Healing Series: Being Present – Sunday February 27, 2022

WORSHIP WITH LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH
February 27, 2022

Eighth Sunday after Epiphany
Black History Month

Healing Series: Being Present

We are pleased to continue our in-person worship option!  If you are worshiping online, join us on Zoom following the service for a time of conversation.

Today we will continue our healing series, on the last Sunday of every month). We hear a short opening prayer en français and readings from a variety of sources that connect the idea of healing with being present, storytelling and listening to stories.

During our service, we will also take time to light candles for joys and sorrows. With Covid restrictions we cannot presently invite everyone to come forward and light candles.

Whether or not you are able to worship with us this week, you are invited to share in a prayer for peace. A prayer from our Moderator, Richard Bott (below).

Looking Ahead
On Wednesday, March 2 we will share a short (15 minute) Ash Wednesday time of worship, online only.
On Sunday, March 6 we mark the first Sunday during the season of Lent by welcoming guest preacher the Rev. Dr. John Young, Interim Principal at Emmanuel College.

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A call to pray for peace from Moderator Richard Bott
The world sits below a precipice,
waiting,
after the first stone has been pushed to the edge
and started to roll.

And we wonder,
where will it stop.

We wonder,
what lives will be lost –
who will die on this war’s altar?

Soldiers?
Combatants?
Civilians?

Children?

I pray for the decision-makers of the world,
including Mr. Putin,
that they would find a way to
bring this to an end, now;
that they would find a way out –
for the people of Ukraine,
for the people of Russia,
for the world.

Tonight, I pray for all those who are protesting
this decision for war by the Russian government,
especially those Russian citizens
who are standing in the face of their government,
who are risking arrest and harsh punishment,
by telling their leaders this invasion must stop.

I pray for the people of Ukraine.
For the ones who are picking up arms
to defend themselves and those they love.
For the ones who are trying to get themselves,
their families, and their neighbours,
to safe haven, away from the fighting.
For the ones who are sleeping
in the subway, or in the basement,
or in a cellar,
for fear of the bombings.

I pray for the most vulnerable,
the ones who don’t understand what is happening,
and rely on others for their safety;
and for those who carry the burden
of protection and care.

I pray for them all, God.

But, most of all,
I pray that your peace would pour down
like a God-aweful waterfall,
that those who, for whatever reason,
are choosing to make this happen,
would find all of their reasons and rationalizations
washed away by your overwhelming peace,
and your infinite love.

Help us, God.
As individuals, as communities,
as nation-states,
help us to be peace-bearers.

Overwhelm all that would kill and destroy,
we pray,
with your forever love,
and your amazing grace.

In Christ’s name,
i ask these things.

Amen.

Will you pray with me?
Will you ask your government’s leadership to help to bring this to an end?
Amen.