Last Night at BSM

July 20, 2015

Last night, Rev. Andy preached on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56. In this story, Jesus sees that the people are like sheep without a shepherd. This is a shot at incompetent leadership in the institutional religion and moral/ethical structure of the time. They’re all clamoring for healing and clamoring for a word, it’s like they haven’t gotten one ever. Maybe they haven’t. It’s tempting to take the same shots now but the difference is that we’ve already heard what Jesus has to say, we’ve already been healed and redeemed, we’ve already received the Holy Spirit, and we’re already a part of Christ’s church. Therefore, we are no longer sheep without a shepherd. Some of us have that narrative from past religious experiences. Some of us sure as hell act like sheep without a shepherd. Some of us spend our time and money and God-given talents like sheep without a shepherd. But we are no longer sheep without a shepherd. We have a shepherd and there are people coming after us who need to feel the same way when they come in to BSM. If you would like to listen to it, click here.

John Francis and the led us in worship. We sang some great songs: He Turned the Water Into Wine by Johnny Cash, Many Rivers to Cross by Jimmy Cliff (I like these two as openers), Everlasting Arms by Vampire Weekend, My Shepherd Will Supply My Need and Touch the Hem of His Garment by Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers.

We welcomed the Providence Church from Holland Michigan to be a part of the Youth Initiative.

For our offering our community offered these, our psalms of the street, to God:

I need clean focus while beginning Biblical Theological Seminary this fall. Also financial support

My daughter. ***** needs a full time job with benefits.

 

To have a good week serving God’s children.

 

I pray that the students serving here this week will be changed by what they see and do and that they will see God in the people around them.

 

Pray for people of Middle East. Prayers for: *****’s son, *****, *****’s son, *****, ***** and me to be trustworthy and responsible with our gifts/finances/promises.

 

Help me to grow in faith and to see you through this mission trip.

 

God please have ***** at the library get his due pay abruptly in Jesus name I ask. Thanks.

God please give me and my children, *****, *****, *****, ***** and ***** what’s ours by divine right now and forever more in Jesus name I ask. Please pray. Thanks.

God please exit me out of this matrix now and forever more in Jesus name I ask and please pray for me. Thanks. God bless ya!

God please return all curses, spells, enchantments, hexes, and necromancy spells that are on the minds, bodies, souls, and me (*****) and my children, *****, *****, *****, ***** and ***** back to all senders 17 times fold every minute of every day now and forever more in Jesus name I ask and pray. Thank you.

 

I pray that the Holy Spirit works in a mighty way this week in the lives of all the providence people here and health and safety.

 

Dear God, help this week to go well. Help me to grow through this experience.

 

Please keep our group safe and healthy for the week.

 

I pray that we learn and see God a lot in our time here.

 

for our week with students to form relationships of discipleship between and among students and leaders.

 

Pray for my 93 year old grandmother Lois who has been recovering in a rehabilitation facility.

 

My prayer request is that as I transition out of the Youth Initiative, God provides strength and guidance. I also pray that I find time to spend with God this week.

 

I would love prayer for an awareness and understanding of how to love and serve people I pass on the streets asking for money. I also ask for prayer in relation to my anxiety.

 

This pray for me and help me to find a job.

 

Just to make it through this week and closer to God by doing Acts of kindness

 

Have God show His presence to both my youth group and I during this week.

 

Keep us safe in our week and help us be a blessing to others and to each other.

 

 

I pray that God brings my boyfriend and I one step closer to our dreams.

 

I am grateful that I can come as I am to worship and God accepts me fully. I ask for prayer that I would fully believe that the pain, oppression, and suffering of this world does not have the last word.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for all the pure love I already have in my life. Thank you for saving me every time. I love you the most. Forever. Your daughter, *****.

 

I have made many mistakes just like anyone else. I have asked for forgiveness for things that I am ashamed of, and I truly believe that God has completely forgiven me for it. But I definitely have not forgiven myself for it. Every once in a while it begins to weigh heavily on my heart and mind. I just need help praying for my own happiness, well-being, and peace of mind. Because in order to help others, which I really love to do, I must help myself first.

 

Pray for the unrest in Overbrook

 

I pray for my father and his retirement in two weeks and for the friends who are moving away and for direction in my life, and love and support and strength.

 

I’m worried about my finances and the upcoming bills I have to pay. Please help me in my finances. I’m worried about what’s next for me. Give me direction.

 

Release me from my anger. Release me from my anxiety. Release me from my resentment. I shall be released. Amen.

 

I pray for the family of Bob Bayer and the congregation of Westminster Presbyterian in Charlottesville, VA following Bob’s death. Thank you for his life of service and that he touched the lives of many UVA students and the Cville community.

 

Lord, for my brother. Give him the courage to be a loving father and husband. Let me get home to them. Let them know I am coming soon.

 

Please pray for my father who is going through a difficult time mentally, physically, and financially.

 

Lord, Shepherd the ***** family no matter how far their hearts and minds wander in this desolate time. Love us all into community with one another.

 

God, I need help to better my conditions for listening to your voice. Please help me find the capacity for progress (not perfection) and to day by day clean out the distractions from Your guidance. Amen.

 

Ever-present God, be with all our worldly family – especially those not with. Hold and lead them with your loving hand, especially *****, *****, *****, *****, *****, *****, *****, and *****. May they always feel the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

My prayer is for those I have hurt thru my own selfishness.

 

For my friend ***** who is in a vulnerable emotional and spiritual space. May she know a loving community that shares their honest values with her. God, where are you?!! Be close, please, and prayers for *****.

 

My motivation and determination and focus throughout the school year. Finding friends.

 

Lord, help me to use my free time in a way that takes care of me. Remind me to keep Sabbath and rest adequately that I might be energized and fortified to do your work this week in Philly. Amen

 

Dear God, I am anxious and tired from the demands of work and family events. These things are all joyous, fulfilling work, a family wedding. Settle my heart, give me peace to open to the love all around. Amen.

 

Give me grace in the next two weeks. Soften my hardened heart. Grant ***** fulfillment. Open his heart to you, Lord. Help me to keep a healthy balance between service and self-care. Teach me to live sacrificially. “May all my work be praise.”

 

Pray for those turning to hard drugs and addiction. Help them to know their worth. Help them to feel loved.

 

Prayers as I prepare to attend seminary in the fall.

 

Please keep ***** safe. Guide him home. Help me have compassion for my enemies! Please be with ***** and her family. Please help to guide ***** to be the man you have created him to be; rid of anything holding him back.

 

Please pray that my fear will not get in the way of God’s plan for me.

 

Daily prayer. Weekly worship. Serve monthly. Give yearly. I will visit people in prison.

 

Every Sunday after worship, we also have community engagement groups. These groups are a great way to get to know people, maybe learn something about yourselves, one another, and/or God, and get to know a few more peoples’ names. Here’s what groups we had: Sara Corse led a group on Spiritual Autobiography that explored the development of faith and spirituality. Robert Arrington led How Did You Get Here, which shared the story of who we are and how we came to call this place home. Whitney Krape led a conversation and gave an opportunity for folks to sign up to Volunteer at BSM.

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.