Thank you God for this amazing world,
that is both diverse and complex.
Thank you for a world that includes snowy tundra and desert,
that includes rocky mountains and tropical beaches,
that includes icy lakes and warm oceans,
that includes cold winds and warm breezes.
Thank you that the world is not all the same
and that this biodiversity works together.
Thank you for our amazing families,
that are both diverse and complex
You know our relationships inside out,
you know that we have family we love,
family we tolerate, family we can hardly stand.
Give us patience with our families this week.
When we would count the ways we have been neglected,
teach us to remember that we too overlook others.
When we would keep track of hurtful words,
call to mind the thoughtless words we have spoken.
When we would itemize the imperfections of our family members,
reveal to us our own shortcomings.
We need Jesus to show us the way,
giving us a love for our families
as deep as the need for love within ourselves.
Thank you for our amazing congregation
that is both diverse and complex.
Thank you for all who work so hard to make this place tick.
Thank you for those who teach children and youth and adults,
serve meals, donate money, clean sidewalks, arrange flowers
Thank you for those who pray, who work on committees,
handle our finances, practice music and hospitality,
share stories, clean up, visit the sick, play instruments
and attend our services.
Thank you for all the gifts you’ve given
and the way they are used to build up this body of Christ.
Thank you for the role you give our congregation and our families,
sowing seeds, being salt and light everywhere we go.
We pray especially today for those we know who are sick….
Our hearts are heavy with the story in the news this week [name story]…
you know how peace was broken and how it can be healed.
We call on your amazing power to renew, to restore, to rejuvenate.
Bless our congregational meeting this Sunday,
we want it to be a good time of community sharing and visioning.
May the words we hear(d) today from scripture
speak to us about who you want us to be this year,
in this time and this place.
We pray this in the name of Jesus our Saviour, Amen.
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I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.