Month: May 2024

DEAR GOD thank you for guiding us another week. We have many experiences again.  Some are bumpy and some give us joy and excitement.  We thank you for keeping us safe and healthy for another week.  For those of us who have had some health issues we ask that you continue to give us strength to battle thru these tougher times of illness or injury.  

As the week unfolds, we again see your handiwork all around us as grass grows even greener and flowers continue to pop their buds.  We thank you for the opportunities to plant gardens, whether vegetable or flowers.  It allows us to help manage what gifts you have given to us in seeds and starter plants.   When we see things sprout it somehow gives us new life and energy.  Energy to face the day and whatever it may bring.  Help us not to pass over these beautiful signs and cues of growth and wonderment.  And yes, we even thank you for the rain that sometimes forces us in and alters our plans. 

We pray for those in power in our government whether local, provincially, or federally.  They all have tough decisions to make and it is not always easy to make tough decisions.  Continue to give our politicians, at all levels wisdom, respect for each other  and courage .  We also lift our prayers for other parts of the world that are not experiencing the peace that we do.  When we read or see the news it is unfathomable how people could treat others with such hate.   We know this has been in the world since time began but somehow, we wish and hope for a better opportunity for those in unsettled and troubled parts of the world.  Hold the innocent parents and children close to you and somehow give them peace.   In our own small way allow us to be peacemakers in the world that we live in. 

We are thankful for the ongoing work of the church here at WMC and we are thankful for our pastors Clare and Paul.  May you continue to give them wisdom as they lead us here.  We are blessed to have them here and we are thankful for their spouses as they offer support.  We also offer thanks for the administrative and support staff that keeps our church moving and viable.  For all the volunteers here we are also thankful for their energy and attention to detail.   Continue to guide leadership and also the Search committee here at WMC as we look ahead.  We fully believe you have a plan and you will lay it out to us.  Help us to be wise and patient in our decisions.  As you have for almost 50 years here at WMC continue to lead us and allow us function humbly and wisely moving forward.

We are reminded about your presence in PSALMS 23 where you describe yourself as a Sheperd.  You tell us that in good and bad times you are with us guarding and guiding.  Help us to remember that in the times of strife, anxiety and struggle we ALL face .  Forgive us when we go off on our own and try and do it our way.  It can be easy to do but help us understand the correct path.  As we hear the message on SUNDAY may we again understand that the Holy spirit is ever present.  This is a gift and a promise from you.  We are thankful for this gift.

We bring to you prayers for our body here at Wellesley Mennonite.

Dear God we come to you this week with many things on our mind.  Some come with joys and celebrations others come with sadness and genuine concern about  current life situations.  We bring all these to you and ask for your ongoing strength and guidance.  We thank you for meeting us in the GOD moments both the mountain top experiences and even the times when we least expect it.  We thank you for taking care of us even when we aren’t aware of imminent danger or concern.   We also thank you for guiding us thru stressful and life challenging experiences.  You promised us you would never leave us or forsake us.  It is easy to feel you when things are calm. Help us to know we can and should reach out to you when times are tough, chaotic and we are feeling pressure from all sides.  Help us in these challenging times to know we should flex our faith muscle and allow you to be in the moment with us. In those days that are long, and it feels like we may not make it thru, continue to be there for us.  Help us to cling to what you told us thru Paul in Ephesians 3:20 that you, GOD , “can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think”. 

As Spring is upon us, we are thankful for all the visible, aromatic and audible cues of your creation.  For the ever-growing green grass, the new buds that are popping out, the fresh smell of lilacs allow us to gain spring energy from this.  When we see the many different colors of the birds that land on our bird feeders we are in awe of your creation.  We thank you for the many stars that enhance our night skies and the northern lights that make us aware of your creation.  From all these Spring cues we are so thankful for your creation, and we thank you for these signs that you have everything under control.  May we use these cues to gain strength and give us energy to face the tasks in front us as well as to know you are right there with us. 

For all this we are thankful

Transforming, creator God, we celebrate and rejoice in your goodness and love this morning, knowing that as we come to you in worship, you desire to change us, to renew and transform each of us to be more like Jesus. We hear the words of Paul resonating with our hearts and desires.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. ² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12: 1-2, NRSV)

O God, we confess that there are times when we fail to present ourselves as a “living sacrifice”, when we find our minds trapped by the perspectives and craziness of the world. Forgive us Father and renew our minds and hearts. Holy Spirit, give us courage to trust our lives to your leading, to live each moment, each day, in the awareness and power of your presence, allowing the love and grace of Jesus to come alive in and through us.

For those in our community who grieve and are hurting today, bring comfort and peace. Give patience and a spirit of hope to all who wait, whether for healing, answers to prayer, wisdom for tough decisions, or for the walls of hate and broken relationships to be torn down. God, transform lives and situations in ways that bring glory to your name. And God, if you choose to bring about that transformation by working through us as individuals, give us obedient hearts and the courage to be led by your Spirit.

God, we praise you for the calling you are birthing in the heart of the individual who will be the next pastor here at WMC. Grant to this individual a spirit of obedience, and bless our Search Committee and Church Leadership with holy wisdom and discernment.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145: 1-4

Creator God, we give you praise for the beauty and wonder of creation as brown lawns turn green, dry bulbs burst forth in beautiful flower, trees bud, blossoms proclaim your greatness, and birds sing. As you spoke this world into existence, you saw that it was good, and we too would say, yes and Amen. We give you praise!

This morning we are again keenly aware that many in our world also groan in pain, go to sleep hungry, and live in fear and uncertainty. God, we pray for a miracle of renewal and healing, peace and forgiveness in our world, especially in those parts of the world where hatred reigns and wars and conflict take centre stage. We also pray for a spirit of forgiveness and peace in our lives and our relationships. Make us instruments of your peace, Holy Spirit, and mould our hearts so that we grow in our walk of obedience to our Lord. Grant us sensitivity to hear the voice of God, eyes to see needs and opportunities, and courage to act with love and Holy Spirit power. God, we celebrate that you choose to work in us and through us. May your will be done.

For those in our families, our congregation, and our community who grieve today, grant hope and comfort. For those who face health challenges, anxiety over jobs, finances, or relationships, fill them with peace, courage, and holy wisdom. Be our strength in all situations and seasons of life. God, we celebrate answered prayer, we rejoice in your healing, and we praise you for your presence with those who are walking through seasons of fear.  God, for those in a season of waiting grant patience and perseverance, for the lonely bring comfort, and grant rest to those who are weary. We also pray for our church leaders as the pastoral search continues. Holy Spirit, be present as we work through our annual business meeting today; grant wisdom and unity. We give thanks!