Prayers of the People (from Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020)

Pastor Lauren shares here some of what we carried on our hearts October 25 in worship:

Holy God we seek a way through polarities and limitations of binary options. Make us seekers of the unwavering justice of God, our God who is always on the side of the vulnerable.

We are praying a swift recovery for those who are ill or injured, and we give thanks that those who have had medical procedures are back at home with family.

We are with every 581 + now orphaned child of God, forcibly separated from their families. We are with 81 thousand corona virus grief struck families who have lost loved ones.

We continue to be with between 220, 000- 300, 000 families who have lost their loved ones, and with so many more that are moving through positive virus diagnoses fall out & varying continual implications.

God give us strength for a long road ahead. God make us carriers of Your love through a long hard struggle ahead. Turn us out in creative new ways, make us your builders of better ways and better days. God we pray not to return to ‘normal’, but to live for a better normal.

We are with every person offering service to our country, in the spirit of creating peace, but suffering separation and loss.

God we pray You ease us to be tender with our broken hearts. Remind all that you are there. So that You might extend Your reach- through us. Bring us to be with separated families, in every way, and every circumstance. Embolden us to look at structures we did not mean to be part of creating, but now are responsible to dismantle.

Our holy God, we call upon your in-breaking reign to make us a force of your justice. To give Your support to others. Through our very own hands and feet.

God in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Prayers of the People: Week of Sept. 27

A line drawing in gray of two hands holding a heart, behind words in red that read “Prayers of the People”

In worship on Sept. 27, we joined together in holding up these prayers:

• For the family of Susan Kelly, whose were members of Keystone, who grieve for her loss. 

• For caregivers who support us in our daily lives, and who work hard to keep us safe during these times. 

• For the blessings that God gives us, through our homes and children and the care they give us. Give family who take care of us the strength and endurance to keep caring for us and one another, and for other blessings of good health, strength in our bodies. 

• For those who are sick that God may bless them and help them find wellness. 

Holy God ... hear our prayers!

These prayers are crafted to carry those shared in worship to our whole community, in the general spirit in which they were given (one pastor or leader makes note as one prays), while guarding their privacy as this newsletter is carried into the digital world.  We also especially welcome you to send Rev. Lauren your note during the week with any prayer request, we are so happy to incorporate it into our online worship (if you may not be up for voicing it). We are also always glad for you to add your prayers to the Zoom chat box during live worship, and we can fold them in to the spoken prayers. Contact Keystone's pastors for any pastoral concerns (contact info is below and at the bottom of this newsletter)

Prayers to include in the newsletter? Email them to Pastor Yuki (yuki.schwartz@keystoneseattle.org), Pastor Rich (keystone5019@gmail.com), &/or Pastor Lauren:  lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org, or text/ call Lauren cell:  773.501.7382

Prayers of the People: Week of Sept. 14, 2020

A line drawing in gray of two hands holding a heart, behind words in red that read “Prayers of the People”

In worship on Sept. 13, we joined together in holding up these prayers:

• For the communities who have suffered losses because of the fires in California, Oregon, and Washington. For those suffering from the smoke from these fires. Please send hope and carers and rain so that the fires can get under control. 

• For the firefighters and for people who don't have shelter from the smoke. 

• For dear friends who have lost family members, send them peace and healing, and help us be there for them as friends and co-workers so we can be supportive to them. 

• For dear friends who have passed away, and for those of us who miss them. May they feel the peace and love of God, and may God be with us in our grief. 

• For children who care for their beloved parents, give them strength and endurance and love. 

• For our loved ones who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns, help us be a light and bring life to their sadness. 

• For the work of Megan Phelps Roper, who left the Westboro Baptist Church because of its intolerance of LGBTQIA+ people and others, who carries her insights into conversations with others so that people can understand the power of love and forgiveness. 

• For everyone experiencing grief and fear and anxieties and other unfamiliar emotions right now, and who are uncertain about the future, that we may be able to help them find the comfort and support they need to get through each day, and help them feel not-so-alone, even though it feels that way. Help us help them know that they are loved and to remind them of how much they love others, so we can all make it through together. 

Holy God ... hear our prayers!

These prayers are crafted to carry those shared in worship to our whole community, in the general spirit in which they were given (one pastor or leader makes note as one prays), while guarding their privacy as this newsletter is carried into the digital world.  We also especially welcome you to send Rev. Lauren your note during the week with any prayer request, we are so happy to incorporate it into our online worship (if you may not be up for voicing it). We are also always glad for you to add your prayers to the Zoom chat box during live worship, and we can fold them in to the spoken prayers. Contact Keystone's pastors for any pastoral concerns (contact info is below and at the bottom of this newsletter)

Prayers to include in the newsletter? Email them to Pastor Yuki (yuki.schwartz@keystoneseattle.org), Pastor Rich (keystone5019@gmail.com), &/or Pastor Lauren:  lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org, or text/ call Lauren cell:  773.501.7382

Prayer of the People: Week of Sept. 7, 2020

A line drawing in gray of two hands holding a heart, behind words in red that read “Prayers of the People”

In worship on Sept. 6, we joined together in holding up these prayers:

• For friends who have entered hospice and are journeying toward the end of life, our prayers go with them from afar. 

• For loved ones getting married during this time of social distancing, that even though this isn't the wedding they wanted, may it be the wedding filled with good, loving memories. 

• For children who are leaving home to go to college for the first time, as we give thanks for the time they've been at home, we ask for help to be not too sad about this transition, but mostly that we send them into this new experience with hope and joy. 

• For all of life's unanswered prayers that bring us closer to what we're supposed to be. 

Holy God ... hear our prayers!

These prayers are crafted to carry those shared in worship to our whole community, in the general spirit in which they were given (one pastor or leader makes note as one prays), while guarding their privacy as this newsletter is carried into the digital world.  We also especially welcome you to send Rev. Lauren your note during the week with any prayer request, we are so happy to incorporate it into our online worship (if you may not be up for voicing it). We are also always glad for you to add your prayers to the Zoom chat box during live worship, and we can fold them in to the spoken prayers. Contact Keystone's pastors for any pastoral concerns (contact info is below and at the bottom of this newsletter)

Prayers to include in the newsletter? Email them to Pastor Yuki (yuki.schwartz@keystoneseattle.org), Pastor Rich (keystone5019@gmail.com), &/or Pastor Lauren:  lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org, or text/ call Lauren cell:  773.501.7382

Prayers of the People: Week of August 31, 2020

Image description: A gray line drawing of hands surrounding a heart, superimposed by the words “Prayers of the People” in red.

In worship on August 30, we joined together in holding up these prayers:

• For Seattle schools as the school year begins, especially for students and their families who haven't received yet all the resources for a successful school year. May we help the Seattle schools in its work to educate all our students. 

• That people continue their action to keep elections fair, and that we do our work with empathy and care, and hear one another, but especially that we support young leaders who show us the way. 

• For family members who care for us, that they receive from you, O God, the strength to carry on. 

• For those who care for us and for those who will care for us. 

Holy God ... hear our prayers!

These prayers are crafted to carry those shared in worship to our whole community, in the general spirit in which they were given (one pastor or leader makes note as one prays.)  We also especially welcome you to send Rev. Lauren your note during the week with any prayer request, we are so happy to incorporate it into our online worship (if you may not be up for voicing it). We are also always glad for you to add your prayers to the Zoom chat box during live worship, and we can fold them in to the spoken prayers. Contact Keystone's pastors for any pastoral concerns (contact info is below and at the bottom of this newsletter)

Prayers to include in the newsletter? Email them to Pastor Yuki (yuki.schwartz@keystoneseattle.org), Pastor Rich (keystone5019@gmail.com), &/or Pastor Lauren:  lauren.cannon@keystoneseattle.org, or text/ call Lauren cell:  773.501.7382