Weekly Prayer – February 12, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of February 12, 2025

Written by Steve Richardson

Spirit of God, descend upon our hearts as we turn our thoughts to you. Thank you for moments such as these. Thank you for the abundance of your blessings. Thank you for your constant presence in the very core of our being.

Spirit of God, please help us. There is so much to pray for. With faith and hope in your gracious goodness, we pray for our world, our nation, our leaders, our family members, our neighbors, our health, our relationships, our work places, our schools, our aspirations, and your church. Grant us your grace, your guidance, your wisdom, your healing touch, your strength, your creativity and your peace. 

Spirit of God, please help us. Inspire us to be kinder, more loving and more charitable, especially to people short-changed by life’s necessities of nourishment, safe shelter, medical services and loving, supportive relationships. Help us to be Kingdom people, God. Instill in us the impetus to continue what you have always asked of us: Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you.

Spirit of God, please help us. The minds and emotions of children, teens and young adults are being shaped by older peoples’ decisions and examples. Guide every generation’s perceptions to discern the differences between truth and deceptiveness, between integrity and infidelity, between mutual respect and intentional indifference. Help all of us, young and old, embody the love and compassion demonstrated by Jesus.

Spirit of God, please help us. Help us to think of each new day as a blessing. And to think of each blessing as the beginning of a new day. Also help us to realize that to love one another is to act in your name. And to act in your name is to love one another.

Spirit of God, please help us. Shed your sacred light on us. Connect us as your people. So that together, we collectively shine your light evermore brightly across this dark and frenzied world.

Spirit of God, please help us. Help all who ask each of us in your church community to pray with them for these things…

We pray for…

  • The mother of a member who is under hospice care and in much pain and stress. May she know the Eternal Peace of God soon; prayers for her son and husband and who are coating for her.
  • All of those who have the flu! May they be well soon and may we all be careful and healthy!
  • Any who have suffered physical violence.
  • One whose arm is broken up to his shoulder and is having to keep arm/shoulder immobilized. Prayers for patience and healing.
  • Family members and friends going through difficult times.
  • A husband who is in hospital with pneumonia; his Alzheimer’s adds stress to the situation. Prayers for peace and healing.

We continue to pray for…

  • Those in our church family who are undergoing radiation treatments; keep them strong during such a fatiguing process;
  • Those in our church family who are caring for those with cancer; the waiting between treatment cycles and tests to show if/how the treatment is working…. Prayers for patience and strength while waiting;
  • Family members who are grieving
  • Knox County Schools students, faculty, and staff
  • Friends and family going through difficult times
  • Child who is recovering after being in a car wreck that took his mother’s life. Prayers for the whole family.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • The doctors and surgical team who have completed surgeries for newborn grandson
  • Our new preschool; the staff and children. 
  • The Organist & Music Assistant Search Committee and the good work they have done. Prayers for our new organist and family as she prepares to move to Knoxville.

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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Weekly Prayer – February 5, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of February 5, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

Gracious God,
We need your steadfast presence and a sense of your calm more than ever it seems!
Breaking news every few minutes about changes in how government is being handled is unnerving.
Heartache amidst the Potomac crash, the Antioch school shooting, and mass shooting in Sweden weigh our spirits down.
People are saying they are angry or confused or frightened!
We need this moment on Wednesday evening to pause, O God.
As we read this prayer together, let us realize that we are together in you.
Your love is what binds us together and it is in your love that we find peace and comfort.
When we feel frantic, may we feel your calm.
When we feel anger, may we seek your righteousness.
When we feel afraid, may we find refuge in you.
Help us to focus on what is near; what is close to us.
There are people in our church family who are praying for one another.  God is near.
There are people who care about their neighbors. God is near.
There are librarians who welcome the homeless during the day. God is near.
There is a school principal who is taking time enouraging teachers who feel overwhelmed. God is near.
There are acts of kindness that we have done today and acts of kindness that we have received today. God is near.
Sometimes, O God, we just need to remember that you are not far away.
You do hear our prayers.
You do care about the orphan, the widow, and the stranger in our midst.
You do care.
In a world that seems to have forgotten to care for one another, it has been good to pause and to remember that you are the One who breathed Life into us. And you do care.
Having felt your love and care, O God, may we have the strength to face tomorrow with a loving and caring spirit to those we encounter.
Thank you for the gift of our church family who joins us in prayer! It means so much to know we are here for each other and that we pray for one another.
Receive these prayers that have been offered ….

