The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber 

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• ArchBishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon

Prayers for June 30, 2019 – Time After Pentecost

Burning with the flame of faith, we pray for all believers, the world, and those in need.

A moment of silence

To the words “O God, empower us to become fully human,” you are invited to respond “We are your people.”

Let us allow nothing to come between Jesus and our commitment to his ways and example of divine humanity. Make this commitment the living, beating heart of our faith community and our theology of encounter with every person we meet, every aspect of everyday life.

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people.

Let us walk through wilderness and desert, rain forests ad tundras, along the coasts of oceans, rivers, and stream. May we know this land as your beloved creation, as our treasured home. Open our  eyes to the wondrous growth in gardens and farmland, and let us burst forth with thanksgiving for those who tend the lands and the delicious food we will eat.

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people.

Let us celebrate our country, Canada, with its track record in international peace-keeping, its multi-cultural vision for its many peoples, and its peace. And make us fervent in our reconciling with Indigenous peoples, welcoming of more refugees and immigrants, and guarding ourselves against the forces of hatred, greed, exclusionary radicalism that could tarnish our future.

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people.

Give us the courage to name hate mongering and stand on the side of hearing and understanding the value of many perspectives. Help us to sort through the confusing information of our media age, and cling to the shared humanity of multiple ways of being and knowing. Chip away at our fear of the unknown through the power of the curiosity to find out.

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people.

Instil your holy presence into the bodies and minds of those seeking a better future, of homeless people needing a home and support, of those working in summer heat, of those suffering in body, mind, or spirit. We pray especially for those we name aloud or silently in our hearts.

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people.

Make grace be embodied within our work with the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Good Shepherd in Coquitlam and Pastor Eric Krushel and King of Life in Coquitlam and Interim Pastor Katalin Janko.

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people. 

Renew us with summer travel, visits with family and friends, and celebrations that mark events that furnish our lives with memory and meaning. Let us translate that renewal into greater energy for being your people in the world, for becoming more and more people that spread grace and compassion through the days and ways of their lives.

O God, empower us to become fully human. We are your people.

Fill us with gratitude as our prayers lift up like sweet incense. AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber 

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• ArchBishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon

Prayers for April 14, 2019 – Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday

Let us walk beside Jesus riding a donkey, waving our palms, as we pray for the church and all believers, the world, and those in need.

A moment of silence

To the words “Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind” you are invited to respond “Help us follow you.”

Like us, many of the Jewish people longed for change and transformation, and yet resisted Jesus’ proclamation of love, redemption, and a new life without end. Teach us to be open to new ideas about and progressive interpretations of Scripture. Help us to learn how to cling to the truth of faith even while we expand into new ways of understanding it and living it out.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

Creator Spirit, you reveal your beauty and will through stones and seas, mountains and meadows, and in the tiny fingers and unfocused eyes of each newborn. Enable us to take joy in caring for all that you have made and immersing ourselves in the power of nature.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

Jesus, you who have known the extremes of human suffering, be with those who undergo torture and free those held captive by political entities, by personal trauma, and by an inability to move into full and abundant life.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

Pour courage and hope into people who feel that they are wasting away in illness or distress. Make us your face of kindness, your hands holding theirs, your strength through our presence. We pray especially for those we name aloud or silently in our hearts.

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

Make the communion a true feast to us this week. May we consume and celebrate the bread of life and the cup of salvation as ours, as the life-giving elements that sustain in the good times and in the hard times. May we savour the taste of love on our tongues.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

Make our common communion nourish our relationship with the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Dunbar in Vancouver and Pastor Thomas Keeley and the BC Synod staff who do so much we do not see.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

May we find in each Sunday morning worship words that sustain us, truths that change us. Let us give ourselves over to the power of the Word, to the rhythm and poetry that resonates deep enough within us that we reverberate with the comfort of your presence.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, Servant-King of Humankind: Help us follow you.

On this Sunday of the Passion, we lift up our prayers through Jesus, prophet, servant, king, friend. AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
  

  ---

Prayers for January 20, 2019 – Second Sunday after Epiphany

With the words “Transform us by the Spirit of your love” you are invited to respond: We are your people.

On the occasion of the baptism of Jesus, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and the baptism into acceptance and wholeness that we all share.

