[The Sunday sermon title was “Unfinished Business.” It focused on how when Jesus ascended to his rightful throne in heaven, he entrusted his disciples to carry on his work of offering God’s healing love to the world. Of course, we also have the power of the Holy Spirit helping us, but that will be the topic next week when we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. The picture above is from our monthly Athens First Saturday Community Involvement which included leading a worship service for the residents of an assisted living facility. We also arranged flowers to give to the people at our local hospital to brighten their day. “Continue to move us to do thy will, O God.”]
Move us to do thy will, O God. Move us to share our faith with that person who is in need of hope. Move us to bless someone in an unexpected way. Move us to share our gifts with others.
On this Ascension Sunday, we are reminded that you have empowered us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. You have empowered us to continue to build your kingdom here on earth. Move us to do they will, O God.
As your kingdom people, we especially pray for the many people who who have been in the pathway of tornados and devastating storms this past week, and for the people of Virginia Beach and the shootings that happened there on Friday claiming twelve lives. May your gracious hand be upon all who have experienced destruction and violence over this past week.
As your kingdom people, we pray for those who are graduating from High School and beginning a new chapter in their lives. May your guiding hand be upon them as they begin this new journey.
As your kingdom people, we pray for the West Ohio Conference as we meet this week in Lakeside, Ohio to elect clergy and laity delegates to attend next May’s General Conference. May your loving hand be upon us in this time of holy conferencing that we would make decisions that would reflect your inclusive love for all people, especially those who are in the LGBTQ community.
As your kingdom people, we pray for one of our former church members, Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads who will be ordained a Deacon this week at conference. May your empowering hand be upon Kirstin and upon others who will be ordained to serve you and the church.
As your kingdom people, equip each one of us to be the hands and feet of Christ and to pray the prayer the he taught us to say together, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”
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