Last Night at BSM

May 2, 2016

Last night, Andy introduced a sermon series on the parts of a worship service with a focus on Opening Songs, drawing on the story of Paul and Silas in prison from Acts 16:16-40. In this text, Paul and Silas pray and sing together from the innermost prison cell, finding courage and comfort in the midst of oppression.  Singing together is a way of coming together to remember God’s faithfulness over time so that we, the church, might be sent to participate in God’s work in the world.

Together, we sang with Tony and the Motley Order Choir, who led us in: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Amazing Grace, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Be And Be Not Afraid, and Wade In The Water.

Our community also offered the following prayers:

Please pray for me as I do my best to make changes to improve my health. For D****, as she recommits to a job search. May she find favor.

Health.

Dear Lord. Pretty please. Many, many thanks. Guide us into your will. Always.

I ask Jesus to destroy all padlocks on Earth and in the water that the prostitutes are using to bind my soulmate to them with spells every minute of everyday. Now and forever in Jesus name I ask. Amen.

I ask for the same justice that was giving to Zeus when he was oppressed and his life was stolen now and forevermore in Jesus name I ask. Amen.

I ask Jesus to break all curses on my pictures, hair, bed, clothes, shoes, food, bed sheets, brain, bones, hair, skin, eyeballs, mind, body, soul, and spirit and return all spells back to senders 17 times fold back to senders every minute of everyday now and forever more in Jesus name I ask. Amen.

I claim everything that’s my kids’, P****, A*****, S****, M******* and me by Divine Right for us to have now and forever more in Jesus name I ask. Amen.

I ask Jesus to go by the tablets of destiny and fates and have everyone living out their own destiny and fates every minute of every day now and forever in Jesus name I ask. Amen.

For my Mom and brother and sister as we watch her fade. May she be kept safe and may they realize that this world and our lives have been made better with her.

Prayers for my friend J****’s little niece who is going through her last round of chemotherapy today. Prayers for my whole family as we search for jobs and look to the future.

Thanksgiving for continued healing. For direction and discernment in life/work decisions. Prayer for healing of co-workers. Prayer for my daughter and her children. For my daughter’s parenting. For them all to feel God’s care and love for them. Thanks for God’s presence in my life.

Apprehension and assumptions can stop me in my tracks, bring me down and make me react unkindly. Laying these burdens down—prayers would be helpful too.

Thank you for bringing me back safely to this community. Please be with D******* and her continued struggles with her infertility.

Thank you, God! I finally quit the job I hate!

Prayers for J*** and his family—father took his life. Thank you.

May the students in the schools of Philadelphia be blessed with the most competent and passionate leaders next year. And let’s bring back the weekly update for the Breaditor-in-Chief.

Just asking for your help through this next week, God. Help me not to fear. Not to let perfectionism paralyze me or overwhelm me. Not to feel like a fraud. I want to be more intentional in praising you. For K****.