I’ve compiled some prayers for my students here, dealing with the Newtown massacre. These are taken from the BCP and from Enriching Our Worship 2, but in several places, I’ve tweaked the language a bit, for post-modernity’s sake.
If you come across others, awesome blog-readers, post in comments, won’t you?
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ, give rest to weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
O God of mercy and compassion, you have taught us in your Holy Word that you never willingly afflict or grieve the hearts of your children; look with pity, we pray, on the sorrow of your people for whom we pray. Remember them in your mercy, nourish their souls with patience, shine your face upon them and give them your peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Oh God our strength in need, our help in trouble: stand with us in our distress, support us in our shock, bless us in our questioning, and do not leave us comfortless, but raise us up with Jesus Christ. Amen.
God, as Mary stood at the foot of the cross, we come before you with broken hearts and tearful eyes. Keep us mindful that you know our pain, and free us to see your resurrection power beyond this present darkness. In your time, raise us from our grief as you are raising these who have died to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
God our deliverer, gather up our horror and pity for the deaths of your children in Newtown, into the compass of your wisdom and strength, that through this night, we may seek and do what is right, and when the morning comes, trust ourselves to your cleansing, merciful justice, and abundant new life, through Christ our Savior. Amen.
Red Shoes, Funny Shirt 
We’re doping a service 1/8/13 that combines the anniversary of the Tucson incident and remembrances of other similar acts. I’d love to use a couple of these. If I do attributions is that OK with you?
Email at scurrior@gmail.com; I’ll send an mp3 of a choral setting of “Keep Watch”.
Good work.
auto-spell!! “We’re holding a service …” most likely not doping one.
Early here. I forgot to tell you Lucas Mix preached here yesterday. A 9AM children’s service. He did a good job.
Hey Sheldon, that would be fine with me. Lucas is an excellent preacher, and I’m glad he could be with you. Send me a copy of the bulletin of your service as well? I’d be interested to see it.
Let me know if this came through.
I’ll grab a bulletin later today.
On Mon, Dec 17, 2012 at 9:05 AM, Red Shoes, Funny Shirt wrote:
> ** > megancastellan commented: “Hey Sheldon, that would be fine with me. > Lucas is an excellent preacher, and I’m glad he could be with you. Send me > a copy of the bulletin of your service as well? I’d be interested to see > it.”