Unison Prayer

Rev. Sue Forsyth, CRDS ‘95

You call us to be people of faith, yet we are often people with doubts.

We doubt that love can grow again in relationships where anger and bitterness reign supreme. You know the strength of love and the power of prayer: help us to be faithful lovers.

We doubt that peace can come in the Middle East, in Syria, in Palestine; where hatred and racism reign supreme. You know that peace is growing there: help us to be faithful peacemakers.

We doubt that the hungry can be fed in Africa, where despair and hopelessness reign supreme.

This morning we pray for people here who are filled with doubts, who wonder whether you exist and whether you are listening to our prayers, who wonder what this whole community is about. We pray for people who doubt the purpose of life, who wonder whether to end it all, who face feelings of meaningless and despair. Even when we have that sinking feeling, give us the wisdom to turn to you. Lord we want to believe, help our unbelief!

Written by Carol Penner

You know that there is enough food in the world; help us to be generous and faithful. You specialize in impossibilities; you walked on water, you heal the nations you forgive sins you set the captive free, you set us free from our captivities.

Give us faith, small as a mustard seed, so that we can be your faithful people, believing in your power to save, believing in your power to reign supreme, believing that we can share this good news with everyone we meet. We ask all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Reading

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1 - 14

Chaplain Olivene N. Brown, CRCDS ‘20

New Testament: John 13: 15 - 19

Minister RAin Christi, CRCDS ‘20

Hymn: “I Love to Tell A Story”

Pianist: Ms. Lydia Arnts, CRCDS MDiv. student

Sermon

Rev. Edward L. Wheeler, Ph.D., CRDS ‘72

Former President at Interdenominational Theological Center & President Emeritus at Christian Theological Seminary

Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness”

Pianist: Ms. Lydia Arnts, CRCDS MDiv. student

A Time of Remembrance

The Litany of Remembrance

Rev. Dr. Michael S. Laver, CRCDS ’17

Leader: Gracious God, from whose heart we come and to which we return, we gather today to remember and give thanks for the women and men of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School who have died these past three years since we last gathered.

People: We pray that, encouraged by their examples and strengthened by their legacies, we may be more deeply aware of the goodness and fragility of human life.

Leader: In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them.

People: In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them.

Leader: In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them.

People: In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.

Leader: In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them.

People: In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them.

Leader: When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them.

People: When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them.

Leader: When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them.

All: So long as we live, they shall live, for they are now a part of us, as we remember them.

Reading of Names

Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson, Director for Student Support Services & Coordinator for Spiritual Care

Rev. Damond A. Wilson, CRCDS ’19, Director of Recruitment & Alumni/ae Engagement