Oh Beloved Shepherd, we are indeed your lambs,
ready to spring in May pastures, reaching to understand your
mysterious presence in all that is. We thank you for the abundant
grace that fills our lives and the lives of our treasured priests,
Berto and Hugh, and all those to whom we turn for guidance.
Let all who hear this prayer be filled with your light, oh God.
May goodness and mercy abound.
Blessings and prayers for all those spiritual leaders everywhere:
including our Bishop Greg, Presiding Bishop Michael, and all
others who uphold the way of peace and love throughout the
world. May they all find ways to reach and reassure those in
particular need in these perilous times.
May goodness and mercy abound.
Blessings to all who guide the feet of others on the path of love.
We pray for everyone who works with younger people: teachers,
medical personnel, librarians, and volunteers from every walk of
life whose service helps shape young minds and hearts. We pray
for and express ongoing gratitude to our island farmers and those
who give their service to the food bank. May their knowledge of
your wisdom and truth deepen with every footfall taken upon
their journeys.
May goodness and mercy abound.
Please help political and judicial leaders in this country to see the
way of wisdom in their deliberations and help them to uphold
choices that serve humanity and the world in the way of love.
May goodness and mercy abound.

We pray for the abused earth, for its dwindling diversity, and for
those who remain oblivious to its plight. May we find the means
and the will to counteract the devastating effects of pollution,
warfare, and climate change. We ask special prayers for those who
have lost their homes—human and animal—in the devastating
fires of New Mexico.
May goodness and mercy abound.
Our Emmanuel Community is blessed with generosity and
kindness. Your abundant gifts make it possible for us to reach out
to others in need. Help our church community to recognize and
respond appropriately to the needs of our larger community,
including those suffering from familial problems, lack of housing,
inadequate nutrition, addictions, and physical and mental
challenges. We cannot pray too much for children affected by
these and other difficulties, and we hold them in our collective
spiritual heart.
May goodness and mercy abound.
Take time now to add any special concerns in your own heart.
(long pause) And we pray in one loving voice for all those on our
Parish Prayer List (pause) …

… and those for whom no one prays;
may they be comforted by your Holy Spirit. Let us not be
blind to the way of your wisdom, oh Lamb.
May goodness and mercy abound.

Let us pray for those celebrating birthdays this week:
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we
pray, on your servants Mike Elliman (5/8), June West (5/8),
Kate Kinney (5/9), Mike Reid (5/11), and Mike Krieger
(5/13) as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow
in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your
goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those celebrating Anniversaries this week:
Grant, O God, in your compassion, that Jeffry & Monica
Steele (5/12), having taken each other in marriage, and
affirming again the covenant which they have made, may
grow in forgiveness, loyalty, and love; and come at last to the
eternal joys which you have promised through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.