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 broken, lost, or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ 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 our world, nation, and local communities.
+ We lift up those communities where insecurity, violence, and fear are the norm. Help us to bring healing, wholeness, and safety to these siblings. Inspire our leaders and guide us to be better advocates for the sake of each member in our community - especially those who have little power and no voice.
+ 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. We lift up the anti-racism teams in our congregations - and those who are in process of developing such teams - grant them wisdom and strength in their efforts to educate and make changes within their communities. We hold in prayer the leaders of such groups who will gather TONIGHT on Zoom (learn more and join the meeting here).
+ We pray for those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us find sustainable solutions to end hunger and provide nourishment domestically and abroad.
+ We pray for seasonal workers who depend on summer income for their livelihood, that they will find safe, fulfilling employment that pays a fair wage. We pray that we will express our gratitude and respect for their work and service.
+ We pray for those places, people, and animals affected by natural disasters. 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: www.region1beprepared.org.
+ We lift up all in our communities who provide emergency services - those who respond first to bring aid: emergency medical workers, firefighters, community volunteers, and police. Grant them wisdom and safety in their work.
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Glen Aaberg, Christine Finsand, Abi Griffith, Nan Beth Walton, Pam Miles, Ron Melver, Heidi Fish, and Bishop Michael Lozano (Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod).
+ We hold Pr. Wendell Hendershott in prayer following a recent hospitalization and as he prepares for coronary artery bypass surgery on July 14. May his healing be swift and complete. (Wendell and his spouse, Pr. Netsie Griffith, are on our retired roster and new to our synod.)
+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.
+ We mourn with our fellow siblings as this pandemic continues to claim lives and livelihoods.. Bring peace and comfort to the families whose loved ones have died. Grant healing for those diagnosed and recovering. Protect and sustain medical workers, care providers, first responders, and chaplains. Guide those working distribute the vaccines. Sustain for those who are facing financial uncertainty due to loss of income. As our communities and churches begin to loosen restrictions, help us be care-filled, patient, and gracious with one another. (Worship Leaders are invited to join a zoom conversation on Thursday evening - learn more and join the zoom session here).
+ We pray for our neighbors who are fearful or in danger in their relationships. Sustain those who protect, support, and advocate for people who are experiencing domestic violence. (Reach out here for help: https://wscadv.org/get-help-now/)
+ We pray for continued health and strength for son-father biking duo Shepherd (age nine) and James Colver (Salt House and Synod Council member) as they continue their cross-country biking trip this summer. (You can follow/support their journey - now in Wisconsin! - on Facebook or Instagram).
+ We lift up those experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Empower us to reach out to those who need care and support.
+ For those who are in despair, remember you are loved. You are never beyond God's mercy, grace, and love.
1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Hotline)
1-888-628-9454 (Red Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio)
1-800-799-4889 (TTY)
1-877-574-4729 (Trevor project/ LGBTQIA+ under 24)
1-877-565-8860 (Trans Lifeline/Trans Folx)
1-800-273-8255 (Veterans Crisis Line)
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 your church:
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries, their lay & rostered leaders:
-- Fir-Conway Lutheran Church (Mount Vernon); and Candidate Kristi Lambing who has been providing regular pulpit supply and care during their transition;
-- St. Matthew's Lutheran Church (Renton); and Pr. Kacey Hahn and Intern Cassandra Nagle;
-- the Southeastern Iowa Synod and Bishop Amy Current;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia.
+ We celebrate the many years of service of our retired pastors and deacons.
This week we give thanks for these retired rostered ministers:
Bob Winkel, Tim Wolbrecht and David Wold.
-- we give thanks for time shared with Pr. Arhiana Shek Dill and ask God's blessings as she concludes her time as the mission developer at Fe y Esperanza (Faith & Hope) in Everett on July 10. Pr. Arhiana and her family will be moving to Phoenix as her spouse, Nathan has accepted a new position there. We hold them and the members of the Fe y Esperanza community in prayer during this transition.
-- we lift up the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition pastors, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff;
-- grant all in transition wisdom and patience as they discern where it is that you are leading them.
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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