With the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God’s creation. Almighty God, let us be forthcoming with our own love, both internally and externally.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Loving Mother, help us to find and celebrate the good in one another.  Help our country and our world to see the similarities we share with each other, versus the differences that divide us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, help us to continue to fight the negative stigma behind mental illness. Guide those of us who struggle with the awful disease to seek help, and teach those of us without it to recognize the signs in others so that we may reach out to comfort and support an undoubtedly difficult time. We pray also for all who are suffering from grief, depression, and physical ailments. Hear our prayers especially for those of our parish and their loved ones:

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Accepting Lord, open the hearts in this congregation so that we may fully consider what it means to become a truly Christian church. Give us the strength to ask questions when they arise, and give us the humility to listen to each other in this conversation. We trust that you will guide us in your will.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you especially this day, gracious Lord, for all those who have passed into the timeliness of your Love. We remember those who you have gathered in this year, especially Hi Stickney, Noel Jeffrey, and Virginia Jensen.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Presider: Mother Father God, we ask that all in our congregation this day remember that humans are joined by grief as well as joy and that different languages reveal the depth of our need for your continual forgiveness and love. Amen.