Week of January 21, 2026

Rev. Amber Lloyd

___________________________ 

Holy One,

Our hearts are filled with a new song for you this day. We praise you for your everlasting faithfulness, your steadfast love day after day. Your grace goes before us, illuminating our steps and shining light in the dark places of our hearts. Your people at Church Street cry together today, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Heaven and earth are full of your glory!”

O God, we lift these cries with the angels and the saints in heaven, but we admit that sometimes our belief is shallow and tepid. We believe that you are God, that you sent your son, that your Spirit is with us. But our belief is merely an intellectual assent. We withhold our trust because it is easier to trust in ourselves. We guard ourselves against your conviction and direction because we don’t want to be changed. We want just enough transformation for self-improvement, but you desire more for us. You would have us be new creations in Christ. God, forgive us when we don’t trust you. Help our unbelief.

For those among us who face illness, unemployment, discrimination, or grief, we ask for the strength and comfort of your Spirit. For our neighbors experiencing homelessness and hunger, we ask for your protection and peace. Bless our enemies, Lord, and bring reconciliation between us and them. We ask these things knowing that, as your people in this world, we will seek to build your Kingdom on earth. By the power of your Spirit, may we be sources of strength and comfort, protection and peace, reconciliation and grace.

Hear our supplications, O God, as we list the concerns of our congregation and community:

We pray for ….

• A grandbaby in the hospital recovering from respiratory complications. Doing better today but prayers for strength and healing still appreciated!
• A member in the death of her cousin’s husband who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer; prayers for his wife and children. Giving thanks for a close-knit family and community.
• A member who is in hospital for pulmonary embolism. 
• A father hospitalized due to complications from flu & pneumonia.
• A 43-year old nephew who is having surgery today to put in a pump for a muscle relaxer to treat his Cerebral Palsy. Prayers for all those in Baltimore who are tending to him.
• A wife and mother meeting with oncologist tomorrow; prayers for clarity and a clear path forward for treatment and healing.
• A friend from out of town who ended up having open heart surgery at UT last week. Those who are grieving, especially those preparing for funerals this week and next.
• A family leaving on a celebratory trip to Costa Rica next week; prayers for safety and lots of good memories!
• A Sunday School class seeking increased wisdom; prayers for members who are struggling with workplace issues.
• Spouses who are caring for their spouse; the toil of caregiving and the feeling of isolation. Prayers for mercy and strength.

We continue to pray for …

• A friend from out of town who had open heart surgery at UT last week; prayers of thanksgiving for continued healing. 
• A member’s cousin who is waiting on kidney transplant.
• Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
• Our homeless neighbors
• 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.
• Those who are sick with flu; may they rest and regain strength and health!

We give thanks for ….

• Volunteers who have helped welcome our homeless neighbors on cold nights.
• The good coordination and communication between Office on Housing Stability, Cokesbury UMC, Eternal Life Harvest Church, ReLaunch, and Church Street UMC as we provide overnight shelter; and for Vestal UMC who supports during the day.
• All the things our family has; we want to be grateful and generous and not take anything for granted! We commit to giving and doing more. Thank you, God!

We give thanks for your son, Jesus Christ, and pray together these words which Christ 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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Week of January 7, 2026

Rev. Catherine Nance

___________________________ 

It is customary at the beginning of a new year for United Methodists to pray the Covenant Prayer written by John Wesley (1780). As you can imagine the language sounds … 1780ish. Rev. Jeremy Smith offers a contemporary version which still reflects Wesley’s intent. You can go here to read the original wording and to learn more about the Covenant Prayer. Rev. Smith’s prayer is offered tonight for us to share as we begin 2026.

I am not my own self-made, self-reliant human being.
In truth, O God, I am Yours.
Make me into what You will.
Make me a neighbor with those whom You will.
Guide me on the easy path for You.
Guide me on the rocky road for You.
Whether I am to step up for You or step aside for You;
Whether I am to be lifted high for You or brought low for You;
Whether I become full or empty, with all things or with nothing;
I give all that I have and all that I am for You.
So be it.
And may I always remember that you, O God, and I belong to each other. Amen.

