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Prayer Vigil for Peace

Date: March 22, 2022

Time: 7:00 PM

Where: Virginia Conference Center, 10330 Staples Mill Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23060

A Time of Gathering

Rev. Hannah Bryn

Participants are invited to write, draw, paint prayers to God, and messages of encouragement to the people of Ukraine on the canvas at the front of the vigil space.

Opening Song - click title for lyrics

In Christ There is No East or West

Verse One

In Christ there is no east or west,

in him no south or north,

but one great fellowship of love

throughout the whole wide earth.

Verse Two

In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere

their high communion find.

His service is the golden cord

close binding humankind.

Verse Three

Join hands, then, people of the faith,

whate’er your race may be.

All children of the living God

are surely kin to me.

Verse Four

In Christ now meet both east and west,

in him meet south and north.

All Christly souls are joined as one

throughout the whole wide earth.

"In Christ There is no East or West" words and music by John Oxenham & Laurence Hull Stookey
Copyright 1989 United Methodist Publishing House.
CCLI 095894

Let there be Peace on Earth

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

Let There Be Peace on Earth

The peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father

Brothers all are we

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take

Let this be my solemn vow

To take each moment and live

Each moment in peace eternally

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

"Let There be Peace on Earth" words and music by Jill Jackson and SyMiller
Copyright 1955 by Jan-Lee Music. Copyright renewed 1983.
CCLI 095894

Invocation

Rev. Laura Stratton

O God of all the nations,
God of Ukraine,
God of refugees,

We gather together this evening to lift our voices and cry out to you.

We gather together to stand in solidarity with our siblings in Ukraine.

We gather with those who have fled and seek safe haven.

Holy Spirit, Come and be present in our midst. Come and bind us together. Come and hear our laments over the war in Ukraine. Come and quicken our hearts for action.

Hear the cries of those who are suffering, those who are afraid, those who struggle.

Stir your Holy Spirit within those of us who are here both in-person and virtually.

Anoint us to be instruments of Your peace, to be champions of justice, to be bringers of hope.

We pray in the name of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Opening Remarks

District Superintendent of Ukraine Rev. Oleg Starodubets

Introduction of Distinguished Guests

Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder

Statement and Prayer

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

Offering

Rev. Keon Huh

Click here or image to give online

The VAUMC supports UMCOR’s efforts in Ukraine being funded with gifts to Advance #982450, International Disaster Response and Recovery. Grants for immediate relief have been given to United Methodist partners in Ukraine as well as neighboring nations—Poland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia—to support those who remain in Ukraine as well as those who have fled the violence. In addition, grants are being awarded to partners like ACT Alliance, a global faith-based coalition working in 120 countries around the world. These grants are providing humanitarian assistance in the form of food, water, clothing, shelter, and other necessary supplies.

UMCOR is in continuous dialogue with UMC entities and other partners throughout Europe to identify additional ways UMCOR might assist. The situation in Eastern Europe is evolving and Global Ministries and UMCOR will continue to respond in the months and years ahead. You may give online, using the online bulletin to find the link to this fund.

A Liturgy for God's People of Ukraine

Rev.Lisa McGehee

One: As Christians, we believe the Church is the hope of peace given to us by God.

Many: As its members we bear witness to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

One: As children of God we know we are to live with our neighbor:

Many: Not to divide, but unite, not to expel, but to accept, not to betray, but to repent.

One: No matter the language we speak, nor the homeground beneath our feet,

Many: We are invited to embody Christ’s posture of service, love, and sacrifice.

One: Photos, posts, and videos bear witness to the severing of the “ties that bind.”

Many: And we bear witness to Christ’s presence in the midst of this severing.

One: A child born in the Kiev metro, his mother sheltering them both from shells.

Many: Christ is sheltering alongside them.

One: A grandmother in Lugansk comforting her grandson during night-time bombings.

Many: Christ is comforting alongside them.

One: Russian and Ukrainian soldiers look at each other through a machine gun point.

Many: Christ is looking alongside them.

One: People in line waiting at the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Many: Christ is waiting alongside them.

One: Explosions everywhere. Wounded in Ukraine’s east, west, south and north.

Many: Christ is wounded alongside them.

One: Coffins with 18-year-old boys, their mothers crying for their children.

Many: Christ is crying alongside them.

One: Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing from Ukraine to Europe and Russia.

Many: Christ is traveling alongside them.

One: Ukrainian men, women, and children rising to an unknown future.

Many: Christ is rising with them.

One: As members of the body of Christ, let us also

Many: Shelter, comfort, look, wait, sit, cry, travel - and rise alongside our Ukrainian siblings.

One: As Christ embraces them, let us also embrace them.

All: God of Peace, God of Justice, we ask your protection and mercy for the people of Ukraine. We ask your wisdom for world leaders who act on their behalf. We ask your forgiveness when we have been idle. We ask for your courage to act. Amen.

Inspired by Bishop Khegay’s Facebook post, March 17, 2022, Written by Rev. Crystal R. Sygeel

Symbol of Peace

Rev. Crystal Sygeel

The English lyrics are as follows:

Lord, oh the Great and Almighty,

Protect our beloved Ukraine,

Bless her with freedom and light

Of your holy rays.

With learning and knowledge enlighten

Us, your children small,

In love pure and everlasting

Let us, oh Lord, grow.

We pray, oh Lord Almighty,

Protect our beloved Ukraine,

Grant our people and country

All your kindness and grace.

Bless us with freedom, bless us with wisdom,

Guide into kind world,

Bless us, oh Lord, with good fortune

For ever and evermore.

Closing Hymn - Click title for lyrics

It is Well with My Soul

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

when sorrows like sea billows roll;

whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:

It is well with my soul,

it is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

let this blest assurance control,

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

and hath shed his own blood for my soul.

(Refrain)

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

(Refrain)

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

even so, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain)

"It is well with My Soul" words and music by Horaito G. Spafford
Copyright 1989 United Methodist Publishing House.
CCLI 095894

Benediction

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis

VAUMC Prayer Vigil Conference Team

Hannah Bryn - Minister of Community Discipleship and Youth, Discovery UMC, Richmond, VA

Keon Huh - Pastor, Woodstock UMC, Woodstock, VA

Seungsoo “RJ” Jun - Associate Director of Serving Ministries, VAUMC

Lisa McGehee - Associate Minister, Good Shepherd UMC, Richmond, VA

Julianne Paunescu - Member of the Board of Church and Society, Alexandria, VA

Adam Sowder - Pastor, Discovery UMC, Richmond, VA

Justin Ott - Music leader, Discovery UMC, Richmon, VA

Laura Stratton - Pastor, Mount Zion UMC (Esmont), and Scottsville UMC

Crystal Sygeel - Associate Director of Call and Candidacy, VAUMC

In Christ there is No East or West

Verse One

In Christ there is no east or west,

in him no south or north,

but one great fellowship of love

throughout the whole wide earth.

Verse Two

In Christ shall true hearts

ev’rywhere their high communion find.

His service is the golden cord

close binding humankind.

Verse Three

Join hands, then, people of the faith,

whate’er your race may be.

All children of the living God

are surely kin to me.

Verse Four

In Christ now meet both east and west,

in him meet south and north.

All Christly souls are joined as one

throughout the whole wide earth.

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