June 25, 2019

I was happy that Dale Edmondson was able to join me in leading worship on June 23rd.  I am also happy to be able to share the Pastoral Prayer he offered with you.
Our God, in you we live and move and have our being.
We come here to find anchor for our souls,
to find quiet sanctuary from the conflicting demands that surround us.
We come not to escape from life, but to gain perspective and to be renewed so we may live wisely and faithfully.
We come because this is a place of connection:
• A place where we may connect with you and with others who have added to our lives.
• It’s a place, too, where we connect with things past: things both of joy and of sadness that have taken place here shaping us and making us the people we are.
• And, reaching far back, we connect with the host of those over the ages who also have committed themselves to walk in the way of Jesus.
And so we pray. Praying as your son taught us, that your kingdom, your realm, may come on earth as it is in heaven. To pray for your realm is to commit ourselves to its fulfillment and to join you in your work.
We pray for peace in these times, remembering that peacemakers will be called the children of God. Take our energy and our influence and our relationships and use them for peace. Let all who have power be wise in its use. Help us build bridges and take down walls among those who experience oppression and mistrust.
We pray for others, knowing we are to bear one another’s burdens.
• Some have come this morning with burdens.
• Some have come grieving or suffering or striving for wholeness.
• We pray too for people who may be distant from us, children separated from families placed in unwholesome confinement, families fearful of removal, people without homes, people who have been incarcerated.
You have made us as one human family and have given us the picture of a humanity united and whole and singing your praise.
We join them today saying, “All glory be to you.”
This is our prayer, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Prayers of the Congregation

Dayle Scott as he mourns the death of his brother; Lola Afolayan as she mourns the death of her brother; Roxanne Jones for her sister; Rick McKillop for his mom; Mary Karne for Maryla; Jessie Guiton for her family; Rita Jennings (health); Pat Hughes for Mary Ann; Al Johnson and Roy Browner; John and Carol Townsend; Gary Yee  the Oakland Unified School District; Thanksgiving that Marian Ott was with us in worship; Thanksgiving with Dale Edmondson; All who are traveling;  All immigrants; asylum seekers and displaced persons; The Lakeshore Children’s Center (staff, students and parents); Olimpia Flores and family; All who are traveling; Celestine Bennett as she cares for her sister, Constance; James and Jewelle Gibbs; Zondra Martin and family; Lola for the people of Nigeria

Announcements

Pause: A Place To Reflect
Self-Guided Worship, this Friday evening 6-8p.m., Sanctuary