For the week of May 11 – Mother’s Day – 4th Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the gift of motherhood. We thank You for the many examples of faithful mothers in scripture, like Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Lois, and especially Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had the courage in faith to say “yes” to Your calling. May these women gathered here today emulate these examples of faith. And may they model for all the rest of us what it means to be Your disciple. Bless them on this special day; in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. (St. Peter’s UMC, Bellevue, WA)
Opening Hymn: #593 Here I Am, Lord
- I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.
- I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them. They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain:
- I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them. Whom shall I send? Refrain:
2 Timothy 1:1-7; 3:14-17 (CEB)
Paul’s words to Timothy, praising Timothy’s mother and grandmother:
1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.
2 To Timothy, my dear child.
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I’m grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did. I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night. 4 When I remember your tears, I long to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. 5 I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. 6 Because of this, I’m reminding you to revive God’s gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.
3:14 But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. 15 Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, 17 so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.
Prayers of Intercession: Thank You, Lord, for hearing our prayers for those dear to our hearts. We now pray as You have taught us: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us, not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering spotlight: Mission focus during the month of May is Dwell Orphan Care. What is Dwell? The staff and volunteers of Dwell Orphan Care defend the cause of the fatherless. There are ways for everyone to contribute to show Christ-like love for children and for foster, adoptive and kinship families. Donate NEW baby items to support these children.
Offering prayer: God our Father, we give You these gifts today knowing that while You are the Father of gifts, You mother us constantly by providing and caring for us. As we have been abundantly provided for, so we give to the work that You give us to do, the work of the church, the care of those whose mothers cannot care for them. Accept these gifts in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hymn of Preparation: #328 Surely the Presence of the Lord
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel His mighty power and His grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings. I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Message was given by Lynn Warwick of Dwell Orphan Care. Lightstreet is collecting NEW items for the babies who are in foster care during the month of May.
Here is a prayer for you, and for all mothers:
Lord, on this day set aside to honor and remember mothers, we give You thanks for our mothers. We are grateful that You gave us life through them. Thank You for the sacrifices they made in carrying us and giving us birth.
We thank you for the women who raised us, who were our mothers in childhood. Whether birth mom, adopted mom, older sister, aunt, grandmother, stepmother or someone else, we thank You for those women who held us and fed us, who cared for us and kissed away our pain. We pray that our lives may reflect the love they showed us, and that they would be pleased to be called our moms.
We pray for older moms whose children are grown. Grant them joy and satisfaction for a job well done.
We pray for new moms experiencing changes they could not predict. Grant them rest and peace as they trust You for the future.
We pray for pregnant women who will soon be moms. Grant them patience and good counsel in the coming months.
We pray for moms who face the demands of single parenthood. Grant them strength and wisdom.
We pray for moms who enjoy financial abundance. Grant them time to share with their families.
We pray for moms who are raising their children in poverty. Grant them relief and justice.
We pray for step-moms. Grant them patience and understanding and love.
We pray for moms who are separated from their children. Grant them faith and hope.
We pray for moms in marriages that are in crisis. Grant them support and insight.
We pray for moms who have lost children. Grant them comfort in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We pray for mothers who aborted their children. Grant them healing and peace.
We pray for moms who gave up their children for adoption. Grant them peace and confidence as they trust in Your providence.
We pray for adoptive mothers. Grant them joy and gratitude for the gift You have provided.
We pray for girls and women who think about being moms. Grant them wisdom and discernment.
We pray for all women who have assumed the mother’s role in a child’s life. Grant them joy and the appreciation of others.
We pray for those people present who are grieving the loss of their mothers. Grant them comfort and hope in Christ’s resurrection. Amen.
Closing Hymn: #389 Freely, Freely
- God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name, I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’s name I come to you, to share His love as He told me to.
Refrain: He said, “Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give.
Go in My name and because you believe, others will know that I live.
- All power is given in Jesus’ name, in earth and heaven in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you, to share His power as He told me to.
The blessing: May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you this week.
