Saint John's Weekly Congregational Care and Prayers

June 8, 2023

Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks for everything –
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1st Thessalonians 5:16 The Inclusive Bible

Prayers of Comfort
We pray for comfort for family and friends of Denise McGlothlin who passed June 3.
We pray for comfort for family and friends of victims of India’s disastrous train wreck.

Prayers of Thanks and Joy
We give thanks for being in a Christian reconciling, all-inclusive church community.

Prayers for Hope, Help, and Healing
We pray for District Superintendent, Andy Smith, and all those involved in UMC affiliation/disaffiliation discernment discussions.
We pray for delegates and clergy as they work together through issues and resolutions of concern at Rio Texas UMC Annual Conference.
We pray for hope and healing of LGBTQ people who have faced harmful acts of discrimination, abuse, and injustice within church polity and in the world.
We pray for those who face illness, medical treatment, mental health crisis, recovery, isolation, abuse, and poverty that they will feel God’s presence every step of the way, bringing them hope, help, and healing of mind, body, and spirit.

Franchesca M, niece of Suzanne W
Danny G
Debbie K
Karen C, Betty A’s daughter
Daniel M, son-in-law of Ann and Brooks B
Mike G
Brenda L
Stephanie S, friend of Nancy and Steve R
Alicia S, Stew B’s niece
Brian S
Warren S
Brad B
Doris, prayer partner of Jane G
Betty A
Cameron B
Lisa P, friend of Javi L-S
Patricia W, Jennifer C’s supervisor

Long term prayers:
Susan M
Mike R
Lib H
Sonny G
Marvin and Alice M
Carolyn B
Jane B
Naomi G
Bob T
Oscar O
Nancy R
Riley S
Gail J
Sylvia R, Ed R’s mother
Alex B, Stew B’s dad
David E, Susan H’s brother
Rick and Betsy A

Our Scripture: Genesis 12:7-9
12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot and all the possessions that they had gathered and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran, and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east, and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.

Let us pray.
Dear God,
Sometimes we are called by God to go in directions unknown into unfamiliar places and situations. Though we may leave family and home behind, we find God provides abundantly for our needs. Help us to trust in you as we build new communities based on your love. May all that we do honor you.
Amen.