Last Night at BSM

February 15, 2017

Rev. Michele Ward preaches on another segment of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:21-37. Jesus in not looking to revise the old Mosaic laws, but to remind his disciples what living in community costs us. Christ sets out for his disciples to embrace a life without shame-based theology, a life that rejects moralistic pietism, and a life that demands wholeness in community over self-righteousness.

Prayers of the gathered community:

Please pray for my daughter ****

Her boyfriend of 1 year broke up with her last week. She is hurt and heartbroken. May she experience healing and clarity of her value/purpose.

Prayer for affordable house here in Philadelphia

Thanks, Lord, for these folks being church outside the walls. May the Church in all places do so.

Open my eyes to see the opportunities you’re making for me to bring BSM back to PTS. They feel like different planets. Make me brave, patient, and vulnerable.

I pray that I may have a rejuvenating time with family in Seattle, and that my mom may have peace rather than anxiety while I’m there. Please pray for ****’s job interview on Wednesday. Also for ****’s recovery from her car accident.

Our country is divided

Opinions are extreme

It is difficult to not be MAD

To not react in ANGER or express disbelief

Prayers for unity and healing

Prayers for decisions and policy that serves all citizens

I pray for self-knowledge, growth, and strength to remember the skills I know I already have. I pray for healing and relief from the anxiety that has come from recent events. And I thank God for the support I have and pray to be able to support others.

Dear God, Heavy with the weight of broken relationships, and feeling the magnitude of community and the need for deep connections. Heal and bind up your brokenhearted flock. I love you. Amen.

Please pray that I trust in God and his word just like 2 Thess. 3:4 and Prov. 3:5. Pray 2 Thess. 3:4 over all of the LOD community as well as all of God’s promises/etc. Pray Eph. 3:20-21 over these prayers and pray for the LWC prayers we prayed on Sat, Sun, and today.

Thank you Lord, thank you Jesus for the past week and the New Year 2017.

May we move forward.

Prayer for Love.

For healing of the lonely, broken, cast out, and over-looked.

Help us to find our voice, and to use it for Love, and for the work towards wholeness. Forgive us our silence. Forgive us our apathy.

May Your Spirit move us to speak and to act in Love.

Wholeness is the Endgame. Shalom.

For energy, for joy, for strength, and for the heart of a servant. And always, for God’s guidance.

Lord, when I am tempted to hate, to do harm, remind me to pursue wholeness, both within myself and with others. Thank you for the love and community in this place, for the rejuvenation I find here.