803. Burrel Farnsley, 1946-2017

Burrel Farnsley's memorial service took place today at Christ Church Cathedral.

Burrel and I have been friends for decades. He has regaled me with many stories about his youth, his family ancestry, his father (and especially his time as mayor and his Friday afternoon Open Houses at City Hall), his ownership of the Schenck Mansion with Sandy Speer up in Vevay, unending theater talk, and lots of the history of the United States, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Episcopal Church. I was a natural pupil for his history lessons.

After his loss to John Yarmuth in the 2006 Democratic Primary, he came and volunteered at our campaign headquarters and somehow became my responsibility. He wanted to do a special Voter Registration Drive to prove a point on voter turnout. He chose two precincts in Smoketown, L111 and L112, and I created the voter lists for him. His goal was to knock on every door of those listed and if the person whose name appeared on the rolls was not the person who answered the door, then he would offer to register whoever answered. If no one answered he left them an already-stamped envelope with a voter registration card to be returned to our office so we could track the results.

I drove him over to the area around Shelby and Breckinridge streets most every day and dropped him off and picked him up later in the day. He'd have a handful of new registrants. We kept track of the all of new voters registered due to his efforts and sent them a letter ahead of the election encouraging them to vote. At the time both precincts voted at the old Presbyterian Community Center.

As it turned out, voter turnout was up, not significantly, but up, in both precincts. Once the voter rolls were updated, we could see that many of Burrel's new registrants were also new voters. His plan was a success.

Burrel and I continued our friendship through the years as his illnesses and demons began to take a toll on his body. He continued to call the office through October from various places, the last being a nursing home in Indiana. Unfortunately, I did not take the last of the calls he made to the office. I regret that now. 

May he rest in peace. O God, Grant to him eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon Burrel. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Here is his obituary as posted in the Courier-Journal on January 2, 2018 by Legacy.com.

Burrel Charles Peaslee Farnsley, who was born on September 13, 1946, died on December 30, 2017. 

Burrel attended Atherton High School and he graduated from the Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut. He also attended the University of Louisville. Burrel was a devoted Episcopalian and was a member of the Church of the Advent. He had also been a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. 

Burrel worked in the family's publishing business, the Lost Cause Press. A lifelong Democrat, he sought his party's nomination for mayor, Congress, and Senate. 

Burrel is survived by his brothers and sisters, Sally Bird of Arlington, VA, Ann of Vevay, IN, Alexander of San Diego, CA, and Douglass (Eliza), of Louisville, by his nieces and nephews, and by many friends. 

Burrel was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Nancy Farnsley. Charles Peaslee Farnsley was mayor of Louisville from 1948 to 1953. From 1965 to 1966, Mayor Farnsley was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Burrel was brilliant and will be missed by his family members and by his many friends. Burrel's family expresses their gratitude to the staff of Riverview Village for the outstanding care they provided during his final month. Visitation will be 4 - 7 PM Tuesday at Pearson's Funeral Home, 149 Breckenridge Lane. A Memorial Service will be 1 PM Wednesday at Christ Church Cathedral, 421 South Second Street.

Burrel's ashes will be buried in the Farnsley family lot at Cave Hill Cemetery. Pearson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu, of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church or Christ Church Cathedral.

P9. PRAYERS FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST July 24, 2011

The following were the Prayers of the People written for Advent Parish for July 24, 2011 - the ninth in a series.  This particular date was special for me marking to the day the 20th Anniversary of Rob's death.  

 

See Entry #736 for a full explanation.

 

 

 PRAYERS FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

July 24, 2011

O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will.

READER:  By these prayers, we seek an understanding mind and the ability to discern between good and evil in serving your will and one another calling upon you saying, O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will. 

1)  We pray for all people throughout the world, asking that you make steady their footsteps, find them rescue from their oppressors, and help them in their weaknesses, praying O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will. 

2)  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God and as a community we pray for the needs of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, South Africa in the Anglican Communion.  We pray also for Saint George’s Community Center in the Diocese of Kentucky, and for our neighbors at Highland Baptist Church in the Highland Community Ministries.  We pray for all those who believe in your commandments and have been welcomed into the family of faith by you who sent Jesus to us, praying O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will.

3)  We pray in particular for our city and its people.  We pray for our mayor Greg and all those charged with governance here, and in Frankfort, and in Washington.  We pray for those in our midst in need of proper housing, sufficient employment, encouraging health, and the support of friends and families as they walk through the paths of their lives, asking that your countenance shine upon them, making them whole, praying O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will. 

