As Pastor Van Dellen readies himself for retirement and we celebrate his 40 years in the ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ, this weekend, we pray ...
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling Pastor Van to be your humble servant, giving of himself all these years ... a lifetime of living out the Great Commission, baptizing and teaching in the name of Jesus, your beloved Son. Thank you for working in him to be the called and ordained representative for you at Good Shepherd for 30 years! We are so grateful for all you have done through this man in our midst!
Holy Spirit, as Pastor and Judy enter the next phase of life here on earth, continue to work in them your will ... inspiring them to continue to spread your Word to everyone they meet. Keep them focused on Jesus, the author and perfector of their faith, the One who will meet all their needs in the glorious riches He gives so freely.
Lord God, bless them with good health, supportive friends and family, the financial means to do what you have in mind for them. They have always sacrificed for the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ... help us to be appreciative so they know they are loved by us, too. As always align their hearts and ours with yours in everything we say and do.
Precious Jesus, thank you for saving us through your death and resurrection. We are eternally grateful to you for the faith you have given us, knowing that we will live forever with you in your Kingdom when this life comes to an end here. Be with us each and every day as we go about your work, helping people to know, love and follow you! In Your name we pray! Amen!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Let the Little Children Come to Me ...
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16
Today begins a week of pure joy and excitement for lots of little ones as they invade Good Shepherd for VBS!
Heavenly Father, as Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples" and as he rebuked those disciples who were closest to Him, saying "Let the little children come to me", we come before you today asking You to guide and lead everyone involved in vacation Bible school this week at Good Shepherd. Make it a place where all little children will be welcomed and loved and taught the true story of Jesus and what He did and continues to do for them!
Holy Spirit, fill the building and fill the hearts of all who enter it! Do great and marvelous things by planting seeds in the little ones and fertilizing those that have already been planted. Guide the words and actions of each and every person who will be serving this week; use them to share the love of Jesus with everyone they come in contact with ... whether it be little children, the children's parents, teens that will be watching them, or other adults in their midst. Speak through each and every person at VBS, Lord.
Father God, thank you for providing beautiful weather; please keep the temperature and humidity at comfortable levels all week; keep storms at bay during the VBS hours.
Thank you for the wonderful building You provided for Your church at Good Shepherd; please keep it a safe shelter for everyone, and guard against any injuries or illness from entering.
Thank you for the technology You have provided; please let everything work smoothly so there are no hindrances or distractions and everyone can just focus on You, Lord.
Precious Jesus, as You continued in teaching Your disciples, You added, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." These are Your words, Lord Jesus, and may we heed them!
Jesus, may we all be like little children when it comes to humbling ourselves and believing everything You tell us in Your Word. Open our eyes, hearts, and minds to see everything and everyone around us as You see them. Help us to fully comprehend that You really do love us all so much that You gave Your very life for us so that we can live with You forever in heaven! Help us to know and believe that the Kingdom of God belongs to us ... Your children; young and old!
Fill us with You, God ... so that everything we do is centered on helping people to know, love, and follow Your beloved son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray! Amen!
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16
Today begins a week of pure joy and excitement for lots of little ones as they invade Good Shepherd for VBS!
Heavenly Father, as Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples" and as he rebuked those disciples who were closest to Him, saying "Let the little children come to me", we come before you today asking You to guide and lead everyone involved in vacation Bible school this week at Good Shepherd. Make it a place where all little children will be welcomed and loved and taught the true story of Jesus and what He did and continues to do for them!
Holy Spirit, fill the building and fill the hearts of all who enter it! Do great and marvelous things by planting seeds in the little ones and fertilizing those that have already been planted. Guide the words and actions of each and every person who will be serving this week; use them to share the love of Jesus with everyone they come in contact with ... whether it be little children, the children's parents, teens that will be watching them, or other adults in their midst. Speak through each and every person at VBS, Lord.
