The forces of national security did not protect our homeland from terrorists turning our own planes into deadly missiles. “We Shall Overcome” was first sung by Americans who faced generations of violence against home and family. It echoed in South Africa, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia. When we face our fear, anger, and grief, we, too, can be transformed by God’s powerful grace to act with courage and hope. Please join me in silent reflection on the events of this year.
SILENCE
All sing: We shall overcome,
we shall overcome,
we shall overcome some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
we shall overcome some day.
Leader: In the wake of 9-11, our differences faded. We stood united one nation under God. Our common grief released a flood of compassion. Citizens left their jobs, traveling thousands of miles, to care for the wounded, to remove the debris, to search for the missing, to bury the dead, to comfort the grieving. Please join me in silence to give thanks for the unity and compassion that rose up within us and around the world bringing
us together as one people.
SILENCE
All sing: We’ll walk hand in hand, we’ll walk hand in hand,
we’ll walk hand in hand some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
we’ll walk hand in hand some day.
Leader: Inspired by the unity and compassion of millions of Americans from every walk of life, we tasted and saw the harmony of God’s shalom, God’s intention for life together. Please join me in silence and feel your own hunger for a world at peace.
SILENCE
All sing: We will live in peace, we will live in peace,
we will live in peace some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
we will live in peace some day.
Leader: Our enemy NOW is our own anxiety and fear. We see the rage of terrorists, the lack of respect for human life, the call for retaliation, the escalation of weapons of mass destruction around the world. We are afraid for ourselves, our children, our nation, our way of life, the future of the earth. Please join me in silence as we hear the voice of the Lord: “Do not be afraid. I am with you always.”
SILENCE
All sing: The Lord will see us through, the Lord will see us through,
the Lord will see us through some day.
Deep in my heart, I do believe,
the Lord will see us through some day.
