WOMEN OF THE ELCA

UPSTATE NEW YORK SYNOD

PRAYER MINISTRY

 

Prayer Ministry Letter- January 2009

Awake, Awake and Greet the New Morn ----- WOV #633

Marty Haugen text and music for GIA Publications, Inc. c. 1983

" Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn, For angels herald its dawning.

Sing out your joy, for soon he is born, Behold! The Child of our longing.

Come as a baby weak and poor, To bring all hearts together,

He opens wide the heavenly door and Lives now inside us forever."

Dear Sisters in Christ,

As the Christmas season comes to a close, and Epiphany is upon us, let us reflect on the events in our lives during the past few weeks. We have all experienced some special holiday festivities and gatherings with families and friends. Most of us participated in special Christmas services to remember the birth of Jesus our savior as a human baby long ago in Bethlehem. The activities of the season make it challenging for us to find some quiet time to reflect on what the Christmas story means to us personally.

I urge you to set aside some time now to think about what the birth and life of Jesus the Christ means to you. How does being in relationship with God as expressed in Jesus change your life? How are you set apart and marked with the seal of this Christ?

We look to Marty Haugen's hymn at the top of this page and think of what it means that this baby Jesus was able to bring hearts together, open heaven's door, and now lives inside us continually and forever. WE are blesses by being in an everlasting relationship of love and grace with God and with each other. WE are able to communicate our love through prayer, praises, thanksgivings and requests for ourselves and for others according to their needs. We are called to this ministry, and it is a joy to be joined in this.

May God continue to bless you as we walk through Epiphany together and follow the light of Jesus, our Light. I end in peace and love as your sister in Christ, Susan Nalle+

 

Prayer Requests:

1. For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and all its leader and pastors esp. Bp. Mark Hanson and Bp. Marie Jerge and staff and for all our Global Missions esp. in Zimbabwe and Palestine,

2. For the Women of the ELCA-church wide, synodical, conference leaders and all its ministries. Stir up the hearts of all women to join us in partnerships to serve,

3. For all our children, esp., those endangered by the threat of evil, abuse, neglect, prostitution and other crimes,

4. For all our ecumenical faith partners as we grow in celebrating our united faiths and ministries, esp. our Episcopalian, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Congregationalist, Methodist and other sisters,

5. For our government officials that they may be safe and healthy and committed to peace and justice, national health care, and environmental protection,

6. For all the animals esp. our dear pets,

7. For all who are encountering cancer and other serious diseases and health conditions- Carol Roppel, Pr. Dave Roppel, Jeff Giles, Rebecca Crumm, Faith and Harvey, Jackie W.,Carolyn M., Shirley Cianfarano, Lee Irwin and his sister, Doree, Colleen, Amy, Lois Stolp, Patricia Deaderick, Nancy St. Onge, Carol Grimes, Jane Anello, June Todd, Doug Kelley, Betsy Fenske, Pr. Jennifer Ginn, Pr. Elisabeth Boessin and daughter, Karin, Dick Workman, Dan Workman, Marian Isder, Marjorie Walker, Wilma Brown, Mary Mc Mahon, Doris Gombert, Patrick Schrader, Terry Baum, Janet Tonkin, Wayne and Gerry Smith, John and Dorothy Darling, John, Jr., Arkie Price, Donna Regan, Mary Jean and Peter Walker, Marian Tovey, Millie Mc Cann, Mary Mc Cann, Peter and Charline Zanewych, Fred Clemens, Alice Gibson, Betty Cunningham, Helen Lagoe, Mina Ischinger, Virginia Pierce, Deanna Bouford, Marilyn, Joanne Blake's sister, Lauri Nelson and her sister with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome, Dot Grapes, Betsy's friend Cathy with MS, Cindy Hogman, Wayne Hager awaiting a heart transplant and his wife Robin, Tucker Rossiter recovering from heart surgery, and Susan Traub awaiting surgery, and all others along with their caregivers, esp. those in hospitals and nursing homes, for Sybil's friend, Sandi Walton with diabetes and learning to walk again after having her toes amputated,

8. For all those with mental health illnesses, depression, anxieties, addictions and other debilitating conditions-Derek, Mary. Fred Cox, Charles and his family, Marute and family, Pat and Carol, and all others,esp. those facing Alzheimer's Disease,

9. For peace and an end to war. For all victims of war, natural disaster, and other violence and abuse,

10. For all who are unemployed, homeless or suffering in other ways from this recession. Be with Kathy Nalle to help her find a better new job with benefits quickly,

11. For all who are serving in our military esp. Scott Cianfarano, Andrew Rutherford, and Ben Richardson and their families.

Praises:

1. For all who volunteer to sew quilts, knit prayer shawls, and baby hats and do other service projects and in gatherings,

2. For food pantries and soup kitchens and shelters and for all who volunteer to work in them, and all who donate goods and services to them to help others,

3. For the beauty of the winter landscape, for sunny days, good traveling and heat for our homes,

4. For all who have jobs and benefits and dependable pensions, social security and other economic blessings,

5. For music, art, beauty, and all things that give us pleasure and joy,

6. For lower gasoline prices and its good effect on everybody,

7. For all births, weddings and anniversaries since the last letter!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, Dearest Friend,

All thanks and praise be to You now and always for all that You have given us and all that You do for us, most of all, for being in relationship with us and giving us the joy of Your Presence always. We ask You to hear all our prayers for those who are sick or suffering or challenged in any way, that You would give them Your help and strength and healing and direction. Give us peace and justice. Guide us always to do Your will and to be good witnesses to Your love and grace and compassion. WE love You, Lord, and we trust in Your promises. In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.+

 

Please send any new prayer requests and praises to me at snalle@oco.org or mail me at 7700 St. Rt. 104, Oswego, N.Y. 13126.

Thanks,

Sue