Wondrous, transforming Creator, we gather in this, YOUR cherished, sacred space

To celebrate Your presence

And to give thanks for the flourishing lives you have called us to.

We are so grateful for Your gentle hand that excavates our hurt –

And which in its place, spins serene hearts.

Give us the faith to surrender to your ministrations when we free-fall.

 

We are grateful for the spirit-driven members of our Board –

Who steer this congregation through whirling eddies in lavish and lean times.

And we are grateful for the exceptional staff and many compassionate members of this most extraordinary church –

Who relentlessly extend their tangible love to those in need of revival.

We are grateful for the City of Vancouver’s initiative to develop 8,000 housing units for Vancouver’s homeless.

We are grateful for Out of the Cold and Food Bank Jazz benefits.

 

Help us keep laughter near –

Remind us that You are our Holy Companion, in the in/out breath of our days -

Regardless of the outcomes.

Help us to redeem our anguish with wisdom - and positive action.

Remind us - that prayer sets You loose in the world.

 

Precious One - thank you for sunbeams - kissing open morning eyelids.

Low tide lines that deliver up remnants of other lives delight us.

Thank you for week-old, velvety roses – still lush with the scent of long passed grandmothers.

Bay breezes that animate claret leafed branches rejuvenate us.

Thank you for raindrops that flesh out sweet peas –

And push their twirling tendrils towards the blue.

And we are grateful, Sacred One, for movies

Which compel us to re-evaluate - where we find meaning.

 

We pray, this morning, for the grieving family of George Watts –

The progressive BC aboriginal leader who passed away this week.

We pray for the recovery of the frost-bitten crew of the North Shore Search & Rescue Team.

We pray for the safe return of David Koch – missing  - on Grouse Mountain.

We ask your mercy upon the broken ones of Guantanamo Bay.

We ask your grace upon the family of Agnes McKnight, of this congregation, whose memorial service was held yesterday. 

We pray for the members of this congregation - Myrna Small and Betty Moran –

Both recovering from broken hips.

Comfort them with your boundless attention

Smile upon those who fend off death with dwindling vigour.

Especially Ian Wilson, the son-in-law of Donna Nanson, who is dying of cancer

And Peter Delancey of this congregation, who is in Palliative Care.

Reach for them, when they decide to stroll with you in the Infinite.

Give us generous and tender hearts –

So we may infuse their leaving in a river of love.

 

We humbly offer our individual prayers of intercession for those, near and far, who are dear to us - and we ask your blessing upon them:

 

We are privileged, Great Maker of Star Light - with diverse, loving relationships –

Through which your Son, Jesus shines.

Through which, we are restored.

Refine us -

That we may eagerly be your torch-bearers with our unique spiritual gifts –

In the co-creation of a healed world.