Iceland

Invitation

Good afternoon.  I welcome you to this time of worship and prayer in the name of Christ whose peace we seek to know and to share.

Each day in this Temple dedicated to the pursuit of peace, reconciliation and healing of the spirit, we pray for peace and uphold one of the nations of the world. 

Today we remember the people of Iceland in our prayers.  Located in northern Europe, Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, established in 930.  Iceland is one of several countries with a 100 percent literacy rate and one of the longest life expectancies.  Almost all of Iceland's electricity and heating come from hydroelectric power and geothermal water reserves.  In recent years, Iceland's economy has suffered following the collapse of the country’s banking system in 2008.

As we unite in worship and prayer, we seek the holistic peace of God’s shalom for the people of Iceland and all nations.

Scripture Reading
—Isaiah 52:6-8 NIV

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Prayer for Peace
— Lu Mountenay, Independence, Missouri, USA

Creator God, here is a question I ask of you...

When two paths cross and neither will yield, what can we do?
When things aren't fair, and people don't share, what can we do?

When choices are hard and peace can't be found, what can we do?

Creator God, here is a blessing I ask of you...
Show us a third, and better path that is good for us all.
Help us speak up for those who depend on us, as we depend on you.

Cause us to remember the choice Christ made for us... for life... for peace.

With your Spirit to empower us Lord, we will act in your stead; we will remember you.  Amen.

Hymn
Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands - Hymns of the Saints #443

Prayers of the People
Please join us now, praying the “Prayers of the People. During the moments of quiet, you are invited to pray silently or meditate.

We praise you, God, by whom all things are made holy.  We praise you for this day and for every moment when the work of our hands and hearts is blessed beyond our understanding, and our hearts are made glad by a peace that comes from knowing you.

The People Pray in Silence

By your humility, teach us to turn our backs on pride; by your meekness, overcome our need for power; by your embracing heart, erase our fear of those who are different; by your love, still all our unloving ways; by your peace, reverse all our impulses for hostility.

The People Pray in Silence

We uphold for your blessing of peace the nation and people of Iceland.  Guide and bless all who actively pursue justice and peace for the peoples of all nations.

The People Pray in Silence

Bring your gifts of hope and promise to those who live with despair, with grief, with terror.  Empower the timid and convert the powerful. Be present to those who are close to our hearts and thoughts but absent from among us today.

The People Pray in Silence

Please use this space to pray for any current concern or event in our community, city, state, nation or world that you feel needs to be held up to God for prayerful consideration.

The People Pray in Silence

Hear our prayer, O God, for we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Sending Forth

Our service concludes with ministry of music, and you are invited to remain in the quiet of this place and pray or meditate as long as you wish.

Let us learn from the example of Christ, and let us go forth with open hearts and willing hands to pursue God’s holistic peace for all creation.

Ministry of Music