God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:
+ We give thanks for your gifts of life and love;
+ sustain us when we are feeling weary, broken, lost, or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ reform in us what needs reforming;
+ inspire us to be your hands and voice in your world;
+ strengthen us to take action to seek justice for our neighbors;
+ grant us courage and creativity to joyfully share your Good News.
We pray for your world and your people:
+ Guide us to recognize our prejudices and empower us take action to eliminate the persistent institutional racism that permeates our world, country, communities, courts, church, and hearts.
+ During this PRIDE Month, we give thanks for the gifts, wisdom, and faith of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer neighbors and siblings in Christ. We ask the Spirit to stir and embolden us to better advocate for laws, practices, values, and institutional and social change that address injustice, bias and exclusion. We give thanks for the support, resources, and leadership of our partners at ReconcilingWorks and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.
+ On June 17 we remember the members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, N.C., who were killed by a self-professed white supremacist while gathered for Bible study. We pray that we as individuals, a church, and a society — will reaffirm our commitment to repent from the sins of racism and white supremacy, and that the Spirit will change our hearts and lead us to value, love and welcome all people as the wonderful handiwork of God.
+ This Father’s Day we give thanks and pray for all who serve as loving and caring adults in the lives of children and youth.
+ On Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, an observance dating back to June 19, 1865. We give thanks to God for the diversity of humankind and pray that God will help, guide and strengthen our commitment to work for the full inclusion of all people in the church, in our society and throughout the world.
+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, fire, and storms. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response and encourage our mindful work in disaster preparedness with our regional partners at https://www.ldrwest.org/.
(new website address)
We pray for those who are grieving:
+ Gracious God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness;
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Brenda Kidd (wife of Pr. Tom Kidd), and David Hillesland, father of Pr. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
+ We pray for those who are struggling with substance abuse and addictions. We pray for those who are working to rebuild their lives and relationships through sobriety and the support of companions who understand the challenges of recovery. We pray that they will have faith in God’s unwavering love and forgiveness in moments of despair, joy, accomplishment, and stumbling.
We pray for your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- for the Candidacy Committee (learn more about what they do in this video);
-- we lift up the LiVE Planning Team as they gather for a retreat on Friday (learn more about LiVE in this video)
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- Central/Southern Illinois Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Dr. S. John Roth.
+ We give thanks for these rostered ministers celebrating milestones in the month of June:
15 years: Pr. Kacey Hahn
25 years: Pr. Deanna Wildermuth and Pr. Hector Garfias-Toledo
30 years: Pr. Arda Skinner
35 years: Pr. John LaMunyon and Deacon Cathy Mutschler
40 years: Deacon Madelyn Busse, Deacon Elizabeth Steele, and Pr. Jack Sack
50 years: Pr. Mark Johnson
55 years: Pr. Maynard Atik
65 years: Pr. Herb Siefkes and Pr. Jack Hustad
(Watch this celebration video, featuring all 2022 anniversary folks shown at our recent synod assembly - apologies to Dn. Busse - the correct number of years is 40, not 25 as in video!)
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Deacon Marlys Waldo, Deacon Nan Beth Walton, and Rev. Marlon Wang.
-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregational staff and lay leaders, and our synod staff;
-- we lift up Pam Karas as she is ordained into word and sacrament ministry on Saturday at 10am at Our Savior's, Everett. (Pam has accepted the call to serve as pastor at Faith, Everett)
-- we lift up Paul Benz as he is ordained into word and sacrament ministry on Saturday at 2pm at Immanuel, Seattle. (Paul has accepted the call to serve as Street Minister at Nightwatch in Seattle.
-- we lift up Pr. Rhonda Bostrom as she is installed at Holy Trinity, Mercer Island on Sunday at 2pm.
-- we pray for all who are in discernment and/or awaiting call.
May our prayers rise before you as incense.
+ Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age;
+ Sustain, uplift, and encourage us as we live into your calling;
+ Trusting in your mercy and grace, we lift our prayers to you.
Amen.
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Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
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