Eternal God, we give thanks for your Church and for our leaders, Michael, Greg, Berto and Hugh. May they remind us that you said “Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.”

We commit our way to the Lord and put our trust in You.

Eternal God, we give thanks for the United States and for our leaders. May they keep us and all inhabitants safe and free.

We commit our way to the Lord and put our trust in You.

Eternal God, we give thanks for this precious earth and all inhabitants across the globe. May those in harm’s way, be kept safe and draw comfort from your Spirit. May those in authority, find the courage to broker peace rather than wage war and protect their constituents and the environment rather than reap rewards.

We commit our way to the Lord and put our trust in You.

Eternal God, we give thanks for your church Emmanuel, our vestry and especially Tony Ayer and Deborah Sparks as they complete their 3-year term.

We commit our way to the Lord and put our trust in You.

Eternal God, 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 those for whom no one prays; may they be comforted by your Holy Spirit.

We commit our way to the Lord and put our trust in You.

Eternal God, we give thanks for the lives of the departed and pray for those near death as well as those that stand vigil and mourn. We give thanks for the witness of Frederick Douglass, whose impassioned  speech moved the hearts of President Lincoln and a people to a deeper obedience to Christ.  Strengthen us also to be outspoken on behalf of those in captivity and tribulation.