Lament Ritual - Worship Class

 Lament Ritual

Context: a Ritual to lament the passing of  smithfield plant employees from covid-19

This ritual will give members of the community the opportunity to take part in an embodied practice - the lighting of candles, and the passing of a flame from one to another - this is to symbolize the connection between us all that keeps our common lives in motion, and also to pay honor to those who have passed on. 

The ritual begins with reading the following:

Creator and lover of souls, you who brought forth all things, you who formed us in secret, while we slept dreaming in our mother’s wombs

God in whom we are endlessly born, to whom we are bound, and whose love never forsakes us

We come to you in a state of mourning for our siblings who have been taken from us by Covid-19

 We pray to you that their souls will find rest, and comfort in your presence

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

The reading of the names:

As each name is read, the designated person will take a candle from the basket by the altar, and place it into the dish of sand placed on the altar. They will then take one of the lighting sticks and light it from the eternal flame at the side of the altar (there is usually one of these present somewhere on the altar in most ELCA, Episcopal and Catholic churches). They will light the stick from the flame, then use it to light the candle they placed in the sand, and then pass the stick to the next person, who will repeat this process as the list of names is read. 

Reading of the psalm

Psalm 90 from Nan C. Merrill’s “Psalms for Praying” 

Eternal and Immortal One, You have been

Our refuge in all generations

Before the mountains were brought forth,

Before you had formed the earth and

The world, from

Everlasting to everlasting,

You are the Alpha and the Omega.

When our days on Earth are ended,

You welcome us home to your Heart,

To the City of Light,

Where time is eternal

And days are not numbered

You gather those who love You as

Friends returning from a long 

Journey,

Giving rest to their souls.

You anoint them with the balm of

      Understanding,

Healing the wounds of the past.

For our days on Earth are a mystery,

A searching for You,

A yearning for the great Mystery

To make itself known

The years pass and soon the 

Harvest is at hand

A time to reap the fruit of

One’s life.

Who has lived with integrity?

Who will reflect the light?

Who can bear the radiant beams

Of Love?

Who have reverenced the Counselor,

And opened their hearts to the

Spirit of Truth?

Teach us, O Beloved, to Honor each day

That we may have a heart

Of wisdom.

Awaken us, O Holy One! Too long

Have we been asleep!

Have mercy on your people!

Help us to wait in sSilence listening

For your Word,

Strengthen us with courage to 

Face the fears within.

O, that we might be converted in

      Our hearts

And walk together in peace and

Harmony!

Let your Word be known to the nations,

Your Glory to our children’s 

Children.

Let the grace and gentleness of the 

Holy Spirit be upon us,

Guiding our feet upon paths 

  Of Love:

Increase the Light within us - 

O Beloved, hear our prayer!

Amen.

Closing song: Jesus, Remember Me - Taize Community Hymn 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tVReXsioM&list=PLAFC3BF61F242A1C6&index=16

End of Ritual of Lament