Music Videos
Be Still My Soul
I Lift My Hands
A Letter from Bishop Bickerton
January 15, 2021
 
This great nation will endure as it has endured,
will revive and will prosper.
So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief
that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself –
nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror
which paralyzes needed efforts
to convert retreat to advance.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933
 
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world
that we must love our enemies – or else?
The chain reaction of evil – hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars –
must be broken,
or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Dear Friends & Colleagues,
 
Do you feel as saturated and overwhelmed as I do? Many of us had been hoping that with the turn of the calendar, 2021 would open up a more peace-filled, hopeful pathway for our life and work. And yet, as we all are painfully aware, it has been anything but that. And as a result, it makes many of us wonder -- How much more we can absorb and address? READ MORE
Today's Prayer & Prayer Requests
When I say: 'See, I am making all things new'
You respond: 'Amen, make all things new!'
Leader: 'See, I am making all things new'
All: 'Amen, make all things new!'

Let's pray together:

We have hope. John writes in Revelation 21:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth;
for the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
'See, the home of God is now among the people.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the old order of things have passed away.'
And the one who was seated on the throne said,
'See, I am making all things new.'
Also, he said,
'Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.'
Then he said to me,
'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.'
We pray for those who are lonely. We hope in the promise that the home of God will be among people: that God will dwell with us, that we will be his people and that God himself will be with us.
We mention in our hearts those we know who are lonely or isolated.

Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

We pray for those who are crying; the sad, the depressed and the anxious. We hope in the promise that God will wipe every tear from our eyes.
We mention in our hearts those we know who are sad and who know tears.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

We pray for those who are experiencing the consequences of death, the bereaved and those who are mourning. We hope in the promise that death and mourning will be no more. We mention in our hearts those we know who are affected by death and mourning.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

We pray for those who are in pain, suffering from illness either physical or mental. We hope in the promise that crying and pain will be no more.
We mention in our hearts those we know who are ill or in pain.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

We pray for those who are thirsty for truth, love and grace; those who seek God and his life with earnest hearts. We hope in the promise that God will give water to the thirsty without cost from the spring of the water of life.
We mention in our hearts those we know who hunger and thirst for God.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

God, protect our vulnerable populations and our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the uninsured. For those sick with Covid19. God, heal and sustain their bodies and spirits. For our friends working the Covid19 front lines: Alayne Snyder, Drs. Johnny and Riny Kovoor. and Erik Lindholm.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

We pray for our families, for every relationship most dear to us, that you would guard our time, and our lives together. For our friends, family and colleagues where ever they may be throughout the country and world.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

We ask that you fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all across this nation. We pray for unity in our land, that in spite of our differences, we would be willing to stand strong together and live out our days with compassion and grace. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. We ask that you would help us to truly live a life of love.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

Lord Jesus, as we share a moment of silence together, we bring before you those needs known only to ourselves and name them in our hearts.
Lord you said, 'See, I am making all things new.'
'Amen, make all things new!'

Lord, your words are trustworthy and true. You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. We pray all this in the powerful and hopeful name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Valhalla United Methodist Church | 200 Columbus Avenue, Valhalla NY 10595
914-949-6252 | valhallaumc@verizon.net