prayer concerns and celebrations (June 24)

Please pray this week for the following concerns and celebrations brought before God during worship last Sunday, June 24th:

CONCERNS. Prayers of healing for Bill, for Kyle, for Brad, for David; prayers of support for Sue & Janine’s move, for Jerry’s move, for Sean, for those mourning Carmen the cat; and for wisdom for Jerry to help family members make good choices. Later addition: prayers of support for the family and friends of Kyle Broussard (Laura’s cousin) who died Sunday of a brain tumor.

Almighty God, who sent Jesus to reveal the wonder of your saving love, renew us with your grace, and in all our weaknesses and griefs sustain us by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessed are you, Lord Jesus Christ. By your resurrection, you have power over all life and death. Hear us as we pray.

The LORD God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. – Isaiah 25:8

CELEBRATIONS. Thanksgiving and praises for those of us who participated in Queer Fest and Pride in Seattle; celebration of Sue’s mom’s 90th birthday, celebration that Josh was able to be at worship today (and Jerome, too!), and celebration for Janine’s father’s 74th birthday.

Lord Jesus, you have saved us through your death and resurrection, and have promised us a place with you in glory; in hope we say, Praise to you!

A breath of joy revives the world. In the joy of the Spirit, every tongue proclaims the marvel: Jesus Christ is our Lord! Alleluia!

my cousin Kyle

I just got the news that my cousin Kyle (only 20 years old) — whom we’ve been praying for for a while — died yesterday of the brain tumor.  I’ll now add prayers for his family (including myself) to this week’s prayer list (when I post it later tonight).  Please pray for his parents Kenny and Brenda, especially.  Thank you so much.

Laura

“cause us to always be centered on your love” (Lord’s Prayer for June 17)

Here’s the version of the Lord’s Prayer we used during last Sunday’s worship.  I also added to the “fresh versions of the Lord’s Prayer” page (see the button right below the blog banner).  Check that page out; we’ve built up a rich little collection of Lord’s Prayers, including this one.

O God, you love us like a good parent, and are present in every aspect of our existence. May your nature become known and respected by all. May your joy, peace, wholeness and justice be the reality for everyone as we live by the Jesus Way.  Give us all that we really need to live every day for you. And forgive us our failures as we forgive others for their failures. Keep us from doing those things which are not of you, and cause us always to be centered on your love. For you are the true reality in this our now, and in all our future. In the Jesus Way we pray. Amen. (David Sorrill)

We say, “In God I trust, I am not afraid” (call to worship June 17)

the call to worship from last Sunday’s worship:

To those who shout with bitter words and prejudiced hearts, we say,
In God I trust, I am not afraid.
To the voices within that doubt and fear, we say
In God I trust, I am not afraid.
To the forces of prejudice, to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, we say
In God I trust, I am not afraid.
To the diseases of heart, mind and body, we say,
In God I trust, I am not afraid.
God of Justice, God of beauty,
Holy Creator of us all,
In you we put our trust; to you we call this day.
Be with us as we worship.

prayer concerns and celebrations (June 17)

Please pray this week for the following concerns and celebrations brought before God during worship last Sunday, June 17th:

CONCERNS. Prayers of healing for Bill, for Kyle, for Brad, for Lou, and for Julie; prayers of support for JJ (in his coming-out process); prayers of safety and well-being for Kevin (Steve’s son); and prayers of support and healing for Deb (for her hands).

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord
who made the heavens and the earth. (Ps 121)

CELEBRATIONS. We give thanks for the wonderful weather we’ve been having lately, for Steve’s great day spent with Kevin his son, and for our fathers (whether with us or not).

O joyful light of the holy glory of the immortal father,
heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ!
Now that we have come to the sun’s hour of rest,
the lights of evening round us shine.
We praise our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, One God.
Worthy are you, O Lord,
at all times to be praised with undefiled tongue,
O Son of God, O giver of life!
Therefore you are glorified throughout the universe.

O Holy One, bless our pride, our celebration, our laughter, those who oppose us, our differences, those for whom it takes great courage to be here, our calls for equity and freedom, each one of us… O Holy One

A prayer for worship, June 10th, in celebration of Pridetide:

O Holy One, known to us in many ways, be present with us now. We ask for your blessings as we rejoice as a community this day. Bless our pride that it be a humble reflection of gratitude for who it is you have created us to be. Bless our celebration that it be an expression of our joy in love and in health. Bless our laughter that it herald the building of friendships and relationships. Bless those who may come to oppose us that our happiness may be contagious. Bless our differences as a source of our strength and a sign of our respect for one another. Bless those for whom it takes great courage to be here that they may feel the abundance of life. Bless our calls for equity and freedom that we may both speak and hear your vision of justice and of peace. Bless each one of us here today with your presence and our presence, one with another. All this we ask of you, O Holy One, for you are ever faithful to us. Rejoice with us today! Amen.

keep the faith! (call to worship June 10)

Last Sunday’s call to worship, in celebration of Pridetide:

Until those who seek to oppress us have ceased from their ways:
Keep the faith!
Until the government leaves our families alone and protects our children:
Keep the faith!
Until we can marry those we love:
Keep the faith!
Until hatred and prejudice are banished from our vocabularies:
Keep the faith!
Until the doors of all churches and temples and houses of faith open wide in welcome to all people:
Keep the faith!
Spirit of Compassion, Seeker of Goodness, keep our faith strong until the day when justice rolls down like the waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. May we be shapers and seekers and doers of justice all the days of our lives. Amen.

we claim the promise of the rainbow (a litany for June 10th)

A Litany of Freedom

All: We, as gay and lesbian people of faith, claim the promise of the rainbow, the promise of Creation’s sustaining love.

Reader 1: From the Hebrew Scriptures, we read: This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living thing.

All: We proclaim our pride. (Lighting of the Red Candle)

Reader 2: It is much easier for society and homophobic religion to tolerate a sad and pitiful homosexual than a proud and creative gay man or lesbian. May we march with pride and creativity in our whole lives.

All: We proclaim our bold intentions. (Lighting of the Orange Candle)

Reader 3: With Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we remember that the oppressed set both the time table and the agenda for liberation. If we say now is the time, then now is the time. May wisdom sustain us.

All: We remember that we are not isolated or alone in either our oppression or our struggle. (Lighting of the Yellow Candle)

Reader 4: May our pride and our quest for freedom light a flame within us that is a passion for justice for all who are disregarded, overlooked, or oppressed: native peoples, African-Americans, women, the poor in the United States and throughout the world, those with disabilities, our elders. May we realize our own participation in fear and denial, in injustice and lovelessness, and do what we can each day to live in equity and love.

All: We proclaim ourselves as people of faith, living for right relation in our world. (Lighting of the Green Candle)

Reader 5: May we become the bread of life, the wine of forgiveness and reconciliation as we break and pour ourselves out in the struggle against oppression and hopelessness.

All: We proclaim our vision of diversity and hope and our responsibility to share this vision. (Lighting of the Blue Candle)

Reader 6: May we join with one another and the spirit to follow in the way of the Hebrew prophet Isaiah by bringing good news to the oppressed, binding up the broken-hearted, comforting all who mourn, offering the oil of gladness and lasting joy. (Lighting of the Purple Candle)

prayer concerns and celebrations (June 10)

Please pray this week for the following concerns and celebrations brought before God during worship last Sunday, June 10th:

CONCERNS.  Prayers of healing for Shayla, for Kyle, for Brad, for Bill, and for Linda; prayers of support for the families of the two who died in that Toppenish apartment fire; prayers of safe travel for Jerry; and prayers of success for Sue and Janine in their move.

O God, well-spring of life, pour into our hearts the living water of your grace, that refreshed by you, we may live this week in steadfast reliance on the strength you give, through our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

CELEBRATIONS.  Praises and thanksgivings that the Yakima Library participated in this weekend’s Pride fest; for the success of Shayla’s surgery; for the creation and the ability to get up into the mountains to see more of it; for one year in a job Sue continues to enjoy; and for our congregation having raised a total of $3,044 for our debt fund (thanks to God for all those who contributed, especially the anonymous donor of $1500)!

We give thanks to you, O God, you who are good, whose steadfast love endures for ever.  You are in the midst of us, O God, and we are called by your name. Alleulia!

