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:
+ Again, oh Lord, we grieve the murders of your beloved people. We plead that you renew and strengthen our commitment and courage to face the painful truth of gun violence in our country — to prevent gun violence. Guide us as we attend to traumatized individuals, families, and communities. Embolden us to advocate for common-sense gun safety laws. (As was lifted up at our synod assembly, in 1994 the ELCA adopted the social message Community Violence, calling for advocacy to end the cycle of violence in the U.S. Twenty-eight years later, this message is still relevant and is a resource for our journey. Find more information and resources HERE.)
+ Our prayers arise for the fear, loss, and devastation in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. May a wise peaceful path be found and followed soon. We pray for all who are in danger and all who have had to flee their homes. We pray for those families who have lost loved ones. Loving God, may your peace reign.
+ We pray for those who are without home or shelter. We lift up the ministries in our synod working to help create and provide better access to shelter and care.
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 Rev. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Rev. Ron Melver, Pr. Mikkel Hustad, Brenda Kidd (wife of Rev. Tom Kidd, retired), Rev. Larry Olsen, and David Hillesland, father of Rev. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
+ 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 your church:
+ We pray for all who are participating in mission trips and service-learning experiences this summer. May their efforts exemplify compassion, respect, mutual relationship, intentional partnership, and our call to love and serve our neighbor as Christ loves and serves us.
+ 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 pray for our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer. May this time bring a sense of rest and renewal for them, for their families, and their congregations. We give thanks for those who are stepping into pulpit supply, pastoral care coverage, and leadership roles to support these important leave-taking endeavors.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- Salt House (Kirkland) and Rev. Sara Wolbrecht and Rev. Ryan Marsh;
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- Northeastern Iowa Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Kevin Jones.
+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Bob Winkel, Rev. Tim Wolbrecht, and Rev. David Wold.
+ We give thanks for these rostered ministers celebrating milestones in the month of JULY:
15 years: Deacon Marie Preftes-Arenz, Rev. Mark Griffith and Rev. Sara Wolbrecht
35 years: Rev. Erik Wilson Weiberg
45 years: Rev. Stephen Luttio
50 years: Rev. Paul Feiertag
55 years: Rev. Al Bruck
60 years: Rev. Don Cornell
(Watch this celebration video, featuring all 2022 anniversary folks shown at our June synod assembly)
-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregation staff and lay leaders, and synod staff;
-- we lift up in prayer the Sierra Pacific Synod as they welcome their newly appointed interim bishop, the Rev. Claire Burkat;
-- 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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