We offer prayers for….

  • Two daughters who are in the process of moving their mother to a new home. 
  • A preschool teacher who has had a child’s mother opt to leave the program for fear of ICE coming to the school; prayers for this child who is missing her teacher and friends. 
  • Parents of adult children who ask for help in navigating hard conversations.
  • Those in our church family who are undergoing radiation treatments; keep them strong during such a fatiguing process;
  • Those in our church family who are caring for those with cancer; the waiting between treatment cycles and tests to show if/how the treatment is working…. Prayers for patience and strength while waiting.
  • A wife as she prepares for funeral of her husband this week.
  • Those who have been affected by violence in their homes.
  • A member who is caught in the middle of federal government changes; uncertain of job security….Prayers for all of the stress it is causing among colleagues.
  • A nephew who was in a special education program funded by federal grants; the anxiety that has been caused due to threats of cuts or freezing funds.
  • An eleven-year old who has just been diagnosed with leukemia; has already started chemotherapy and a four-week hospital stay at Children’s Hospital.
  • A friend diagnosed with stage 3 kidney cancer; prayers she will not be fearful.
  • Knox County Schools students, faculty, and staff.
  • Friends and family going through difficult times.
  • Those dealing with medical records pertaining to health and insurance will do so with confidentiality and honor the privacy of patients.

We continue to pray for…

  • A father and two little boys whose wife/mother was killed in collision; prayers for cousin as he prays and cares for extended family;
  • Immigrants in our city – even those who have documentation – who feel so fearful and feel targeted.
  • Those who are starting new jobs. 
  • Young adults who are struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues. They are under so much pressure! Lord, let them know you care!
  • A father who is undergoing tests to discern next steps for heart health.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • Rev. Rick Isbell and those leading confirmation retreat this weekend; the seven sixth-graders and their parents who are attending; may it be a time of deep commitment.
  • The birth of a great-nephew.
  • Successful surgery for brother.
  • The doctors and surgical team who have completed surgeries for newborn grandson.

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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Weekly Prayer – January 29, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of January 29, 2025

Written by Rev. Tim Best

Gracious and loving God,

In the midst of the busyness and strain of the day, we stop to pray. We trust that as we have offered quick prayers throughout the day that you have heard and known our hearts. Even the inner thoughts we have wrestled with today are known to you. May we be comforted that you know all that has weighed upon us today. You are aware of what has troubled our minds and burdened our hearts. Speak your peace into our lives and grant us stillness in this quiet moment.

As the day closes, we offer our prayers for those dear to each of us. We pray for families and friends. Where we are aware of the needs of those we love, may we see where your grace and mercy are at work to care for and nurture those in need. We acknowledge before you that we often do not see the needs, the suffering, the pain, of those closest to us. Yet, your love and grace overcome every barrier and you see the inner workings of every heart. May your mercy pour out upon all those in our lives and in our communities that we lift up to your care.

But may your mercy flow even further. May your mercy be so great in abundance and so overwhelming in it’s power that we would see it wash over our world like a great wave. Moved by your mercy we pray for our enemies. We pray for those that we disagree with, we pray for those who hate us, we pray for those who would harm us and those we love. In light of messages of hate spread through our neighborhoods and around our region, we pray for those motivated by hate. May those who speak hatred and fear be transformed by your love. We pray that we would each day be renewed by your love, and so better love all those around us.

We pray for our nation and for those in leadership. We pray that all who lead would be guided by your mercy. We pray for local leaders trying to serve and improve our communities. We pray for state officials charged with the direction of so many programs vital to the thriving of our state. We pray for congress and the president, that they may humbly seek to lead all peoples for the benefit of the whole nation.

We pray for those who suffer and those facing uncertainty. Comfort and care for those who are alone, those who are ill, and those in any sort of trouble. Give strength to caregivers and those who support. Make us to be a community that welcomes the lonely, feeds the hungry, and comforts the hurting. Mark us with your mercy and peace. Breathe your Holy Spirit into us this night as we prepare to rest. May we rise tomorrow ready to face any challenge and to name and celebrate every joy. May we find each day signs of your grace, and enable us to always sing your praises.

