O God, as we acknowledge the pain, grief, and turmoil of our world, we choose this day to give thanks and praise for your grace, love, and presence in our lives as individuals and as a body of believers. We rejoice that you are the one true God; you have made us and we are yours, we are your people, your children, and the sheep of your pasture. We also give thanks and praise for the body of Christ around the world and especially lift up those who are suffering or grieving due to war, persecution, or famine. God, grant strength, perseverance, and the power of the Holy Spirit as their comforter and sustainer. May your will be done in and through all of our lives and we echo the words of the Psalmist who wrote “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken…..Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” (Psalm 62: 1-2, 5)
God, help us to live in hope, with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and our lives in your hands.
God, we ask your blessing on this congregation as we transition to new pastoral leadership. Grant Paul Dyck holy wisdom and strength as he comes to serve and lead as an interim pastor, and we pray the Spirit’s calling on the pastor you have designed to be here for the longer term. We also pray for your blessing of wisdom on our leadership and members of the Search committee.
Father, thank you for the privilege of bringing our needs to you and we lift up prayers for members of our church family and our community. We pray for all those who grieve and experience loss and loneliness, praying that they may know the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We lift up all those in our congregation and families who are being cared for in Nursing homes or in Long Term Care. Thank you for their lives and faithful witness to your grace and love. May they know that they are valued, loved, and deeply appreciated.