Gracious God, as we begin a new year together, we covenant to pray for our the needs of our world as well as the needs of our church members who have shared the following concerns and praises …..

We pray for ….

• A member whose job is presenting frustrating challenges; causing mental stress and depression.
• A member who has been through cancer treatments and awaiting more decisions from medical team.
• A member who is facing surgery for cancer; may they feel God’s peace.
• Our homeless neighbors
• A member’s neighbors whose home burned over the holidays; prayers of thanksgiving that no one was hurt. Prayers for strength and quick restoration as they have lost home and all possessions.
• A member’s cousin who is waiting on kidney transplant.
• Those who are grieving; especially those preparing for funerals this week and next.
• Those who are sick with flu; may they rest and regain strength and health!

We continue to pray for …

• A member’s brother who is in hospital awaiting heart and kidney transplant
• Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
• 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 ….

• Birth of a healthy great niece!

We offer these petitions in the name of Jesus Christ and close with the prayer Christ 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.

Week of December 24, 2025

Rev. Tim Best

___________________________ 

Holy are you, God of presence and love,

You have made your love most fully known in and through Jesus Christ. As Christmas Eve settles around us, grant to each person your peace.

Calm the heart of every child. To those full of energy and joy, settle their spirits so they may rest. We praise you for their confidence in the love of family and friends. We are thankful for those children who will wake up in just a few hours, much earlier than normal, to find all the things the wished for. Help them to know that love is much more than packages and presents, yet help them to celebrate and give thanks for abundant blessings.

Grant your calming Spirit likewise to the anxious child, the one who goes to sleep hoping, longing, desiring items that might not arrive. May every child go to sleep tonight confident that they are loved, valued, and cared for. Where there are those in desperate need, move us to diligently work to proclaim your love and care through deed and action. May parents and caregivers who cannot give what is wished for, but have labored to provide what is needed, rest in the knowledge that those are the gifts that show a child love the most.

On this night that we celebrate the birth of our Lord, we pray for peace throughout the earth. We look with hope for that day when all war and violence will end and all shall know Christ’s peace. We pray for those who serve as soldiers, sailors, police, firefighters, and all emergency workers. Keep them safe, so that they may join their loved ones later to celebrate and rest.

Pour out your love upon those who are alone, those who are suffering, hospitalized, or ill. Open our hearts and transform us that we might offer friendship, community, care, compassion, and support to all we encounter. On this Christmas Eve, renew our commitment to your gospel, to the way of Christ, and to one another.

With hope in our hearts, and with a boldness of spirit we lift all that troubles us to your care. We rejoice in the good news that you are with us, that through Christ you have demonstrated your determination to be with us always. With trust in your love for us we share these needs of our church family:

We pray for ….

• Children everywhere.
• 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 …
• Those who are in hospital over Christmas
• A member transitioning from hospital to rehab; may she feel Christmas love.
• A family with young children who are without a father after a tragedy.
• Those who are grieving after miscarriage.
• For those who feel that evil is lurking in family relationships; bring wholeness.
• For loved ones who are traveling.

We continue to pray for …

• All of our homeless neighbors
• A couple hoping for pregnancy
• A member and her sister as they continue to make decisions for their mother
• A sister recovering from open heart surgery
• A colleague was recently diagnosed with lung cancer; she was pregnant and had to deliver early. Prayers for her and baby boy
• 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 clear MRI! No sign of tumor!
• The birth of a healthy granddaughter
• How well our grandson is doing this first year of life after so many surgeries!
• A nephew who has been serving out of the country for five months is now stateside.

With trust in Christ’s love for us, we join together in the prayer that he taught us, praying, Our Father….

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.