Father God, thank you for providing beautiful weather; please keep the temperature and humidity at comfortable levels all week; keep storms at bay during the VBS hours.
Thank you for the wonderful building You provided for Your church at Good Shepherd; please keep it a safe shelter for everyone, and guard against any injuries or illness from entering.
Thank you for the technology You have provided; please let everything work smoothly so there are no hindrances or distractions and everyone can just focus on You, Lord.
Precious Jesus, as You continued in teaching Your disciples, You added, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." These are Your words, Lord Jesus, and may we heed them!
Jesus, may we all be like little children when it comes to humbling ourselves and believing everything You tell us in Your Word. Open our eyes, hearts, and minds to see everything and everyone around us as You see them. Help us to fully comprehend that You really do love us all so much that You gave Your very life for us so that we can live with You forever in heaven! Help us to know and believe that the Kingdom of God belongs to us ... Your children; young and old!
Fill us with You, God ... so that everything we do is centered on helping people to know, love, and follow Your beloved son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray! Amen!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Prayer Gathering Tonight
Lord God, Father in Heaven, Wonderful Counselor, Blessed Redeemer,
You are our Good Shepherd and You are mighty to save us when we call out to you!
Hear our prayers, oh Lord ... have mercy on us!
Bless the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts ... You are our Rock and Redeemer!
As we come together this evening, draw us nearer to You ...
Inspire us ... align our hearts with Yours ... help us to call out to You in accordance with Your will ...
Help us to remember that praying is a two-way conversation ... reveal Your presence, Father ... open our ears and hearts to listen to Your response ...
Jesus, be there as You promise us in Matthew 18:20 ... for where two or three are gathered together in Your name, we are confident that You will be there!
Please fill us with Your presence and indescribable peace and joy . . . and teach us to pray ...
We lift up our concerns, our praises, our griefs and all our thoughts to You, God ... In Jesus' name. Amen
You are our Good Shepherd and You are mighty to save us when we call out to you!
Hear our prayers, oh Lord ... have mercy on us!
Bless the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts ... You are our Rock and Redeemer!
As we come together this evening, draw us nearer to You ...
Inspire us ... align our hearts with Yours ... help us to call out to You in accordance with Your will ...
Help us to remember that praying is a two-way conversation ... reveal Your presence, Father ... open our ears and hearts to listen to Your response ...
Jesus, be there as You promise us in Matthew 18:20 ... for where two or three are gathered together in Your name, we are confident that You will be there!
Please fill us with Your presence and indescribable peace and joy . . . and teach us to pray ...
We lift up our concerns, our praises, our griefs and all our thoughts to You, God ... In Jesus' name. Amen
Friday, July 2, 2010
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, ...
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
Precious Lord and Savior, how blessed we are to awaken once again to a new day in Your grace! And what a beautiful, sunny morning it is in southeastern Michigan!
Rejoicing in Your mercies, which are new every morning, we commend ourselves and this day, this weekend, to You and to Your gracious care, asking that You direct our course, guiding us in our service to You.
Grant grace to our words and to our actions, so that all may be done according to Your will. Keep us steadfast in unity with each other as we meet together.
Finally, provide us with opportunities to witness to You and Your love, giving us both the willingness and boldness to confess Your name. Through Your life expressed in us, lead those to whom we witness to receive You and Your undying love for them; through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen
Precious Lord and Savior, how blessed we are to awaken once again to a new day in Your grace! And what a beautiful, sunny morning it is in southeastern Michigan!
Rejoicing in Your mercies, which are new every morning, we commend ourselves and this day, this weekend, to You and to Your gracious care, asking that You direct our course, guiding us in our service to You.
Grant grace to our words and to our actions, so that all may be done according to Your will. Keep us steadfast in unity with each other as we meet together.
Finally, provide us with opportunities to witness to You and Your love, giving us both the willingness and boldness to confess Your name. Through Your life expressed in us, lead those to whom we witness to receive You and Your undying love for them; through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen
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