| Reader | We are standing on the edge: | |
| Our earth – the blue-green jewel we call home – | ||
| stands on the edge of global catastrophe: | ||
| her green forests give way to charred blackened mess | ||
| her blue skies stifled by smog | ||
| her waters discoloured by filth | ||
| her climate warming… | ||
| ALL | WE ARE STANDING ON THE EDGE | |
| THE EDGE OF LIFE - THE EDGE OF DEATH | ||
| Reader | We are standing on the edge: | |
| Earth’s creatures stand on the edge of extinction. | ||
| Myriad species crafted at the hands of the Creator – | ||
| delighting Him in their diversity – | ||
| God’s creatures vanish from the face of the earth – | ||
| and are lost forever. | ||
| ALL | WE ARE STANDING ON THE EDGE | |
| THE EDGE OF LIFE - THE EDGE OF DEATH | ||
| Reader | We are standing on the edge: | |
| human beings stand on the cutting edge of a new millennium. | ||
| Creatures made in God’s image and likeness | ||
| look into the future with fear – | ||
| standing on the edge of inescapable debt | ||
| standing at the edge of hunger and thirst – | ||
| life lived – but always at the edges… | ||
| ALL | WE ARE STANDING ON THE EDGE | |
| THE EDGE OF LIFE - THE EDGE OF DEATH | ||
| Reader | We are standing on the edge: | |
| human beings stand on the cutting edge of a new millennium. | ||
| Creatures made in God’s image and likeness | ||
| look into the future with fear – | ||
| standing on the edge of poverty | ||
| standing on the edge of homelessness | ||
| standing on the edge of addiction – | ||
| life lived – but always at the edges… | ||
| ALL | WE ARE STANDING ON THE EDGE | |
| THE EDGE OF LIFE - THE EDGE OF DEATH | ||
| Reader | We are standing on the edge: | |
| human beings stand on the cutting edge of a new millennium. | ||
| Creatures made in God’s image and likeness | ||
| look into the future with fear – | ||
| standing on the fringes of family-life | ||
| standing at the fringes of a prosperous society | ||
| standing on the fringes of what is called "normal" | ||
| life lived – but always at the edges… | ||
| ALL | WE ARE STANDING ON THE EDGE | |
| THE EDGE OF LIFE - THE EDGE OF DEATH | ||
| Reader | We will follow You, Lord – | |
| we will go where You go | ||
| and see as You see. | ||
| But when we see a world filled with pain – Lord, what hope is there? |
Scripture Reading - Luke 4: 16-21
Closing Responses - based on the Millennium Resolution
| Reader | Through Christ, the Firstborn of all Creation | |
| ALL | WE PRAY FOR RESPECT FOR THE EARTH | |
| Reader | Through Christ, Prince of Peace | |
| ALL | WE PRAY FOR PEACE FOR EARTH’S PEOPLES | |
| Reader | Through Christ, King of Love | |
| ALL | WE PRAY FOR LOVE IN OUR LIVES | |
| Reader | Through Christ, Lord of the Dance | |
| ALL | WE PRAY FOR DELIGHT IN THE GOOD | |
| Reader | Through Christ, Divine Healer | |
| ALL | WE PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS FOR PAST WRONGS | |
| Reader | Through Christ, Morning Star of a new millennium | |
| ALL | WE PRAY FOR THE GRACE TO MAKE A
NEW START FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OUR WORLD |
|
| Reader | And may God bless us and keep us, today and each day | |
| ALL | THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT | |
| Reader | And until we meet again | |
| ALL |
MAY GOD HOLD US IN THE PALM OF
HIS HAND. AMEN |
© Wellspring 1999