4)  We pray for those whose needs have not been met, whether by their own actions or the inactions of others.  We pray they may find the talent, time, and desire to help themselves even as we assist them by our Advent ministries.  We pray knowing that even the least among us are to you as important as the highest of angels, of rulers, and powers.  For those who are infirm of mind, body, or spirit, especially [sick-list names], we ask that you restore them to the innocence and vigor of a child of God praying O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will. 

5)  We pray always for those who travelled before us the paths of life and suffering, of devotion and friendship, of support and concern, no longer in our presence; and for those families, friends, and they have others left behind, knowing that by clinging to your commandments in this life we will know and work with them together in eternity.  We ask especial prayers for [names of deceased go here], praying O God who searches our hearts, Teach us your will. 

CELEBRANT:  O God of Solomon and David, your words go forth giving us light and understanding.  Hear our prayers this day and always, for we know that neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from your love and understanding; we ask these prayers in your name.  AMEN.

 

P8. Prayers of the People from June 26, 2011

The following were the Prayers of the People written for Advent Parish for June 26, 2011 - the eighth in a series.  See Entry #736 for a full explanation.

*****

 

PRAYERS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - JUNE 26, 2011

We, the children of God, come now in prayer, seeking guidance, peace, mercy, and grace, responding to O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for God’s people throughout the world, seeking light for their eyes and peace for their families.  We pray for the daily needs of all created in your image, praying O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for peace and understanding among the nations.  We pray for our own women and men in uniform.  We pray for those rebuilding after storms in Louisville and throughout the nation.  We seek the well-being of all people, praying O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the downtrodden.  We pray for the unemployed and underemployed.  We pray for those in prisons of any kind.  We pray for those in need of healthcare, of friendship, of peace.  We pray for our own efforts at funding the programs of Advent Parish, to address our ministry of providing the pantry needs of those in our midst, praying O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for our friends in Christ.  In the Anglican Communion we pray for the Province of Niger, Nigeria.  We pray for the All Saints Center and Episcopal Youth Event in the Diocese of Kentucky.  We pray for our partners and friends in the Highland Community Ministries at Metropolitan Community Church.  We ask your blessings upon each of their missions and all of their members, praying O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for ourselves, our Advent Parish, our bishop Terry, our rector Tim, and all those providers of your blessings to those who pass through our red doors on Baxter Avenue.  We pray for the success of our program celebrating the visit of Bishop Robinson in July.  We also pray especially for [names go here].  We seek peace for all those in need, praying O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for those who have brought us to this place, our deceased families and friends, for those lost to wars and conflict, for those lost to famine or weather events, and for all who have passed from this life to the Church Eternal, and for all of those they have left behind, praying O Lord Our Provider, Hear Our Prayer.

Celebrant:

O Lord our Provider throughout the ages, lead us in the days ahead, healing our wounds, fulfilling our needs, bringing peace and mercy and grace, now and forever, AMEN.

 

     

764. On activism, or "Who is my neighbor?, He who showed mercy."

•  

  The readings today were Saint Luke's version of the Good Samaritan story which asks "Who is our neighbor?" and answers "He who showed mercy." followed by Jesus's prompt to "Go and do likewise." Doing likewise is different things for different people.

  
  

  Much to the chagrin of several of my liberal-activist friends, I'm not the ideal activist. The truth is I'm not much of an activist at all. I have firm beliefs and convictions and other than trying to get people to vote for one candidate over another (because I think she or he better represents my beliefs and convictions), you will not find me in the front rows of protests or the front pews at church. I stand or sit in the back, content with my beliefs, in the fervent hope that others will see the wrongs of their beliefs and after an epiphany come to agree with me. I know it isn't very forceful at all.

   

  Honestly, I'm tolerant. Keep in mind, tolerance doesn't equal acceptance, but I am tolerant. Again, tolerance doesn't equal acceptance. So when asked to pray for a limited group as I was this morning when a friend specifically requested prayers for my Jewish and atheist friends (she is one of both), I simply say "yes I will do that."  What I admittedly don't do (and I think this is what some would wish I did) is say "why be so exclusive?"

   

  I accept their vibes and am hopeful they accept mine. And I will work to try to elect politicians who think more my way than theirs. So, I'm not an evangelizer nor am I an activist. But I am a believer. 

