February 27, 2021
Amy Yates, 36 years old, was a stabbing victim in a murder-suicide. Her body was found on January 31, approximately a week after her death. Andrew Hogan, 25 years old, was shot to death in an altercation with Trotwood Police. Both an internal investigation and, in the effort to be transparent, another one is being conducted by Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Marco Rutledge, 23 years old, was found shot to death in his vehicle on February 13. (February’s prayer was prepared by Sister Marita Beumer.) Today we gather to pray together for our community members who have lost their lives through violence and for their families, friends and our community Let us Pray Loving and Merciful God, we are grateful for your presence here with us and with everyone at all times. We praise you for your faithfulness to us, our families, neighborhoods and world. We ask you to be with the families and friends of Amy, Andrew and De Marco, shielding them in peace and compassion. We beg that we be freed from violence in our hearts, our homes, our neighborhoods as we rely on Your Grace to lead us through these trying times. Be with us at this time of prayer, leading us on this journey to reconciliation. We ask this through Your Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. AMEN Scripture Reading: Luke 11:29-34 “While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, ‘This generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of God be to this generation. At the judgment the Queen of the south will rise with this generation and she will condemn them because she came from the end of the earth to hear the words of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the Ninevites will arise with this generation, because of the preaching of Jonah, they repented. And there is something greater than Jonah here.’” Reflection We gather together again, even if it is virtual, as the people of Nineveh, recognizing the loss among us with these homicides as well as the evil that we experience in the world around us. As we reflect on this alone or with others, we ask ourselves: During this Lent, how are we experiencing Jesus’ message and that of Jonah, as a time to move from darkness to new light? What is giving me hope of new life in my family, neighborhood, city, country or world? Petitions and Yours also We Pray to Our Loving God: For Amy, Andrew and De Marco, May the Precious Blood of Jesus purify them and give them Life For the family and friends of Amy, Andrew and De Marco, May the Precious Blood of Jesus heal them and give them strength For this hurting community, for those who have lost loved ones and for all victims of (struggling) For the perpetrators and those engaged in violence, Lord Jesus, through the power of Your Precious Blood open their hearts to You and to a change of life For our police and first responders, May the Precious Blood of Jesus, strengthen them while they are protecting us For all of us here at the Homicide Vigil, our families, our city and our world, and those affected by the pandemic, May the Precious Lord Jesus direct us to be reconcilers, filling us with compassion and peace Pause and Pray Our Father…. Prayer to End Violence: God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, indeed in our very selves, is destroying your creation. In union with the Precious Blood of Jesus, give us the strength to break the cycle of violence, to hear the cry of the blood, and make sacred again your earth stained by blood. Amen. (Reminder: Annual Memorial Prayer Vigil – Zoom: March 6th 12:00 noon. To register, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwocOmgqT4jG9ajRUys-GBFQugmsgGha5iq)