WNC: Event Archives

Friday, 14 September 2001 Twelve o’clock noon

PRELUDE

Orchestral prelude "God of Our Fathers" sung by United States Navy Sea Chanters "Grace" sung by United States Navy Sea Chanters "God Bless America" performed by United States Army Orchestra "Father, In Thy Gracious Keeping" sung by Cathedral Choir

PRESENTATION OF COLOR

Joint Armed Forces Color Guard

The People stand during presentation of colors and remain standing for processional hymn.

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

"O God, Our Help in Ages Past" sung by Congregation

WELCOME

Said by the Right Reverend Jane Holmes Dixon, Bishop of Washington, pro tempore

INVOCATION

Led by the Very Reverend Nathan D. Baxter, Dean of Washington National Cathedral.

When ancient Israel had suffered the excruciating pain and tragedy of militant aggression and destruction, God said to them through the prophet Jeremiah:

A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and bitter weeping, Rachel is weeping for her children; and she refuses to be comforted, because they are no more.

Today we gather to be reassured that God hears the "lamenting and bitter weeping" of Mother America, because so many of her children are no more. Let us now seek that assurance in prayer, for the healing of our grief stricken hearts, for the souls and sacred memory of those who have died. Let us also pray for Divine wisdom as our leaders consider the necessary actions for national security, that despite our grief we may not become the evil we deplore. Let us pray,

God of Abraham and Mohammed and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ: we are today a people of heavy and distraught hearts. The evil hand of hate and cowardly aggression, which has devastated the innocent in many other lands, has visited America this week and too many of her children are no more. But we know you are not the God of hate and cowardice, but of courage and justice. So we gather this day asking that you provide us healing as a nation. Heal our grief. Soothe our suffering hearts. Save us from blind vengeance, random prejudice and crippling fear.

Guide our leaders, especially George our President. Let the deep faith that he and they share guide them in the momentous decisions they must make for our national security.

We thank you for the courage of flight crews and passengers in the face of certain death; the brave volunteers, police and emergency workers who labor tirelessly, even as we pray. We thank you for the outpouring of generosity by businesses, unions, agencies, spiritual communities and individual citizens. Your Spirit is at work. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, grant us peace for the facing of this hour.

Amen.

The People sit after the invocation.

SOLO

"America the Beautiful" sung by Denyce Graves, accompanied by David Perry

PRAYER

Led by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Imam, Islamic Society of North America

In the Name of God, most gracious, most merciful. Lord, you said and your words are true: If any do seek for glory and power, to God belongs all glory and power. To Him mount up all words of purity. He exalts all righteous deeds. But those that lay the plots of evil, for them is a terrible penalty; and the plotting of such will be not abide. (Holy Qu’ran Fatir 35:10)

Goodness and evil are not equal. Repel the evil with the good. Then will he between whom and you was hatred become as it were your friend and intimate. But no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune. (Holy Qu’ran Fussilat 41:34-35)

We turn to you, our Lord, at this time of pain and grief in our nation. We see the evil of destruction and the suffering of the many of our people before our eyes. With broken and humble hearts and with tears in our eyes, we turn to You, O Lord, to give us comfort. Help us in our distress, keep us together as people of diverse faiths, colors and races, keep our country strong for the sake of good and righteousness, protect us from all evil.

SCRIPTURE READING

Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33 read by Rabbi Joshua O. Haberman, Rabbi Emeritus of Washington Hebrew Congregation

A reading from the Book of Lamentations.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

ANTHEM — PSALM 23

Sung by the Cathedral Boy & Girl Choristers

1 My Shepherd will supply my need,
Jehovah is his Name;
in pastures fresh he makes me feed
beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
when I forsake his ways,
and leads me, for his mercy’s sake,
in paths of truth and grace.

2 When I walk through the shades of death,
thy presence is my stay;
one word of thy supporting breath
drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
doth still my table spread;
my cup with blessings overflows,
thy oil anoints my head.

3 The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days;
oh, may thy house be mine abode
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come;
no more a stranger or a guest,
but like a child at home.

SCRIPTURE READING

2 Corinthians 4:16 — 5:9 read by Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Houston

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling--if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

HYMN

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," verses 1, 3-4 sung by the Congregation

GOSPEL READING

Matthew 5:2-12a read by His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington

A reading from the Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Then Jesus began to speak, and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

SERMON

The Rev. Dr. Billy Graham

SOLO

"The Lord’s Prayer" sung by Denyce Graves, accompanied by Dr. Douglas Major, Cathedral Organist

PRAYER FOR LEADERSHIP

Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14 led by Rev. Caldwell

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh — my adversaries and foes — they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

CLOSING HYMN

"Battle Hymn of the Republic" sung by the Congregation Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is tramping out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and glaring lamps; His day is marching on. Refrain I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish’d rows of steel; "as ye deal with My contemners, so with you My grace shall deal;" Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel; Since God is marching on. Refrain He has sounded for the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting our the hearts of men before His judgment-seat; Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on. Refrain In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on. Refrain

CLOSING PRAYER

Led by Dean Baxter

O God, whose days are without end and whose mercies cannot be numbered, grant to us and to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that we may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those we love; in your most holy name we pray.

BLESSING & DISMISSAL

Led by Bishop Dixon

Go forth now, into the world in Peace; Be of good courage; Hold fast to that which is good, Render to no one evil for evil; Strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; Help the afflicted; honor everyone; Love and serve the Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the God who created us, the God who liberates us, and the God who stays with us throughout eternity be with you this day and forever more. Amen.

RETIREMENT OF COLORS

SILENT RECESSION

The ministers depart in recession during the tolling of the Bourdon Bell. The people remain standing until the President has departed the Cathedral.