   

  There is a poem, My Philosophy, by James Whitcomb Riley, which my uncle Bob Lewis (1918-2008) had me memorize when I was eight years old. It explains a lot of my political temperament, even to this day. Here is the poem:

   

  MY PHILOSOFY 

  by James Whitcomb Riley.
  
  I ain't, ner don't p'tend to be,
  Much posted on philosofy;
  But thare is times, when all alone,
  I work out idees of my own.
  And of these same thare is a few
  I'd like to jest refer to you--
  Pervidin' that you don't object
  To listen clos't and rickollect.
  
  I allus argy that a man
  Who does about the best he can
  Is plenty good enugh to suit
  This lower mundane institute--
  No matter ef his daily walk
  Is subject fer his neghbor's talk,
  And critic-minds of ev'ry whim
  Jest all git up and go fer him!
  
  I knowed a feller onc't that had
  The yeller-janders mighty bad,--
  And each and ev'ry friend he'd meet
  Would stop and give him some receet
  Fer cuorin' of 'em. But he'd say
  He kindo' thought they'd go away
  Without no medicin', and boast
  That he'd git well without one doste.
  
  He kep' a-yellerin' on--and they
  Perdictin' that he'd die some day
  Before he knowed it! Tuck his bed,
  The feller did, and lost his head,
  And wundered in his mind a spell--
  Then rallied, and, at last, got well;
  But ev'ry friend that said he'd die
  Went back on him eternally!
  
  Its natchurl enugh, I guess,
  When some gits more and some gits less,
  Fer them-uns on the slimmest side
  To claim it ain't a fare divide;
  And I've knowed some to lay and wait,
  And git up soon, and set up late,
  To ketch some feller they could hate
  Fer goin' at a faster gait.
  
  The signs is bad when folks commence
  A-findin' fault with Providence,
  And balkin' 'cause the earth don't shake
  At ev'ry prancin' step they take.
  No man is grate tel he can see
  How less than little he would be
  Ef stripped to self, and stark and bare
  He hung his sign out anywhare.
  
  My doctern is to lay aside
  Contensions, and be satisfied:
  Jest do your best, and praise er blame
  That follers that, counts jest the same.
  I've allus noticed grate success
  Is mixed with troubles, more er less,
  And it's the man who does the best
  That gits more kicks than all the rest.

   

  *****

   

  By the way, to loyal readers of the blog, this isn't the first time this poem have been cited herein.

   

  JN 

P7. Prayers

The seventh in a series of Prayers of the People, written for the Episcopal Church of the Advent.  See Entry #736 for a full explanation.

*****

PRAYERS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, APRIL 3, 2011

Reader:  As we journey forward through the Lenten season, let us pray for the world and all those in need, responding to O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

For the people of your creation throughout the world, and for those who are blinded by the real and unreal issues of our time, and for those who have seen and believed, we pray O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

For all the leaders of the world, in this special season, may they use their powers and resources for moderation in our use of fossil fuels which pollute our environment, diverting our limited resources from those in need, we pray O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

For our national leaders, especially our President Barack and our military personnel, we seek the success of their goals and their safe return home from Libya, Afghanistan, and other sites of deployment, we pray O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

For ourselves to be shepherded through our decisions affecting our environment; bringing light to the creation and use of new technologies; bringing acceptance of the need to reuse, recycle, and reclaim; and exposing the unfruitful works of darkness to find all that is good and right and true, we pray O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

For the needs of your church in the Anglican Communion for the Diocese of Multan, Pakistan; in the Diocese of Kentucky for the Kentucky Council of Churches, and in the Highland Community Ministries for Immanuel United Church of Christ, and for our Presiding Bishop Katharine, our Rector Tim, our Deacon Eva, and for all those who minister in our Parish, and for those on Advent’s prayer list [names go here], in fervent hope that all these know you as their shepherd, and that goodness and mercy shall abide with us forever, we pray O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

We pray for the dying and the deceased in our family and parish, for [names go here].  Give the living your peace and consolation, and the dead a home in the Church Eternal, we pray O Lord Our Shepherd, Shine On Us!

Presider:  O God of our Earth, our temporal home, give us the light and wisdom to awake and protect our planet, to sustain it in our days and for all the days to come we pray, and to one day hear the call of Sleeper, awake!, Rise from the dead, and let Christ will shine upon you.  Amen.

