Lord, we give thanks for your church and for all clergy especially Melissa who is with us today. We ask that they remind us to be at peace with one another.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Lord, we give thanks for these United States and our leaders. We ask that they think of all the people of this country balancing today’s concerns with tomorrow’s future when they make decisions on our behalf.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Lord, we give thanks for this precious earth, our island home and all nations and people. We ask that leaders think of diplomacy rather than war and find peace. We ask that all those in harm’s way have some quiet to sense your loving Spirit.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Lord, we give thanks for our beloved Orcas Island and the surrounding Salish Sea. We ask that remembering that this is all a gift from you, help us to be responsible stewards, ensuring its care for future generations, while also seeking solutions to housing challenges.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Lord, we give thanks for all people. We ask for the comfort of your Holy Spirit or 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 to mention silently or aloud) and especially for those on our parish prayer list and those for whom no one prays.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
Lord, we give thanks for the lives of those near death and their caregivers as well as those that recently died and their mourners. We hold them in our hearts before God.
Our help is in the Name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
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, Fran Holt (10/1), Amanda Reid (10/2), and Kathi Anderson (10/3), 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 her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for those celebrating anniversaries this week.
Grant, O God, in your compassion, that Michael & Sally O’Brien (10/1), who have taken each other in marriage, 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.