Week of December 31, 2025
Steve Richardson
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God in heaven and in our midst: This day we find ourselves again at the mark of a measurement of time conceived by our ancestors. While we set the standards of a calendar and counting of days, you, Omnipotent Creator, set the standards and laws of a physical universe so vast and marvelous that it is beyond our imagination and wisdom to comprehend.
And you are still creating! We sense it through transformation, healing, opening of doors to justice, dawns of new hope and life, repentance and restoration. So, as we traverse time into 2026, give us an openness to your sacred re-creation. Help to see, choose and follow pathways of living you shape for us.
Your grace and love abound around us. Yet we are so easily distracted by brokenness we see and experience so frequently. Causes of despair can be overwhelming: health concerns, broken relationships, grief, social injustices, financial uncertainties, loneliness, natural disasters, ecological disruptions, abuse, war, oppression, violence (just to name a few). Despite the challenges that kindle discouragement, remind us of your promise that you will steadfastly continue to be with us. Grant us the courage, confidence and wisdom to do things that enable your will being done – even when we might feel such actions are inadequate and mistakenly wonder, “Will it really make a difference?”
Once again, members of Church Street are opening their hearts to open the building’s doors to sharing space, warmth, food and safety to unhoused neighbors imperiled during frigidly cold winter nights. Thank you for the leaders, volunteers and staff who redirect their personal time and talents to this service. Acts like these bring reality to Jesus’ assertion, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Thank you, God, for your many blessings: Blessings known, blessings we take for granted, blessings we don’t even recognize or overlook due to the busyness of daily life, and blessings to come. Lead us to respond to these through sharing your grace with others and through living our lives in ways that magnify praise to you.
Lord, bless us and keep us. Shine your face upon us, and be gracious to us. Lift up your countenance upon us, and give us peace. We also humbly ask you to attend to these expressions and needs of people in our church community. Surround each person with your loving embrace…
We pray for ….
- Our homeless neighbors
- A member’s brother who is in hospital awaiting heart and kidney transplant
- A young child healing from surgery right after Christmas
- For the Blount County Sheriff’s department and families in their grief
- A member’s stepmother who is having heart stints put in today
- Young adults who are struggling to find meaningful work that will support them
- For all creatures great and small … especially our pets.
We continue to pray for …
- Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
- All those for whom the holidays are difficult because of grief, loss, or heartache ….
- A family with young children who are without a father after a tragedy.
- Those who are grieving after a miscarriage.
- For loved ones who are traveling.
- All of our homeless neighbors
- A couple hoping for pregnancy
- A member and her sister as they continue to make decisions for their mother
- Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.
We give thanks for ….
- A member whose cancer is in remission
- Successful surgery for granddaughter
We also open our minds and hearts to you, gracious God, with the prayer Jesus taught us:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.
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