Happy Thursday, Church!
I hope you are enjoying the little break in the heat this week. How nice it was to go outside early morning and have a cup of coffee without sweating. Many thanks to everyone who make Sunday’s worship a meaningful time. Sunday we will continue our short series prompted by the book, “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning. This week’s message is … “Folly, the Furious Love of God.” I hope you will be with us in worship on Sunday. It is communion Sunday, so I encourage everyone in our online congregation to get some simple elements together and share in Christ’s table with us.
Today, we need to pray. So much of our beloved state is on fire. I know we go through this every year but when the fire season comes along, I find that my personal peace is gets knocked out of whack. I check my “Watch Duty” application regularly; checking on a fire’s status as well as to see new fires pop up. I am so grateful for all the women and men who work tirelessly to keep us from going up in flames. I close this Thursday offering this special prayer.
God of all creation, all the elements belong to you.
The earth, air, water and fire are yours to command.
You guarded your people Israel by night with a pillar of flame.
You sanctified the early church with tongues of fire at Pentecost.
You appeared to Moses in the burning bush, which was engulfed but not consumed.
God of wind and flame, extinguish the fires engulfing land, communities, and homes.
Guard those who must flee because of the blaze, give them safety and wholeness.
Bring those who have perished home to you, grant them your perpetual peace.
Protect those who battle the flames, sanctify their service and send them your Spirit.
Restore our land, our homes, our faith in your goodness,
And show us again how you bring life out of ash and dust.
Give us the resources and strength, we ask, to rebuild and replant
And show us that you are the loving Creator and Savior.
I love being your pastor.
Holding You Close and lifting you high!
Pastor Greg
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