P6. The sixth in a series of Prayers of the People

(The sixth in a series.  See entry #736 for an explanation)


*****

PRAYERS FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY, FEBRUARY 20, 2011

O Holy God, we seek your guidance for ourselves and our world, praying Lord of all people, Hear Us!

We pray for the people of the whole world, and for their leaders.  We pray for those involved with the conflicts and resolutions of northern Africa and the Middle East.  We pray for our own government leaders, for our president Barack, and for the members of our legislatures in Washington, Frankfort, and downtown at City Hall.  Guide these women and men to whom is entrusted our health, our mutual covenants, our planned and unplanned futures, praying Lord of all people, Hear Us!

We pray for the entirety of your creation, for those who believe and those who wonder.  We pray for your church and its leaders and ministers, its people and its programs.  In the Anglican Communion, we pray for The Church of Wales.  In the Diocese of Kentucky, we pray for Christ Church, Bowling Green.  In the Highland Community Ministries, we pray for Douglass Boulevard Church of Christ.  For the inter- and intra- connectiveness of these ministers and their missions, we seek the understanding and ability for their successes; praying Lord of all people, Hear Us!

We pray for the people of Advent Parish, for our rector Tim, our deacon Eva, our musicians and choir and their leader Bryan, and for all involved in the outreach and other programs of our church.  We pray for our neighbors along Baxter Avenue and Broadway, and for those we know and those who pass by, and especially for those we'll never know.  Understanding that one measure of the health and wealth of a community is the efforts, achievements, and successes of the least of its people, we ask your leading hand upon all these in our midst, praying Lord of all people, Hear Us!

We pray for all those in need: for the unemployed and underemployed, for the unrepresented, the unheard, and the unbelievers.  We also pray for those in need of healing, of comfort, of peace.  We pray especially for those who appear on our prayer-list, for [names go here].  Here we may add aloud or in silence our ouwn needs and prayers.  Praying Lord of all people, Hear Us!

Finally we pray for those who have died and those they've left behind, including [Advent deceased names go here], knowing that while their physical bodies are no longer with us, that their successes and failings and family and friends remain as part of their mark on this earth, and that together with them we will one day live in eternity, praying Lord of all people, Hear Us!

Celebrant:  O God of Grace and Mercy, you have created for us the foundation by which to make our lives good and great.  Be with this congregation as we work to fulfill your commandments to go the extra mile, offer alms to the beggar, and to be charitable in every way with all those around us, in order to be perfect as your Son was perfect.  Amen.

P5. The fifth in a series of Prayers of the People

(see entry 736 for an explanation)

PRAYERS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Sunday, January 9, 2011

We begin this new season calling on the God who gives breath and spirit to the people, humbly responding to Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

To the God who gives breath and spirit to the people and causes the waters to rush, the thunder to sound, the flames to split, and has created the trees, flowers, and meadows of the wilderness, and the streets, alleys, and buildings of our cities, we pray your blessings upon all of your church, the entire world of your people, the entire being of your creation, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

We pray in the Anglican Cycle for the Diocese of Leicester in Canterbury, England.  We pray in the Diocese of Kentucky for Saint Peters in Pleasure Ridge Park, and in our Highland Community Ministries, we pray for Calvary Lutheran Church.  To the God who gives them the leaders and members of these outreaches of your love, also give them the human and capital resources to fulfill your will, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

We pray for our own civil authorities.  We pray for our new mayor Greg and for those in his administration.  We pray for the Kentucky General Assembly as it convenes a new session in Frankfort.  We pray for the Congress in Washington, and we pray for our president Barack and all those in our governments.  We pray especially for the safety and safe-return home of the women and men in uniform wherever their service has stationed them.  We pray that all of these leaders work to bring justice to the people they serve, to bring healing to those afflicted, to bring freedom to those unjustly imprisoned, to bring comfort to those in want, to bring light to the darkness of many, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

We pray for our parish needs great and small, for our rector Tim, our deacon Eva, and all those in our ministries: of music, of food, of comfort, of hospitality.  We pray for those on Advent's prayer list, for [names go here].  To the God who shows no partiality to those who believe, we seek a guiding hand, a comforting word, a compassionate soul, and a healing heart, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

To the God who proclaimed Jesus his beloved Son, we pray for all the daughters and sons of God, sisters and brothers of Christ, especially those who have slipped the bonds of this temporal home and place, remembering [any deceased of Advent Parish] that they and all are accepted into the grace and mercy of your heavenly kingdom of eternity, praying Light of the Nations, Grant us the blessing of Peace.

