Week of March 11, 2026

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Gracious and Almighty God, we come before you this day with grateful hearts, giving thanks for who you have made us to be at Church Street, disciples of Jesus, growing in our love for you and for our neighbors. Every time we gather in worship, we are reminded anew that we are your people, your salt of the earth, your light of the world.

We thank you for the hymns we lift together, hymns that carry the voices of the saints who have gone before us and join our voices with those yet to come. We thank you for the gift of our chancel choir and the beauty they offer in song. We thank you for your Word, which nourishes our souls every Sunday, and for the wisdom you pour out through our Sunday School classes and small groups, drawing us ever deeper into the life you have called us to live.

Lord, this past Sunday, you revealed a gracious gift to us. You are sending Rev. Jonathan Jonas to serve as our senior pastor. We lift him and his family before you now. Guide them as they prepare for this transition, surround them with your peace, and go before them in every detail of this new calling. Prepare our hearts and minds here at Church Street to receive him and his family with open arms, open spirits, and open doors. May the bond you are forming between pastor and congregation be one that bears much fruit for your kingdom.

We also give thanks for Rev. Carol Price-Guthrie, who will be joining our pastoral leadership to serve the work in East Knoxville. Bless her ministry, Lord. Grant her wisdom, courage, and endurance for the work you are setting before her.

O God, we turn now to a hurting and troubled world, and we confess that we hardly know where to begin. The violence in the Middle East, in Iran, and in Israel fills us with sorrow and with fear. Our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters in the military are involved, and the suffering of so many people weighs heavily upon us. We know that the consequences of this war reach far beyond the battlefield, touching lives and futures we cannot fully see.

In these moments, Lord, we find ourselves at a loss. We do not always know what we ought to pray for, or how we ought to pray. The groaning of the world is too deep for words. And so we lean upon the promise of your Spirit, who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, praying on our behalf even when we cannot find the language for our own longing.

We cling to your promise, O God, that you will judge between the nations and settle their disputes, that the day is coming when swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, when nations will no longer take up swords against nations, and the training for war will cease. We ask for that day, Lord. We ask for your shalom, not merely the absence of conflict, but the wholeness, the flourishing, and the deep peace that only you can bring.

Holy Spirit, teach us to pray. Intercede for us and for this broken world. Align our hearts with the heart of the Father. Move in the halls of power and in the hidden places of suffering alike. Let the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds, and let it flow through us into the world around us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

We pray for ….

• A sister who has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. May she feel the love around her, and may her daughters accept this. They just lost their father six months ago. Prayers for strength and calm.
• A young mother was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankful for early diagnosis and prayers that she will be completely healed!
• Young adults who are single and feel the weight of being alone sometimes even though they are independent and happy in their life.
• A family in the sudden death of their wife and mother.
• Those who are traveling over spring break.
• A young adult who is struggling with mental health concerns. Prayers for family to make good decisions together.
• A son whose mother lives in another country and is facing difficult health concerns; prayers for the family who is there with her.

We continue to pray for …

• Our military and their families.
• Children who are living through the trauma of war.
• A brother facing lung cancer.
• A young man who began a month-long residential addiction rehab a few weeks ago. Prayers for strength and that he does not feel alone.
• A cousin awaiting kidney transplant.
• Church members who are undergoing chemotherapy, may they feel God’s strength as their body fights cancer.
• One who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
• A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.
• For a young couple with a child and expecting twins; prayers for good health.

We give thanks for ….

• Springtime weather!
• Caregivers who love unconditionally.
• A good visit with family this past week.

And we offer the prayer that 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.

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Week of February 25, 2026

Rev. Tim Best

___________________________ 

Gracious Maker of Heaven and Earth,

The one who shapes all that is, the seen and the unseen,

Open our eyes to your presence. Help us to believe, with our words and our actions, in Jesus Christ. We confess our faith regularly in worship, claiming that Christ is Lord, and that his kingdom will have no end. Help us to live as those people that trust that the dead will be raised, that when it appears there is no hope, Christ overcomes.

Hear the sighs of those who are tired. We think of those that are exhausted from work, from all the demands on time and energy, and from the all the complexities of life. Renew your people. Allow them to know your rest. With joy and promise, restore all who so often feel hollowed out and worn.

