The Innocents, Ourselves, and the Call of God Today: Feast of the Holy Innocents Prayer Service for Peace held December 28, 2023

 

By Christine Sheller

 

The evening of December 28, 2023, the Des Moines Faith Committee for Peace hosted the annual prayer service for peace for the Feast of the Holy Innocents.  It was entitled “The Innocents, Ourselves, and the Call of God Today,” the title which Fr. David Polich chose for his message.  It was held at the Valley United Methodist Church in West Des Moines.

The Feast of the Holy Innocents is a remembrance day marked on the Catholic church calendar, but as Fr. David Polich said, it is not often observed.  It remembers the part of the Christmas Story after the birth of Jesus when King Herod made an edict that all boys under 2 years of age in and around Bethlehem should be killed, because he heard of the infant being born King of the Jews.  Matthew 3:13-18 recounts the story.  Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt having been warned in a dream about Herod’s plan.  This part of scripture was read during the service.

Rev. Lee Schott, the pastor of Valley UMC,  welcomed attendees at 6:30 pm, beginning the service.  Steve and Donna Dressel led the music in this service, starting with “O Little Town of Bethlehem” after the welcome.  John Huynh read Jeremiah 31:15-17, beginning with “This is what the Lord says: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are  no more.’”  Verses 16 and 17 brings hope back:  “This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,.  They will return from the land of the enemy.  So there is hope for your future,’ declares the Lord.  ‘Your children will return to their own land.’ “ 

Eloise Cranke led us in a prayer for Israel and Palestine, as relates to today’s violence.  It was written by Rose Marie Berger, Senior Editor at Soujourners, used by permission.  It began with “God of Comfort, Send Your Spirit to encompass all those whose lives are torn apart by violence and death in Israel and Palestine.  You are the Advocate of the oppressed And the one whose eye is on the sparrow.  Let arms reach out in healing, rather than aggression.  Let hearts mourn rather than militarize.”

Steve Bolie read Luke 2:1-7, the story of the birth of Jesus, then read Matthew 2:13-18, the story of the escape to Egypt as discussed above.  Next, Fr. David Polich gave a reflection.  He mentioned the Feast, as denoted in the Catholic calendar, like stated previously, and being thankful that this service was planned (by an ecumenical group.)  He focused on the hope in Jesus coming.  It was a very moving message.

Next was Special Music entitled, “A Time will Come for Singing,” led by Steve and Donna Dressel.  It is by Dan Schutte, and copyrighted in 1977 with the Oregon Catholic Press.  It was also used by permission.  The first verse there was “A time will come for singing when all your tears are shed, when sorrows’ chains are broken, and broken hearts shall mend.  The deaf will hear your singing when silent tongues are freed.  The lame will join your dancing when blind eyes learn to see.”

 An offering then was taken for Save the Children International and Children and Family Urban Movement.  Save the Children International is an organization that aims to improve the lives and interests of children worldwide, through better education, economic help, emergency aid, and health care, putting the most vulnerable children first (as stated in the program.)  Children and Family Urban Movement (CFUM) is a Des Moines organization whose mission is to create a community that supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement. 

 After offering, we were led in a confession and prayer entitled, “A Call to Trouble Herod.”  Sarai Rice led this.  It was a call and response litany, alternating between scripture and confessions.  The second paragraph in the first portion of confession, read, “We confess that we do not want to come alongside Rachel.  We do not want to be in anguish over generations of children, even those among this generation, whose lives are sacrificed out of fear and violence, for power and greed.”

 The last two items on the program were a hymn, “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” and a benediction given by Father Polich.

 This service was a good reminder of the somber reality we live in, and that Jesus was born into.  We have joy because of Jesus, but we also must work for peace.

 

Christine Sheller is Editor and Coordinator at Iowa Peace Network.  She is a graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary.