Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of May 24, 2023
Rev. Andy Ferguson
Fire-giving God, on the day before long-ago Pentecost,
You looked down on all you had created:
–a universe beyond measure,
–a world of sustained beauty and productivity,
–creatures great and small.
You looked down on the followers of your Son:
–hiding for fear of their lives,
–hopeless in the face of the Cross and his crucifixion,
–trying to comprehend the news that the Savior Son again lives — resurrection!
In the days before Pentecost…
Most days, just now, it seems that we still live in the days before Pentecost,
As if your Spirit Fire did not fall to empower believers like us.
In countries across the globe, families still hide
for fear of war outside their doors.
–In Ukraine, Syria and sub-Saharan Africa death fills the air.
–Let them breathe freedom again at the falling of the Spirit’s Fire.
Families up and down Central America live in hopelessness today:
–Gangs of criminals make their lives a living hell,
–Corrupt governments look the other way in the face of injustice,
–Jobs in their home countries are impossible to find and keep.
We struggle to comprehend how lives are changed now that the Savior Son lives.
He was raised on long ago Easter, so why is life still fragile?
Why is chatter about the Resurrection reserved for graveyard ceremonies?
What does that long-ago Pentecost mean for this world? This time? This day?
Fire-giving God, as you sent tongues of fire to fall on disciples long ago,
Send fire again to fall on all who still believe.
Set us on fire for the Savior Son, Jesus the Christ,
That we might be part of building a world
Of such peace that the warriors will lay down their arms in awe.
That those who watch their children suffer will see a new day dawning.
Give us such an experience of the Spirit falling
That we too must run to tell what God has done,
That we might live in Pentecost hope as they did.
We pray in the name of Jesus, who sent the Spirit Fire after him. Amen.
We pray for ….
- Third graders who are having a difficult time this week; prayers for parents. Please God, help our teachers not feel judged.
- A niece who has been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Bless her in her work (chaplain with hospice patients) as she deals with her own struggles.
- Caregivers who feel torn in so many directions; prayers of thanksgiving for those who understand.
- A safe delivery of baby boy
- God’s peace while waiting on medical procedures and results
- A member waiting on diagnosis in hospital; prayers for doctors as they find the right protocol
- A dear friend who is battling so many demons; pray that he will listen to God’s Voice.
- Families going through all of the transitions of graduation and moving up and leaving home
- Safe travels for a son who is moving today; grateful for supportive and loving parents to help!
- A member in hospice care and her husband who cares for her; strength for both.
- A family friend who has been in hospital for ten days; praying that the surgery yesterday to remove MRSA infection is successful and will bring healing.
We continue to pray for …
- The precious child at Children’s Hospital who has had ups and downs since his tracheotomy. Prayers for weary parents. Lord, in your mercy, provide tangible signs of hope and healing.
- A member recovering after surgery
- Clarity from doctors and patience while we wait for a medical answers and direction
- A young wife as she and family prepare for funeral of husband this weekend
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …..
- Summer vacation! Please let everyone have a good summer!
- Our church family
- The joy a new baby brings
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a Prayer Request?
Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.
All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Senior Spotlight – Jackson McNutt
Featured, YouthOne of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023! Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Jackson McNutt!
Weekly Prayer – May 31, 2023
Featured, prayer for todayWeekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of May 31, 2023
Rev. Catherine Nance
Ah … summer! Thank you, God, for the season of summer vacation! Even for those who are not ‘in school,’ there seems to be an energy in the air. A spirit of relaxation, a spirit of exploring, a spirit of anticipating good things! Thank you for this shift in our spiritual atmosphere!
We also know how quickly high expectations for a season can be dashed by one small thing. So we pray for realistic expectations! We pray for patience and for understanding! May family gatherings be nurturing …. May visits between grandparents and grandchildren be life-giving to both …. Give parents the courage to be honest with their children about budgets and expenses … give us the eyesight to see the beauty and joy in front of us ….
We put so much pressure on ourselves to make everything ‘picture perfect.’ Keep us mindful of the people around us and that your grace that abounds. You love us as we are; may we extend that same grace to ourselves and others.
We pray for our Bishop and the District Superintendents this weekend as they prepare for Holston Annual Conference on Sunday. May our clergy and lay members be inspired and renewed as they worship, pray, and fellowship together. We thank you for this church, gracious God. We thank you for the worship that happens on Sunday mornings in the nave and online and how it connects us to each other through the week.