Week of December 17, 2025

Rev. Amber Lloyd

___________________________

O God of Grace and Mercy,

You sit enthroned on the praises of your people. All glory and honor is yours, Almighty God, and your people at Church Street join with the saints and the angels singing songs of adoration and joy today. All the earth is your footstool, but as those who seek to serve you in this world, we work to create a house built on the love of Christ, strengthened by the bonds of the Holy Spirit, distinguished by justice and mercy and love.

God, we give thanks for our church building this week, which has certainly been a house of justice, mercy, and love. We thank you for each guest who found shelter and warmth at Church Street and for the volunteers who acted as your very hands and feet in service to their neighbors. Each week, your children find solace within the walls of our beautiful church through prayer and praise in worship, through shared experiences and reading scripture, and, this week, through the provision of a safe place to sleep. We serve as Christ taught us, with gratitude and humility, for the love of you and our neighbors. May Church Street always be a sanctuary for every soul who seeks refuge and comfort there.

Today, we remember our Sunday night guests and all the persons in our city who need shelter and a warm meal. Holy Spirit, as we continue to seek justice for them and so many others, go before them when we cannot. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers for these people in our community. Give us courage as we strive to obey your call to serve those in need.

Lord, you love us so much that you know the number of hairs on our heads. In Jesus, you are present in our suffering. You collect our tears in a bottle and make note of each one. Be present with us now, O God, and in the lives of the persons and circumstances listed here:

We pray for ….
All those for whom the holidays are difficult because of grief, loss, or heartache ….
A colleague was recently diagnosed with lung cancer; she was pregnant and had to deliver early. Prayers for her and baby boy
A soup kitchen guest who had a job interview last week
Friends and family who are going through a hard time.

We continue to pray for …
All of our homeless neighbors
A couple hoping for pregnancy
A member and her sister as they continue to make decisions for their mother
A sister recovering from open heart surgery

We give thanks for ….
The birth of a healthy granddaughter
A nephew who has been serving out of the country for five months is now stateside.
All of the wonderful volunteers and donations for the Warming Center; thankful for the way government and churches are working together!
Wonderful music last Sunday! Thankful for our choir!
Angel tree helpers

This Advent season, as we look again at that familiar scene in Bethlehem, may we be filled with wonder by how you continue to work through even the most ordinary people, in the simplest of circumstances. Increase our awareness for the ways you are at work in our lives and in the people around us.

Together, we pray these words which Christ 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 evi
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.

Week of December 10, 2025

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________ 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG)

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

Gracious God,

Fill us again with the deep joy that flows from knowing you hold us. Tune our hearts to pray continually and to recognize your presence in every moment of our lives and in every encounter we share. We thank you for the joys experienced and lived among us today, for signs of grace, moments of encouragement, and for the ways you are moving in our lives, families, church, and communities. For these gifts, we give you thanks.

We also lift before you the concerns we carry in our hearts and minds, the burdens, the struggles unspoken, and the people whose needs weigh heavily on our hearts. Meet each one with your compassion, your strength, and your peace.

We pause now, O God, and in this sacred silence, we speak the names of those we are praying for today… (You may name individuals aloud or silently before God.)

Teach us gratitude that endures, even in hard places. Strengthen our hands for ministry, renew our spirits with grace, and let our work today reflect the hope we have in Christ. Amen.

 We pray for …

• A sister who had bypass surgery yesterday; prayers for good recovery.
• A four-year old granddaughter having surgery; prayers for her parents and all who care for her as she heals.
• A member grieving the death of his brother.
• A daughter grieving the death of her mother after a long illness.
• All of the churches that are opening as warming centers; our volunteers
• A member and her sister as they continue to make decisions for their mother
• A family grieving the death of their mother; prayers of thanksgiving for a close family and a wonderful life!
• One who is anxious about labor and delivery.

We continue to pray for …

• All of our homeless neighbors
• A couple hoping for pregnancy

We give thanks for ….

• The birth of a healthy granddaughter
• Successful surgery for brain aneurysm for son-in-law’s mother!
• Those who gave so much time to decorate the nave and Parish Hall. Our building is beautiful and welcoming to all this season!

We pray all of these in the name of 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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.