Offer Your Heart in Worship
At the very center of our worship is a time of prayer we call the Prayers of the People. This is a time for each of us to offer our own prayers of thanksgiving and intercession so that the entire worshiping community can participate in lifting the prayers to God. This is also a time for all of us to hear the prayers of each person’s heart and lift those prayers lovingly to God.
The Prayers of the People were designed to be personal, and relevant to a specific worshiping community at a specific time. When the Committee for Liturgy and Music of the national Church began publishing worship resources to supplement the Book of Common Prayer, they wrote three new Eucharistic prayers and many new collects, but they did not offer new “forms” for the Prayers of the People. Here’s what they wrote about that:
This book (Enriching Our Worship) contains no forms for the Prayers of the People. Rather, it calls attention to the generous and flexible—and frequently overlooked—provisions of the Book of Common Prayer.
Of the six forms provided (BCP pp. 383-393), none are required. Any of them may be used or adapted to the occasion. They may also be replaced with other forms. All that is required is that the topics listed at the top of page 383 be included in the prayers.
During the season of Pentecost, we are using a variation on form IV from the BCP. The first adaptation we made was to invite people to write prayer requests on a prayer list before the service begins. The clipboard on the welcome table offers:
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prayers of thanksgiving where we can share birthdays, anniversaries, and other happy events,
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prayers for those who are traveling,
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prayers for those in need of help and healing,
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and prayers for those who have died.
A Eucharistic Minister then reads these prayer requests in the service. This gives each of us a chance to offer our prayer requests to the congregation and to God, but really, the clipboard is meant to be a backup. Our true hope and desire is that you will offer your prayers out loud after each prayer bidding.
There is great comfort and great power in praying together. If you have a hope or a concern about the environment, you may speak that out as a prayer after the prayer for “all creation.” If you have a friend or loved one who is in the hospital, tell us about them. Try saying something like, “For my friend Terry who is recovering from surgery,” after the prayer for “those who are suffering in body, mind or spirit.”
The Prayers of the People are our prayers. This is the part of the service that makes our worship most specific to our hearts and our identity as a worshiping congregation. Prayer works, and communal prayer works best.
Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall
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Community Engagement
Our annual school supply drive for homeless students continues until Sunday, September 26. If you have not had a chance to make a donation of supplies or money, there is still time. If you have already made a donation, thank you! Please contact Kathy Newman at 206-365-0677 for more information.
Donations continue for the Greenwood Food Bank of non-perishable items. These can be left in the big wooden box to the right of the entrance to the Narthex. Please keep in mind that many of these persons do not have microwaves, ovens, stoves, or refrigerators to prepare and store food items. If you have any questions, please contact Warren Broderick @ 206-362-3217 or Al Bahlkow @ 206-282-4431.
Upcoming Events in our Congreational Life
Come Sunday to Hear Our Choir’s Return!
This Sunday will be the first Sunday with the full choir led by our new music director, Tim Drewes. There will be several new musical elements in the service that will take our worship to new heights of reverence and beauty. Whether you love to sing, or you just like to listen, you won’t want to miss this!
Eucharistic Minister and Acolyte training session will be held after the service next Sunday, September 26. Any persons interested in getting involved in these worship ministries please plan to attend. For questions, please contact Mary O. Pacher @ 425-271-6179 or Frederica O’Connor @ 425-771-0955.
God In Real Life Bible Study Group meets Wednesday mornings from 11:00am to noon and is exploring the ways we encounter God, receive God’s blessings, and respond to God in our every day lives. Join us as we study one of minor prophets, Micah. Just as we discovered with our in-depth look at Jonah, expect to discover new challenges and beautiful rewards as we open ourselves to God’s will.
Medieval Murder Mystery Auction catalog has been sent out this week to attendees via email or snail mail. Catalogs are also available in narthex or electronically by request. You need not be present to bid on items. Contact Diana Rall if you have questions or to inquire concerning bids on items @ 206-660-9156 or dtoshiba@comcast.net.
Parish Roster Updates need to be made on the printed roster by the Prayer List on the table in the Vestibule. Please indicate any updates necessary by Sunday, September 26 or you may call the church office (206-363-4319) with your changes.
WANTED: Good used stereo amplifier. Contact our Music Director Tim Drewes @ 503-473-4587 or music@sdchp.org.
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