Grant your healing to all those who suffer and or know any infirmity. We pray for those going through treatments of any kind, those recovering from surgery, and those waiting upon hope.

Guide and direct our church family as we continue to seek to be your people called together in this place and at this time. May we be filled with your Holy Spirit to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We praise you for the opportunities to serve your people through the warming center. As warmer weather approaches keep before us the needs of all our neighbors. Lead us on this Lenten journey so that we might follow you more faithfully in word and deed.

In trust and hope we offer these concerns for our community:

We pray for ….

• A family grieving the death of a mother.
• A brother facing lung cancer.
• All the homeless people and animals when it is so cold.
• A grandson who has a huge opportunity before him—may he feel God’s peace regardless of the outcome.
• A young man who began a month-long residential addiction rehab this week. Prayers for strength and that he does not feel alone.
• Church members who are undergoing chemotherapy: may they feel God’s strength as their body fights cancer.
• One who is having hip replacement surgery next week.
• A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.

We continue to pray for …

• A member who is having ongoing health issues, chronic illness. Situation compounded by lack of sick days. No pay when they are not able to come to work.
• Friends who are going through a difficult time.
• For one who is recovering after a fall, prayers for complete healing and that he can return to work.
• For a young couple with a child and expecting twins, prayers for good health.
• One who was injured in a motorcycle accident; at home now. Continued prayers for healing.
• A man in his early 30’s who is experiencing painful headaches and a loss of partial vision after a stroke. Prayers for healing and patience.

We give thanks for ….

• A nephew who is home after an extensive stay in rehab.

We take heart and seek your strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

Week of February 11, 2026

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________ 

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

Gracious and ever-present God,

You know the rhythm of our days and the longings of our hearts. Meet us here, in this in-between season of endings and beginnings.

We give you thanks for the sacred work of the warming center of these past weeks. Through open doors, warm meals, late nights, and early mornings, you reminded us that your kingdom comes through ordinary faithfulness. We thank you for the volunteers whose feet and willing hands became the body of Christ among our unhoused neighbors. You met them in their fatigue with strength and in their giving with joy. Bless them, sustain them, and let them know their faithfulness has meant the world to those in need. We thank you for generous gifts and shared resources, and for what cannot be measured, the relationships formed, the trust built, and the grace quietly woven among us.

Now we stand at a threshold. This past week, we learned that our pastor, Rev. Catherine Nance, will be retiring in June. God, we thank you for Rev. Catherine Nance and her faithful leadership through seasons of challenge and joy. As she prepares for retirement, grant her rest, health, and deep joy. May she know how deeply she is loved and how lasting her ministry with us will be. Holy Spirit, guide the bishop and appointive cabinet as they discern the next pastor for Church Street. Prepare us as well. Quiet our anxieties and make us ready to receive the one you will send us.

Remind us, O God, that we are yours. That transitions are held in your faithful hands. Keep us missional and grace-filled. We are not without hope. We are your people, and you are our God. In the name of Jesus, who walks with us through every transition, we pray.

Amen.

We pray for ….

• A member who is having ongoing health issues; chronic illness. Situation compounded by lack of sick days. No pay when they are not able to come to work.
• Friends who are going through a difficult time.
• God to help us show more love towards one another.
• A member’s healing and rehab after knee replacement surgery on Monday.
• One who has asked for complete healing from cancer.
• For those adjusting to assisted living centers, memory care, skilled care; and for the families who love them.
• A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.

We continue to pray for …

• A friend who is battling recurrent brain cancer and is having seizures.
• A young woman asking for strength and perseverance as she deals with symptoms of PTSD … nightmares and other symptoms. May she feel God’s peace.
• All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
• Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
• For one who is having chemo treatments; prayers for healing and for no side effects.
• A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
• Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
• 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 brother received a transplant!

We seek your guidance and strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

Have a Prayer Request?

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Week of January 28, 2026

Rev. Tim Best

___________________________ 

God of strength and mercy,

Hear us when we call out to you, gracious Lord. When we lift our voices, with longing, with expectation, out of grief or suffering, hear us. We are drawn to you, and our hearts guide us towards you. Yet, we often feel overwhelmed and overburdened by the world. These burdens can lead us to despair. Do not allow us to become lost in despair. Grant us strength and patience as we wait upon you and desire your presence and action in our world and in our lives.