We pray for….

  • A member in the death of her husband last night; prayers for peace
  • A friend with blood clots
  • Friends and family who are non-believers
  • Institutes of higher ed who are going through reorganization
  • Immigrants in our city who are feeling threatened
  • Those who are receiving cancer treatments
  • A husband who has pneumonia and his wife who is caring for him – and trying to stay well!
  • Members and friends who are going through radiation, chemotherapy, and waiting ….
  • A cousin’s family; daughter was killed in collision leaving two children, ages 6 & 9; one in critical condition. 

Lord, in your mercy … hear our prayers

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • A great weekend at REZ with the youth and all the youth of Holston Conference
  • A successful heart procedure for a friend
  • The birth of a new baby! Thankful for the love and support of family!
  • Mother and child who were baptized Sunday.

We continue to pray for…..

  • A mother in hospice care and son and spouse who are caring for her
  • An aunt who is going through a very painful divorce; also prayers for her children.
  • A dear friend who was a victim of the attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Prayers for friends who witnessed it. Prayers for all who are dealing with tragic loss from this horrific event.
  • All those affected by fires in LosAngeles
  • A daughter who is traveling to study abroad this semester.
  • A member who asks for prayers for relief from pain so her body can begin to heal
  • A friend who has been indigent – but inspiring – who has serious heart disease. Prayers that the doctors who are caring for him will help find the right drug combinations

We offer these prayers alongside the petitions and praises of your people from every nation as we join our hearts in praying the prayer that Christ are one and only Lord taught us to pray, saying…

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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Weekly Prayer – January 22, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of January 22, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance*

*This is a slightly different version of the prayer used Sunday morning, January 19, 2025. Rev. Nance adapted it from a prayer by Rev. Teri McDowell, Presbyterian Outlook, 1/15/2025 and from one in our United Methodist Book of Worship.  

Gracious God, your grace is lavish and abundant. We bask in the outpouring of your love for us – just like the wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee that we read about last Sunday. You offer grace and love more than enough! We thank you for the gift of prayer. As we pause to pray together, we give thanks for others in our church family who are praying with us as we read this prayer. 

We continue to pray for our country and our leaders. We pray for President Trump and Vice-President Vance. As in the oath they have taken, guide our political leaders to “preserve, protect and defend” in ways pleasing to you, O God. Endow them with the wisdom of humility, to foster healthy collaboration and across-the-aisle problem solving. Guide them in executing the duties of their office faithfully and solemnly, for the good of the whole, not the favor of the few. We pray for their families as they begin this journey. 

Give to the people of our country zeal for justice and strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will. Forgive our shortcomings as a nation; purify our hearts to see and love the truth. We pray for local communities, for county and city leaders, and for all the agencies and institutions who represent our best intentions. Guide us all in kingdom living. 

We think of those who are near and dear to us. You have created us to be in community and relationships. We always pray for the world, but you know there are those whose names and faces tug on our hearts more tenderly. It is humbling to us that your heart holds us all. We pray for those who are struggling with health, with job issues, with finding purpose; those who are doing their best to help others and perhaps have neglected themselves. May those we love feel the presence of our prayers and know they are not alone. 

We pray all these things through Jesus Christ who taught us to pray….. 

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.

We pray for….

  • An infant grandson who had surgery on his skull Monday
  • A member who is transitioning to a new job; prayers for the patients she leaves behind and prayers for a strong start as she begins new work.
  • A daughter who is traveling to study abroad this semester.
  • A member who asks for prayers for relief from pain so her body can begin to heal
  • A friend who has been indigent – but inspiring – who has serious heart disease. Prayers that the doctors who are caring for him will help find the right drug combinations
  • Our country
  • A young family with lots of changes going on – mostly good – but brings stress!
  • A man who works in our building; is afraid to go out because of fear of being deported
  • Our youth who will be at Resurrection this weekend; for Pastor Tim and all of the leaders and interns.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • A sister’s biopsy results that showed a benign tumor
  • A spouse who supports in so many ways!
  • An uncle’s successful move to assisted living
  • Church members who share their gifts of creativity

We continue to pray for…..

