At St. Joseph of Arimathea this Sunday we will have a somewhat different service as we observe the tenth anniversary of September 11th.  Along with almost everyone I’ve talked to, I find it hard to believe that ten years have passed since that day.  And yet, much has happened since then in my life and in the lives of so many people.  Our nation is certainly in a different place.  And because so much has happened, and so much that has happened has been affected by the events of those days, it is appropriate to observe the anniversary.  Additionally, there is something particularly powerful about the passage of a decade, and the call to look back over what has happened during those interveneing years.

As part of our observance of the day, for the liturgy geeks among us, we will begin with the Penitential Order & Decalogue at both services (8 AM Rite I and 10:30 Rite II).  The purpose of this, with its movement of the confession to the beginning of the service (which I ordinarily dislike) is that it will both set the tone for the service as one of remembrance and reflection, as well as provide a more distinct opportunity for the Prayers of the People to be a focal point during that portion of the service.  In the place of our normal prayers we will have a litany written for the occasion.  I couldn’t find one that I liked completely, so I took inspiration from several.  Primarily from the Great Litany in the Book of Common Prayer and from this version authored by another Episcopal Priest (also, you’ll note, inspired by the Great Litany).

The version I’ve compiled/authored is below and I would be interested in any constructive criticism that might aid in its improvement before Sunday.

The Celebrant begins, saying

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
People      Have mercy upon us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.

O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy upon us.

O Christ Hear us,
O Christ Hear us.

Have mercy and hear the prayers and supplications of your people, O Lord, who are called by your name.

The Intercessor continues

For all who died in the attacks of September 11th 2001, that they be granted continual growth in your love and service and rejoice in the fellowship of all your saints.

We pray especially for

[names]

Are there others? (give at least 15 seconds of silence after the last name)

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servants with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

For all who have given their lives since that day. For those who answered the call of their country, venturing much for the cause of freedom and defense, giving of themselves for the benefit of their neighbors.

We pray especially for:

[names]

Are there others? (give 15 seconds of silence after the last name)

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servants with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

For all who grieve the death of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and fellow citizens; remember them in your mercy, grant them a sense of your abiding love, comfort them in your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace.
Arise, O Christ, and help us.

For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit and for those innocents who always bear the brunt of human sin; that wounds may be healed, pain soothed and doubt and fear transformed into courage and hope,
Arise, O Christ, and help us.

For the victims and the perpetrators of terror, war, and violence throughout the world,
Arise, O Christ, and help us.

For all who work for unity, peace, concord, and the freedom of all people,
Arise, O Christ, and help us.

When we remember that day, the memories haunt us, the sounds echo in our ears, and the images fill our eyes,
O Christ, lead us home.

When we are hopeless and sad,
O Christ, lead us home

When we are angry and vengeful,
O Christ, lead us home

When tears become our only food,
O Christ, lead us home

When we grieve and despair,
O Christ, lead us home

When we are fearful and faithless,
O Christ, lead us home

When in grief, anger, negligence, or ignorance we have turned against you and against one another,
Merciful God, forgive and heal us.

When we speak unjustly against others, when we blame unfairly, when we withdraw or lash out,
Merciful God, forgive and heal us.

When we seek revenge rather than reconciliation and peace,
Merciful God, forgive and heal us.

When we have engaged in torture and denied justice to members of the human family,
Merciful God, forgive and heal us.

When we have demonized others
Merciful God, forgive and heal us.

Give us the will and courage to love and forgive our enemies.
Be our strength, O Christ.

Lead them and us from prejudice to truth,
Be our strength, O Christ.

Deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge.
Be our strength, O Christ.

Turning all hearts to you, enable us to stand reconciled before you.
Be our strength, O Christ.

Guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth,
Be our strength, O Christ.

Establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,
Be our strength, O Christ.

That they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Be our strength, O Christ.

For men and women who have given their strength, their wisdom, and their lives for this country,
We thank you, Lord.

For firefighters, police officers, first responders, and all those who were injured or died so that others might be rescued, cared for, and protected,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous who were patient in suffering, faithful in adversity, and selfless in sacrifice,
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, hear our prayer,
Let our cry come to you.

The Celebrant continues

V. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
R. it is he who shall keep you safe.
V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
R. from this time forth for evermore.
V. For he shall give his angels charge over you,
R. to keep you in all your ways.
V. O Lord, watch over us
R. and save us from this generation for ever.
V. I lift up my eyes to the hills;
R. from where is my help to come?
V. My help comes from the LORD,
R. the maker of heaven and earth.

In the communion of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, let us commend ourselves, one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord, our God.