Candlelight Vigil for Peace in Colombia

Source: Lutheran World Relief

CANDELIGHT VIGIL FOR PEACE IN COLOMBIA

Open the service by gathering the entire worshipping community outside to welcome the light and to begin this time of reflection, prayer and celebration of hope.

L: We begin by giving witness to the light of Christ, the light no darkness can overcome.   

All: Out of the darkness we kindle new light. We cast out fear and hopelessness and call upon the spirit of peace to be with us here and ever-present with our brothers and sisters in Colombia.

(Leader lights a candle from either a small fire or from a large candle. Pass the flame to all gathered to light their candles.)

Opening prayer
L: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.

L: Let us pray.
God of history, God of peace, God who hears the cry of the poor and the afflicted – We pray for our brothers and sisters in Colombia as they struggle everyday with war and war’s devastating consequences. We light candles to break the darkness of this hour. We look to the light of Christ to break the darkness of distance, ignorance, and denial. Where one people suffer, we all suffer; where one people rejoice, we all rejoice. Show us ways to express our compassion and love for your children.
All: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

All: We gather, in God’s presence and by God’s grace, to pray for the people of Colombia. The people of Colombia are tired of war and violence, and they cry out for peace. Millions of children, men and women, young and old, march for peace, pray for peace, work for peace . . . yet peace does not come. Let us open our hearts and minds together in silent reflection, asking for God’s power and intervention to protect all peacemakers and to bring a true and lasting peace to Colombia.
Amen. 

Process to your place of vigil with candles while singing: 

HYMN            Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying      With One Voice Hymnal, 775

READING
[Symbolically celebrate the peace yet to come with an offering at the end of each reading: place a flower, stone or new candle in a central place, ring a bell, or make your own sign for peace.]

Reader I: We grieve the senseless violence and bewildering brutality against our brothers and sisters in Colombia. As we mourn with countless others we also celebrate the beauty of a deep commitment to cultivate peace within communities, regions, families, churches and individuals. We maintain this vigil to remember the many lives lost and to celebrate the pulsing movement for peace that no violence can overcome.

Celebrate the Peace Yet to Come

Reader II: On Feb. 21/22, 2005 eight Children of God and ambassadors of the peace of Christ that passes all human understanding were murdered. [ring a bell after each name is read] Luis Eduardo Guerra Guerra, Bellanyra Areiza Guzmán, aged 17, Deiner Andrés Guerra, aged 11, Alfonso Bolívar Tuberquia Graciano, Sandra Milena Muñoz Pozo, Santiago Tuberquia Muñoz, aged 2, Natalia Andrea Tuberquia Muñoz, aged 6, and Alejandro Pérez were massacred in the well-known peace community of San José de Apartadó. In life they played, laughed, dreamed and were in and of themselves examples of the peace that we seek for Colombia and in the world. They and the many others who have been slain by champions of war and greed will not be forgotten. We remember them by living our commitment to peace.

Celebrate the Peace Yet to Come

Reader III: On May 2, 2002 in the Afro-Colombian community of Bojayá in the department (state) of Chocó, people took refuge in the Church of Bellavista during a confrontation between guerilla and paramilitary groups. A mortar went through the roof and hit the altar killing 119 people. The same horrifying circumstances that led to this atrocity are once again threatening Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities in this region. Illegally armed groups have come into their lands to abuse, threaten and use violence to control peaceful peoples. Though countless requests for protection and numerous assertions on the need to respect civilian populations have been made, these communities are living with very real and very frightening threats against peace and life. We recognize their courage, we hear their voices and we call out for action by the U.S. and Colombian Governments to respect the communities of Bojayá, Chocó and all those facing the cruel violence of war.

Celebrate the Peace Yet to Come

Reader IV: On April 14, 2005 a battle between the FARC and the Colombian army took place in the indigenous peace communities of Toribío and Jambaló, severely injuring 21 civilians and resulting in the death of a nine year old child. The lack of respect for the indigenous peace communities and the targeting of civilians in battle are deeply troubling. We grieve the loss of life and the degradation of peace territories. We cry out for a true resolution to conflict, for the pursuit of life over death and peace over war.

Celebrate the Peace Yet to Come

Reader V: We remember the named and the unnamed. We remember those who experience the violence that is produced by over four decades of civil conflict: the violence of hunger, of exclusion, of fear, of abuse and of hopelessness. Our Colombian brothers and sisters teach us that there is another way, that violence begets violence, and a new path must be forged for peace.

ALL: We support and celebrate the dawning of a new day of peace for all people in Colombia.

PRAYER
L: Let us pray. We give thanks today for those visionaries among us who dream dreams and see new visions and new possibilities. We pray for those who do not despair, those who are inspired and empowered by their faith to become peace-makers, bringing healing and hope to broken hearts, broken lives, broken communities and broken institutions. We give thanks also for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who came and lived among us. And we give thanks for the Spirit of Christ who empowers and emboldens us to become peacemakers in our time and in our place.

All: Amen.

HYMN                                      O Day of Peace                     With One Voice Hymnal, 763

SCRIPTURE

A vision for Gods people, guiding all toward the work for justice
ISAIAH 58: 6-11
Is not this the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house;…then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
(Isaiah 58: 6,7,10 and 11)

HYMN                     Let Justice Flow Like Streams            With One Voice Hymnal, 764

A blessing from Jesus
JOHN 14:27
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.

REFLECTION OR TIME OF SILENCE (optional)

SHARING OF THE PEACE    
L: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And also with you.
Greet one another in the name of the Lord

CLOSING PRAYER

L: Let us pray. We lift up our prayers for human rights workers, journalists, health care workers, humanitarian aid workers, and for all those who in countless ways seek to right the wrongs, heal the wounded and sick, speak the truth, minimize the violence, and protect the vulnerable. We give you thanks, and ask that you would protect them from all harm and danger. Lord in your mercy.
All: Hear our prayer.

L: For the Colombian people seeking peace and for all peacemakers everywhere who at local and national levels seek the ways of peace and the management of conflict. We pray that they may be given wisdom, patience, and courage for their tasks. Open the hearts and minds of those who now see each other as enemies, and lead them to negotiate in good faith and a spirit of justice, for the good of all. Lord in your mercy.
All: Hear our prayer.

L: For the nations of the world, we ask your guidance, that they may accompany the Colombian people with compassion and wisdom. Inspire us all to turn our swords into plowshares, and to wage war no more. Lord in your mercy.
All: Hear our prayer.

L: Help policy makers to see beyond partisan politics and to pursue justice for the poor and the powerless. Give our leaders eyes to see with wisdom and hearts to judge with compassion and justice. Lord in your mercy.
All: Hear our prayer. 

L: We remember the churches of Colombia and their leaders. We pray to God that they may continue to find strength and hope amidst so much despair, and violence. Thank you God for their courage, patience, wisdom, and unfailing love for you and all people as they hold up the light of hope and life in the midst of darkness. Help us to learn from them and be guided in the ways of prophetically pursuing justice.
All: Hear our prayer.

L: These and all other concerns for peace, hope, and love we commend to you, oh God of judgment and mercy.
All: Amen

A young person brings a candle forth to light the candles of all present for the closing of the service.
Youth: Let us join together in committing ourselves to pursue justice and peace with our brothers and sisters in Colombia. 

All: This light of peace and hope renews our commitment to speak out, act, and pray for justice, peace, and love.  

HYMN                                      Dona Nobis Pacem                            With One Voice, 774

Depart quietly with your candles lit, taking your light of peace, justice and hope into the world.

 

 

Service Notes: