Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Praying for the churches of Southern Virginia

As part of our liturgy at Annual Council 2015, each delegation wrote a prayer for their parish. We are sharing these prayers each week in the eNews so that we all can support one another in the upcoming year.

St. John's, Hampton
Almighty and everlasting God, who from the beginning has placed within each one of us all that is needed to succeed in walking the path of the cross, we pray for your guidance of our Evangelical ministry at St John's in Hampton.  We beseech you to increase our understanding and tolerance of those who have yet to find you, allowing our own lives to serve as examples of your love.  We also humbly seek your mercy to remind us what it is like to be new, and ask for your grace as we extend ourselves in service to those on the margins, as well as those in mainstream.  All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Christ & Grace, Petersburg
Most holy and gracious God, we give you hearty thanks for sustaining us as a vibrant congregation of worshipers and servants in Petersburg for nearly 175 years. We ask for your help and guidance as we plan meaningful ways to celebrate our past and seek new vision and empowerment for the years ahead. Refresh and renew us as the footprints of the past lead us into a spirit-filled future of offering hope, healing and hospitality to those both within the church and in the greater community. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.