Sunday, May 11, 2014
Offered by John W. Vest, Associate Pastor

God of love and grace,
we are here because you have called us.
You call us by name,
and we respond in faith as best we can.
We are far from perfect,
as you well know,
yet you love us still
and we trust you.
You reach out to us
with compassion and care
like a mother comforting her child.

Indeed, on this day in which our culture celebrates mothers,
we recognize the ways your love is made known
through the mystery and wonder of motherhood.
We are grateful for caring mothers and loving children.
We are mindful of women who long to be mothers but are not or cannot.
We pray for those who have lost their mothers and miss them on this day.
We lift up those who have difficult relationships with their mothers
and mothers who are estranged from their children.
We pray for mothers who cannot or will not do what mothers need to do.
For all of these realities—joyous, difficult, and complicated—we give you thanks
and ask for your blessing, O God.

God, we also ask for you to bless our community in these times of transition.
As we say good-bye to our dear friend and pastor, Adam,
we give you thanks for his years of dedicated ministry in this place,
for the wisdom and faithfulness he shared with us all.
Bless him as he leaves this community he loves,
this community that loves him.
We pray for Knox Presbyterian Church
and trust that you will do amazing things
through Adam and his new congregation.

At the same time we are thrilled to welcome our new pastor, Shannon.
We’re grateful for the amazing gifts she brings to our community
and look forward to her inspired leadership and caring presence.
Open our hearts and minds to the new things this transition brings;
give us a glimpse of what you have in store for us
and the ways you call us into newness of life,
not for our sakes alone, but for the world you call us to serve.

Today we are reminded of that outward call
as we celebrate the life and ministry of Dana Ferguson Myers.
May her memory ever inspire us to love each other with energy and grace,
to love you with integrity and humility,
and to love the world that the Good Shepherd lived and died for.

Holy God,
all of these things—
these transitions,
these goings and comings,
these ebbs and flows,
these joyous occasions and difficult times,
these precious memories and bitter longings—
all of these things remind us of the dynamic nature of your kingdom.
As the Spirit moves through our lives in unpredictable ways,
sometimes we feel lost and unbalanced,
but through it all we trust your transforming love
and your abiding presence.

So hear us now,
as we pray for our ever-changing world,
and the coming of your kingdom,
as Jesus taught us to pray:

Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church