Comfort those who suffer, and grant justice to the oppressed. Even more, transform our hearts and teach us in your ways. Gift us with hearts of compassion toward others. Inspired by the Psalm, we pray not just for your intervention, but we pray for education and transformation. Renew our hearts and shape our minds that when we see the suffering of others, when we see the needs of others, guide us to the ways you would have us respond. Show us your paths and help us to follow them.

We pray for our nation. We pray that all people would see the humanity of all your children. We have come to a point of such struggle and disagreement that we know not even what to say to friends and neighbors. We don’t know how to pray in the wake of tragedy and in light of the news. Teach us your mercy and your steadfast love. May your church be guided by your wisdom to speak and minister in this moment. We pray for those who are leading, we pray for those who are imprisoned or are in fear, and we pray for Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota.

Gather those who are sick and help them to see your face and to know your goodness. Walk with those who are undergoing treatments or surgeries, tests, or procedures. Hear the cries of those in pain, those who feel alone in their struggles. May we all find hope in the promises of scripture that we would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

We lift up all our prayers and the needs and joys of this community as we wait with expectation and hope for the coming of your kingdom. As an act of trust in your mercy and goodness we share the concerns of this Church Street family with you.

We pray for ….

• All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
• For a member who is beginning the cancer treatment process with appointments for scans, etc.
• For a 5-year old child in Birmingham diagnosed with brain tumor; prayers for his medical team and family.
• For those adjusting to assisted living centers, memory care, skilled care; and for the families who love them.
• Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
• A family traveling out of the country; for safety and fun!.

We continue to pray for …

• A 43-year old nephew in Baltimore, who is being transferred to a rehab hospital today to continue treatment following implantation last week of a Baclofen Pump to help ease the pain of associated with Cerebral Palsy.  Also continued prayers for his mother and other caregivers.
• Spouses who are caring for their spouse; the toil of caregiving and the feeling of isolation. Prayers for mercy and strength.
• A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
• Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
• 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.

We take heart and seek your strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

Week of January 14, 2026

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________ 

Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting” (John 4:35).

Gracious and loving God,

We thank you for this new year you have set before us, a year still fresh with promise and possibility. As we stand in this season of Epiphany, we remember our baptism and renew our identity as your beloved children, marked by grace and called into your light. You remind us, O Lord, that the fields are already ripe for harvest, not someday, not four months from now, but now, if only we would lift our eyes and see.

We bring before you the rhythms of our lives. We pray for students who have returned to classrooms, for teachers and staff beginning a new semester, and for college students navigating new challenges and hopes.

Strengthen those who are faithful to their commitments and encourage those who are weary or discouraged. When resolutions feel heavy, and resolve begins to falter, remind us that your mercy is new every morning.

We thank you for Church Street United Methodist Church, for the prayers we have prayed and the commitments we have made. Receive our pledges and offerings not merely as financial gifts, but as signs of our trust in you and our desire to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Use what we bring to strengthen our United Methodist connection, to bless our community, and to invite others into the joy of following Jesus.

Beyond what we give, shape our hearts to be available to you. Teach us to answer your call to love you with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Make us attentive to your voice, courageous in our witness, and generous in our compassion.

Lord, we pray that this year would be a year of great abundance at Church Street. Abundance of joy that overflows into hope. Abundance of welcome, as you add to our fellowship new people and new stories. Families, children, youth, and young adults, all drawn by your love and grace.

Send us into your harvest fields with open eyes, willing hands, and joyful hearts. May all that we do bring glory to you and bear fruit for your kingdom.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.

Amen.

We pray for ….

• All those who are going through cancer treatments; especially those dealing with the side effects. Lord, in your mercy …
• A family whose beloved border collie died this past week.
• 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!
• A friend and their baby
• A friend who had unexpected open heart surgery. Praying for healthy recovery and comfort and strength for the family.

We continue to pray for …

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

• Volunteers who have helped welcome our homeless neighbors on cold nights.

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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.