  • Those who have been hospitalized and are healing at home or rehab
  • A mom who has been in ICU; now able to sit up and converse; praying for the right rehab facility
  • An aunt who is going through a very painful divorce; also prayers for her children.
  • A dear friend who was a victim of the attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Prayers for friends who witnessed it. Prayers for all who are dealing with tragic loss from this horrific event.
  • All those affected by fires in LosAngeles

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Weekly Prayer – January 15, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of January 15, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance*

*Today, Church Street United Methodist Church was honored to host the MLK Interfaith Prayer Service. It was so inspiring to hear from a variety of community religious leaders speak of Dr. King’s inspiration. For tonight’s prayer, we offer a few excerpts from prayers that Rev. Dr. King prayed during his life …. 

Eternal God, out of whose mind this great cosmic universe, we bless you. Help us to seek that which is high, noble and good. Help us in the moment of difficult decision. Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, a better distribution of wealth, and a brother/sisterhood that transcends race or color.

***

God, give us strength of body to keep walking for freedom. God, give us strength to remain nonviolent, even though we may face death.

***

God, grant that we wage the struggle with dignity and discipline. May all who suffer oppression in this world reject the self-defeating method of retaliatory violence and choose the method that seeks to redeem.

***

God, remove all bitterness from my heart and give me the strength and courage to face any disaster that comes my way.

***

God, we thank you for the inspiration of Jesus. Grant that we will love you with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves, even our enemy neighbors. And we ask you, God, in these days of emotional tension, when the problems of the world are gigantic in extent and chaotic in detail, to be with us in our going out and our coming in, in our rising up and in our lying down, in our moments of joy and in our moments of sorrow, until the day when there shall be no sunset and no dawn.

***

We thank you for your church, founded upon your Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon you. Help us to realize that humanity was created to shine like the stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace. Help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children — Black, White, Red, Brown and Yellow — will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the reign of our Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.

We join praying with people around the world the prayer that 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.

We pray for….

  • One who has been in pain since knee replacement surgery; trying different therapies. Prayers that PT and meds will help without causing damage to other conditions.
  • The safety of cattle in Newport; Needmore area. A pack of wild dogs is attacking livestock. Farmers are in danger as well as they care for their animals. Pray for safety of animals and humans. Prayers for county officials to come up with a good way to ensure safety for all.
  • One whose mother is in Cardiac ICU; thankful she is making good progress
  • A son and spouse who are caregivers for elderly mother and her ongoing medical needs; prayers for patience and peace. Pray that doctor can find ways to ease pain.
  • All church members who are in hospital right now.
  • An aunt who is going through a very painful divorce; also prayers for her children.
  • A dear friend who was a victim of the attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Prayers for friends who witnessed it. Prayers for all who are dealing with tragic loss from this horrific event.
  • All those affected by fires in LosAngeles; so many friends and family of CSUMC members.
  • A father who has been in hospital; hoping to go home before weekend. Thankful for family connections.A preemie grandson; doing well in NICU. Will need skull surgery soon.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • A truly inspiring interfaith prayer service this afternoon hosted by CSUMC and planned by the MLK Commemorative Commission. Wonderful seeing Christians of different traditions, Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i, and other faiths coming together to pray.
  • Our search committees for organist and director of youth who continue to do good work in discernment.
  • Eyesight improving since heart surgery

We continue to pray for….

  • All families who are dealing with cancer diagnosis and the unknown; waiting for more testing and seeing which treatment options are offered.
  • All who are caring for a loved one – especially a spouse – with dementia
  • Those who are in hospice care; their caretakers and families, also
  • Those who are receiving treatments for cancer.

Have a Prayer Request?

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Weekly Prayer – January 8, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of January 8, 2025

Written by Steve Richardson

Wiry, leafless trees line the ridge tops. Vestiges of symbols of the Christmas season are scarce. Children are back in school. Each day’s sunlight seems much too short. Our brains and skin are acclimated to thinking 50 degrees feels warm. We’re finally getting in the habit of writing “2025” instead of “2024.” Just some of the annual reminders to us, Lord, that it must be early-January! 

