Hope and Lament for Buffalo, NY
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Candlelit memorial outside of a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, NY – May 2022
INVOCATION
O God, have mercy. Spirit, still our hearts.
CLOUD OF WITNESS
God of Comfort, we lament on behalf of the Black community of Buffalo, NY who have been struck with devastating suffering, grief and trauma. Give their bodies, minds and spirits courage and hope in their distress. Bring the joy of your love to their hearts with the healing balm of justice and peace.
Mercifully we pray, O God: Blessed Be the Victims of the Buffalo Massacre:
Ruth Whitfield, 86
Roberta Drury, 32
Aaron Salter, 55
Heyward Patterson, 67
Pearl Young, 77
Geraldine Talley, 62
Celestine Chaney, 65
Katherine Massey, 72
Margus Morrison, 52
Andre Mackneil, 53
CALL & RESPONSE
Inspired by Psalm 130
CALL
We cry out to you out of the depths of our despair.
[Response]
Hear us, O God.
CALL
We wait for you the Eternal One. Our souls wait to be rescued.
[Response]
Hear us, O God.
CALL
Our souls wait for the Eternal to break into the world like
night watchmen expect the break of day.
[Response]
Hear us, O God.
CALL
O my soul, ground your hope in the Eternal, for the Spirit lives here in this abundant love that overflows with justice, healing, restoration and liberation.
[Response]
Hear us, O God.
CANTICLE
BENEDICTION
Go now in the comfort and peace of the One who gave birth to us.
Go in the assurance that the Comforter is with us always.
Go to give comfort and peace to others.
Divine Wisdom guide us as we go forth on Her paths of peace.
May She give us blessings more precious than silver or gold.
May we find joy in sharing these blessings with others.
May Wisdom empower us to change our world.
Amen.
I love the call- that continued challenge to be hopeful for the inbreaking of hope and justice with expectancy, even on the darkest of nights. I lament with you.
Peace be with you Marcie, peace be with you, all who are here together in this community, striving to learn,to act, to weave peace & justice together. 💜