God of limitless Love, Instigator of Life who plants us with care by rivers of living waters, we take a deep breath now [breathe deeply] and are in awe of the way your Spirit is ever-present with us.

As we seek to stand firm together as a global church, unified through our common humanity, our oneness in/with the creation and the abiding faith of Jesus Christ, as we pray with our siblings in the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, and with our little sisters at Pringle Home for Children, may we be as bold, courageous and firm in our faith as the Syrophoenician woman.

Loving One, move us with the power of your compassion for all women and mothers/caregivers of all sorts who are literally and figuratively estranged from their daughters (from generations removed), who feel helpless in knowing what more they can do but turn to you for hope and rescue as they watch their children suffer.

Move us to deeply care for those living in terror, with trauma, or otherwise living in bondage to and feel disempowered by forces beyond themselves.

Make us sensitive and responsive to the cries of those among us waiting for a miracle.

Disturb us with your broken-heartedness for the ways social hierarchies force entire groups of your image-bearers, our siblings, to the fringes, to be seen and treated as less than, made vulnerable, as outsiders within, under- and de-valued. Forgive us for our part in this.

Sigh deeply again, O Lord, and proclaim over us “Ephphatha!” that we may have ears to hear, mouths to speak, and eyes to see the way you desire to transform the lives of all people, us too.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we be overwhelmed with the same amazement as told in the lectionary reading – of the miracle of Love inspired to seek equity and inclusion – that we are moved to work towards the Liberation of all people in all places.

         (Cards and Calls Appreciated)

Ella Rivers, Donna Church, Musz Bailey, Jim Babcock, Shelley Sherper, Bobbie Berg, Susan Olsen, Jackie Schuelein, Carol Lloyd, Joanne Burdick, Ruby Cawthra, Jane Houlton, Marion Marcott, Cheryl Wold, Judy Halgren, Amy Britt, Bailey Rosdahl, Jimmy Stevens, Dee & Jim Stevens (Jimmy’s parents), Dave Foley, John Olson, Nicole [Kilber] Teske, Linda Fenton, Dave Halgren, Diane Narr, Joan Axen and Nancy Andersen.

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Pastor Robin announced that next Sunday, September 12th, is Rally Sunday, and Sundays Cool begins.

Joyce Riess announced that Wednesday, September 8th, Centennial will hold their first monthly meeting in over a year. Meeting is at 1pm in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend. 

Darla Scouten announced the church will be holding a garage sale September 17^th and 18^th.  Set-up will be on the 16^th.  Please donate your items.  If you would like to help with the garage sale, please contact Darla Scouten or Rylie Anderson.

Pastor Robin is seeking volunteers to do the Children’s Time on Sunday mornings.  She would like to create a group which would share this opportunity.  If you are interested, please contact Pastor Robin.

A class based on “Our Whole Lives,” a program on sexuality education will be lead by Lisa Cawthra and Cheryl Sill, starting the week after MEA.  This program was developed by the United Church of Christ as well as Unitarian Universalist Church.  The plan is to hold the group every other Sunday starting after MEA week and will run throughout the school year. More information will be forthcoming.  

The flowers on the altar were placed by Pastor Robin in celebration of Gigi’s birthday. Ruth Johnson also brought flowers in celebration of the day. Hospitality was provided by the Rohs Family. They provided “Fair Food” depicting our State Fair which is currently running. THANK YOU!

To see the prayer post for the previous week, please click the link above. 

 

Back Bay Mission was well prepared for the threat of Hurricane Ida. Storm shutters and plywood were put into place to protect the windows from flying debris,  technology was all unplugged and protected, and trucks & trailers were moved up to higher land to protect from flooding. The staff knew their roles and how to communicate before, during and after the storm as necessary.  All of this was important for Back Bay Mission but our team had another very important task as well.  We had to inform our guests which shelters were going to be open and when. Also, where and when the buses would run to take them to safety.  We had to wait for Harrison County to make their plans so we could put out the information.  Once we received the shelter and bus info, it was shared on our social media as well as tacked up on the doors at the mission.  We are happy to announce that Back Bay Mission was spared the brunt of the hurricane. Once the flooding started going down & the major debris was off of the road, we were able to open our doors Tuesday for those we serve.  We are thankful to be open and able to provide services and we pray for those who were in the path of Hurricane Ida.  

Please pray for Larry and Jan Wick’s grandson, Alistar.  He was hospitalized last night for a bacterial respiratory issue.  Hopefully, he will be able to come home today. 

Joyce Riess asked for prayers for two of her neighbors, Vicky and Carolyn.  One has MS and is on hospice and the other is in the hospital on a ventilator and dialysis.  

Monica Miller asked for prayers for her mom who was diagnosed with breakthrough COVID, sadly on her mom’s birthday.  Prayers for return to good health….and happy birthday! 

Carol Metzger Lloyd asked for prayers for Ron Lloyd and family.  Ron’s wife, also named Carol, died.  She had struggled with heart problems for many years.  

Linda Fenton asked for prayers for her grandson, Josh.  As mentioned last week, Josh fell at work and hit his head.  He needed two staples in his head.  He was diagnosed with syncope, which is a teenage issue.  

Giuliana Beckwith asked for prayers for a friend, Andraya, as her dog, Cookie, died. Also, Andraya’s only child is leaving home for college.  Prayers of comfort for Andraya.  

Today is Todd and Monica Miller’s 40^th anniversary!  Happy Anniversary! 

Arabelle Rohs displayed in Fellowship Hall two of her scrapbooks on how the corona virus has changed all of our lives—scrapbooks she entered as exhibits at the State Fair.  She also entered her llama in the costume class as an exhibit at the State Fair.  Arabelle won blue ribbons and awards for her entries.  Congratulations, Arabelle!!

Ruth Johnson had the joy of Gar’s cousin, Lucy, from Arizona, who came to visit her and attend church with her this morning.  

Pastor Robin: God blesses us with an abundant world even in the midst of hardships and grief and disturbing events. God calls us to give all of ourselves and some of what we have to share with others, especially those who work for peace and justice in our world and community.

Today is CAER (local food shelf) Sunday.  Please remember them in your giving.