Yet we know, God, that even in the season of winter – – whether it’s the astronomical season or those emotional feelings of winter we encounter occasionally during our life journeys – – you never leave us alone. Never. Including those times we find ourselves on unfamiliar paths, you are there with us. Though we think of you as our God in heaven, you are also always in our midst, here where we are in each of our moments of daily living. 

Along our unfamiliar (as well as familiar) paths and at their many intersections, lead us to your peace, and deliver us from evil. Lead us to joy, and deliver us from strife. Lead us to renewal, and deliver us from injustice. Lead us to healing, and deliver us from suffering. Lead us to spiritual enthusiasm, and deliver us from complacency. Lead us to kingdom living, and deliver us from selfishness. Lead us to wisdom, and deliver us from apathy. Lead us to service, and deliver us from greed. Lead us to forgiveness, and deliver us from revenge. Lead us to compassion, and deliver us from hatred.  

And as you lead us in these many ways, Good Shepherd, make us sensible enough to follow. 

Thank you for the generosity of members of Church Street United Methodist who help keep the church shining as a beacon of mission, service and hope in our community. Thank you especially for inspiring clergy, staff, members, teachers and leaders to lift Church Street as a model of your grace in action. 

Thank you, also, for our area’s churches, organizations and volunteers who are providing warm, protective shelter for unhoused neighbors during this harsh weather we’re currently facing. Holy Spirit, we pray you swathe each person serving and being served with your blessings of sustenance and security. 

Lord, in your loving ways, hear and respond to these special appeals from friends who have expressed these prayers… 

We pray for….

  • Those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles: people, animals, plants! Praying for firefighters!
  • One who is at home after triple bypass; praying he gets the assistance he needs
  • A member who begins chemotherapy on Thursday for breast cancer. Thankful that surgery for early stage cancer went well last month.
  • One who had eye surgery on Monday; prayers for healing
  • Thankful for home health care
  • A husband who is in hospice care

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • The birth of a granddaughter! 
  • For online worship service
  • For justice ministries

We continue to pray for….

  • A sister who is having radiation for stage two cervical cancer
  • A brother -in-law who is receiving chemo daily for stage four lung cancer
  • A long-time friend who had kidney removed last week due to cancer; pray that she will be out of pain
  • A sister who is grieving the death of her brother; prayers for all of the family as they deal with this sudden loss
  • All families who are dealing with cancer diagnosis and the unknown; waiting for more testing and seeing which treatment options are offered.
  • All who are caring for a loved one – especially a spouse – with dementia
  • Those who are in hospice care; their caretakers and families, also
  • A friend beginning treatment for stage 4 esophageal cancer and who has now suffered a stroke
  • Successful heart bypass surgery at Cleveland Clinic
  • Friends who are dealing with depression and knowing how to help and how to be there.

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.

Have a Prayer Request?

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Weekly Prayer – January 2, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of January 2, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

God of all time, as we kneel before you in prayer on this second day of the New Year, we find ourselves letting go and holding on …. 

We had good intentions yesterday to make our list and to observe practices and disciplines, but then the tragic news from New Orleans jolted us into reality. Yesterday did not go as we planned; and now, our plans seem trite. 

So many things we want to change, so many things we would like to fix, so many hopes, and so many people in our lives …. As we kneel before you on this Ninth Day of Christmas, may your Spirit help us take a deep breath and begin again.  

We turn to words that have been prayed many times, especially at the beginning of a New Year. O God who makes all things new, maybe today, we will offer them with a willingness to hold on to you, and to let go of our pride that causes us to think we can change ourselves and our world on our own. May our lists of practices always begin with you. With “thine.” 

Thank you, Lord, for this prayer from John Wesley, a renewal of covenant. May it be our prayer each day of this new year: 

“I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.” 

We pray for….

