Prayers of the People | Palm Sunday (Year C) | March 20th, 2016

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Prayers of the People

Palm Sunday (Year C)

March 20th, 2016

We pray to you, Good and Gracious God,
by lifting up to your our heartfelt prayers.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Throughout time and trial,
you have led us through the wilderness
on paths long and toilsome.
Together, we follow you to the dark hour
when you will be betrayed and broken.
As our faces are turned to the cross,
strengthen our wearied souls
that we might continue with faithful footsteps
and follow the course that you have set.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

On this day, you begin marching toward your death,
a death to which we have been sealed in our baptisms.
Together, we are preparing to take the plunge
into the darkness of that cold and lonely tomb.
What will we find there?
Is there truth to be found in the darkness of this week?
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

We gather to begin holy week,
a week, though dark and dismal,
that is nevertheless a preparation for resurrection - 
a resurrection to which we have been sealed in our baptisms.
Together, we are preparing to be renewed by the light of the empty tomb.
What will we find there?
What truths will be discovered in the light of Easter morning?
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

As we march together to Jerusalem, through Gethsemane,
and to the hill of the cross,
we bring with us the concerns that are on our hearts this day.

Be with those who cannot feel the hope of the resurrection.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Be with those who have lost loved ones,
those who will struggle to sing "alleluia" later this week.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Be with those who are seeking affordable housing
and affordable healthcare in difficult economic times.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Be with those without a voice,
that their voices may be freed to proclaim your praise.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Be with those who are approaching their own death,
that they may be comforted by the truth of the resurrection.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Be with every one of us as we seek to prepare for your resurrection
by following you to your death.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.

Help us to rest in the comforting truth that in life and in death
we belong to you.
Give us strength.
Give us courage.
Give us hope for that which you promise us - everlasting life.
Answer us, Lord.  Become our salvation.  Amen.

 

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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.