Prayers for Haiti

For those of you unable to be with us in person... Forgive the formatting (or lack thereof)... I didn't take much time to fix it up... just basically "cut and paste." I was able to insert links to the two new hymns written within just within the last few days. Thank you for joining us in prayers for Haiti. Peace of Christ... Randy

PRAYERS FOR HAITI:
OUR HEARTS UNITE IN LAMENT AND PRAYER
An Ecumenical & Interfaith Candle Lighting Service of Prayer

First Presbyterian Church • Lake Crystal, Minnesota
Rev. Randal K. Lubbers, Pastor & Teacher


PRELUDE Mary Ann Norman, organist
CALL TO PRAYER Based on Psalm 90
Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord;
People: who made heaven and earth.
Leader: Lord, you have been our refuge from age to age.
Before the mountains were born,
before the earth and the world came to birth,
from eternity to eternity you are God.
People: Lord, you are our strength; hasten to help us.
Leader: Lord, teach us to count up the days that are ours,
and we shall come to the heart of wisdom.
People: Lord, you are our strength; hasten to help us.
Leader: Come back, O Lord! How long? How long must we wait?
Take pity on your servants.
People: Lord, you are our strength; hasten to help us.

HYMN
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
ST. ANNE
Words: Psalm 90:1-2, 4-5; vers. Isaac Waats (1719)
Music: William Croft (1708)
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:
Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood or earth received its frame,
from everlasting you are God, to endless years the same.
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home!
PSALM 46
PRAYER by David Gambrell (2010)
God, our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,
when the mountains shake, when the earth trembles, you are our shelter, our safety.
Give peace to those in turmoil, give refuge to those in danger,
give comfort to those who mourn, and strength to those who offer aid,
until all may dwell secure in your eternal city of peace that can never be shaken.
THE SITUATION IN HAITI
SILENCE


HYMN
“In Haiti There Is Anguish”
ST. CHRISTOPHER
Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2010)
Music: Frederick C. Maker (1881)

In Haiti, there is anguish that seems too much to bear;
A land so used to sorrow now knows even more despair.
From city streets, the cries of grief rise up to hills above;
In all the sorrow, pain and death, where are you, God of love?

A woman sifts through rubble, a man has lost his home,
A hungry, orphaned toddler sobs, for she is now alone.
Where are you, Lord, when thousands die-the rich, the poorest poor?
Were you the very first to cry for all that is no more?

O God, you love your children; you hear each lifted prayer!
May all who suffer in that land know you are present there.
In moments of compassion shown, in simple acts of grace,
May those in pain find healing balm, and know your love's embrace.

Where are you in the anguish? Lord, may we hear anew
That anywhere your world cries out, you're there-- and suffering, too.
And may we see, in others' pain, the cross we're called to bear;
Send out your church in Jesus' name to pray, to serve, to share.

PRAYER: a congregational lament by Calvin Seeveld (1986)
A READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 40:28-31
A READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT: Matthew 5:3-10
A PRAYER WITH THE PEOPLE OF HAITI by Taylor Burton-Edwards (2010)
Leader: Again the ground shakes,
Earth heaves, buildings rumble
and more fall.
People: How long, O Lord?
Leader: The dead unnamed, uncounted,
some yet living; still not rescued,
and now more traps are sprung.
People: How long, O Lord? How long?
Leader: Help scrambles in,
soldiers, doctors, food, water, dogs, money,
supplies of every kind from every nation,
and more will surely come.
People: Your mercy is on all your creatures, O God.
Leader: Let this be but beginning,
not of rescue only, but deliverance,
not simply to restore, nor to rebuild,
but build anew.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: These are our sisters, brothers,
not projects for a time,
but family for our lifetimes.
When others leave, call us to stay.
People: Christ, have mercy.
Leader: And keep our hearts stirred,
not satisfied until these
and all our family, in every place,
can live with joy and dwell in peace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
With all who live and die in Port-au-Prince,
in the name of Jesus, Prince de la Paix,
we continually pray.
Leader: Amen, and amen.
CANDLE LIGHTING
“I Light This Candle”
Words and Music: Paul Jaansen (2010)

CLOSING PRAYER
“O Lord, Hear My Prayer”
HEAR MY PRAYER
Words: Psalm 102:1-2; adapt. The Community of Taizė
Music: Jacques Berthier (1982)
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer: when I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer: come and listen to me.

A Prayer for Haiti by Bruce Reyes-Chow, Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentine (2010)

God of compassion,
please watch over the people of Haiti,
and weave out of these terrible happenings
wonders of goodness and grace.
Surround those who have been affected by tragedy
with a sense of your present love,
and hold them in faith.
Though they are lost in grief,
may they find you and be comforted.
Guide us to find ways of providing assistance
that heal wounds and provide hope.
Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers
we all suffer;
through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives
and rules this world with you. Amen.

O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer: when I call answer me.
O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer: come and listen to me.

DISMISSAL
Leader: Let us go forth to be light in the darkness,
to be compassion in the suffering,
to be loving hands and feet to all those in need.
People: Amen.
Leader: Peace be with you.
People: And also with you.