Tonight Broad Street Ministry’s resident worshipping community celebrated Maundy Thursday.  Maundy Thursday is when we remember the example Jesus gave to us of loving one another, and remember the meal, that some call Communion, others the Lords Table, that we celebrate every week.   Adam Ogg, our Seminary Field Education Student,  preached a sermon titled, “The Elephant in the Room” from Exodus 12:1-14  and John 13:17-23 about Jesus’ presence in our struggles, that in the Last Supper Jesus names them, and in the mystery of Holy Week he does something about it.

Tomorrow at 12:10pm all are welcome to join us at Arch Street Presbyterian, one of our sister congregations, for a Good Friday service.  Arch Street Presbyterian is located at 18th and Arch Street.  Good Friday is a service that remembers Jesus’ death.

After celebrating the Lord’s Supper tonight, we offered the following prayers:

For 2 ½ yrs I have being caring for my mother. Whom suffers with demmintia and a brother w/ mental health issues. Before caring for them both, I am laid off from my job of 42 yrs. I have been out of work for 2 ½ yrs this is very hard on me. I need your prayers. Thank you. God Bless.

 

Please pray:

For me as I learn and grow in my new job.

For **** and me as we figure out this complex relationship we have—may God show up and surprise us.

For ****’s mom and cousin who are fighting cancer.

 

I ask that God will increase my imagination so that I may find greater depths of compassion and practical ways to love and care for those I encounter. And that with God’s help, I can envision a bright future for my family, neighbors and our city.

Thanks!

 

God,

Thank-you. For a meal in one time, in one space that feeds all and quenches every thirst. Thank you for breaking in to my life, over and over again. Bless us all.

 

I carry with me a heavy heart as thoughts of a relationship weigh on me. Please pray that I am able to let go of this weight and willingly accept God’s plan here.

 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving your life for me. Help me grow in my devotion to you. All my love and thanks, ****.

 

I don’t know if you (all the people here) or I, fully realize how grateful I am that you are here. I have been unable to show the full extent of my gratefulness with generosity. I’m trying to learn that, like the air, god is everywhere. And I try to let the insults of those I meet on the street wash of my back like water—God is more generous than we can imagine.

 

My God,

Thank you for giving me this time with your people. Thank you for giving me space to take risks. To be creative. To grow. To change. To EVOLVE. Thank you, God, you truly are good and faithful. You have acted to redeem the world and I will be forever grateful. Clothe me in your love. Light. Glory. Always. Amen.

 

Dear God,

Please instill your perfect guiding hand on **** ****’s trip to Disney world this coming Saturday. Please specifically keep **** safe, healthy, and happy. Thank you for this opportunity.

 

for my family members and me as we celebrate our first Easter without our mom.

 

God grant me nothing more than what it is that you can use through me. Give me strength, discernment, and peace. Allow me to feel your love only by knowing You. Not by any other avenues. Keep the **** staff safe in the next week and allow us to be different, b/c of You. Not for our own benefit.

 

Please be with my friends struggling with challenges, frustrations, hardships and heart breaks.

 

Lord, help me to trust you. I have no idea what I’m doing. Things are going well, but I’m lost.

 

My heart is heavy with the sorry and violence throughout the world. Lord, let your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

 

In a few weeks I’m lowering my medication dose, which I know is a good plan in the long run but I’m scared of the immediate effects. I pray that I can keep my strengths and remember the coping skills I’ve learned, and I thank God for the support I have, including this community. No poetry this week. Amen.

 

May my faith grow stronger, my love last longer my hope endure and grow.

 

Lord thank you for this wonderful community who is always there—who show up to celebrate and support. I am truly thankful and blessed.

 

Thank you beloved for loving me so completely.

 

For what the future holds for peace and clarity.

 

For my wife

For my boys and girl

For this congregation

For BSM and its staff

For all Philadelphians—may they be kind to one another

 

Prayers for Kenya, a country near to my heart, for all those students killed in the recent shooting…like you and me they had hope for a brighter future and faith in our loving. Lord, prayers for our broken and hurting world.

 

Thank you ****. Amidst the tensions (and love) of family gatherings I never thought “Jesus is in the room or at the table.” I love it and welcome the presence at every challenging table. What a gentleness and softness we will bring. Peace, ****.

 

I am so grateful for my communities.

I am worried about things I can’t control.

 

Get my head to the pillow on Sunday night. Help me focus on you, O God, and all you have done. I am grateful for this community. ****, ****, café guests, ****, ****, ****, ****, ****, ****. Thank you.

 

I ask for prayers for all youth initiative staff wherever they may be that they are blessed and humbled this holy week, and that, for ever and always, they find the tomb empty on Sunday.

 

I am so very grateful for a fresh and preached word.

I am grateful for ****, ****, ****, **** and ****.

I am grateful for a love that goes the distance.

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.