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;

+ help us to forgive as you forgive;

+ 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 be and share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, storms, and wildfires. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. We pray for the safety of firefighters, first responders, members of the National Guard, disaster response volunteers, relief agencies, and neighbors who respond to individuals and communities in times of severe weather and natural disaster. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response.

+ We pray for all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (Support our new neighbors through Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Global Refuge - formerly Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - globalrefuge.org)

+ We lift up all who will begin the school year - students, teachers, parents, staff, and administrators. Bless them with curiosity!

+ As we enter this election season, we pray for peace and civility in our nation; for the mending of rifts and ideologies that isolate us; and for the diverse gifts, perspectives, and life experiences that enrich and inform our life together.

+ 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.

+ 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 remember in prayer those who are traveling for work or pleasure. Grant them safety and a sense of curiosity as they journey in your world.

We give thanks for new life!

+ We celebrate with Rev. Paul Benz (Swedish Medical Center Chaplain) as he and his wife Monica welcome a new baby girl in early August! Welcome to the world, Linda Grace Kirabo Benz!

We pray for all 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 hold in prayer Rev. Diakonda Gurning (Bethel, Shoreline) following the death of his mother, Tiurland Sitours, in late July. Wrap your loving arms around Diakonda and their family as they mourn this loss. Remind them - and all who grieve - that you have the final word over death. (Cards of care may be sent to Rev. Diakonda Gurning, c/o Bethel Lutheran Church, 17529 15th Ave. NE., Shoreline, WA 98155)

+ We hold in prayer the family of Rev. Paul Feiertag (retired) following his death on July 1st. Surround his wife Ingrid, and son Rev. Tim Feiertag (Trinity, Everett) with your peace and comfort them in these holy days.(A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 31 at 2pm at Trinity, Everett. Livestream available here: https://youtube.com/live/9gSZkgQSGyQ?feature=share. Cards of care may be sent to Ingrid and Rev. Tim Feiertag and Family c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, 2324 Lombard Ave, Everett, WA  98201)

+ We hold in prayer Rev. Anne Hall (retired) following the death of her husband Dr. David Hall, MD. We pray for God's peace to surround and sustain Anne and their extended family. We give thanks for the many gifts David graciously shared in his community and beyond. (A memorial service is planned for 3pm on September 21 at Grace Episcopal Church on Lopez Island. Cards of care may be sent to Rev. Anne Hall, 1226 Lopez Road, Lopez Island, WA 98261.)

+ We hold in prayer the family and friends of Berit Ringo following her death on August 15. She was the widow of Rev. Herb Ringo (served at Good Shepherd-Snohomish, Central-Everett and Maple Leaf-Seattle) We give thanks for her life as a teacher, an artist, and part of the family groups that helped develop Holden Village. (A memorial service will be held Sunday, Sept. 15 at 2pm at University Lutheran in Seattle. Find her obituary here.)

We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:

+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns: Abi (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Ken Bakken, and Rev. Marjorie Lorant.

+ We hold Rev. John LaMunyon (retired) in prayer as he recovers from a recent hospitalization - may health and healing abound!

+ We pray for those who are awaiting diagnoses and treatment plans. Grant them peace and courage. Remind them that they are not alone.

We pray for your church:

+ We pray for the creative and collaborative ministries across the synod and country that accompany and serve neighbors in need through community gardens, meals, food pantries, homeless shelters, counseling, disaster response, neighborhood renewal, day care for children and adults, educational opportunities, and connecting volunteers with ecumenical partners and community organizations.

+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders: 

-- Bethlehem Lutheran Church and their pastor, Rev. Mark Fischer;

-- the LiVE Project - leaders Rev. David Hahn, Mandy Neill, the LiVE Board;

-- for the Bishop Election Task Force as they begin preparing for the bishop election to be held during our Synod Assembly on May 15-16 (more information coming in October about the team, the timeline, and how you might participate.)

-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;

-- the people and ministries of the Grand Canyon Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Deborah Hutterer.

+ We lift up those from the ELCA who are traveling to meet up with Russian Companion Synods in Serbia Sept 5-12, including representatives from the NE Minnesota Synod, the Central States Synod, and members from our synod's Team Russia: Bp. Shelley Bryan Wee, Mary Muller, and Rev. Hector Garfias-Toledo. May their travels be safe - and the conversations and connections be rich.

+ We give thanks to God for rostered ministers who are celebrating ministry milestones during the month of SEPTEMBER. This month we lift up and celebrate with:

Rev. Joanne Engquist - 35 years on 9/17

Rev. Jane Prestbye - 25 years on 9/19 (plus additional 20 years on the lay roster prior to ordination into word and sacrament!)

Rev. Mel Jacob - 50 years on 9/8

Rev. Delmas Luedke - 55 years on 9/28

Rev. Fred Vonderlage - 65 years on 9/6

View the Anniversary Video shown at the synod assembly, celebrating the 2023 and 2024 milestone anniversaries of our synod's rostered ministers HERE.

+ We give thanks for the many years of service of our retired pastors & deacons. Thanks be to God for the ways you continue to support ministers and ministries in your settled communities. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Gary Rothenberger, Rev. Rick Rouse, and Rev. Pam Russell.

+ We give thanks for the gift of sabbaticals - for rest, renewal, study, and inspiration. We lift up those rostered ministers and their congregations who are undertaking sabbatical times this summer and fall - including Rev. Dr. Dan Peterson (Queen Anne, Seattle) as he travels to Princeton Theological Seminary to be one of 15 visiting scholars for the fall term. May his time away be Spirit-filled and productive! (While there he will be researching and writing a book, working with faculty, and auditing a course or two at the seminary.)

+ We pray for ministries and leaders in transition.

-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: legacy planning teams, transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregational staff and lay leaders, and our synod staff;

-- We lift up Rev. Wilma Reyes (UMC) and the congregation of Bethlehem Lutheran Church (Sedro Wooley) as they begin their collaborative ministry together - in ecumenical partnership with Central United Methodist and St. James Episcopal. All are welcome to the Rite of Beginning service on Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- we lift up Rev. Leigh DeVries (PCUSA) and the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church (Ferndale) as they begin ministry together. All are welcome to the Rite of Beginning service on Saturday, October 20 at 2pm.God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- we lift up Rev. Ivar Hillesland as he concludes his time as a pastor at Church of the Apostles (Seattle) on September 29. We give thanks for their shared ministry - and hold them all in prayer as they begin this time of transition. (We celebrate with Pr. Ivar as he begins a full-time position with the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia!)

-- we lift up Rev. Anne Lohrmann as she concludes her time at Phinney Ridge (Seattle) on September 29. We give thanks for their shared ministry - and hold them in prayer as they continue in this time of transition.

-- 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. 

Email susan@lutheransnw.org if you have a prayer petition or update.

The next prayer message will be sent on August 28.

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