God of all peoples, we give thanks for your church and our leaders: Michael, Melissa, Berto and Hugh. We ask that they remind us that we too are God’s offspring, for in him we live and move and have our being. May they inspire us to be your faithful servants to contend tirelessly for justice and for the protection of those in need.

We bless God who does not withhold love from us.

God of all peoples, we give thanks for these United States. We pray that those who speak where
many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of every citizen wise, their mind sound, and their will righteous; rather than sow discontent. We bless God who does not withhold love from us.

God of all peoples, we give thanks for this precious earth, our island home. We share your grief over wars and conflicts throughout the globe. We ask that your Spirit be with Arab League members this week as they meet to discuss the Sudan crisis. We bless God who does not withhold love from us.

God of all peoples, we give thanks for this glorious spring on Orcas Island and for all mothers. We give thanks that you have blessed them with the joy and care of children. We know that you gave them calm strength and patient wisdom so that they may teach children to love whatever is just and true and good.
We bless God who does not withhold love from us.

God of all peoples, we give thanks for the Emmanuel vestry who spent hours in retreat yesterday discussing where our Emmanuel journey should lead us next.

We bless God who does not withhold love from us.

God of all peoples, we pray for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit, from addiction, unemployment, mental illness or homelessness, particularly those we now name either silently or aloud, (pause) and especially for those on our parish prayer list… and especially for those for whom no one prays; may they be comforted by your Holy Spirit.

We bless God who does not withhold love from us.

God of all peoples, we pray for those near death and those who have died, especially  Sarah Geiser and Dick Burghardt, asking that they may rest from their labors, and enter into the light of God’s eternal sabbath rest.

We bless God who does not withhold love from us.