A moment of silence

Great Spirit of us all, breathe us through our pains and perplexities that we may know you there with us. In the heat of our desires and distresses, let us hear your clean, cool voice saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you.” May we, like St. Paul, know life-changing conversion to your ways for our lives.

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

Great Spirit of us all, let us drink deeply of the wine, produced by verdant vineyards, that marries us to the God who adores us. Bless vineyards and orchards, fields and garden, urban parks and wilderness areas. Meet the needs of all living beings, with our help and our unfailing concern.

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

 Great Spirit of us all, move us away from harmful comparisons of ourselves with others, that we might appreciate all human gifts in their individuality and wonder. Grow among us leaders with unique gifts to rule with creativity and justice in difficult and complex times.

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

Great Spirit of us all, transform this congregation and its individual members into a unique and powerful expression of your love for the people in this place at this time. Bless all of us in our community who work in food banks, feeding programs, and by donations to individuals to see the hungry people go away to enjoy full bellies and sufficient nutrition.

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

Great Spirit of us all, create solutions for those with too little money and those beleaguered by debt. Give moments of release to those who struggle with constant pain and failing health, those who grieve, and all who suffer with unsettled minds. We pray especially for those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts.

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

Great Spirit of us all, make compassion and cooperation the marks of our partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Hills of Peace in Kamloops and Pastor Jane Gingrich and our global missionaries Pastor Yoli Zavaleta in Peru and Pastor Andrea Baez in Argentina.

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

Great Spirit of us all, now is the feast and now the celebration. Equip us this day with an energy for connection and community that changes our encounters with the people with whom we live and work, do business and share space, in the coming week.

“Transform us by the Spirit of your love”  We are your people.

Trusting forevermore in the God who lights our way into a fruitful future, we pray in the name of the Christ Child. AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
  

  ---

Prayers for December 30, 2018 – First Day of Christmas

        With the words “Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,” you are invited to respond: Hear us, we pray.

As we look to the little child who will lead us, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all our brothers and sisters seeking faith and meaning in life.

A moment of silence

God of wisdom, you act through the wonder and insight of children. Bless the youngsters in our lives and let us listen and learn from their innocent and profound understanding of their world.

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

God of creation, you manifest vast imagination in our world. Continue to bless the salmon and cedars, seals barking and whales breaching, rejuvenating rains and the promise of summer sun. We praise you for the cycle of the seasons.

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

 God of hope, you mark us as a people with reason to look ever towards healing. Let us always remember that you have called us by name, consider us beloved, and see us as enough. May we live in a way that personifies divine acceptance to our families, friends, neighbours, and all those we encounter.

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

God of delight, fill us with songs of praise and feelings of joy. Make us laugh often and long at the humour and irony that colours our days. Strengthen our sense of abundance and compassion that our lives be wealthy beyond compare.

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

God of health and healing, minister to the hearts of those who suffer this day. Make those who suffer aware of their value and power, whether they deal with addiction, loneliness, hunger, unemployment, mental illness, or other sickness.

We pray especially for those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts.

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

God of holy alliances, enrich our partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada and Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Good Shepherd in Coquitlam and Pastor Eric Krushel and King of Life in Coquitlam and Interim Pastor Katalin Janko.

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

God of life, make us grab on to each moment, squeezing out the subtle pleasure of being alive and tending ably to our daily affairs. You are with us in the great and small moments of living. Make us mindful of the richness of the ordinary.

“Make us people of goodwill in our time and place,”  Hear us, we pray.

The light has come and leads us forward. Our Christ goes with us now and forever. Alleluia. AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

Prayers for December 25, 2018 – Christmas Day

With the words “A holy day has dawned upon us,” you are invited to respond: Hear our prayer.

In the dawning of the Word made flesh, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all our brothers and sisters seeking justice and truth.

