Candle Lighting Service

The following candle lighting service is adapted from an Interfaith Service of Hope that was celebrated at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee. The service was held during Mental Illness Awareness Week in 2006. The worship leader can add music selections, scripture, a meditation, etc. At this particular worship service an advocate, a consumer, a family member and a professional shared stories.

This service is:

• In Compassion with those who experience mental illness
• In Solidarity with those who share the journey
• In Support of those who provide care
• In Memory of those who have died as a result of their illness

Call to Worship

Our help is in the name of the One who made heaven and earth. Let us worship God.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)

We confess that we are still uninformed about mental illness and how it impacts persons and their families. We live cut off from sources of strength and power that would help us be present to people with mental illness. This lack often makes us feel that we cannot act. So many needs call to us, grabbing for our attention, that we find ourselves stretched beyond our own abilities. O God, we seek the power of your Spirit, that we may live in fuller union with you, ourselves and our sisters and brothers with mental illness. Grant us courage to love and understand each other. Amen

Prayers of the People

Prayer of the Consumer

O Lord, I call out to you, for you have promised to always be within me and around me. You cause healing power to be at work in me. You give my spirit courage and strength. These gifts enable me to move from a place where fear reigns, to a place of confidence and calm. Grant me, not only the assurance of your graciousness, but the love of family, the support of friends, the hope of advocates, the kinship with other consumers.

People: Hear Our Prayer!

Prayer of Hope

Eternal God, by your power all things become new. In your kingdom, there is no more death or sorrow or pain. Life is renewed and love is complete. We await with confidence that promised day when all brokenness is healed and we are made whole: body, mind and spirit. Help us now to live in hope, accepting one another and ourselves as beloved children, today and forever. Amen

People: Hear Our Prayer!

Candle Lighting Service

We light the candle of Truth that God will help us dispel ignorance and promote understanding.

(silent prayer)

We light the candle of Healing that troubled minds and hearts, broken lives and relationships might be healed.

(silent prayer)

We light the candle of Understanding that the darkness of stigma, labels, exclusion and marginalization might be dispelled.

(silent prayer)

We light the candle of Hope for better treatment, for steadier recovery, for greater opportunity to work and serve.

(silent prayer)

We light the candle of Thankfulness for compassionate, dedicated caregivers and mental health professionals; for new discoveries in brain research and better medications.

(silent prayer)

We light the candle of Faith to dispel doubt and despair.

(silent prayer)

We light the candle of Steadfast Love to remind us of God’s love and faithfulness, and to remind us to share the light of love and service.

(silent prayer)

If this service is done within the morning worship service, the candles may be lit by designated persons (perhaps persons and families affected by mental illness). The candles may also be lit by the ushers on the aisles and passed down the row until all worshippers have lit candles.

The Benediction

Now let us return to the struggles and joys of life, thankful to God; for we have been broken, but God heals us. We have been stricken, but God binds our wounds. Our God revives us and raises us up to newness in life. Let us, therefore, press onward to know our God who offers forgiveness and hope!