“Dark descends, but light unending shines through our night…”
—-James Quinn, 1969 Preparation for worship Sit in a relaxed position. Take a slow, deep breath (or 2 or 3 or as many as needed) until you feel your body, mind, and soul begin to relax and rest in the Spirit. Take time to reflect as you move through this time of worship… Opening Sentence 2 Corinthians 4:6 As God spoke, calling light out of darkness, God’s glory shines in the face of Jesus Christ. Prayer Parker J. Palmer This week we will pray alternative versions of the Lord’s Prayer, to get yet another sense of what those words might mean. This is not meant to supplant the traditional version, but to add to its meaning. Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, Holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, From each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days-- Come swiftly Mother, Father, come. For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy: Forever your name is All in One. Hymn of the Day “See By Faith,” written by Bob Dylan and performed by Blind Boys of Alabama. Listen and pray! Reading of the Day: Romans 8: 26-30 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. Prayers for self and others Please pray today for those who are being affected by COVID 19. Please pray for Mark Sabala, working with Covid patients as a nurse, Marcy Szeliga, quarantined in a hotel and working 60 hour weeks as a case investigator and contact tracer, for the Howell family, the Pena family, Debbi’s son-in-law’s friend Leah and her daughter, and for all others who have been recently diagnosed with- or are recovering from- the virus. Today pray for those who work in industries that have been especially hard hit, including the hospitality industry, that they would find recovery and success soon. As we hear of more friends who are directly affected, or who are working in high risk places, we will list them here. Use this time to lift your joys, concerns, and hopes to God. Benediction: May the Lamb upon the throne be your shepherd, guiding you to the water of life, and wiping away every tear. Alleluia!
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AuthorBecky Downs, pastor of John Knox, started writing daily prayers for the congregation at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, to encourage the congregation in their faith during their time of separation from each other. The daily prayers were posted throughout the year. You might want to choose one a day to read, and modify the specific prayers for self and others to fit your life today. Archives
April 2021
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