A moment of silence

For the body of Christ spread around the globe, spreading your message of compassion and generosity, we give our thanks. Your generosity abounds in waters and wetlands, dry lands and prairies, the creatures and plants that sustain our bodies and delight our spirits.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

For the many and diverse nations and peoples, and the way in which they teach us to dance, sing, and celebrate in novel ways. Your bounty in imagination challenges us to create, to celebrate, and to conserve diversity in all things.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

 For the struggles that are part and parcel of the human experience, we thank you and we beg your strength in bearing them. Our lives in this world are ones of difficulty and strife—and beauty and learning if we learn to lean into the hardships. We ask for sustenance for ourselves and for those we name aloud or in our hearts.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

For our brothers and sisters of the book, for seekers and questioners, for sceptics and agnostics, we ask the blessing and blind-siding of mystery. Make the mystery of life so compelling that we all catch our breath and carry on in a new way.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

For your model of creation and creativity that calls us all to take part—in how we live, in what we make, in what we take from the experiences life gives. Make us ever-mindful of the fullness of each moment, of the present which is all we can know of eternity.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

For the eerie call of the moon of wintertime “when all the birds had fled,” we thank the native drumming that echoes the rhythms of our hearts. In our country especially, let us remember Gitche Manitou, the Great Spirit as recognized by our indigenous peoples. Bring us together in spite of our past into a blessed future.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

For the many and varied ways Jesus comes to us at Christmas—as helpless infant, as Word incarnate, as personification of the hopes of a faithful people. May we find our angels to guide us toward the wisdom we need to live life abundantly.

“A holy day has dawned upon us,”  Hear our prayer.

Christmas has come, Christmas will come again, Christmas will live in our hearts. In the name of the babe whose name is Jesus. AMEN.

 The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

Prayers for December 24, 2018 – Christmas Eve

         With the words “May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,” you are invited to respond: Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Our hearts full of the great light come into our darkness, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all who wish to stand in the light of full humanity.

A moment of silence

Holy Child of Bethlehem, you are with us, before us, and behind us—and we celebrate you. You lead us and follow us, stand at our left and at our right. You are beneath and above us; you are in us.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Wee boy of a ramshackle manger, show us that we need not be defined by humble beginnings or traumas past and present. You light our way, the Word that was with God, was God, and is God now and forevermore.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Long-awaited Messiah, leader of our hearts, warm us with a boundless love that makes a rainbow of the turning, twisting colours of our days. Help us to see in the light of Christmas the full spectrum of colour that enriches our nights and days.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Prince of Peace, help us to hang on to your hand, your vision, in a world that makes a mockery of peace and tranquility. Holding your hand, we claim the courage to be agents of change—demanding by example and action a world of greater safety and security for more and more people. We lift up in our hearts the those people and concerns that weigh upon us this night.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Author of hope and change, shake up our expectations that we see our days and our lives in a new life where joy is possible. May we light one hundred candles, a thousand candles, in the dark nights ahead, so that darkness never can prevail.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Holy Child, you make Marys of us all—faithful ones bearing new life, new ways of being, because we believe in the profound humanity more powerful than raucous feasting for its own sake. Bless our feasting and festivities with holy fire.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

God of eternity, you are as beautiful and complex as a butterfly wing, as mysterious as weather moving in from the sea and mountains. Bless us with the time and the mindset to know what it is to be still and know that you are God.

“May our hearts be full of good news of great joy,”  Alleluia. Emmanuel. Alleluia.

Christmas has come, Christmas will come again, Christmas will live in our hearts. In the name of the babe whose name is Jesus. AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
  

  ---

Prayers for December 23, 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Advent 

With the words “Let it be with us according to your word,” you are invited to respond:  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

As we await the coming of the child in the manger, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all who yearn for peace within and throughout the world.

A moment of silence

Lord of kept promises, you offer us healing, hope, and wholeness. May we accept your offer—singing like Mary and rejoicing like Elizabeth. Enable us to mould ourselves into an earthly image of divine faithfulness that others may see and believe.

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

God of creation, God of the eternal now, you revel in the health of the earth—its waters, its dry lands, its many creatures, its very atmosphere. Make us move in your image to protect and nurture this globe of wonder and want, that all may flourish in its plenitude.

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

 Prince of Peace, you slipped into our world as a humble boy, a poor boy, to parents on the move and cast out from their families in Bethlehem. You lived a life of wholehearted humanity—and paid the ultimate price for living out truth in a world caught up in its own hatreds and lies. May we somehow grapple with the truth of the cradle and cross that is our faith.

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

Comforter of the down-hearted, smile especially upon those for whom the holiday season is one of meagre sameness, upon the refugees longing for a home, and the sick and lonely seeking wholeness and companionship. We pray especially for those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts.

