God, Creator of all what we see and what we do not see, our praise, honor, and glory is to you. As the fury of hurricane winds, rain, and earthquakes continue to be part of our lives in the Caribbean, especially on the island of Puerto Rico, we know that your mercy and grace are upon us. May the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit allow us to see that amid what we may consider and see as chaos, you make order and peace. May we know the blessing of your love as we share with others the same gifts and love you provide us. May our words declare that you are not only our Creator but our sustainer. May we become light in the darkness of others to share your compassion, love, and care. Thank you, Oh Lord! for providing women and men to lead us as they follow your guidance and counsel. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.

         (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), John Olson, Linda Fenton, Dave Halgren, Diane Narr, Joan Axen and Nancy Andersen.

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As designated by the United Church of Christ National Church, today is Indigenous People Day. We prayerfully acknowledge that we are meeting on the historic indigenous land of several of the ancestral Native American tribes, the Dakota (Sioux) and the Ojibway (Anishinabe and Chippewa).  Let this acknowledgment serve as a reminder of our ongoing effort to recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with our Native American tribes whose lands and whose waters we benefit from today.

We pray for the outreach and work of Art Bright and Paula Benfer. For those who are feeling lonely or isolated, needing interactions with others through art.  This program might be for you or a loved one.  The gatherings will be held on Tuesdays in the month of October from 10-12 noon in Fellowship Hall, sponsored by Union UCC with the help of the United Way. Nine people have signed up so far.  Also, 1 or 2 volunteers are needed to help with the program and/or to provide refreshments.  For more information contact Paula or the church office.

Jackie Schuelein thanked everyone for their prayers for her daughter, Karla, who is continuing to gain strength and healing from Covid.  Please continue your prayers for Karla and family.

Marietta and Bob Saxon share their joy and gratitude that Marietta’s sister, Faith, is visiting from Ohio. They have not been together for two years.

Dave Foley expressed joy that he received his Covid booster injection and his shoulder feels good and he feels protected.  

Ann Klockeman asked for prayers as her nephew, Ethan, will leave for the Navy on October 3^rd.  

Most days now begin & end with these simplest of prayers…

Please, God.  Help us, God.

Save us, God.  Have mercy, God.

Heal us, God.

There are a few prayers of gratitude mixed in, an occasional pause to acknowledge some unexpected glimpse of the sacred, but often all I can eke out is the most fervent plea.

Please, God, please. Deliver us from the tyranny of these times, from the dangers that surround us on so many fronts.

Help us, dear God, to see some bit of goodness in the complexity of our challenges, to persevere amid the overwhelming, to somehow love our neighbor even when they make us seethe with anger or shake our heads in disbelief or trample on my deepest values and beliefs.

Save us, O God, from ourselves. Save us from our worst impulses and the graceless reactions that threaten to spill out from within us. Save us from the injustices that swirl around us and the evil that allows them to flourish.

Have mercy on us, Forgiving God, when some days leave us feeling as if we have done nothing but fall short of what you intend for us.

Heal us, O Balm for our souls. Mend all the hurts and loneliness and bitterness that attend us. But more than that, lend healing to our world… To loved ones and so many others known and unknown to us. To all who’ve lost family and friends to the scourge of COVID-19. To all whose lives feel broken beyond repair. To all who’ve fallen exhausted.

Oh yes: please, God, please.

Sometimes more eloquent words come. But, often, it is only this, rising from the depths of my soul. And for now, I know it is enough, that God reads my sighs too deep for words. And I trust that God draws near and will answer.

Please pray for Giuliana Beckwith who underwent hip surgery—prayers for healing and rapid recovery.

Dave Halgren asked for prayers for the Bruce Pearson family.  Their son, Scott, who lives in Texas and is 57 years old died of COVID.  Many of you may know Bruce from his years as a band teacher in Elk River.

Please pray for Gigi’s son, Seth, who has Covid.

Amanda Hooper shared the concern on this day, Indigenous People Day, that many (176) indigenous women have gone missing.  Pray for their safety and return.

A friend of Ann Wyse, Shirley, who attended church with Ann today, asked for prayers for her nephew who has tested positive for COVID.  He has no symptoms at this point and will be tested again soon.  

God blesses us with an abundant world and asks that we give all of ourselves and some of what we have to share with our church and other organizations that support peace and justice.