Dear Glen Mar friends,
This weekend, we’ll have our 8th annual Jewels for Hope sale on Saturday! Come on out and buy some wonderful treasures for a terrific cause! And on Sunday, we have All Saint’s Sunday, Holy Communion, and the start of a worship series on thankfulness called “Bless this Mess.” Y’all come! (And don’t forget to set your clocks back on Saturday night or you will be EARLY for church!). Also, registration for this year’s Journey to Bethlehem opens today! Share this link on your social to invite friends!
As we continue to pray for our country and our upcoming elections, I offer this prayer written by the Western NC Conference (Bishop Ken Carter):
“Trusting in your abiding faithfulness, O Lord, we pray to you as the King of kings and the Lord of all lords. You alone are God. So, we come to you in humility, trusting in your grace, as we pray for our election process and for the peace of our people. We pray for our president who will be elected, that they will serve with strength and compassion; that they may represent the very best of who you have called us to be around the globe; that they may be committed to justice and peace, and that they will seek to bring us together as one nation to address our challenges, regardless of our differences.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our governors and legislators, that they will be responsive to their whole constituency and enact laws that ensure the wellbeing of all the people they represent.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all others who will be elected to public office, that their service to their people would be just and beyond reproach; that wherever they serve in local government, schools, or law enforcement, they would treat all people with dignity, respect, and always serve the common good.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our nation, our cities, and our neighborhoods, that together we can create a place where all people are respected and safe, where difference of opinion does not lead to violence, and where our combined creativity heals brokenness of all kinds.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray also that regardless of the outcome of this upcoming Election Day, we would remember that we are called by Christ to care for our neighbor, to pursue peace, and too work for justice in our communities. Inspire us to work together, across divisions and differences, to create your beloved community wherever we are.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who serve us now and those who will serve us moving forward, that they may reflect your goodness, compassion, justice and grace. And we pray for all nations around the world, including those who are held in the grips of violence and war, that we and they will experience the peaceful election of our leaders and the peaceful transitions of power. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus, who also taught us to pray, Our Father, who art in heaven….”
Vote early, vote often, vote well—and I’ll see you in Church,
Pastor Mandy