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

God of holy alliances, enrich our partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Shepherd of the Valley in Comox and the faculty, staff, and students of our Lutheran seminaries in Saskatoon and Waterloo.

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

Love incarnate, you are Alpha and Omega. All things begin and end in you, and we live in the constant reforming and resurrection of your care and nurturing of our hearts and minds. Walk with all whose holiday season is marked by depression, grief, or heartache.

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

God of eternity, hold us close to all those saints who have taught us the way and gone before into glory. May we light candles for them in the blaze of Christmas lights.

“Let it be with us according to your word,”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

Pregnant with anticipation for the celebration of faith, hearth, and home that is Christmas, we pray in the name of the man from Galilee.  AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
  

  ---

Prayers for December 9, 2018 – First Sunday of Advent 

With the words “Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life,” you are invited to respond: Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

Together with people of faith in all times and all places, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all who yearn for wholeness and spiritual wealth.

A moment of silence

What if we take God seriously? The God who says you are whole; you are healed; you are precious and loved beyond measure. What if we head out each day with that leading us, taking us out and about, bringing us home for dinner and rest.

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

What if the mountains and seas, rivers and dry lands, sunlight and rain are daily blessings that simply wait for us to notice and absorb their power? May we never take this globe of wonder for granted, and may we work with it and for it that it remains healthy for generations to come.

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

What if, through our love and by our example, more and more people experience the purity of heart within the shelter of our life-giving God? Make each day an adventure in encountering others with compassion and simple moments of connection, face to face. Like infants searching for the face of the mother, we all seek our whole lives long to see and be seen as valuable.

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

What if we build more and stronger connections with people of faith, that together we spread the Gospel? Continue to connect us face to face, faith to faith, with our partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Grace in Burnaby and Pastor Nathan Fong and Mount Zion in Smithers.

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

What if we reach out instead of look away to those who are hurting, in mind, body, spirit, and life choices? Give us the power to be there, the courage to be there, and the quietness to quell our desires to do something when being there is often enough. We pray for those we name aloud or in our hearts.

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

What if the real fear of our lives is not our powerlessness, but that we have power beyond our wildest dreams? Teach us to trust our inner wisdom, our strength, our knowledge of the right thing to do when everything seems to be going wrong.

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

What if our unique set of skills and strengths, our penchants and personalities, are just what the world needs right now? Take heart and take action, knowing that you are God’s and God chooses you to be who and what you are to your family, friends, community, and world.

“Let us live fully, that we never die an unlived life.”  Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.

You are blessed among us in all times and places, in the good times and the hard times. We swaddle our prayers in the warmth and safety of the Christ. AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
  

  ---

Prayers for December 2, 2018 – First Sunday of Advent (Year C)

With the words “As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope,” you are invited to respond:  Come to us, Light of the World.

Joined with believers everywhere honouring the mystery of one young woman, her faithful man, and the wee child in her womb, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all who yearn for wholeness and spiritual wealth.

A moment of silence

Praise be to the midwife of all beginnings who imagined the lights of the heaven, the textures of our earth, the power of wind and rain. She was there at the moment of our birth and accompanies us in the power, the joys, and the sorrows of life in the glorious bodies that are our birthright.

As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope.  Come to us, Light of the World.

 Praise be to you, God of all things—the large, the tiny, the shared glances day by day that mark our shared humanity. Grow peace within us, that we easily revel in the good times and learn to lean into the bad ones—all the while listening for your love and the wisdom you offer then and always.

As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope.  Come to us, Light of the World.

 Praise be for the farmers, forest rangers, gardeners, and all manner of care-takers who participate in the perpetual rejuvenation of life on earth. For what we know of you, we know through the earth—and its insistence on producing life in abundance, diversity, and humour.

As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope.  Come to us, Light of the World.

Blessed be the leaders of our faith in this plugged in and yet tuned out time. Continue to connect us face to face, faith to faith, with our partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop (name bishop in your region), the Roman Catholic churches and Bishop (name bishop in your area) and our own Bishop Greg.  Today we add a special prayer for our own pastor ________. We offer prayers for the churches of our synod, especially Peace Lutheran in Abbotsford and Pastor Denise Doerksen and Emmaus Lutheran in Burnaby and Pastor Timo Saarinen.

