Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 12, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

Fall Break! Praise God for Fall Break!  

O God of refreshment, you have heard that prayer from teachers, parents, students, and grandparents. Even those who are not in school sense the need for time away. 

We pray blessings on families who are able to travel. We pray for their safety. 

We pray blessings on families who could not get away because of finances or job responsibilities of parents. Dear God, may children know the joy of ‘staying home’ and getting to snack and stay up a little later. Simple pleasures; restore the goodness of simplicity to our lives! 

We pray for school administrators who may be off this week but who are already thinking about standardized testing that comes in the spring and needs for next fall. Student teachers who are trying to get assignments done and portfolios completed.  

O God of new beginnings and fresh starts, may all those returning from Fall Break feel a sense of renewal. 

This weekend is a big deal, O God! Media and all of the commotion and excitement of a football rivalry. Some are even praying, “Dear God, let us win!” We trust you are an impartial fan, God of all tribes, teams, and people! In the midst of all this fun and in the midst of all the hype, we do pause to pray for sanity and safety. We pray for young men who want to play and do not get the chance. We pray for the families of all coaches – children and spouses – who know the pressure and the lack of privacy and hear the jeers and cheers. We pray for members of marching bands who work as hard as the athletes do. It may seem silly to pray about an upcoming football game, dear God, but we do pray for all the people coming to town. Prayers for safe travels. Prayers for good judgement. Prayers to know that these young men on the field – whether wearing orange or crimson – are sons of parents who work hard and are proud. Bless us all! 

Dear God, who stirs up in us the volunteer spirit, we want to say thank you for volunteers in our church. Greeters, ushers, choir members, teachers; folks who come early to plug in coffee pot and to make sure Sunday School is ready. We pray for churches everywhere this weekend, that it will be a good day of worship and fellowship in your Holy Spirit. 

As our eyes move from our own church and our own city to the rest of your world, we pray desperately for the madness in Ukraine to stop. We are bold to pray for your intervention, O God! We know that you desire peace in your world. We hurt for soldiers of any uniform who are tired, hungry, and longing for home. May each of us be a beacon of light and peace wherever we are this weekend. 

We offer the following petitions on behalf of our members …. 

We pray for ….

• Church member whose father died; so thankful all of his children were able to be with him as he peacefully slipped into Eternal Light and Love.
• A member who was in a minor car accident and is dealing with the pain and healing of a broken sternum. May she feel God’s presence.
• A member who has been hospitalized and is waiting to go to rehab.
• A member who fell and shattered hip; prayers for encouragement and wellbeing as she prepares to go to rehab.
• A church member’s husband will have another scan soon; prayers that it will show he is still in remission! 
• A young man whose wife just died is now in the hospital with heart issues. Prayers that he can feel God’s strength and healing presence even amidst such grief.
• A member’s nephew who serves in the Coast Guard and was involved in an accident while repelling from a helicopter. Thankful for successful knee surgery! Prayers for continued healing and strength in the three-month rehab.
• A Sunday School teacher who seeks God’s wisdom each week in how to share and what God wants her to teach.
• A member’s husband in the death of his father … prayers for peace.

We continue to pray for ….

• Member whose beloved dog died in cabin fire; everything destroyed. Prayers for emotional healing during such grief.
• Members who continue to move through grief after deaths of spouses, parents, children, and, friends….
• Brother of a member whose livestock and barn were destroyed in a fire in Illinois.

We give thanks for …..

• A member who was released from rehab and has returned to her home!
• Successful surgeries in the past weeks and continued healing!
• A beloved husband, father, and grandfather who is celebrating ten years of being cancer free!
• Rest! Fall break was so needed for this family! Thank you God for change of scenery!
• Blessing of the Animals! Thankful for the special love and grace that our pets show us!

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 5, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

We pray for our church this evening, Gracious God. 

It is busy in this church building today, O God. As it was yesterday. And the day before. 

Of course, we were here on Sunday singing praises and offering prayers; learning lessons and sharing fellowship. We shared the Body and Blood of Christ at Your Table and felt the communion of the saints around the world and throughout eternity. 

It is our prayer that what happens here on Sunday reverberates with us throughout the week. The nourishment we received at the Table strengthens our spirits to receive and share your grace. May our behavior, thoughts, and words reflect that we have been with the Lord. We thank you, God, for Sundays! 

We thank you for the clerical that happens on Monday. Counting offering, reading through friendship pads. Noting names of visitors and rejoicing at names of members we have not seen in a while. Checking the hospital board for who has gone home and noting names of members’ loved ones who have died. God of details, you know how important this work is. In each offering envelope sealed, in each name written, and in each phone call received, there is a story and a disciple. Thank you for the tasks that remind us. 

