .
Loving God,
in Jesus Christ you have ordered us
to live as loving neighbors.
Though we are scattered in different places,
speak different languages,
or come from different ethnic backgrounds,
give us common concern,
so that we may be one people,
who share the governing of the world under your guiding purpose.
May greed, war, and lust for power be curbed,
and all people enter the community of love promised in Jesus Christ.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for the leaders of the nations. . .
Sovereign God,
you rule the ways of peoples,
and reign over every earthly government.
Work with those who work for peace.
Make every person in authority an agent of your reconciliation,
and every diplomat an ambassador of hope.
Give the leaders of the world [or name specific countries/authorities involved in conflict]
the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it.
Bring peace and goodwill among all people,
fulfilling among us the promise made in Jesus Christ,
who was born to save the whole world.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for the United States of America. . .                                   Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
Almighty God, ruler of all the peoples of the earth,
forgive, we pray, our shortcomings as a nation;
purify our hearts to see and love truth;
give wisdom to our counselors
and steadfastness to our people;
and bring us at last to the fair city of peace,
whose foundations are mercy, justice, and goodwill,
and whose builder and marker you are.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for those who engage in war. . .
Righteous God,
Guard brave women and men, especially name/s,
who risk themselves in battle for their country.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
give them courage to face the perils which beset them;
and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be.
Give them compassion for their enemies.
Keep them from hate that hardens,
or from score keeping with human lives.
When they must be at war,
let them live for peace,
as eager for agreement as for victory.
Encourage them as they encourage one another,
and never let hard duty separate them
from loyalty to Jesus Christ.
Comfort loved ones who await their return.
Give them patience, wisdom, and hope in these uncertain times,
and increase their faith and assurance in your love.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for our enemies. . .
Persistently forgiving God,
your Son commanded us to love our enemies and to pray for them.
We thank you that, through Jesus’ violent death on the cross,
even enemies have been reconciled to you.
Give to all who seek to harm another,
your spirit of wisdom and reconciliation,
that peace and justice may prevail over violence, terrorism and warfare.
We pray for our enemies [or name specific enemies] and for ourselves:
lead us from prejudice to truth;
deliver us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge;
and enable us to stand before you,
reconciled through Jesus Christ.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for the victims of war. . .
God of compassion and grace,
you remember all who suffer.
Even as we engage in combat,
may we also engage with even more intensity in acts of compassion:
to comfort those in shock, bind up the wounded,
feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless,
bury the dead, and console those who mourn.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Let us pray for peace. . .
Eternal God,
in your perfect realm no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness,
and there is no strength but the strength of love.
So mightily spread abroad your Spirit,
that all peoples may be gathered as your children
under the banner of the Prince of Peace.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Finally, let us pray that we may be instruments of your peace. . .
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
     where there is injury, pardon;
     where there is discord, union;
     where there is doubt, faith;
     where there is despair, hope;
     where there is darkness, light;
     where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek
     to be consoled as to console;
     to be understood as to understand;
     to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
     it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and
     it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
God of mercy,
grant us your salvation.

Open our hearts to your power moving
around us and between us and within us,
until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy,
in communities transformed by justice and compassion,
and in the healing of all that is broken.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Amen

PEACE
Jesus said: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (John 14:27)

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.

OFFERING

PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS

OFFERTORY PRAYER
God of Peace,
as the grains once scattered in the fields
and the grapes once dispersed on the hillside
are now united on this table in bread and wine,
may we who celebrate this Holy Communion
be gathered into one in you.
Receive these gifts and the offering of our lives,
and feed us with your grace,
that we may be signs of your unity and peace in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks... (Here the minister continues with the proper preface for the day or season, concluding:)
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

God most mighty,
O God most merciful,
O God, our light and our salvation,
hear us as we praise,
call us to your meal,
grant to us your life.

When everything was in chaos, you formed beauty and order.
When Abraham and Sarah were childless, you birthed them a son.
When the Israelites were enslaved, you led them to freedom.
David faced Goliath and the widow of Zarephath drought,
Naaman leprosy and Esther the slaughter of her people,
and the stories proclaim that you granted them all your life.

To our world of sorrow you came as Jesus our brother.
He was born into poverty, he lived under oppression,
he wept at Lazarus’ tomb.

On the night before he died unjustly,
Our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper,
he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.

We remember his death, and let the people say Amen.
Amen!

We celebrate his resurrection, and let the people shout Amen.
Amen!

We beg him to come again and again, and let the people plead Amen.
Amen!

O God, you are Bread: may we live by this food.
O God, you are Breath: may your Spirit enliven our bones.
O God, you are Fire: may your church illumine the world.
O God, you are Fortress: may there be no more war.
O God, you are Harvest: may there be no more hunger.
O God, you are Nurse: may no one die alone or in pain.

From your throne teach us justice,
in your sheepfold give us protection,
in your arms may we find peace.

O God most majestic,
O God most motherly,
grant to us your life,
life as of the Father to the Son,
life as of the Spirit of our risen Lord,
life as of a tree bearing twelve different fruits,
now and forever.
Amen

LORD'S PRAYER
Let us pray for God’s rule on earth as Jesus taught us:
Our Father . . .

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:10)
Come to the feast of justice and peace.

LAMB OF GOD
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

COMMUNION

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Holy God of heaven and earth,
we thank you that as the broken bread was gathered into one loaf,
the broken fragments of our violent history are gathered up
and healed by the redeeming act of Christ.
Let this holy food empower us
to overcome all barriers that divide us from one another.
Filled with your love,
may we work to establish your gentle rule of justice and peace.
In the name of Christ we pray.
Amen

HYMN

PRAYER FOR PEACE
O God,
it is your will to hold both heaven and earth
in a single peace.
Let the design of your great love
shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows,
and give peace to your Church,
peace among nations,
peace in our homes,
and peace in our hearts;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

BLESSING
The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God,
in Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of almighty God,
Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen

DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Love one another as Christ has loved us.
Thanks be to God.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Permission is granted for congregations to reproduce the service of Holy Communion for Peace in Time of War provided that no part of the reproduction is for sale, copies are for local use only, and the following copyright notices appear:

Confession and Forgiveness from Renewing Worship 3: Holy Baptism and Related Rites © 2002 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, administered by Augsburg Fortress, Publishers. All rights reserved.

The Scripture quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.

Liturgical texts and prayers adapted from the Lutheran Book of Worship © 1978, administered by Augsburg Fortress, Publishers; This Far by Faith: An African American Resource for Worship © 1999 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers; and the Book of Common Worship (Presbyterian Church USA) © 1993 Westminster/John Knox Press; The Book of Common Prayer (The Episcopal Church, USA). Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Eucharistic Prayer by Gail Ramshaw © 2002. Used by permission. All rights reserved.