Celebrant:  God of the stars of the night and the light of the day, our beacon and guide as we travel from season to season and year to year, hear these prayers of your people, as we come to you in imitation of the Magi, paying homage and seeking direction, asking that let your light shine upon the nations, your glory rise upon us, and that we be granted the blessing of Peace in abundance, now and forever.  Amen.

P4. The fourth in a series of Prayers, November 21, 2010

(See entry 736 for an explanation)

PRAYERS FOR THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, NOVEMBER 21, 2010

READER:  O God, we seek your guidance in bringing light to these closing times and shortened days, praying O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for the worlwide church of your followers wherever they are in their life's journey.  We pray for the leaders of your church, of this church, these shepherds of the Lord who shall execute justice and seek righteousness.  In the Anglican Communion, we pray for The Church of Bermuda.  We pray for Saint Alban's Church, Fern Creek, in the Diocese of Kentucky.  We pray for Saint Therese Catholic Church in the Highland Community Ministries.  We seek successes and thanksgiving for all the children of God, praying O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

Knowing it is you God who makes war to cease, spears to shatter, and bows to break, we pray now for our own Nation and all the nations of the world.  We seek peace, justice, humility, and reconciliation amongst ourselves and our neighbors.  We seek for our newly elected leaders the patience and resolve to deal wisely with the issues facing our country and our world, and that they will know that you are a very present help in times of trouble.  Grant to these leaders a sense of faith in their fellow Americans and a hope for our future generations, as we say O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for all the people of the world, believers and non-believers, those who govern and those who are governed, and especially those in harm's way serving their countries in uniform in wars and missions throughout the world, asking O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for our neighborhood, our city, and our state, as we approach Advent and the Christmas season, aware that many cannot share in the happiness of the times, and that we as a church community will open our hearts and minds and billfolds to those less fortunate, to those who seek help from our pantries, for those who seek help from our charitable giving, and for those whose lives we may never touch but who are nonetheless closeby and unseen, calling O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

We pray for those in need of a healing touch, a warming hand, a consoling word, or a considerate heart.  We pray especially for those on Advent's prayer list [names go here], asking they may be granted a share in the light, a renewed spirit, and a strengthened soul, declaring O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

We also pray for those who have left the present place and time for the holy habitation of the eternal saints.  We pray for the deceased of Advent Parish [names, if any, go here], for our friends and family no longer among us, and for all those who have died, hoping for them the Paradise of Heaven, saying O Lord of Righteousness, Hear Our Prayer.

CELEBRANT:  O Lord, our shepherd, our stronghold, and our strength, we pray you hear these prayers of your people seeking your intercession, desiring your mercy, and trusting in your righteousness, always and forever, AMEN. 

P3. The third in a series of prayers - October 3, 2010

PRAYERS FOR THE NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

OCTOBER 3, 2010

READER:  O Father, we know you are always ready to hear us.  We cry to you for help, seeking a right spirit, responding to God of Mercy, Grace, and Abundance, Increase Our Faith.

1)  We pray this morning for all the people of the world, of different races and nationalities, faiths and concerns, for believers and non-believers.  We pray for leaders of governments, for laborers of fields and factories, for planners and thinkers in offices and universities, and for the youngest of children who will one day serve as leaders of their church, college, community, or country, praying God of Mercy, Grace, and Abundance, Increase Our Faith.

 

2)  We pray for the family of Christ’s followers in our time.  In the Anglican Communion, we pray for the Church of Wales.  In the Diocese of Kentucky, we pray for Saint Mary’s Church, Madisonville and their rector, the Reverend Candyce Loescher.  In the Highland Community Ministries, we pray for Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, for those from Saint Andrew’s who have joined us in worship this morning, and for their commitment to the new Academy at Saint Andrew’s, praying God of Mercy, Grace, and Abundance, Increase Our Faith.

3)  We pray for the unmet needs of the people in our community – those whose lives are sometimes lived entirely in our streets, vacant buildings, highway underpasses, and other places unseen by most.  For those who seek shelter and food from strangers and others, and for those who come through the doors of our churches in need, we seek your vision in addressing their concerns, knowing we may never fully understand their plight but that they like us are sisters and brothers, a part of your family, praying God of Mercy, Grace, and Abundance, Increase Our Faith.

