A Service of Lament
by Jack Grubbs
Church of the Resurrection, located in Lutherville, MD, held a Service of Lament in September as an opportunity to give voice to the losses many people have experienced. Biblical lament expresses grief, sorrow or loss to God and cries out for His help and deliverance. Whether from the impact of COVID-19, social and racial issues facing our country, children not being able to go to school, losing jobs, or personal losses, 2020 has been a difficult year. The Service of Lament provided space to encounter God through times of silence, music, sacred art and reflection on Psalm 102. As we cry out to the Lord, He meets us with His grace and healing. There was an opportunity to attend in-person or attend via the livestream on our website. If you would like to view the archive of this service, it can be found on our Vimeo channel.
The Rev. Jack Grubbs is the Canon for Ordinations at the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic and the Senior Associate for Mission, Worship, and Pastoral Care at Church of the Resurrection, Lutherville, MD.
Psalm 102 (BCP, 2018)
1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, * and let my cry come unto you.
2 Hide not your face from me in the time of my trouble; * incline your ear to me when I call; O hear me, and very soon.
3 For my days are consumed like smoke, * and my bones are burnt up as in a furnace.
4 My heart is smitten and withered like grass, * so that I forget to eat my bread.
5 Because of the voice of my groaning, * my bones will scarcely cleave to my flesh.
6 I have become like an owl in the wilderness * and like a screech-owl among the ruins.
7 I am solitary, and lie sleepless because of my groaning; * I am like a sparrow that sits alone upon the housetop.
8 My enemies revile me all day long, * and those who are enraged against me conspire to do me hurt.
9 For I have eaten ashes as if they were bread * and mingled my drink with weeping,
10 Because of your indignation and wrath, * for you have taken me up and cast me down.
11 My days are gone like a shadow, * and I am withered like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, shall endure for ever, * and your remembrance throughout all generations.
13 You shall arise and have mercy upon Zion, * for it is time for you to have mercy upon her; indeed, the time has come.