  • The families of victims from the violent attack in New Orleans; for all who are following up with care, investigations, and all of the things that we cannot even imagine
  • A sister who is grieving the death of her brother; prayers for all of the family as they deal with this sudden loss
  • Children who are grieving the death of their mother after another diagnosis of cancer
  • One who is having triple bypass Thursday morning
  • A sister who is having radiation for stage two cervical cancer
  • A brother -in-law who is receiving chemo daily for stage four lung cancer
  • A long-time friend who had kidney removed last week due to cancer; pray that she will be out of pain
  • A family whose daughter was killed in car wreck
  • Families who are having funerals this week

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • Safe travels during the holidays
  • The birth of a baby – first child, first grandchild, first great-grandchild!
  • The life of President Jimmy Carter and Rosalyn; for their humble witness to serving Christ

We continue to pray for….

  • One who has been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer
  • All families who are dealing with cancer diagnosis and the unknown; waiting for more testing and seeing which treatment options are offered.
  • All who are caring for a loved one – especially a spouse – with dementia
  • Those who are in hospice care; their caretakers and families, also
  • A friend beginning treatment for stage 4 esophageal cancer
  • Successful heart bypass surgery at Cleveland Clinic
  • Friends who are dealing with depression and knowing how to help and how to be there.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Weekly Prayer – December 25, 2024

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of December 25, 2024

Written by Rev. Tim Best

God of Heaven and Earth,  

On this day that you come near to us, this day where you have shown that no distance is so great that your love cannot cross it, help us to receive you with joy. Our hearts burst with song and rejoicing at your love. The words of Charles Wesley give voice to our gladness at the entrance over your word made flesh. Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the newborn king. In the darkness of the world let your birth remind us that you are the author of all things, and that you have declared them good. May we give you glory and praise wherever we may be.  

“Peace on earth, and mercy mild”: We know by our own experience and the news from around the world that there is much need for your peace. Make us to be bearers of your peace. Where there is frustration or tension between us and friends or family, set your peace at work. Transform our hearts heal brokenness and disagreement. Where violence and hatred divide communities and nations, set your disciples to be at work to proclaim and embody peace and to show mercy always.   

“God and sinners reconciled!” We trust that any division amongst people can be overcome, because that which has separated humanity from your love has been overcome in Jesus Christ. Humanity is redeemed and remade in Jesus Christ. Where we feel distant from you love, remind us most of all on Christmas that you love us and desire to draw us close to you. For those who feel far from you, for those who do not know you, we pray and ask that they would know peace and mercy on this Christmas Day. We pray for those who are distant from others today; for the sick, for the hurting, the lonely, and those in any sort of trouble. May they feel your mercy present with them.  

“Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;” We glorify you for your love of all peoples and your redemption of the world. You draw people of all ages and races to be your disciples, and to witness to your mercy and grace. May all who would follow your Son adopt the same mind, seeing worth in all people. Make your church to stand against the forces of racism and fear of others. May your church across the world, speaking different tongues and existing in varied cultures be united in praise, and celebrate your reign over all heaven and earth.  

 With th’angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Join our voices, Gracious Lord, with all the company of heaven. May our praises on this Christmas Day be joined with the praises of your church across time and space and sing with angels and saints. Let us proclaim the brith of your Son in the humble city of Bethlehem. May we seek to sing his praises and serve his kingdom in all the places we find ourselves. May Christ be known in Bethlehem and in every community and town. We join our praises and prayers with the church on earth and in heaven, as we pray that prayer that our Lord taught us, saying:  

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.

We pray for….

  • A mother who is back in hospital after a fall
  • A member who was admitted to hospital yesterday
  • One who is grieving the death of his father
  • Family members and friends who are having a difficult time
  • Members of a Sunday School class who are holding one another close in prayer
  • People in other countries who do not know about the Christian faith; a prayer request specifically for China

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • A cousin who had successful liver transplant!

We continue to pray for….

