+ We hold in prayer all those places in your world, including our own communities, experiencing discrimination, violence, and fear;
+ Help us to recognize the way our words and actions - or inaction - harm others;
+ We pray for all of our elected leaders: grant them compassion, strengthen their knowledge, and help them be ever-mindful of the
needs of our communities, global neighbors, and environment in their
listening, decision making, and actions;
+ Open our eyes and ignite our hearts to be instruments of your love in the face of violence, prejudice, and injustice.
Grant safety to our neighbors who are refugees and immigrants.
+ Teach us to recognize that as we walk with each other, your presence shines on us;
+ Help us to welcome the strangers in our midst and recognize the gifts they bring to our community;
+ We lift up the
migrant children and families on their journey and for safety and justice;
Provide comfort and healing for those struggling with health concerns:
+ Frederica Hall, mother of Pastor Marjorie Lorant (Hope, Lynden) in hospice care;
+ Vickie Gassman, daughter-in-law of retired Pastor Sarah France (spouse of her daughter Christina France) as she continues her auto-pedestrian accident recovery;
+ Pastor Kathryn Buffum;
+ Esther, daughter of Miri and Pastor Paul Ko (Seattle Covenant Community Fellowship);
+ Those living with mental illness;
+ We lift up care providers: family members, friends, caregivers and medical workers.
Grant health and strength to those who are receiving treatment for cancer:
+ Franklin Chu, Synod Council member
;
+ Retired Pastor Phil Petrasek;
+ Deborah Chilton, mother of Intern Lowell Chilton (Shepherd of the Hills, Concrete);
+ Richard Jennings, brother of Pastor Marjorie Lorant (Hope, Lynden);
+ Retired Pastor Wayne Bacus;
+ Nan Beth Walton, Deacon (Faith, Seattle);
+ Suzanne Morris, spouse of Pastor Larry Morris (Holy Spirit, Kirkland).
Comfort those who are grieving - may they feel God's love and comfort:
+ Enable us to be present for those who are suffering any kind of loss;
+ Provide safety and strength to those who are living in the wake of natural disasters around our country and world;
+ Strengthen those who tend to the sick and dying: medical caregivers, social workers, home health aides, chaplains, grief support counselors, and family members;
+ For the family and friends of the Rev. Doug Anderson following his death on May 5.
(Service will be on May 20 at 3pm at Grace, Des Moines. Cards may be sent to his wife Joan: 29614 11th Ave SW, Federal Way, WA 98023)
We give thanks for our retired rostered ministers.
May we find inspiration in their years of faithfulness and witness.
This week we lift up Ernie Loreen, Paul Fauske, and Ron Soine.
Be with our ministries and candidates who are in times of transition.
+ Strengthen and encourage the leaders who guide us during times of change and transformation: transition teams, call committees, interim pastors, current congregational staff, and synod staff.
+ We lift up
Pastor Dan Sorensen as he is
mobilized with the Navy to deploy as the deputy joint task force chaplain in Guantanamo Bay Cuba next week. We are grateful for his service and ask God's care for Dan and all who serve in the armed forces.
We pray for those who will be on retreat this weekend.
+ We lift up the high school youth, mentors, and event leaders who are attending the May Youth Weekend at Holden this weekend. May God bless their time away.
+ We lift up the men who are attending the Men in Mission retreat at Camp Huston in Gold Bar this weekend. May God bless their time away.
We give thanks for the congregations and ministries across our synod and the ELCA.
This week we remember these faithful ministries, their leaders, and members:
+
our synod assembly voting members, observers, visitors, volunteers, and planning team as they travel and attend the May 20th Synod Assembly at Salem Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon;
+ our neighbors in the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod as they celebrate the conclusion of Martin Wells' service as synod bishop - and as they elect a new bishop this weekend;
+ and the people and ministries of the NE Minnesota Synod.
May our prayers rise before you as incense, O God.
Amen.
+ + + + +
