Once again we have renewed our Baptismal vows, which remind us of our rebirth through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is within our power to accept or reject the wonderful gifts that have been offered to us by way of our Baptism. Dear God, we pray that you will kindle a fire in our hearts, so that through us these gifts will be manifested in the world for the good of all.

In the name of Jesus we pray: Amen

Dear God: Give us the courage to love, so that we may enjoy peace and unity in our church, our communities, and ultimately in the world. Remove from us the fear, ignorance, and mistrust that divide us. We long to be one with each other as you are one with your Son, our Saviour, and with the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed to you for the unity of believers before his ascension into heaven. We struggle with the ability to love and to forgive. Teach us to trust the power of the Holy Spirit, the divine presence that connects us and makes us one.

Through Jesus, your Son, our Lord, we pray: Amen

What we lack in wisdom, we gain in faith. Faith in God, through whom all wisdom and knowledge comes. We give honor to God by receiving these gifts and going forth with joy and thanksgiving. We give thanks to you, dear God, for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge and pray that we will emulate your servant, St. Dunstan, Bishop of Canterbury, who in the 8th century, used his artistic and mechanical gifts for your glory.

We give thanks also for the risen Lord, Jesus, the Christ, whose ascension into heaven we commemorate this week. May we hold him in our hearts until his return.

Through him, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen

They will know you are christians by your love!

Dear God: We pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit we will understand how to love one another the way Jesus loves us. And that by this power we will be given the vision to see the beauty within each of us, the beauty that is in the image of God. Remove the apathy that inhibits the healing of wounds caused by fear or misjudgment. Give us the courage to cross the boundaries that keep us apart. You have promised to be with us. We wish to be in fellowship with you, your son, and the Holy Spirit. We know that only through love can this be. Bless us as we strengthen the bonds of love within your church and as we reach out to others in faith.

In Jesus' name and for his sake we pray: Amen

Dear God: After the sorrows, introspection, and sacrifices of Lent, we pray that we have risen with Christ to a new life, a life free from sin, a life full of hope, peace, and joy, and a life dedicated to good works in your kingdom. It is a time of rejoicing! All did not end at the grave. Our Lord has conquered death. Thanks be to God. We praise you and we thank you for your steadfast love, for your Son, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Today we rejoice, for Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Amen

Dear God: Grant us the faith of the Apostles. Even in the face of death, they continued your work among the people, as Jesus had instructed them to do after his death. Though Thomas' faith faltered, Jesus allowed him to test the validity of his presence. The test of OUR faith is to believe while not seeing, until your call comes for us and we will see you face to face. May the knowledge of that reward be regarded with more value than the temporal rewards of the world, with a full understanding of the meaning of having "life more abundantly."

In Jesus' name we pray:Amen

In LOVE, Christ has died.

May we hold him in our hearts.

In FAITH, Christ has risen.

May we be blessed, believing without seeing.

In HOPE, Christ will come again.

May we live it in our lives.

To this we say, Amen

Dear God, We have reached a place in our lenten journey where we realize that the glory of the resurrection comes only after the passion. There cannot be one without the other. There is no victory without the struggle. Strengthen our resolve to do battle with temptation, to conquer evil with good; learning to truly know Jesus, the Christ, and to rejoice in his glorious resurrection!

This week as we celebrate the mystery of the annunciation, may we say "Yes" to your will, as did the blessed virgin, Mary. Through her obedience we are blessed with the word made flesh, our Lord and Saviour Jesus, the Christ, in whose name we pray: Amen

Dear God: We learn in our scripture lessons that Moses had the courage to turn and face you, listen to your voice, then to go to the pharoah. He did this in spite of his misgivings and doubts of his abilities or worthiness to do the task before him. We pray this evening for the courage and faith of Moses, recognizing your voice and proceeding to do your will. You know our strengths as well as our weaknesses. We ask that you be with us as we step out in faith in total trust.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Dear God: Give us the will to part with earthly goods and prepare ourselves for entering "through the narrow gate" when your call comes for us. Grant us grace that our lenten sacrifices may have positive effects upon our lives and the lives of others, whether known to us or not. We give thanks for your son, our saviour, Jesus, the Christ, the perfect sacrifice for the remission of our sins.