  • One who has been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer
  • One has in midst of radiation treatments
  • All families who are dealing with cancer diagnosis and the unknown; waiting for more testing and seeing which treatment options are offered.
  • All who are caring for a loved one – especially a spouse – with dementia
  • Those who are in hospice care; their caretakers and families, also
  • A friend beginning treatment for stage 4 esophageal cancer
  • Successful heart bypass surgery at Cleveland Clinic
  • Friends who are dealing with depression and knowing how to help and how to be there.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Advent Devotional Week 4 –Love

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The Heart
Monday, December 23

By Andy Ferguson

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In our family, we have a treasured recipe for making fruit pies; it was written down by my sister-in-law, Rachel. It lays out piemaking in three sections: “The Crust,” “The Filling,” and “The Heart.” Ten years ago, I decided that there were not enough pies made, so I asked Rachel to teach me. This recipe was her gift. Occasionally, we make pies together. We talk about the task, of course. We talk about rolling the piecrust just so. At some point, Rachel will ask me who I’m thinking about as we are making pie. Are they worried? Are they going through a hard time? How am I grateful for them? What happiness am I hoping this pie will give them? She asks me about my love for them… as we make pie. The heart is our extra ingredient in every pie.

 

This year, I updated the family recipe for our grandchildren. Yesterday, we FaceTimed many times: when they were at the grocery, when they were making piecrust, and to answer a crucial question: “Salted butter or unsalted?” It occurred to me that just getting the steps in the recipe right was only half the pie. I know who their pies are for, and I know the love that motivates them to make the perfect pie for the family.

 

When the angels were preparing their songs of joy for the first Christmas, I imagine that they worried about the details: where to stand, how fast to fly, and how loudly they should shout to the shepherds. I can imagine God slipping into the Choir Room of Heaven and catching them fussing over their notes and the details. When God had heard enough, he raised a hand to get their attention. “Get Christmas right, of course. But, more: tell the world how much I care for them. Tell them I see their hard times. Tell them that tonight I am bringing joy. Tell them, ‘Your God loves you dearly.’”

 

For too long, we have assumed that a life of faith is living by rules that we might not even know yet. The gift of the Christ Child on Christmas shows God’s heart – and ours. On Christmas, God tore open the skies to shout out that God loves us profoundly, and joyfully.
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Weekly Prayer – December 18, 2024

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of December 18, 2024

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

 

O God, we know your love came before any calendars!

We church folks want to dig in our heels and say, “The twelve days begin on December 25! We’ve got plenty of time!” But, we know the world will not wait. Family is coming. Workers have scheduled time off. Plane tickets have been bought. And the tree is quickly losing its needles.

We will not pray the same prayer we prayed this time last year, O God. Remember? The one that began with, “O God of Advent, give us patience to look for your coming … let us not fall prey to the Christmas Rush the world puts before us….”

Christmas is Wednesday – a week from tonight – for some families it will be over by 10 a.m. that morning! And we have a sense of panic tonight. We know better, God. We really do!

So, we will pause tonight, and say, thank you God for tonight. Thank you for the people I love. Thank you for hot tea from the hospital cafeteria. Thank you for new windshield wipers on a rainy evening. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that whispers comforting words when we have run out of words to use. Thank you for the child at the store who was having a giggle fit. We pray for the parents who looked so tired, but started giggling too.

Thank you for the ability to look back over the day and say, “It is good to give thanks.”

Forgive us, God, when we take your son’s name in vain by cursing how quickly Christmas is coming. May we celebrate the birth of Love into our lives each day, regardless of the date on the calendar. We do thank you for cookies that were brought to the office and for left over apple cider that can be heated later. Christmas is coming, O God, and we are thankful.

Christ is coming! Let us give thanks!

Christ is with us! Let us give thanks!

 

We pray for….

  • One who has been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer
  • One in midst of radiation treatments
  • All families who are dealing with cancer diagnosis and the unknown; waiting for more testing and seeing which treatment options are offered.
  • Family members and friends who are having a difficult time
  • Members of a Sunday School class who are holding one another close in prayer
  • People in other countries who do not know about the Christian faith; a prayer request specifically for China
  • A friend beginning treatment for stage 4 esophageal cancer
  • Successful heart bypass surgery at Cleveland Clinic
  • A mother who has pneumonia and is in hospital
  • Answers from doctors
  • The school community in Madison, Wisconsin

 

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • Beautiful music from our Parish Adult Choir last Sunday – and the brass, tympani, and organ!
  • School being out soon!
  • A couple who is expecting! Prayers for a healthy pregnancy!

 

We continue to pray for….

  • All who are caring for a loved one – especially a spouse – with dementia
  • A member who is going through radiation treatments
  • A member whose husband is in hospice care whose parents are in hospice care

 

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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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