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 share your Good News.

We pray for your world and your people:

+ We pray for the safety and well-being of all beloved people living in the Holy Land, including our siblings in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Shelter all living in fear; protect those seeking refuge; sustain families separated from one another; heal those who are injured; comfort all who mourn their dead. We fervently pray for your Spirit's wisdom for our world leaders in this time. (Rev. Terry Kyllo, Exec. Dir. of Paths to Understanding, suggests how we can support our local Muslim & Jewish neighbors who continue to live under the threat of violence in our communities in this blog post.)

+ 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 all who seek refuge. May we find ways to support them in their time of crisis. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)

+ 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:

+ We pray for people grieving the loss of someone significant in their lives, that they will be comforted by God and know that, as members of the body of Christ and communities of faith, they are not alone in their grieving. Gracious God, wrap your arms of love and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness.

+ We hold Pastor Anja Helmon in prayer following the death of her husband, John, this last Saturday evening after a recent diagnosis and treatment for stage four melanoma. Surround Anja and their family with your peace and hope. (His memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 12 at 3pm at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland. Anja is currently living out of the country where receiving mail is challenging. Cards of care may be mailed to the synod office - 5519 Phinney Ave North, Seattle, WA 98103 - or emailed directly to Anja at: sassypastor@outlook.com)

+ On this All Saints Day, we remember and give thanks for all the saints who have influenced our lives, faith, wisdom, and vocational decisions. We are grateful for the imprint on us through their compassion and example.

-- We remember these rostered ministers who have died during this last year and give thanks for their love and witness in our world: Deacon Erma Lee, Deacon Paul Anderson, Rev. Kenneth Daugs, Deacon Inez Hushagen, Deacon Nan Beth Walton, and Rev. Dennis Hanson.

-- We hold in prayer the communities of these congregations that have officially closed this year: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (Concrete), Clearbrook Lutheran Church (Nooksack), Glendale Lutheran Church (Burien), and Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Bellevue). We are grateful for their many years of faithful ministry in their communities - and for the legacies of God's love, hope, and care they have shared. We pray for the former members as they continue to discover and be welcomed into new faith communitites.

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

+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns: Rev. Conrad Tollefson, Abi (daughter of Rev. Eric Griffith), Rev. Paul Feiertag, Rev. Ron Melver, Rev. Philip Maakestad, Deacon Sharon Lone Browder, and Deacon LaVonne Johnson.

+ 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: 

-- Faith Lutheran Church, Redmond, and Rev. Debbie Boyce;

-- Faith Lutheran Church, Seattle, and Rev. Shannyn Fuerst;

-- for those who will gather for our anti-racism event this Saturday;

-- for our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia and for our Team Russia members as they gather tomorrow;

-- the people and ministries of the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin and their bishop, the Rev. Anne Edison-Albright;

-- the people and ministries of the Greater Milwaukee Synod and their bishop, the Rev. Paul Erickson.

+ We give thanks to God for these rostered ministers who are celebrating ministry milestones during the month of November. Thanks be to God for your gifts and compassionate hearts!

Deacon Amy Bingham (5 years on Nov. 4)

Deacon Roselyn Olson (20 years on Nov. 2)

Rev. John Michael Barich (25 years on Nov. 1)

Rev. Beth Purdum Eden (35 years on Nov. 6)

Rev. Karen Hanson (40 years on Nov. 27)

+ 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. Daniel Bloomquist, Rev. Chris Boerger, and Rev. Chuck Bomgren.

+ 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 Lori Cavender and Salem Lutheran Church as she is ordained and installed as their new pastor this Saturday, November 4 at 4pm. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- we lift up Andrew Flatt-Kuntze as he is installed as the new pastor at University Lutheran Church on Sunday, November 5 at 3:30pm. God bless this new ministry partnership!

-- 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.

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