4)  We pray for the sick and needy of Saint Andrew’s and Advent, asking your help and healing touch for these women and men here entrusted to you, for [names go here], seeking to restore their souls, spirits, and health, praying God of Mercy, Grace, and Abundance, Increase Our Faith.

  

5)  We pray for those friends and family, and others known only to you, who’ve passed from this life and world into the eternity we know has been prepared for all of us, for the deceased of Saint Andrew’s and Advent, especially [names go here, if any].  We may add now our own prayers, in silence or aloud.  [Time goes here].  Praying God of Mercy, Grace, and Abundance, Increase Our Faith.

CELEBRANT:  O God, we put our trust in you, committing to your ways, seeking your righteousness to be made as clear as the light, knowing that grace, mercy, peace, and abundance comes from you our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.
 

P1. The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 19, 2009

PRAYERS FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, JULY 19, 2009


As God has called us to be his daughters and sons, we now call upon him with our needs and concerns, responding, By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

1) We pray for our Advent Church family, for Bishop Ted, for Fr. Tim, for the Vestry, for the ministries for ourselves and those in need, seeking to answer God’s call to be his children; we pray for his guidance when we are deciding who it is we will serve, why it is we believe, and how it is that others know we are children of God; By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

2) We pray for the church of all believers in the risen Christ, praying for and with our fellow Anglicans in the Church of Pakistan, our Episcopal family at Grace Church Hopkinsville, and our neighbors in the Highland Community Ministries at Highland Baptist Church; asking God to lead each of these bodies to the realization that whoever we are, in whatever place whether of power or poverty, we have all been called children of God; By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

3) We pray for the leaders of the world, especially our president Barack, and all persons in positions of authority. We pray that through you, these leaders will be resolute in their duties of meeting the basic human needs of all people, of addressing abuses against the less-fortunate, of restoring and creating human and civil rights, and of ending despair wherever it is found, knowing they are called to serve all the children of God; By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

4) We pray for our own families, our own trials, our own needs; we pray for our sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, wives and husbands and partners and friends, acknowledging your role as parent and provider and our role as worker and child. We pray for sustained health, clarity of mind, and determination of soul. We pray for your help in all these parts and parcels of our lives as children of God; By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

5) We give praise and thanksgiving, for where we live, for who we know, for our forms of employment, retirement, entertainment, worship, and rest. We give thanks for the gifts of hospitality, education, comfort, and companionship. In our abundance, we also pray for those
in need, the sick of Advent Church, for [names go here], and for those other concerns we now address by word or in silence, [time goes here]; we pray as a family for a fulfillment of their health and needs; By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

6) We also give thanks and offer prayers for those no longer among us, with whom we have shared our lives and hopes in this temporal place, especially remembering [Advent names go here], and all those, whoever they might be, whether by name or in silence, [time goes here]; we pray that all may one day be together as children of God; By Your Grace, Hear Our Prayer.

Conclusion of Prayers by Celebrant.
O God we pray with the innocence of our childhood, the knowledge of our present being, and the great hope of our future, that as a shepherd you guide us beside still waters, as a parent you protect us from harm and hurt, and by your goodness and mercy bring us together as one to share with Christ your son our eternity forever, Amen.

736. Prayers of the People

I've been reading prayers at church for many years.  I did so at my former church, Holy Family, and began doing so at my current church even before I was technically a member.  However, at Holy Family I was reading prayers prepared by others.  On a few occasions, I balked at what I was asked to read and took the liberty of emending the prayers from the lectern.  That is not the case at Advent, where I am reading prayers I have written.

Because this blog tends to be a repository of some of my writing I thought it would be appropriate to re-post the prayers over here.

In the Episcopal Church, the Prayers of the People are read each Sunday.  The Book of Common Prayer offers several "forms" to follow but also allows for some diversion away from these forms.  At Advent, there is a rotation of several prayer writers and readers.  We all follow the forms to a point but add our own writing talents and styles to the petitions.

It is my intention to post here on the blog all of the Prayers I have written over time.  They will be numbered with the letter P followed by a number.  I do not know how many I've written.  I'm still gathering them up.  Following this entry will be the first set, written for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, 2009.  As a note, tomorrow, or technically today since it is after midnight, is the Day of Pentecost for 2012.