St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD. 21713
301/582-0417 -- www.stmarkslappans.org
Commemoration of the end of the Civil War & Bell Ringing
Thursday in Easter Week
April 8, 2015
3 p.m. in Historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Responsive Reading from Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and
though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken God has spoken, and the earth
shall melt away.
Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, what awesome things he has done on earth.
It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; he breaks the bow, and shatters the
spear, and burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in
the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
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The Lord be with you.
People
And with thy spirit.
Officiant
Let us pray.
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no
strength known but the strength of love: We remember this day the ending of the Civil War, and
the surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. We ask you to have mercy on the souls of all the
departed, killed in that terrible conflict. We pray for our country, that any and all trauma which
remains from this civil strife will be healed. As our bell rings out, may the message of peace
and freedom be heard throughout our land, and may this message spread throughout all areas of
the world where civil strife still divides peoples and nations. We pray this in the name and
power of the Prince of Peace.
People
Amen.
Poem: “Antietam”
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church -- September 16, 1862-2012
Through the mist of autumn morning
came the muffled pounding of cannons
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Only five miles away
Yet an eternity distant from the Holy Place along the road
The grey stones held firmly in place by mortar mixed with loving labor
Reflected the sound that echoed up and down the valley.
All day long the cannon fire coughed and choked from the south
As neighbors huddled in their cellars hoping the carnage would not come their way.
Women and children had taken refuge in nearby Manor Church
Which was now filled with whimpers and cries, soothing voices, worried brows.
Finally it seemed that the anger of war
The self-righteous violence that threw men at each other like beasts
Was spent as the shadows grew longer to the east of the churchyard
Then they came,
First in twos and threes, limping, stumbling
Half carried, half dragged
In piles from the back of carriages commandeered for the day
In blue and gray lumps embroidered by streams of blood they came
To find refuge in the churchyard
Hoping for a sip of water
A sympathetic hand
Or absolution from their terror.
To this day no one knows the number who lay down on the lawn
Took shelter near the gothic roof
Or died and were, perhaps, buried near the roots of the Tulip trees
Some were carried to nearby Woodley, the Doctor’s home
So that John Maddox could stanch their wounds,
Remove their shattered limbs
Or watch them perish with little else to be done
For the temporary survivors of Antietam.
But to this day we remember that it was to the Church they came
The ancient place of sanctuary and peace
Where war was no more
And where they could deliver up their souls believing they were
Nearer to God.
To this day we still bring our wounded
Temporary survivors of the skirmishes of pain and loss
Bleeding from wounds of loneliness and longing
Or seeking a peaceful respite from battles of life.
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To this day, sympathetic arms reach
To heal and hope is offered in cupped hands
Resting gently on the altar rail.
--The Rev. Anne O. Weatherholt May 26, 2012
Solo
“Pie Jesu” from the Faure Requiem
(Translation) “Blessed Lord Jesus, give them Eternal rest.”
Bell Ringing [3:15 – 3:19 pm]
The bell will ring for 4 minutes – one minute for each year of the war.
Please gather at the back of the Church as we take turns ringing the bell.
Pull gently and firmly on the wooden handle.
Litany for Sound Government
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among
ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to
all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns,
give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our
obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights
may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their
fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the wellbeing of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy
Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.
Celebrant and people
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory
For ever and ever. Amen.
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Hymn 569 “God the Omnipotent”
Dismissal
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(Hymn words & tune from the 19th century)
Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
Govern and uphold them, now and always.
Lord, show us your love and mercy;
For we put our trust in you.
In you, Lord, is our hope;
And we shall never hope in vain.
Officiant
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and all peace in believing, that you may
be overflowing with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Please take time to visit our restored balcony, originally used as a slave gallery, as well as the
historic plaques in our cemetery and along the road, marking St. Mark’s role in the local
history of the 19th century. St. Mark’s was founded in 1849 and the building dates from that
time. For more information about St. Marks history and the research into the African
American slaves and members, go to www.stmarkslappans.org
Officiant: The Rev. Anne O. Weatherholt
Organist: Daniel Weatherholt
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