A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Monday, October 8, 2018

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (October 7) Athens First UMC



[Churches all around the world celebrated World Communion Sunday yesterday. It is always on the 1st Sunday of October. It was extra special for one of our staff members, Rick Seiter who serves as the pastor of two churches in our Foothills District. It was his first time in celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion since receiving his local pastor’s license. The plate and goblet that he used were gifts from the youth and chaperones who gave these to him during a New Orleans missions trip back in 2009. Rick is making good on a promise that he would use these when serving his first communion. Congratulations Rick!]

O God, on this Sunday we are especially grateful to be part of your church family throughout the world. You have created us to be your people from many different countries, languages, and cultures. Thank you for the unity we celebrate with churches all around the world through the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

You created the church to be your presence in the midst of a broken and hurting world. Help us to be a heart-healthy church in the center of Athens and this university community. 

Empower our church to be a haven of blessing and peace for people in our county who are living in poverty.

Empower our church to be a haven of blessing and peace for students who marched down South College Street in protest of the recent incidents of sexual assaults on campus.

Empower our church to be a haven of blessing and peace for those who are seeking an authentic community of faith.

Empower our church to be a haven of blessing and peace for the people in our community who will be attending the university school of music concert that will be held here this Friday night.

Empower our church to be a haven of blessing and peace for the Korean congregation who meet in our church for worship, study, and prayer.

Empower churches throughout the world to be a haven of blessing and peace.

We pray this in the name of Christ who makes us one and who taught us to pray together saying…

“Our Father, who art in heaven…”

No comments: