While this liturgy was written to commemorate 9-11, it can be adapted for other contexts by changing the introductory paragraph in blue font and adapting the liturgy where needed. On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked on its own soil, which had not happened since 1942, and the likes of which were not seen before. Worldwide, around three billion, two hundred eighty-three million people have been born since then; a whole generation who did not experience the event that shaped so much of our present. They will remember only what they see and hear about it. “Never forget.” we have told ourselves. We will not, cannot forget the injury or the insult. There is no secular guidance    that tells us how to deal with our anger and loss.Let us, then, return to the roots of our faithto remember first that "our help is in the name of the Lordwho made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8 NRSVUE)This help took the form of a human named Jesuswho was God incarnate,who taught us the way to live in peace,and who died faithful to his teaching.God also taught us to pray,to call God   our Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9)This God is the only God,the Shepherd of Israel in the Hebrew scriptures,the One seen in the person of Jesus,and received as the Holy Spirit by believers.This God is the only God, A God called by many names,worshipped in many tongues,revealed to Moses as “I AM". (Exodus 3:14)Our God is holy,and demands that we acknowledge God's holiness; so we pray,    “Hallowed be your name”. (Matthew 6:9 NIV)We pray as Jesus commanded us:“Your Kingdom come,Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 NIV)What do we mean when we say this?How are we to treat those who have wronged us?“Forgive us our debts, trespasses and sinsas we forgive our debtors, trespassers,and those who have sinned against us.” (Matthew 6:12)What are we willing to do as faithful discipleswho are engaged to do God’s work here on earth?We are to “do justice, love mercy,   and walk humbly with God.”(Micah 6:8)Proverbs 20:22 cautions all people of the Book:Do not say “I will repay evil.”;Wait for the Lord, who will help you. (Proverbs 20:22 NRSVUE)Temptation is strong to do otherwise;we want immediate and long-lasting vengeance,but Jesus tells us to pray“Lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)To what degree do we pray that, but in fact hopeit will not happen just yet,that we get our satisfaction before it does?The kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to God,who is our Father in heaven.The kingdom, the power, and the glory do not belong to us.What courage will it demand,what faithfulness will it requirefor us to act on the wisdom we have been given,   to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us?We need not forget in order to forgive. Let us pray.Lord Jesus, even from the cross you asked your father to forgive those who executed you.Father, forgive them.They do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)Inspire us to be faithful disciples:   to have compassion for those who are injured,   to seek mercy and justice for those who are guilty.All humanity are your children.let your will be done on earth as in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)Amen.

How do we mark the anniversary of a traumatic event in our church communities? We often think of milestones and anniversaries as celebrations of good things, but it is equally important to acknowledge the difficult times and, following the example of the psalms, leave room for both lament and the hope we place in the goodness of God. This opening portion of worship was planned to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 lockdown but has been modified for broader use. In the weeks leading up to this service, the congregation was asked to share where they had seen God’s goodness. Those testimonies were woven into the litany found below. You can present your community with the same invitation and arrange their responses in the sections designated for Reader 2. Alternatively, you may write some testimonies on behalf of your community and adapt the introduction accordingly. The response of Ruth Ann Schuringa’s congregation was so enthusiastic that she repeated the litany a number of times to be able to include all the testimonies. —RWService IntroductionAbout [number] year/s ago, [name the event] happened in our community. We continue to feel the impact of this event in so many ways. [Name the laments, the pain, the difficult circumstances that resulted.] Yet we are not a people without hope, and so we declare amid the pain that our God is a good God. As we begin our worship today, we will spend time reflecting on [past event] using . . . [Use whatever will best help your worshiping community spend time in reflection. Our congregation watched a video of the song “Amazing Grace,” but you could have someone sing an appropriate song. If the event you are marking has photos associated with it, consider playing a slide show during this time. You could also reflect in silence.]Come, let us worship our good God. Time of Reflection Introduction to “This Is My Father’s World”Who knew that when we worshiped together on [date of the last Sunday before the event] that it would be the last day of the life that we knew? We didn’t know what we were all about to lose. [Name the losses.]How do we celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God in such a time as this? Is that even possible?Habakkuk 3:17–18 says: Though the fig tree does not bud     and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails     and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen     and no cattle in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord,     I will be joyful in God my Savior.As we lament, can we still praise God for God’s goodness? Scripture teaches us the answer is yes. This is not a naive praise. This is in spite of [the event]. The prophet Habakkuk recites his complaint and then says, “Yet I will rejoice.” We believe in the sovereignty of God even when we can’t see it, even when we don’t understand it. Our faith stands on the solid foundation of God’s goodness and faithfulness despite the circumstances and the doubt. We believe our world belongs to God—even as we question, even as we grieve. Trusting God isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t mean that we never struggle with doubt. Sometimes trust and doubt coexist, and we cry, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” It’s like singing the words of faith to a minor tune. Let’s express our faith against the backdrop of our doubt by singing “This Is My Father’s World.” You are invited to listen while [name of soloist] sings the first stanza on our behalf and then join on the remaining verses.  Song of Faith “This Is My Father’s World” Babcock, LUYH 21, GtG 370, SSS 17[Sing the first two stanzas in a minor key before transitioning to major for the third stanza. For the score in minor, see the attachment to “Is This My Father’s World?” at ReformedWorship.org.] Goodness of God LitanyIndeed, this is our Father’s world. This congregation has testified to that with the words of gratitude you sent in that will now be read by [name of Reader 2]. The words [name of Reader 1] will be reading are the words of Desmond Tutu. Reader 1: “Goodness is stronger than evil.” Reader 2: [Read some congregational words of gratitude.]Reader 1: “Love is stronger than hate.” Reader 2: [Read some congregational words of gratitude.]Reader 1: “Light is stronger than darkness.”Reader 2: [Read some congregational words of gratitude.]Reader 1: “Life is stronger than death.”Reader 2: [Read remaining congregational words of gratitude.]—Desmond Tutu, “Victory Is Ours,” An African Prayer Book, © 1995 by Desmond Tutu, p. 80. Permission pending. Song of Response Options “Goodness Is Stronger than Evil” Tutu, LUYH 707, GtG 750“When Peace like a River” (refrain only) Spafford, LUYH 451, GtG 840, SSS 305