God of life and breath, you are our source of hope:
+ We give thanks for your gifts of life and love;
+ sustain us when we are feeling weary, broken, lost, or frightened;
+ open our hearts and minds to hear your word and call;
+ reform in us what needs reforming;
+ inspire us to be your hands and voice in your world;
+ strengthen us to take action to seek justice for our neighbors;
+ grant us courage and creativity to joyfully share your Good News.
We pray for your world and your people:
+ We pray for those who are hungry. Stir us to action to lift up our neighbors and seek policies that support them. We give thanks for our Synod Hunger Team and our partnership with ELCA World Hunger - helping us collaborate our efforts, find sustainable solutions to end hunger, and provide nourishment domestically and abroad. (Still time to check out the ELCA's Global Farm Challenge HERE.)
+ We lift up all in our communities who provide emergency services - those who respond first to bring aid: emergency medical workers, firefighters, community volunteers, and police. Grant them wisdom and safety in their work.
+ We pray for the safety and well-being of those impacted by the war in Ukraine; we pray for peace, wisdom, justice, repentance and reconciliation. We give thanks for the assistance provided by Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and our partners and companion churches in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe. (Support our new neighbors - Lutheran Community Services NW - lcsnw.org/ and Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service - lirsconnect.org/get_involved/action_center/siv)
+ We pray for those places, people, animals, and land affected by the devastation of natural disasters: drought, flooding, earthquakes, fire, and storms. Grant safety in the midst of chaos and fear; grant strength to those affected as they recover and rebuild. We pray for the safety of firefighters, first responders, members of the National Guard, disaster response volunteers, relief agencies, and neighbors who respond to individuals and communities in times of severe weather and natural disaster. Help us to be generous partners with Lutheran Disaster Response and encourage our mindful work in disaster preparedness with our regional partners at www.region1beprepared.org.
We pray for those who are grieving:
+ Gracious God, wrap your arms of love, peace, and hope around all who are experiencing any kind of loss, disconnection, or brokenness;
+ We lift up the Rev. Wendell Hendershott (retired, serving as part of the transition team at Faith, Bellingham) following the death of his mother, Ruth, on July 25. (Cards of care may be sent to: 3311 Illinois Lane; Bellingham, WA 98226.)
+ We lift up the Rev. Shannyn Fuerst (Faith, Seattle) and her extended family following the death of her mother-in-law, Bonnie, on July 24. (Cards of care may be sent to: 8232 18th Ave. NE; Seattle, WA 98115.)
+ We lift up the Rev. Tom Kidd (retired) following the death of his wife, Brenda, on July 23. Brenda's memorial service is scheduled for August 19 at 1pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland and will be livestreamed. (Cards of care may be sent to: 335 Harrington Road; Coupeville, WA 98239.)
+ We lift up the Rev. Daniel Bloomquist (retired and living in Illinois) following the death of his wife, Karen, on June 23. (Cards of care may be sent to: 140 Windsor Park Drive, Apt. #E220; Carol Stream, IL 60188.)
We pray for all who are in need of healing and strength:
+ We pray for those who are facing ongoing health concerns:
Abi Griffith (daughter of Pr. Eric Griffith), Dn. Nan Beth Walton, Pr. Ron Melver, Pr. Mikkel Hustad, and David Hillesland, father of Pr. Ivar Hillesland (Church of the Apostles, Seattle).
We pray for your church:
+ We pray for all who are planning, leading, and participating in VBS, day camps, summer camp, and servant trips. May these opportunities be safe, inspiring, and filled with your Spirit of love.
+ We lift up persons with disabilities in our congregations and communities during this Disability Pride Month. We celebrate and honor all of God's beloved people. Encourage us in our efforts to make our communities and congregations more accepting, just, and accessible. (Watch ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton's July 2022 video message HERE. Learn more about Disability Ministries in the ELCA HERE.)
+ We pray for our Rostered Ministers who are taking sabbatical leave this summer. May this time bring a sense of rest and renewal for them, for their families, and their congregations. We give thanks for those who are stepping into pulpit supply, pastoral care coverage, and leadership roles to support these important leave-taking endeavors.
+ From our prayer calendar, we pray for these ministries and their rostered leaders:
-- our Synod Finance Committee and Synod Treasurer, Bart Brosten;
-- for all who are preparing for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Ohio August 8-12, including Pr. Joanne Engquist (Gethsemane/Seattle) who serves on the ELCA Church Council and our synod's voting members: Bp. Shelley Bryan Wee, Synod VP Kay Edgerton, Rev. Esau Cuevas, Eli Daheim, Curt Eidem, Frankin Lulan, Laura Sasaki Norton, Kasey Shultz, and Rev. Rachel Swenson. (Learn more about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly HERE.)
-- our Companion Synod: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in European Russia;
-- the East-Central Synod of Wisconsin and their bishop, the Rev. Anne Edison-Albright.
+ We give thanks for the many years of many year of service of our retired pastors & deacons. This week we celebrate these retired ministers: Rev. Christen Anderson, Rev. Phyllis Anderson, and Rev. Terrie Anderson.
-- we pray for the leaders who are guiding ministries in a time of transition: transition teams, call committees, transition ministers, care pastors, congregational staff and lay leaders, and our synod staff;
-- we pray for all who are in discernment and/or awaiting call.
May our prayers rise before you as incense.
+ Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age;
+ Sustain, uplift, and encourage us as we live into your calling;
+ Trusting in your mercy and grace, we lift our prayers to you.
Amen.
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Please note: direct permission is needed prior to inclusion.
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