As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope.  Come to us, Light of the World.

 Blessed be you, who stands by our side and looks into our eyes in times of trouble. We pray especially for those we  name aloud or quietly in our heart….

(include those listed in the bulletin for prayers)

Blessed be your people doing your work in the world, inside our congregations and within our communities. Listen to all the involvements members have with food banks, literacy programs, refugee outreach, thrift stores, and so much more—and celebrate our participation in reaching out and touching a world of want and need.

As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope.  Come to us, Light of the World.

Blessed be our faith, God, and know that it is often difficult. In the dark times, we grieve and doubt, lose our footing. We turn toward you in prayer and find no words. We seek your presence and find ourselves feeling all alone. Bless us as we live our earthly pilgrimage, with all its fears and failings, fullness and fellowship.

As we huddle in the cold and dark, basking in the mystery of hope.  Come to us, Light of the World.

 You are blessed among us in all times and places, in the good times and the hard times. We swaddle our prayers in the warmth and safety of the Christ.  AMEN.

The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber

click here to download a copy of the prayers

We invite you to include the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Bishops of your region in your prayers.

Anglican Bishops:

• Bishop Logan McMenamie, Diocese of British Columbia
• Bishop Melissa Skelton, Diocese of New Westminster
• Bishop David Lehmann, Diocese of Caledonia
• Bishop John Privett, Diocese of Kootenay
• Bishop Barbara Andrews, Diocese of The Territory of the People

Roman Catholic Bishops:

• Archdiocese of Vancouver – Archbishop Michael Miller
• Diocese of Kamloops – Bishop Joseph Nguyen
• Diocese of Nelson – Bishop Robert Bourgon
• Diocese of Prince George – Bishop Stephen Jensen
• Diocese of Victoria – Bishop Gary Gordon
  

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Prayers for November 11, 2018 – Time After Pentecost

With the words “My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord,” you are invited to respond:

 HEAR OUR PRAYER

Knowing that your spirit moves among us, we pray for the life of the church, the world, and all who yearn for wholeness and spiritual wealth.

A moment of silence

God of the highs and lows of our lives, we remember all those who fought and died in warfare, seeking to preserve democracy and our best values for societies. Inspire us all to see peaceable answers to the world conflicts that never cease. Let us observe a moment of silence on this Remembrance Day to honour veterans living and dead. (Maintain one minute of silence.)

My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

 God of mercy and compassion, mould us in the ways of kindness that our church embody your spirit and truth. Enable us to take this kindness with us every day as we go about the ordinary and extra-ordinary matters of life. Keep us mindful of the farmers and labourers who ensure a supply of good food, and help us share what we have that all might be fed.

My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

 Remind us that you never abandon us–even when we abandon you in times of despair and discouragement. Teach us to reach out to you, trusting that your love can break through our stubborn hearts and help us find your constancy in a sometimes chaotic world.

My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

Make us listen and be still: for God gives power to guide us, wisdom to teach us, and eyes to watch over us. When all seems lost, let us seek life in the weekly nourishment of the Eucharist. When all seems bleak, let us hear the Scripture as if for the very first time.

My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

With our First Nations brothers and sisters, we pray to the Great Spirit, the Grandfather, the Grandmother, that we live in harmony with our earthly home. Help us to use resources carefully and thankfully, for they show your creativity and magnificence.

 My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

Keep us strengthened and energized to reach out to those who are unnoticed or neglected. Make us of one mind as we seek justice that eliminates hunger, greed, and self-righteousness. Let us count on your presence in the lives of those who are ill, injured, or burdened in heart or mind. We pray especially for those we name aloud or in the silence of our hearts.

(Include those listed in the bulletin for prayer)

My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

Move us to ever-closer communion with our partner Anglican Church of Canada and their Bishop in your region, the Roman Catholic Church and their Bishop in your region and our own Bishop Greg. We pray for the congregations of our BC Synod: Grace in Victoria, Mount Olive in Surrey and Rev. Peter Hanson, and prison ministries across Canada.

My soul magnifies the spirit of the Lord  HEAR OUR PRAYER

Remind us day by day, week by week, that we can know your light only if we deal with darkness. We cannot speak with authority until we have learned to listen. We cannot teach with insight until we too are reborn. All this we pray in the name of the Christ.

AMEN.