God who has called some to ‘church work,’ we thank you for staff and volunteers who gather on Tuesday to touch base, look ahead, celebrate, evaluate, and encourage. May each one know your presence in a very real way as they do their work of making your presence known to others. We thank you for the laity who come on weeknights to attend meetings and provide leadership and enthusiasm for the mission and ministry of this church. Thank you for their commitment of time and service. 

God who sang out the first words, thank you for choir members who come tonight to tune their hearts and voices together. May the anthems sung mirror their devotion to the music of the Holy Spirit. O God, who gave us the ability to hum a melody, may the music we sing here echo in our lives throughout the week. Recording worship for those who cannot attend happened today. May the effort be pleasing to you and may those who watch know they are connected here.  

And, there is tomorrow … Soup Kitchen and other gatherings. 

This is a busy place, O God! May all of our movement and conversation and interactions in this place be pleasing to you! Amidst the activity, may we know that it is holy work and not just busyness! For those who are here only on Sundays, may their lives be made more meaningful because of worship. We do not desire busy lives, Precious Redeemer, but meaningful lives steeped in your grace and love. 

We pray for …

• The friends and family of a young woman who died of cancer this past week. Thankful she was surrounded by so much love and support.
• Church members who have been hospitalized recently. Prayers of thanksgiving for successful surgeries and treatments.
• Church member who had a heart attack last month is beginning cardio rehab. Prayers that he will regain strength and energy. 
• For mother of a member who had cancer surgery today; prayers for family as they make decisions about care.
• For members who are grieving 
• A member who has lost so much in a fire this past week; his beloved dog, a family cabin, all the treasures. May he be restored to health and hope.
• A brother in Illinois, whose farm had a horrible barn fire. Prayers for the family as they suffer this great lost of property and livestock.
• A member who is in the hospital anxious to begin physical therapy; prayers that he walk ‘steady on his feet’ again!
• A 16-year old classmate who is in Children’s Hospital suffering from Crohn’s Disease; may the doctors help her manage pain and symptoms.
• A baby at Vanderbilt undergoing surgery
• A family whose husband and father died suddenly; prayers of thanksgiving for opportunity give organs so others might have life.

We give thanks for …

• The A. Orin Bishop Lecture event and Dr. Kate Bowler
• Beautiful weather!
• Good medical care and doctors who genuinely have a sense of calling

We continue to pray for ….

• Those with chronic illness.
• Those who are grieving whether loss occurred last month or years ago; be with us in our grief.
• The people of Ukraine and Russia
• Clean up and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Ian

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 28, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

Gracious God, 

On this Wednesday evening, our hearts and minds are with all who have been and will be in the path of Hurricane Ian. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.  

Often, when we hear world news, we have to look on a map or perhaps we dismiss the news since we cannot picture where it is. (Forgive us Lord!) But, we all know where Tampa is. We know Jacksonville. We have been to Orlando. We have relatives and loved ones along the path. We have friends who are scheduled to travel and we worry. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

In the midst of news about landfall and surges, we hear the phrases explaining how climate change plays a role and then, how we have played a role in climate change. Forgive us Lord, in our shrugging, our denying, our simply hoping for things to be better. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We see people on the news who, yesterday, were political candidates. Today, they area governors and other officials in charge of emergency maneuvers. Bless these leaders Lord. May all work together to promote safety and clarity of information. Thank you for the employees who show up each day at National Weather Service and provide information for us. We are grateful to for science and technology that informs and supports their work. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

O God, these weather-related terms apply to our own lives as well. Some of us are expecting a ‘landfall’ – some impending crisis – a diagnosis, a conversation, layoff. Others of us have no idea of what is ahead but will experience the ‘surge’ and the ‘impact.’ Dear God, your Holy Spirit connects us to each other. May we be mindful of how our decisions, our words, changes in our lives, do not affect us alone. But there are ripples and consequences and aftershocks. May we be kind to one another and understanding of those who find themselves caught in a deluge they did not know was coming. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. 

Along with all of the people of Cuba who are without power, the people of Florida, and all those in the path, we pray for these concerns shared by our church family: 

We pray for …

• A dear friend who has undergone so much cancer treatment and now has pneumonia and other complications. Prayers for her family as they hear and grapple with prognosis from doctors about the weakness of her body. Prayers that she feels the love and prayers all around her.
• Those who are traveling out of town for work
• For a coworker whose cancer has returned. Prayers for her three sons; one teenager and two young adults. This single mom needs the assurance that ‘her boys’ will be fine.
• Clarity from medical tests results and that a healing plan will be made clear
• A man who has had heart attack; prayers for good rehabilitation
• A family whose mother is in hospice care; not expected to live many more days. Grateful for Eternal Light and Life!
• Those who have been recently hospitalized and are doing well at home.

We give thanks for …

• The scriptures which give guidance about how to live; especially First Corinthians 13
• God’s wisdom and purpose in our lives
• Third graders who received Bibles and that Ms. Katryn was able to hand them out in person!
• New members joining and two baptisms this past week!
• The opportunity to hear Kate Bowler. Thank you to the A. Orin Bishop Lecture endowment!

We continue to pray for ….

• A Sunday School class member who has to travel to Africa several times this month for work
• Families making decisions for loved ones
• A woman recently diagnosed with cancer

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 14, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

With just a hint of cooler weather in the air, we are reminded that you are the God of All Seasons. You created your world, O God, with the beauty and gift of autumn, winter, spring, and summer. Sometimes we speak of these seasons as if they end one day and begin the next. Our calendar will tell us the first day of autumn is just one week away. We give thanks for scientists who can measure and map where Earth is in its orbit and explain the seasons. We give thanks for preschool teachers who teach songs about the four seasons. We are thankful for memories of early artwork – large sheets of paper divided into four equal quadrants – one with orange and red leaves, one with snowflakes, then bright flowers, and the last with a bright, smiling sun! These divisions and measurements give order to our lives and help us plan; your order has given us days to look forward and a sense of knowing that things always change. But there is beauty in the change. 

We know that the seasons do not stay in the bold lines of our kindergarten four-square season chart, but that you allow us time to prepare, to anticipate, to hope, and yes, even to be disappointed when a hot summer day appears in October or we need a sweater and scarf on an April afternoon! Thank you for caring for your Earth and for us that we do not abruptly land into a new season, but that you allow for gradual changes. May we take time to savor, to appreciate, to accept right now as the time you have given us.  

O God of All Ages and Stages, remind us that you are with us as we go through changing seasons in our lives. There are cycles we anticipate and celebrate and then the not-so-subtle changes we thought we would never experience. May we be graceful and feel your grace as we go through the stages and seasons of life. When we see others around us in different stages and places, may we offer prayers: 

• For children who are so curious and demand attention right now – bless their sense of wonder 
• For young parents who are burdened to think they must do everything perfectly – ease their self-imposed stress 
• For graduate students and young adults figuring out ‘what’s next,’ – let them feel your guidance and peace 
• For adults who are wondering ‘is this what I wanted?’ – give them clarity of your love and purpose 
• For those who feel alone – may we be open to those who need a gesture of kindness 

Thank you, O God, for the subtlety of change of seasons that gives us time to appreciate, time to give thanks, and time to prepare. We thank you for all of the seasons you have given us.  

We turn towards the evening with a grateful heart for your presence and we open our heart in prayer as we share these concerns and thanksgivings from our church family…

We pray for…

• Church members who are traveling to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville; particular prayers for one who is dealing with neuropathy and another who is awaiting diagnosis and a clear path of treatment.
• A family who is in the midst of new beginnings: new house, new job, selling house! Prayers that stress be transformed into positive energy!
• A young father who is following up with doctor about GI issues
• A dear aunt, aged 96, that she remain in good health
• Those in our church family with COVID
• A church member who is a beloved mother, mother-in-law, and friend who is struggling with health concerns and weakness.
• A best friend who has been recovering from cancer and now has a new diagnosis. Doctors say this one is treatable. Prayers for her body to receive this intensive treatment well. Prayers for her husband and friends as well.
• The nieces and nephews who celebrate the life of a church member; thankful for the gift of Eternal Rest and a life well lived!
• A member meeting with cardiologist Thursday morning after experiencing some concerns recently
• A friend having dental surgery on Friday
• A little girl having tonsils removed next Wednesday morning; prayers for parents!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

• Family in Texas … and for all who know how important it is to keep in touch!
• A good report from CT scan
• A successful surgery of the 8-month old who had club feet amputated. The surgeons were able to leave enough bone for the prosthetics to be possible.
• A brother who had a stroke this past week and is doing so much better thanks to excellent medical care. Prayers of thanksgiving for local hospitals and for loving family!
• A group of young couples who have been visiting our church and met together last Sunday to plan for getting together; may their desire for Christian fellowship and study inspire us!
• Recent high school grads who have gathered to plan a Bible study; may their desire for deeper discipleship inspire us!

Continued prayers for…

• Those undergoing radiation treatments and chemotherapy
• A sister who is struggling with high blood pressure
• A friend who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration
• City officials and agencies and churches as we address our houseless population
• A son who has gotten a new job in the field he majored in.
• A member awaiting procedures and results and relief from back pain

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of August 31, 2022

Rev. Kim Goddard, Superintendent of New River District

This week’s prayer was written by Rev. Kim Goddard, Superintendent of the New River District. Kim also serves as the Dean of the Cabinet. We are sharing this from the “We Pray Together” project offered by our Holston Conference Communications.