Washington National Cathedral : World War I Litury

Marking the Centennial Anniversary of the Beginning of World War I

Resource for Worship on Sunday, July 27

Introduction

The “Great War” began on July 28, 1914. This conflict led to dramatic and unforeseen changes in warfare, and altered Europe, the larger Western culture and the Middle East in ways that still impact us today. The “War to end all Wars” reshaped nations, changed the geopolitical landscape, and left 16 million dead and 20 million wounded in little over four years.

The World War I Commission, established by the United States Congress, invites faith communities to reflect on the suffering of the “Great War”, resolved that we might muster the will to end war and suffering for future generations. In order to facilitate this remembrance, the Commission invited Washington National Cathedral to create resources for worship on the weekend marking the beginning of the First World War.

The following resources were developed by the Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell, canon precentor at the National Cathedral. They include collects, prayers suitable for a litany or shared reading which might be interspersed with singing, and homiletic reflections on Scripture suggested by the Revised Common Lectionary adapted for the day. The Cathedral and the Commission invite you to use these resources, in whole or in part, with freedom to modify them for use by your congregation.

For more information about the Cathedral, visit www.nationalcathedral.org. The World War I Commission helps citizens learn about World War I and the United States involvement in that war. For more information about the WWI Commission, visit worldwar-1centennial.org.

These resources are also available as a pdf: View now »

Opening Collect

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Proper 12, Collect for the day, The Book of Common Prayer)

Suggestions for Preaching

Even as we commemorate past events, we speak to the state of our world. We recognize that all political and military action changes the fabric of global community, for good and for ill. We call upon soldiers to take up the hard tasks of war on our behalf. We reflect on the needs of soldiers and veterans among us; who have served or continue to serve their country. Three themes present themselves in today’s readings: discerning wisdom, shame, and hope.

Discerning Wisdom: God respects Solomon’s choice to pursue wisdom, rather than wealth or the defeat of his enemies. What does wisdom look like in our time? Our well-meaning phrase “Thank you for your service” has a hollow ring for many soldiers and veteran soldiers. One military chaplain asks “Does it change anything in our thinking if were to say ‘Thank you for killing, so that we don’t have to.’”

We ask our sons and daughters, or the sons and daughters of others, to do terrible, unspeakable things. What does wisdom require? How do we speak appreciation and respect to our soldiers and veterans? How might we reinvigorate a conversation about just war? How does the church speak credibly to the power that nations will exercise?

Shame: Paul speaks eloquently of those realities in our lives that cannot separate us from God’s love. Thinking specifically about soldiers and veterans of contemporary wars, we might add shame to Paul’s expansive categories.

50% of all uniformed personnel are aged 25 or younger. Many lack an active connection to worshiping communities. At the same time, many experience significant, debilitating shame related to their service; a shame from which they can neither heal nor free themselves. What word of God’s love and grace might the church speak to those who, having a profound sense of having transgressed moral and spiritual boundaries, seek a return to wholeness? What wisdom can we bring to the healing of shame, to the care of our warriors?

Hope: The three parables of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel offer hope. In the smallest of things, in the leavening of experience, in hidden realities, one discovers the possibilities of great joy and profound hope.

Recent statistics tell us that 22 veterans commit suicide every day. How do we minister to those without hope? How do we stand with those searching for the smallest reason not to give in to hopelessness and despair? What account would we give for the hope that lies within us?

A Litany to Mark the Centennial of the Beginning of World War I

One hundred years ago, an assassin’s bullet plunges the nations of the world into violence unlike any the world has ever seen. Self-justification and self-righteousness divides your people; divides your world into opposing alliances; into enemies and friends. Forgive us!

For you, O God, seek to unify your people. Your word goes forth, calling us beyond self- centeredness and self-certainty into the ways of humility and understanding.