Prayers of the People | Lent 2C | February 21st, 2016

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Prayers of the People

Lent 2C

February 21st, 2016

Here's a prayers of the people for the 2nd Sunday in Lent (Year C) - Lent 2C.

    God our Shelter and Strength,
    you are a mighty and wondrous God,
    breathing life into emptiness
    and calling us from the depths
    to proclaim your righteousness
    from the highest mountaintop.
    We sing your power and your praise
    for it is right that we do so
    and such fills our hearts with joy.
    We stand firm in your protection,
    for you are our light and our salvation.

    Why do you shower us with your grace?
    Why do you bother to love such broken people like us?
    Is there truly no end to your mercy?
    Often, we have received your grace
        but never reflected it.
    Often, we have heard your word
        but never absorbed it.
    Often, we have seen opportunities for discipleship
        but never taken the difficult road.
    We do not deserve your grace,
        and yet you distribute it without ceasing.
    Do not hide your face from us, Lord!
    Hear us, your servants,
    for we believe we shall see your goodness!
    
    Strengthen us as we wait and wander on this Lenten path.
    Encourage us when we feel lost, 
        calm us when we feel panic,
            comfort us when we feel hopeless.
    Be gracious and answer us as we pray for those upon our hearts this day…
        For those in the deep, deep well of depression….hear our prayer.
        For those who volunteer their time for causes of social justice…hear our prayer.
        For those who pray but do not hear an answer…hear our prayer.
        For those without the courage to pray at all…hear our prayer.
        For those filled with emptiness…hear our prayer.
        For those in times of discernment…hear our prayer.
    
    God of our path and our protection,
    teach us your ways
    and lead us on a level path
    that we might follow, with faithful feet,
    your son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.  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.