Month: July 2022

We give thanks this morning, oh God, for the privilege of being called your people, your children, the sheep of your pasture. We praise you that through your great love and grace, we too have been grafted into the Vine, your Son Jesus. We rejoice!

Jesus, we also celebrate that we are a part of your Body, the church, both here at WMC and around our world. This morning as we gather to worship with believers from all across Canada we give thanks for the privilege of worship, of being able to bring honour and praise to you God, in the name of Jesus. We also pray for the leadership of MC Canada, for pastors and church leaders across our country. May they be filled with your Holy Spirit, may they walk in obedience to you Jesus, and may they experience daily the fullness of your love and grace. We also give thanks for the church around the world, for all believers who know you Jesus as Saviour and Lord. My we become your hands and feet, serving and loving in a world where fear and hurt abounds. We pray for believers who face persecution and abuse. Grant perseverance, strength, and an abundance of grace and love for those who hate. We give praise for the Body of Christ.

So this morning as we gather together, we pray and worship using the words of the Psalmist David, in Psalm 96.

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

⁴ For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
⁵ For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
⁶ Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.
⁹ Worship the Lord in the splendor of his^[a] holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.

As we come before you God we also bring the following praises and requests.

We praise you God for your presence in the lives of each member of the MDS Team as they have served this past week out East. Thank you for your blessing on the physical work completed and for the building of relationships. God, may the memories and learning of this week be honouring to you and formative in the lives of each team member

Oh God, help us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Grant comfort to those who grieve and may your presence bring peace to those who are lonely and discouraged. For those who are facing major life decisions grant Godly wisdom; where relationships are broken bring healing and redemption of the situation.

We also pray for renewal and refreshment during these days of holiday and travel.

We pray for all who are caregivers for aging parents and loved ones. Grant patience, an abundance of love, and the wisdom to make wise, loving decisions

We pray for the many needs that our community of faith face. Grant courage, strength, and peace. We pray for all those in long-term care living with Covid outbreaks.

Thank you Jesus for your presence with those of our Households of Faith.

God, may you fill them with your joy, grant strength for each day, and may your love flow through them to all they meet.

We give you praise and thanks in the name of Jesus!

Amen

Oh God we give thanks this day and rejoice in these words of healing and hope from

Isaiah 53. We give you praise for the gift of life through your Son, Jesus.

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
³ He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
⁸ By oppression^[a] and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.^[b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes^[c] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
¹¹ After he has suffered, he will see the light of life^[d] and be satisfied^[e]; by his knowledge^[f] my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,^[g] and he will divide the spoils with the strong,^[h]because he poured out his life unto death,

and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Thank you God for the privilege of prayer, and for your invitation to bring all our needs to you.

We bring before you the members of the MDS/SYP Team, praying for your protection in travel and on the worksite, for joy and strength as they serve, and for deep compassion in each heart as they grow in their awareness of the needs of our world.

Oh God, help us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Grant comfort to those who grieve and may your presence bring peace to those who are lonely and discouraged. For those who are facing major life decisions grant Godly wisdom; where relationships are in tatters bring healing and restoration

We pray for all who are caregivers for aging parents and loved ones.

We pray for the many needs that our community of faith face. Grant courage, strength, and peace. Surround and keep safe all those in long-term care living with Covid outbreaks.

Thank you Jesus for your presence with those of our Households of Faith.

Be their strength, their peace, and their source of grace. Hold them in your hands.

We pray your peace and presence over Graham, Kara, Nathan & Iris Schwartzentruber. Hold them close to your heart, inviting them to rest in your love. We give you thanks.

We also pray for Luke & Delores Schwartzentruber. Hem them in, behind and before; grant them a deep awareness of your presence and your holy love. Grant wisdom and grace as they walk this road of life.

We give you praise!

In light of the theme “Come to the Water” that we will follow for the next several weeks, I would encourage you to read the following.

A Letter from God – taken from portions of “Come Thirsty” – Max Lucado

Dear child of mine

Are you thirsty? Come and drink. I am one who comforts you. I bought you, and complete you. I delight in you and claim you as my own, rejoicing over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. I will never fail you or forsake you.

