Worship Service for Amish Victims Led by Michael. W Smith
Following the fatal shootings of five Amish girls at a school in Pennsylvania, prayers and services have been held around the world in memory of the victims, some attracting thousands around their communities.
by Anne Thomas
Posted: Thursday, October 5, 2006, 8:12 (BST)
Following the fatal shootings of five Amish girls at a school in Pennsylvania, prayers and services have been held around the world in memory of the victims, some attracting thousands from around their communities.
Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith joined a community prayer service at a nondenominational evangelical Christian church in the Lancaster suburbs. He dedicated a song "to these five precious girls who I plan on seeing on the other side".
About 1,500 people filled The Worship Centre, offering prayers and moments of silence.
"Is this God's will that this happened? Absolutely not," Smith said. "But He will use it for good."
Dwight Lefever, a friend of the family of gunman Charles Carl Roberts IV, said they were "a family broken, a family devastated".
"Last night and tonight, there's a lot of homes - a lot of houses - of mourning," Lefever said.
About 45 people attended a third service at Hershey Mennonite Church in nearby Kinzers, organised by a pastor who has five daughters under age 11. "It really hit me, and it felt like it would be a good time for fellowship," said the pastor, Toshi Imchen.
Delivering the litany, entitled "Prayer for a hurting community", church member Janet Gehman offered a prayer for the dead and injured.
"Hold in your arms now the children who need healing in body and spirit: the little girls lying in hospital beds and the little boys who have lost sisters and friends," she said.
Melanie Nolt, 31, of East Earl, a mother of three, said she could not comprehend the loss.
"These poor parents send their kids off to school like any other morning, never dreaming that something like this would happen," she said.
Congregants dabbed their eyes as they sang "Lord Listen to Your Children Praying", its lyrics seeming to fit the moment and the situation:
"Lord listen to your children praying. Lord send your Spirit in this place. Lord listen to your children praying. Send us love, send us power, send us grace!"
The President of the National Clergy Council in the U.S., the Rev Rob Schenck, met all day Tuesday with families of both the victims and the perpetrator of the Amish school shootings in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Rev Schenck met the relatives as the head of the Washington DC-based interdenominational organisation which represents more than 5,000 clergy and 20,000 lay associate members.
"This tragic event is one of the saddest and most agonising situations I have ever faced," said Schenck, adding, "All the people caught up in this tragedy are victims and we must not forget that. I conveyed the sympathy and support of churches and people of Christian faith across the country for all the families so devastated by this enormous horror - and they received that message with comfort and deep gratitude."
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Added: Wednesday, October 25, 2006, 19:38 (BST)
As much as such an event as this breaks the hearts of the families and friends of these children, it breaks God's heart as well. Each of them were welcomed into His presence and so shall they be for all time and eternity. We must also remember in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Jesus promises to bring them back with Him, to be given glorified bodies that is just like Jesus' then we who are alive at that time and remain will also be changed in a moment. Then we will be with our family, the Bride of Christ. No more pain, no more hunger, no more injustice for us. God will bring good out of this travesty. We may not see it now, nor tomorrow, or even for some years to come. However, He still shows His compassion throught the actions of those family and friends of those young souls slain. May we be as forgiving of those who wrong the innocent.
Bruce Williams, Modesto, CA
Added: Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 16:46 (BST)
I too agree with Michael W.Smith and the others on the board. I am a member of a Presbyterian Church that is just now growing. Our congreation prayed for the Amish community and how such a horrifying thing can happen to such a peaceful community. I just wish that the media would just leave this wonderful community alone and let them grieve for their loved ones in peace and let them put their community back together again. In addition, I will pray that one day we can put in end to violence and hate crimes around the world and learn to love one another one day. I pray for our troops also who trying to end the chaos in Iraq and in other countries as well. May God Bless each and everyone of us. Especially, Michael W.Smith and his family for all the great things you do.
God Bless.
Sandy Harrison, Suisun City, CA
Added: Monday, October 9, 2006, 17:00 (BST)
yes sure...it is not God's will...and he would use this worst to something good. Amen!
One hope for us christians is we will meet our loved ones on the other shore....Hallelujah!
I'm sure this hope is what upholding the victim's familes....I cried when i saw the grandpa saying, "They have forgiven Roberts with their whole heart."
and they Amish community being there for his funeral...that is a great protrait of forgiveness...one of Jesus's Greatest characters.Amen.
sangeetha, nj
Added: Thursday, October 5, 2006, 19:14 (BST)
well i agre with michael w smih in what he said i belive that god will use this for good and in time those people will heal and i pray that for each and every one of them will find chirst and know that peace
Belinda Chadd, Tasmania, USA