In his name and for his sake we pray: Amen

As we continue our walk of suffering with our Lord, we are faced with many temptations that appeal to desires of the flesh. Walk with us, dear God, making us aware of our human frailty and of your power and love. Jesus himself was tempted as he began his ministry. In obedience to your will, he resisted the cunning offers of the tempter. Fill our hearts with your grace that we may resist temptation in like manner and devote ourselves to good in your kingdom, not to gain reward, but because we love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord: Amen

Have mercy on us, dear God. Strengthen us in our resolve of prayer, fasting, and sacrificial giving during this Lenten season, as we prepare for the death of our Lord, sharing in his suffering at the hands of those who plot against him. In doing so, may we grow spiritually and share fully in the joys of Easter.

Through Jesus Christ, our lord, we pray: Amen

Dear God: Turn us away from luxury and self-indulgence to love; first and foremost to love of you, then to those who are suffering in our midst, to whom we may have turned a blind eye. Help us to see the value of heavenly rewards versus earthly pleasure and comfort. If we each broaden our scope of care and concern for all of God's people, the love will travel as ripples in a stream, joining with others and soon covering the world. It begins with one and becomes many. Inspire us, dear God, to remove our blinders in order to see what is possible with love for one another as well as for ourselves.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Dear God: We come to you this evening believing that Jesus is our guide to true discipleship. Help us to respond to his call willingly, as did the disciples during his ministry on earth . We pray that we will recognize the voice of Jesus amid the many distractions that constantly assail us; to understand our mission; to act upon your will with courage & diligence. Help us to acknowledge our gifts & to use them for service in your kingdom.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Dear God: During his ministry, Jesus fed his followers with a few loaves of bread and fishes, miraculously increased to be enough for all. Today we ask for the grace to accept the Spiritual Food which is intended for all, acknowledging the power of this sacrament which we receive, though unworthy. Give us the knowledge to understand Jesus as the bread of life. Grant that through our own lives and ministries we may help to nourish others with this gift.

We lift your servants Andy Kiley and Peter Harter to you for comfort and healing.

In the name of Jesus we pray: Amen

Dear God: This week we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul, remembering the miraculous event turning him from darkness to light, from blindness to the clear vision of Christ and his mission. With St. Paul as our example and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we may walk in the light of Christ, fulfilling our missions in the world. We give thanks for St. Paul and for your divine intervention.

Accept our prayers for Andy and Sherry, dear God. Grant them comfort and healing.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Dear God: Today we give thanks for Antony of Egypt who inspires us to resist the temptations of the world through fervent prayer and to have a willingness to make sacrifices for the benefit of others who are in need.

We also give thanks this week for St. Peter, the Apostle, the rock upon whom Christ's Church is built. Grant to us his courage and faith that we too may proclaim Jesus as the only source of our salvation.

We continue to pray for Andy Kiley and for Bob Ferris. May they find comfort in the knowledge of the strength of your healing power; through Jesus Christ Our Lord: Amen

The star of Bethlehem shone in the night sky, leading the Magi to the place where Jesus lay. This epiphany made us all brothers, in search of the light of Christ. Enter our hearts, dear God, that we may all be one. Though we come by different paths, our destination is the same. Strengthen us when we falter, guide us when we lose our way. Help us to recognize the light of Christ in our fellow Christians, being one in his body, the Church. We give thanks that through baptism we became equal heirs to his promises.

We continue to pray for Andy Kiley, may he continue to gain strength and return to us soon.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

God, you speak to us in your word made flesh, the incarnation. This is the Good News. Help us to understand and proclaim this Good News in our daily lives, beginning with our thoughts and carried out through the works of our hands. We worship and adore you, dear God, and we pray for the grace to carry the light of your word made flesh, Christ, your son, into today's world.

In his name we pray: Amen

Dear God: During Advent as we prepare ourselves for both the first and second comings of Christ, we begin by meditating on the reason he came to earth by the power of the Holy Spirit, and to renew our faith in his coming once again. Grant us the peace brought by your Son, and help us to prepare ourselves for the the day of his second coming, when that peace will be established for all time.

In Jesus' name and for his sake we pray: Amen

Dear God: We welcome the light of Christ, soon to enter this chaotic world. It is filled with twinkling lights of the season, distracting us from the steady beam of your peace and love. We pray that you will help us to follow light of Christ. It shines in the eyes of children. It shines through gratitude for acts of kindness and also on the faces of the faithful and their good works. Isaiah has said, "Come ... let us walk in the light of the Lord." We say, "Lead us to that light. Prepare us for the coming of your Son, our Saviour."

We give thanks today for your servant, Nicholas of Myra, who reflected the light of Christ through his care and concern for God's people, especially the children.