I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins, yet my grace is sufficient for you. I have cast all your sins behind my back, trampled them under my feet, and thrown them into the depths of the ocean! Your sins have been washed away, swept away like the morning mists, scattered like the clouds. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. Your citizenship is in heaven. Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.

You are worried and troubled about many things; trust me with all your heart. Let me strengthen you with my glorious power. I did not spare my Son but gave him up for you. Won’t I give you everything else? March on dear soul with courage! Never give up. I will help you; I will uphold you.

Trust in me always. I am the eternal Rock, your Shepherd, the Guardian of your soul. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

So, don’t worry. I never tire or sleep. I stand beside you. The angel of the Lord encamps around you. I hide you in the shelter of my presence. I will go ahead of you, directing your step and delighting in every detail of your life. If you stumble, you will not fall, for I hold you by the hand. I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. Wars will break out near and far, but don’t panic. I have overcome the world. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. I surround you with a shield of love.

I throw my arms of love around you, lavish attention on you, and guard you as the apple of my eye. I rejoice over you with great gladness. My thoughts of you cannot be counted; they outnumber the grains of sand! Nothing can ever separate you from my love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Your fears for today, your worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep my love away.

Give me your burdens; I will take care of you. I know how weak you are, that you are made of dust. Give all your worries and cares to me, because I care about what happens to you.

Remember, I am at hand. Come to me when you are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. I delight in you, and I can be trusted to keep my promises. Come and drink the water of life.

Your Maker, your Father

God

Thank you God for your love, for the gift of Living Water, and for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Give us faith to trust wholly in you, to drink deeply so that streams of Living Water will flow from within us, changing our world. We give you praise.

Listening God, we also pray for those whom you hold close within your heart,

the sick, those living with chronic illness, the vulnerable;

those who are lonely or isolated, most especially long-term care residents who continue to deal with covid outbreaks and lockdowns.

those awaiting test results, surgery dates, and those who are journeying cancer treatment. May hope burn bright!

We pray for the discouraged, the heart-broken, the fearful, the dying, and those who stand in need of healing and wholeness.

We pray for those facing major life decisions, change, and those who grieve.

Hold each heart secure within your own and strengthen us to walk in your ways of love.

For needs named and for those we hold deep in our heart, we offer our prayers in the strong name of Jesus the risen Christ. Amen

We pray for all who are caregivers for aging parents and loved ones.

We pray for the many needs that our community of faith face. Grant courage, strength, and peace. Surround and keep safe all those in long-term care living with Covid outbreaks.

Thank you Jesus for your presence with those of our Households of Faith.

We praise God as they bless their family with care and support, and use their gifts to also serve here at WMC and in the community. May God be your strength and joy.

Good and gracious God, we give you thanks for summer days;

for early sunrises and bird songs that greet us each morning.

We thank you for summer’s change of pace,

anticipation of travels and rest,

the joy of weddings & reunions,

quiet mornings enjoying coffee on the porch.

We give thanks for your glory revealed each new day,

for your sustaining presence with us and all of creation…

God of peace, we offer our prayers today for places in the world that are in turmoil….

There are so many places….too many to name….

We pray for parents worried about food shortages and hungry little tummies;

Those suffering under the harsh hand of corrupt political powers;

We pray for a nation in mourning following horrific assassination.

We pray for countries where bombs rain down and tanks rumble down city streets.

We pray for the precariously housed here in Wtloo region and beyond;

those struggling financially, relationally, emotionally.

God hear our prayers for courage, peace, safety, hope!

Listening God, hear our prayers for humanity – open the eyes of our hearts to see the good in one another, to see your image, your face, your heart….

Listening God, we also pray for those whom you hold close within your heart,

the sick, those living with chronic illness, the vulnerable;

those who are lonely or isolated, most especially long-term care residents who continue to deal with covid outbreaks and lockdowns.

those awaiting test results, surgery dates, and those who are journeying cancer treatment. May hope burn bright!

We pray for the discouraged, the heart-broken, the fearful, the dying, and those who stand in need of healing and wholeness.

We pray for those facing major life decisions, change, and those who grieve.

Hold each heart secure within your own and strengthen us to walk in your ways of love.

For needs named and for those we hold deep in our heart, we offer our prayers in the strong name of Jesus the risen Christ. Amen

We pray for all who are caregivers for aging parents and loved ones.

We pray for the many needs that our community of faith face. Grant courage, strength, and peace. Surround and keep safe all those in long-term care living with covid outbreaks.
We pray for our Households of Faith. May these summer days bring about renewal, opportunity for reflection, and restorative rest for mind, body, and spirit. Giving thanks for our households of faith may joy, peace, and love fill each heart and home. Amen

Holy One, thank You that You have been our strength in times past, and that You continue to support and strengthen your people through every season of life. For babies, their fragrance, their vulnerability, the softness of skin, we give thanks. For toddlers and children, full of energy and endless questions, squirming, and spontaneity, we give thanks. For teens, maturing and growing, young adults spreading wings and growing in independence, we give thanks. For all the stages of adulthood; the joys of family life, adventures, intimate relationships, for grandparenting, we give thanks. For the golden years of wisdom, grace amidst limitations, a time for reflection, a time for retirement, we give thanks and pray that you would be glorified through each stage and season.

We give thanks for summer days – ripe strawberries, the refreshment of swimming and the fun of water balloons; backyard bbq’s and fire flies. As school terms have wrapped up, summer jobs and vacation planning under way, we pray for refreshment for educators and students, bright celebration for our graduates. We pray for spaciousness in each day to soak in the beauty of each day. Vibrant sunsets; the warmth of the sun of our cheeks, waves that ebb and flow.

God, we offer our prayers for whose needs, or pain, or suffering, we carry deep in our hearts. We pray for compassion and comfort for all who are grieve, the weak, the frazzled. We pray for those anticipating appointments and the unexpected journey of treatment as well as their families as they support and extend care. We pray for the frustrated, the discouraged, those who are weary of struggle, or division, and those who live with pain. We pray for long-term care communities locked down amidst covid outbreaks. We pray for patience, comfort amidst isolation and loneliness. And we pray for safe travels for all on the roads these days.

We pray for Ron Gerber who has had a difficult week. Ron is receiving treatment for an infection. He is very weak and feeling unwell. Ron appreciates prayers for healing, restored strength, and deep measures of patience. We also pray for Ron’s family as they have taken on primary care giving roles. Grant them peace, strength, and rest. We pray for all who are caregivers for aging parents and loved ones.

We especially pray for all those currently impacted by covid outbreaks and lock-downs including loved ones at Nithview Home and Fairview Mennonite home. May God’s comfort surround all those experiencing isolation and loneliness.

We pray for Grace & Elmer Neeb & family as Grace begins chemotherapy tomorrow to treat leukemia. Grace & Elmer appreciate all the prayers and care they have received. We pray for treatment to do its healing work and for sustained strength and peace for Grace.

Surround and keep safe our loved ones in long-term care.

We pray for our Households of Faith. Whether at work, at rest, at play, may each know your love and peace. May relationships be seasoned love and may the peace of Christ fill each heart.

We pray Holy One as those desiring to walk faithfully in your ways saying: Our Father……………..

VBS Prayer:

VBS….. is opportunity to attend to the sowing of the seeds of faith…. Trusting that through the Spirit those seeds will be received, nourished, grow, and bear fruit.

Bible Stories, songs, activities including comforter knotting and milk bag mat making….are seed sowing opportunities.

Seeds are nourished through the accompaniment of patient and kind leaders and volunteers ….

It is God that makes the seeds grow.

Let’s pray: Abundant and Joy-giving God,

You fill your world with a season of summer delights. Fill us with the joy of this season.

As we gather in the midst of summer days to hear and engage with and live into your story of love, may our days together lead to new friendships, new activity, new insights, and a strengthened and deepened relationship with you.

May your Spirit shower upon teachers, leaders, and volunteers; giving energy, creativity, and patience. May your love embrace the children and young people who join us for VBS so they may come to know you more deeply. May your people experience good fellowship in these days as we study, create, and play.

Bless us, O God, as we seek to learn from your living Word and to share your love. As you gather us in for VBS, send us out beyond this place to show the world what we have come to know: that your grace and welcome and wonder are for all. We pray in the name of your Son. Amen.