Call to Worship: At Times Like These

I am the pastor of the Pioneer UMC in Portland, OR. We live very close to the mall where shootings occurred earlier this week, and I was almost there with my own children on the day of the shooting. I have written this call to worship and offer it to those needing a resource for worship.

Leader: At times like these, we gather and feel together the shadow that falls on our nations and communities.

People: At times like these, we know what it is to wait for healing.

Leader: At times like these, we hold each child tighter, and each a moment longer.

People: At times like these, we wait for a child to take us out of the gloom and into the light.

Leader: E'en so, Lord, quickly come; and night shall be no more.

People: We wait. We hope. We long to embrace the child, born on a peaceful night, but soon to flee a violent imminence. The perfect child for times like these.