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, May 13, 2019

Sunday Pastoral Prayer (May 12/Confirmation Sunday) Athens First UMC



[Pictured above are our four confirmands with their mentors, and parents. Our confirmands attended and participated in membership classes, met with their mentors, and wrote their own statements of faith which were read to the congregation as they were coming forward to be confirmed as new members. In addition to Mother’s Day, it was also known as “Shepherd’s Sunday” in which Psalm 23 and the Gospel reading about Jesus being the Good Shepherd were the appointed readings. How appropriate that our confirmands joined on this Sunday that reminds us to listen to the voice of our shepherd along our faith journey! For the sermon, click here.]


Savior, shepherd, thank you for your voice that leads us to green pastures, still waters, and when we are experiencing the dark valleys of life. You are our good shepherd and we shall not want.

Savior, shepherd, thank you for your voice that called Theo, Alexa, Lucy, and Connor to respond to follow you and begin a new journey in offering their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness as members of this church.

Savior, shepherd, thank you for Dave, Jordann, Tom, and Vicki who heard your voice and served as confirmation mentors these past several months.

Savior, shepherd, thank you for this congregation who have heard your voice and surrounded our confirmands with a loving community of faith.

Savior, shepherd, thank you for your voice which reminds each one of us that we are loved by you.

Savior, shepherd, thank you for your voice that calls us to love a world that is filled with so much brokenness, pain, violence, hatred, and evil.

Savior, shepherd, thank you for the sound of your voice that sometimes sounds a lot like the voice of a Sunday School teacher, a friend, a pastor, a neighbor, a mother.

Savior, shepherd, may we hear your voice even now as we pray together saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”



[One of our confirmands being received into membership through the laying on of hands. Each confirmand hears these words, “The Holy Spirit work within you, that having been born of water and the Spirit, you will be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. Amen.”]

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