Many of our attending congregation on December were moved by the service given by the members of Session and our congregation. Here are some of the highlights of this service. Thank you to those who provided and gave permission to share here.
Prayers of the People written and presented by Anita Kox
Our prayer is based on the 5 finger prayer.
Thumb, closest to your heart – pray for those closest to you (family, friends)
Pointer finger, the finger that points the way – pray for those who guide us (parents, teachers, mentors). Pray for wisdom and support.
Middle finger, the tallest finger – pray for those who lead us (those in government, business, church and community leadership), Pray for guidance.
Ring finger, the weakest finger – pray for the less fortunate, sick, in pain, in trouble – those in need.
Pinky finger, the smallest finger – pray for yourself and your specific needs.
Please join with your own quiet prayers and reflections in the PAUSE after each prayer.
Thankful for God’s blessings in our lives —warm shelter, good food, family, friends and our church community. We come together to pray for those closest to us – our parents, grandparents, our partners, our children and grandchildren, our cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews. We also pray for our church family members. Many are still with us, some are home with You. We pray for their wellbeing, health and safety. Thank you for the love and joy they bring to our lives.
PAUSE
We pray for those special people who point us in the right direction – our parents, school, Sunday School teachers and the special people in our lives who mentored guide us. Give them wisdom and patience to provide good guidance and demonstrate God’s love in action. Help us to support them and be open to the wisdom and guidance they provide.
PAUSE
God, we pray for those who lead us. Political leaders at all levels in our own country and across the world make decisions that impact all of us. We pray that they act with integrity and care for the people they are leading. We know this isn’t always the case but we ask for Your Hand to guide their decisions. We are especially thankful this week for those public workers who have helped keep the roads clear, lights on and for first responders and health care personnel who helped those stranded or injured due to the bad weather.
We pray for our own Melville Church leadership – the Official Board, Session members, Trustees, Stewards, Outreach, UCW and christian Education leaders. We especially pray for our church members who agreed to search for a minister on our behalf. We thank you for the pulpit supply ministers who join us while we are without a minister and for the gifts within our church that are offered when needed – whether the need is preparing and delivering a service, visiting seniors, shovelling snow or running the sound system. We are all leaders – help us support one another’s efforts doing Your work. By washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus showed us that no task is too humble – help us to share whatever our gifts are to your glory.
PAUSE
We pray for those who need our prayers and help the most – the people who are without safe, warm shelter especially now that the winter has arrived, those who do not have enough food or basic hygiene items. There are families, seniors and others on fixed incomes who have to decide whether to buy food or pay for hydro; some parent will go hungry so their children can have something to eat. There are families who live in even worse conditions war-torn countries and refugee camps. The need is so great and so widespread. As Jesus instructed: Whatever you do of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me. (Matthew 25:40) We ask that You show us how we can help to take care of the most vulnerable of Your children.
PAUSE
Finally, we pray for ourselves. There is a lot of worldly pressure to be busy especially at this time of the year. Help us to make time for quiet reflection and personal preparation during this season of Waiting for Your Gift of Love. Help us on this Sunday of PEACE to carry that peace with us and to share it with others this coming week. We all have our own personal cares and concerns and we bring them to you now.
PAUSE
We bring all these things to You in the name of your Son, Jesus.
And all God’s people say
AMEN
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