May the words we speak and sing on Sundays, transform our very beings throughout the week.
We pray for …
We offer thanksgivings for …
We continue to pray for …
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a Prayer Request?
Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.
Senior Spotlight – Rachel Duncan
Featured, YouthOne of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023! Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Rachel Duncan!
Summer Update 2023
YouthWeekly Schedule:
Worship – Sundays, 8:30AM & 11:00AM
Sunday school – Sundays, 9:45-10:45AM
Bible Study – Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00AM
Happy Summer friends! What a joy it is to start this new season with you. Below, you’ll find the schedule for the summer with info on our studies, Hang Times, and service opportunities. If you have any questions at all, please let me know.
Parents – I’ve also included a link to the volunteer needs for MAD in the City. If you can be available for any part of that week, we would greatly appreciate your help! Even if it is just one shift, it makes a difference. Please check it out!
MAD Volunteer Needs
Summer Schedule
Studies
Sunday School
Wednesday Bible Study
Hang Times
June
July
Service Opportunities
Closet Clean Out Days
VBS
Operation Backyard
MAD in the City
Senior Spotlight – Alana Johnson
Featured, YouthOne of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023! Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Alana Johnson!
Weekly Prayer – May 24, 2023
Featured, prayer for todayWeekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of May 24, 2023
Rev. Andy Ferguson
Fire-giving God, on the day before long-ago Pentecost,
You looked down on all you had created:
–a universe beyond measure,
–a world of sustained beauty and productivity,
–creatures great and small.
You looked down on the followers of your Son:
–hiding for fear of their lives,
–hopeless in the face of the Cross and his crucifixion,
–trying to comprehend the news that the Savior Son again lives — resurrection!
In the days before Pentecost…
Most days, just now, it seems that we still live in the days before Pentecost,
As if your Spirit Fire did not fall to empower believers like us.
In countries across the globe, families still hide
for fear of war outside their doors.
–In Ukraine, Syria and sub-Saharan Africa death fills the air.
–Let them breathe freedom again at the falling of the Spirit’s Fire.
Families up and down Central America live in hopelessness today:
–Gangs of criminals make their lives a living hell,
–Corrupt governments look the other way in the face of injustice,
–Jobs in their home countries are impossible to find and keep.
We struggle to comprehend how lives are changed now that the Savior Son lives.
He was raised on long ago Easter, so why is life still fragile?
Why is chatter about the Resurrection reserved for graveyard ceremonies?
What does that long-ago Pentecost mean for this world? This time? This day?
Fire-giving God, as you sent tongues of fire to fall on disciples long ago,
Send fire again to fall on all who still believe.
Set us on fire for the Savior Son, Jesus the Christ,
That we might be part of building a world
Of such peace that the warriors will lay down their arms in awe.
That those who watch their children suffer will see a new day dawning.
Give us such an experience of the Spirit falling
That we too must run to tell what God has done,
That we might live in Pentecost hope as they did.
We pray in the name of Jesus, who sent the Spirit Fire after him. Amen.
We pray for ….
We continue to pray for …
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …..
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Have a Prayer Request?
Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.
Senior Spotlight – Sara Logan Cada
Featured, YouthOne of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023! Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Sara Logan!
End of the Year Reflection
UncategorizedAlmost Summer!
It’s hard to believe this school year is coming to a close and summer is nearly here. We have lots of exciting things going on this summer — MAD in the City, Operation Backyard, Bible studies, Hang Times. But before we jump right into what is next, let’s take a moment to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the year we are finishing.
Here are some questions to help you look back and practice gratitude for all God has done this school year.
If you would like to reflect alongside the Psalms, here are some recommendations:
More details for summer are coming. But for now, let us pause, pray, and praise. God is good and worthy of our worship.
Grace and peace,
Jenny
Senior Spotlight – Reese Wineland
Featured, YouthOne of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023! Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Reese Wineland!
Senior Spotlight – Kitely Sherman
Featured, YouthOne of our favorite things about the spring semester each year is celebrating our graduating seniors. Welcome to the Senior Spotlight series for the graduating class of 2023! Our seniors answered interview questions earlier this semester and it has been so much fun learning their answers! Check back in each week to get to know our seniors better and help to cheer them on as they wrap up high school and prepare for their next steps.
Meet Kitely Sherman!