Last Night at BSM

June 27, 2016

Last night, our much beloved Julia Watkins gave her last sermon at BSM, preaching on resisting the impulse to vengeance in favor of trusting in God’s justice. The text for the day was Luke 9:51-62, where Jesus rebukes his disciples for asking him if they should destroy a village because of how inhospitable its people were to Jesus. Instead, Jesus has them keep on going on their journey to Jerusalem. We are also to keep on keeping on, actively trusting in God’s justice by taking the next step God calls us to. We are to subvert cycles of retributive violence by the radical, absurd-seeming love with which only God can empower us.

Tony and the Motley Order choir helped us make the church rock with the sounds of First Aid Kit’s “My Silver Lining,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Keep On Keeping On,” Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” Mavis Staples’s “Eyes on the Prize,” and the hymns Be Thou My Vision and Seek Ye First.

Our community also offered the following prayers:

Jobs – Dad’s interview + waiting to hear (should hear by July 4). Me searching out a

position where I can really contribute (while also living: affording medicine, and $ to pay off debts and save).

 

Me and family

 

Please pray for me: I have an employee returning to our agency b/c she failed at the new place of employment. I don’t want her back L. She is lazy + dishonest. I need patience and grace. Please. For D****’s fam as she seeks a job w/ benefits + safety on her trip to CALIFORNIA.

 

Dear Lord,

Please work in me & teach me to believe & trust. I love you & need you.

 

For Julia as she continues in her path of discipleship. With tremendous gratitude that we at BSM have been the recipients of HER!

I***** as she finds her way this summer at Amigo de Jesús.

S** as he finds his way as a new college graduate.

H**** as he finds his way as he enters his HS years.

 

Prayers for families trying to figure out where their kiddos can be safely this summer, & how they will keep their bellies fed. Help us know how to assist them in ways that are real & meaningful. Thank you for clarity, for Peace, & for joy. And thank you for the peace-makers & joy-givers.

Thanks, God, for giving us Julia for a time. Protect her & guide her as she moves on. Thank you, Lord, for your Love & Peace & Grace. Root us in you.

 

Prayers for J*****, while he struggles to figure out how to respond to the great sufferings of the world. Give him love, support, direction.

 

Please keep my sister safe. She needs guidance and your support. Please be with R**** and her search for a new home.

 

Gracious God – Thank you for bringing Julia into this place. Keep her and protect her wherever she goes. Amen.

 

Dear Lord,

Please Give peace and joy to E***, C******, K**, K****, T*, and J*****. Help them to lead as you would lead. Teach me to be disciplined, respectful, and above all else to love and serve as You love and serve. Guide me this week Abba God <3

 

For BSM!

For Amigo de Jesús & B** (may she be safe)

For My Mom as she continues to fade

For My Sister that she continues to heal

For My Brother that he finds courage to take the 1^st step.

For A Kinder Philadelphia

For Clean Water, enough food and the heart to share it

For Julia Watkins & the Spirit she brought to BSM!

Be well.

 

Pray 4 the

30,000 Americans who R killed be firearms yearly.

Akyra Murray, if she died in Philadelphia—I would not know her name.

Thank you LORD JESUS.

 

Prayers for Lilly as she continues to battle pediatric cancer. As well as the D***** family as they continue to mourn J*****’s passing. May they all find peace.

 

Dear Lord,

Please watch over me as I travel to Europe this week, especially in light of the recent events & chaos these past few days. Lord please watch over my parents & M*** & keep them safe until I return. Also please grant my strength as he begins his radiation treatment. Grant me the strength to live in your word & pass on the blessings you have given me. Amen.

 

I pray that my children stay safe in a world with too much violence and not enough tolerance of the other.

 

Please God be in my family relationships – so that we might heal what wounds exist. Amen.

 

Broad Street Ministry is a broad-minded faith community committed to extending radical hospitality and creating a spiritual home for all, especially those who feel like they don’t belong anywhere else. For more information click here.