A Garden of Forgiveness

As we mark the 8th anniversary of the U.S. War in Iraq, we will gather on the Lake Street steps of the church tonight to pray for peace. Tomorrow, a group of us will head downtown to March for An End to All Wars, with people from more than 50 peace and justice groups in the Chicago area.

This is the litany of forgiveness we will share tonight. May the Prince of Peace guide our path.

Teach us to plant a garden of forgiveness, by planting seeds of forgiveness.
We ask that you would forgive us . . .
For our own acts of violence
For times when we did not speak up or speak out against war
For our complicity in paying taxes that support war
For turning away from news about destruction we have caused
Give us power to pray for peace and act for peace.
God, forgive our nation’s leaders . . .
Our own nation was born in war, and we are always at war.
Forgive our presidents, cabinet members, senators and members of congress who have fed the war machine.
Forgive our government and military leaders who have sanctioned the use of torture.
Forgive us for exporting violence and militarism to other countries.
Forgive us for spending billions of dollars on weapons of mass destruction.
Forgive us for cooperating with corrupt leaders.
Forgive us for supporting military dictatorships that oppress the poor.
Forgive us for sending troops to die for the sake of oil.
Give us power to pray for peace and act for peace.
God, forgive those who have carried out terrorist acts . . .
Plant forgiveness and compassion in the hearts of those who are training to be suicide bombers
Forgive those who have killed civilians and innocent men, women and children
Forgive those who are terrorized themselves by post-traumatic stress disorder
Forgive the thousands of veterans who experience mental illness and homelessness
Give us power to pray for peace and act for peace.
We pray for an end to all wars . . .
For an end to violence in Iraq
For an end to the war in Afghanistan
For an end to the violence in Bahrain and Libya
Forgive us for believing that war is the answer.
We give thanks for peaceful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.
We pray that more and more countries and peoples would find peaceful ways to resolve conflict and peaceful ways to bring dignity and justice to all of God’s people.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
(time for silent prayer)
Give us power to pray for peace and act for peace.
Teach us to plant gardens of forgiveness. Amen.

Living God's Vision in Lent

Live the values of God's vision in the next 46 days. How, you may ask?

Moving from words to witness: Look for the lavender flyer “The Gifts We Bring,” fill it out and return it to church by Mar. 20. It's posted on our website: www.firstunitedoakpark.com. How is God calling you to share your skills and experiences to build Christ’s mission at First United and in the world?
Moving from individualism to intimate fellowship: Join a Lenten book study. Five groups will read and discuss “An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith” by Barbara Brown Taylor. The book is available on Amazon and in many bookstores, including The Book Table on Lake Street in Oak Park. Choose the group that is best for you.
1. Sunday at 9:30 am in the church lounge – led by Susan Buchanan – beginning Mar. 13 through Apr. 17
2. Sundays at 7:00 pm at the home of Lola and Nathan Wright, 636 Gunderson Avenue, Oak Park – beginning Mar. 13 through Apr. 17
3. Wednesdays at 11:00 am in the church conference room – led by our pastors – beginning Mar. 16 through Apr. 20
4. Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at the home of Bob and Janet Haisman, 632 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park – beginning Mar. 16 through Apr. 20
5. Thursdays at 7:30 pm at the home of Steve and Beth Mrkvicka, 329 South Taylor Avenue, Oak Park – beginning Mar. 17 through Apr. 21.
To sign up for one of these book discussion groups, see the bulletin board in the church lounge or contact Pastor Rob Leveridge at rleveridge@firstunitedoakpark.com.
Moving from charity to changing structures of injustice: The U.S. war in Iraq began eight years ago. Billions of dollars in military spending have drained resources essential for other human needs. Stand for peace on the Lake Street steps of the church at 7:00 pm on Friday, Mar. 18, as part of our weekly peace vigil. Join a group from First United who will march for an end to all wars at noon on Saturday, Mar. 19, at Congress and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. For more information, email Ruth Babcock at jlbabck@sbcglobal.net.