More prayer opportunities: MCC press release re the beating death of Sean Kennedy

Here’s MCC’s press release (from Rev. Nancy Wilson) about the killing of Sean Kennedy. More prayer opportunities.

A Message
From the Moderator’s Office
of Metropolitan Community Churches
__________________________________

June 1, 2007

Dear Friend:

I’m writing today to invite you to reach out with a word of love and encouragement.

Let me explain…

Just two weeks ago, 20-year old Sean Kennedy of Greenville, South Carolina was enjoying an evening out with friends. His friends and family describe him as happy, loving, energetic, personable, friendly, and caring.

As Sean left a “teen night” event at a local gay bar, a car pulled up, a young man hopped out, and Sean was beaten by an 18-year old in yet another senseless anti-gay hate crime.

Sean died the next day from injuries he received in that attack.

I was deeply saddened by Sean’s tragic death, and I was also deeply touched by the words of Sean’s mother, Elke Kennedy.

Listen to what she told a local TV station:

“When Sean told me he was gay, he said, ‘Mom, I understand if you don’t want to love me any more.’ And I told him there is nothing, ever, that you can do to make me stop loving him.” Then she added, “If your son or daughter is different, you need to support them for who they really need to be.”

So today, I’m simply writing to invite you to share your love and condolences with this mother, who loved her gay son so beautifully and unconditionally. Will you send her a word of encouragement and let her know she is in our prayers during her time of sadness and loss?

Notes and cards may be sent to her by postal mail at: Elke Kennedy, 7 Brandywine Court, Greenville, SC 29615. You may send e-mails to Elke at elke445@yahoo.com.

One more note:

On Sunday evening, June 3, a public vigil will take place in Greenville to honor Sean’s life. This vigil is being organized by Rev. Donna Stroud, pastor of MCC of the Upstate, along with other religious leaders and political groups, and Sean’s family will be present.

Below, I am including a copy of a public statement by Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman and myself which will be read at the vigil.

Won’t you join me in prayers that this vigil, along with the public attention it will receive, will help to motivate the state legislature to adopt a hate crimes bill? South Carolina is one of only four U.S. states that has never adopted any type of hate crimes law.

Thank you for taking a moment to respond to this request, and thank you for the many ways you share God’s unconditional love every day. “By your love for one another, everyone will know you are my disciples.” (The words of Jesus, from the Gospel of John 13:35)

Grace and peace,

~Nancy

Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches

prayer concerns and celebrations (June 3)

Please pray this week for the following concerns and celebrations brought before God on Trinity Sunday, June 3rd:

CONCERNS: prayers of healing for Eileen, for Shayla, for Margaret, for Ken, for Kyle, for Shelly, and for Sparky; prayers of support for Doreen’s family, for the family of 20-year-old Sean Kennedy in South Carolina and for the 18-year-old man who beat Sean to death in anti-gay hate; prayers of healing for all who suffer homophobia (killers and victims); prayers of hope that the AIDS epidemic will end soon and prayers especially for the children who are dying of AIDS every minute of every day; and prayers specifically for a queen-sized bed for Steve; prayers of hope that Pride weekend will go without a hitch.

O God, you are our refuge and strength: a very present help in trouble.

The lamb who was slain who is at the heart of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to the springs of the water of life; and God will wipe all tears from their eyes. Amen

CELEBRATIONS: thanksgiving for Clara and Bill being back in Yakima; praises that we can expect cooler days soon; thanksgiving for safe travel for Laura’s parents and for Laura’s grandmother continuing to improve; thanksgiving that Janine and Sue’s move is going well; and celebration that Ken was named Volunteer of the Year by the GLSSN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) and that Jane, in addition to being appointed to the National Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board, is now also a member of the local board.

Eternal and glorious God, you dwell in a high and holy place, yet draw us near in your beloved son, Jesus; we humble ourselves before you and thank you that we may know your loving presence, Creator, Redeemer, and Life-giver, our one true God for ever. Hear our prayers of thanksgiving. Amen

Happy Birthday to Jerry!!

Happy Birthday to Jerry!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Jerry, Happy Birthday to you! And many more!

May this day and all your days be filled with the wonder of God’s special love for you. Happy Birthday!

Sorry it’s a few days late!  And thanks for the delicious birthday cake after worship on Sunday! ymmmm