Our Resurrection Weekend services begin with our Good Friday Evening Gathering, March 29 at 7:00 pm, and conclude with our regular Sunday activities on Resurrection Sunday Morning, March 31!

Elder's Prayer

Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

When times are good, we can easily say that you are first in our hearts, that you are our treasure, our victory. We can readily admit that you are ruler of all and that you are our light.

But when trouble comes, we can find our hearts quickly turn away, our minds darkened by our pain. We become desperate in our thoughts, our hope shaken by the storms around us, we begin to think that we have no answers.

We wonder if you have rejected us. We wonder if we will find favor in your sight again.

Has your promise to us come to an end? Have you forgotten to be gracious to us? In your anger toward us and our sin, have you withdrawn your compassion from us? In our grief, we wonder if you have changed in your thoughts toward us.

And then we remember the past and you have shown yourself faithful to your people time and time again.

We remember that Job suffered the loss of all things in one day – his possessions, his children – and his wife told him to curse you. He reminded her that we should accept both good and bad from your hand. We see and remember that you give wisdom in grief.

We remember that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were threatened with death if they did not obey. They responded with faith that you would ultimately deliver them from evil. We see and remember that you give faith and courage when we face fear.

We remember that when Stephan was being stoned for his belief in Christ, he prayed that you would not hold this sin against those stoning him. We see and remember that you can forgive even the worst of our sins, that you give us hope in hopeless situations.

We remember that church history shows us men and women who died because they believed that Jesus alone saves them from their sins. We see and remember that you will keep us faithful to the end.

When we encounter times of trouble, remind us of your deeds, remind us of all that you have done in the past. Help us to meditate on all your works.

Help us to say with the psalmist (Psalm 77:13-14): Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your strength among the peoples.

Amen.