We offer a prayer for the family of Pauline Weaver, mother of our Linda Blair. May her soul rest in peace. We give thanks for the continuing recovery of Sandy Arrington.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Dear God: We give thanks to you for giving us your son, Jesus. In your word, Zacchaeus sought to look upon Christ. Christ called to Zacchaeus that he might stay with him during his visit in Jerocho. We also are called to come to Christ, that he might dwell with us. In fulfillment of God's plan he came to seek us and to save us. As the season of Advent approaches, open our ears that we may hear his call to us, even in unlikely circumstances and places.

This week we give thanks for Saint Andrew, apostle of our Lord, who was called with his brother, Peter, to become a fisher of men. May we, too, have the grace to readily answer and to be loyal to our calling. In the name of Jesus we pray: Amen

How can we begin to give thanks for what we have received? We are surounded with the love of friends and family. The fruits of the labor of many nourish our bodies. We enjoy good mental and spiritual health. We have only to observe "the lillies of the field" to begin to understand the power of the love and divine providence of God. Look in every direction, within and without, and enjoy the wonders of life. Give us grateful hearts, dear God, for these and the many blessings that have been showered upon us; Amen

Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness, that by night as by day we may glorify your holy Name. (BCP)

May our song give light to those in darkness and continue to shine through us as a testimony of your unfailing care and love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Dear God: You are all in all! Our talent is not sufficient to sing your praises. Yet, sing we will while we have voice. We will sing of the beauty of the earth, of your goodness and mercy, love and compassion. We will sing of the life of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and of all that he has taught us. Grant us grace not only to sing the story, but to receive it in our hearts and live it in our lives.

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen

Dear God: Though each day may bring doubts and fears, the love expressed in your word offers strength and renewal. We seek and find opportunities for rebirth in the very air that we breathe, in the warmth of the sun, in the love and loyalty of family and friends, trust in the eyes of a child. Thank you, dear God, for the blessings of renewal each day of our lives. May the life of Christ live on and be renewed through your people: Amen

Dear God: Today we give thanks for your servant Luke, "the beloved physician." We ask a special blessing for all physicians and caregivers of the infirm. We offer a prayer for those in their care. Give us the grace to understand the power of healing, especially the healing of artificial divisions among God's people. Show forth your power that will give us the wisdom and courage to begin to heal the wounds of hate and misunderstanding.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Give us grateful hearts, dear God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Much has been given to us and from us much is required. Through your Son, our Saviour, we have received this gift. We may now perform our ministries with "strength and courage." The Holy Spirit is to us what Jesus himself was to his disciples, though in spirit rather than in body. As the followers of Christ, we must now spread the good news by way of our various ministries.

By your grace and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit we will understand and fulfill the requirements. We give thanks to you in Jesus' name. Amen

Dear God: This week we give thanks for St. Michael and All Angels, who were messengers of your will, reminders of your nearness and abiding love, and guardians who assuage our fears in time of danger. We pray that we are inspired to become earthly "angels" to those with whom we come in contact in our daily lives: those who are in need of encouragement, those who have lost their way, those who suffer from illness, those who are alone. Cradle them with your love and guide us to become a help in their times of trouble and to be obedient to your will as were St. Michael and all the Holy Angels.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord Amen

Dear God: In life's journey we are faced with temporal trappings that tend to enslave us. In today's lesson Jesus teaches us that by dying to sin and selfishness, we may be born into eternal life. This is a difficult concept for us. We pray that you make us strong in the face of temptations. Bind us together with love for you and for each other. Help us to walk together in the light of Christ, avoiding the pitfalls that are obscured by the darkness of sin.

Today we give thanks for John Patteson and companions, martyred while faithfully following your call in Melanesia.

In Jesus' name we pray: Amen

Dear God: As we gather once again for the purpose of continuing our ministry of praise through song, expressing our love for you and for all of your creation, we ask your blessing. We, as christians, also continue our search for truth, the truth that will set us free, as attested to in this week's readings. Our search is made difficult by the bombardment of images of chaos, hatred, anger, and violence that we witness via television, newspapers and all of the information media of today's world. By your grace we have been given the ability to see beyond the immediate into the possibilties of good in our midst. We thank you for that grace and ask that you guide us in our quest for the truth.

This week we give thanks for Constance and her companions, who, in the 1900's, in the face of death, remained among victims of yellow fever to give aid and comfort, while others fled. We pray that we might have the same courage given similar circumstances.

In Jesus' name and for his sake, we pray: Amen