O Life of the Universe, whom we know through various names;
Who heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds
Who commanded my people to recall the moment we left Egypt every single day of our lives;
Bless this gathering of neighbors
As we remember and celebrate our own history
A history that is not as long ago and as far away as we might prefer to imagine.
Be with us, as we acknowledge the sins of slavery, racism, and discrimination
That stained our nation even before its inception;
And be with us, too, as we remember those who struggled and died so that others could be free.
Continue to bring us
From slavery to freedom
From sorrow to joy
From mourning to festivity
From darkness to a great light
From servitude to redemption
When we will sing a great new song together before You.
And let us say: Amen.
