DRAFT

Working Outline of Order of Worship (1/24/2007)
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
March 16, 2007 7:00 PM
Washington National Cathedral

The Cathedral is dimly lit as the service begins. A moment of reflective
silence.

GATHERING MUSIC/INTROIT. (choral or instrumental)

PROCESSIONAL TO THE MID NAVE (banners of denominations & Christian
peace organizations, including heads of communion, leaders of Christian
peace organizations, worship leaders)
Underlying chant-like music and voices with the ritual of
lighting the fire, which will burn throughout the service. During this
movement of the procession, there would be the first fragments of a
story about the tragedy and gravity of war interspersed with dramatic
readings of war letters, poetry from soldiers and headlines.

OPENING PRAYER/COLLECT (led by presider of worship)

WELCOME (Dean of the Cathedral)

[The bulk of the service would be divided into three sections, each
section including some scripture/spoken word followed my music followed
by a "witness" speaking for 5 mins. The witnesses will be encouraged to
express the theme of the section through story rather than prescriptive
and polemic preaching]

WAR
READING :
A Lamentation from scripture and/or contemp. sources read by 3 people.
This may be the place where we weave in the dramatic readings of
letters, poems and headlines.
MUSIC: Choral Setting of John Tavenar
WITNESS: Celeste Zappala, United Methodist, is an active member
of Military Families Speak Out. Her son, Sherwood Baker, was killed in
April, 2004. Words that jar us to the horrors of war, how war wounds &
harms people.

THE CROSS
READING : A Lenten scripture reading: Put down your sword? Study
war no more                                                                                                             MUSIC:
WITNESS: Jesus died for our sins. War is a great sin. Jesus
commanded us to love. This is where the witness also talks about our
accountability.

HOPE
READING :
MUSIC:
WITNESS: We are Easter people before the cross of resurrection
and united under the cross. We are called by our faith to stand as
Christian witnesses against the war.

OFFERTORY----Setting in Music. We may want to think about weaving in the
voice of an Arabic Christian cantor.

THE CALL TO ACTION ----- Jim Wallis
COMMISSIONING/SENDING FORTH

NOTE: We want to use music (now bright and triumphant) to lead into the action of marching.As one committee member said: "The last act of the worship, should be
the beginning of the march." The formation for the marching and out into
the city should be one continuous movement. Thus, the worship and
prayers don't end as much as the witness continues on the street and
down Mass Ave. )

CLOSING SONG/RECESSIONAL : “We Are Marching in the Light of God”