A Prayer for Storm Survivors

Posted on September 14, 2017 by revlisad

Jesus Calms the Storm by the Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey

The knowledge that we are never alone calms the troubled sea of our lives and speaks peace to our souls. – A. W. Tozer

I am grateful Taylor Burton-Edwards, Director of Worship Resources at the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church for making excellent suggestions to improve this prayer. If you are in search of excellent worship resources and discussion, be sure to check out his many web based offerings, including the UMC Worship group on Facebook and the worship section of UMC Discipleship.

A Prayer for Storm Survivors
Jesus, we see you calming storms-
storm tossed seas and stormy lives.
Extend your power and grace again,
especially upon these most recent storm victims.

Speak peace and healing over bodies and spirits broken by the chaos.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence

Speak peace and hope over families and communities devastated by sudden loss.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence

Speak peace and unity over diverse groups of people
so they would come together for greater provision,
just distribution, and effective rebuilding.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence

Speak peace and protection over rescue workers
as they reach out to those who are suffering.
Jesus, speak peace. Silence

You are the Prince of Peace.
You are the Resurrection and the Life.
You are strong to save.
Our hope and trust are in you. Amen.

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A Prayer for Storm Survivors © 2011 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. Please leave a comment below for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Not Us and Them, Only Us- a prayer based on Matthew 15.21-28

Posted on September 1, 2017 by revlisad

us them

Based on Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus and the faithful Canaanite woman

They come from the east and west
From the high places and low
They come begging, “take pity on me son of David.”
They kneel desperate, “Lord help me. Lord have mercy.”

Our first response… Wsend them away
They are not of us
They are a nuisance, a distraction, an obstacle
Surely his healing and mercy aren’t for them

But look at their faces
Look at their faith
Look at their compassion for their little ones
Their hopes and dreams are the same as ours
Their needs are the same as ours
Their answer is the same as ours
Jesus

Lord give us faith to cling to everything you say
Everything you promise
Everything you are

Give us faith to see how your plan unfolds for all of us
Give us faith to trust there is enough
It’s not Us and Them
It’s only Us
You saving, healing, and loving Us

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Not us and them, only us © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Anointed for Peacemaking, a prayer for unity (Psalm 133)

Posted on July 3, 2017 by revlisad

Based on Psalm 133

How good is your unity, O Lord
How rich
How abundant
How merciful

Flowing down over our heads
as blessing and balm
as wholeness and hope

Flowing down over our faces
our eyes, ears, lips
now consecrated for peace

Flowing down over our collars
our shoulders now bearing one another’s burdens
bearing crosses not weapons
Your compassion not strife

Flowing down over our hearts
a holy ordering and ordaining of our desiring

Flowing down over our souls
You alone on the throne, blessed Savior
our Deliverer and Reconciler
the One who makes all one

Flowing down over our hands
instruments of conflict no more
grabbing and hoarding more
now open in welcome
sharing
holding all things sacred.

How very good is your unity, O Lord
How great and glorious your peace
Bring to fulfillment your perfect will
Amen!

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Anointed for Peacemaking, a Prayer for Unity © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Prayer- Jesus, Grant Me Your Heart

Posted on June 21, 2017 by revlisad

Sacred Heart 3 Jesus, Lord of All
Grant me a compassionate heart
Teach me judgment without being judgmental
Boundaries without guarding too much
Love without agendas

Jesus, Lord of All
Grant me a courageous heart
Teach me truth without using it as a weapon
Engagement without enabling
Confronting without a win/lose mindset

Jesus, Lord of All
Grant me a heart of hope
Teach me peace without apathy
Rest without laziness
Patience without despair

Jesus, Lord of All
Grant me your heart

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Jesus, Grant me Your Heart © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Sermon Recording- How to Love (Matthew 25)

Posted on August 15, 2016 by revlisad

Sermon Series: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
What’s love got to do with it? Everything! It’s the who, what, when, where, how and why of our words and actions as follower of Jesus Christ.

Cornerstone Scripture for the Series: 1 John 4:15-17
God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world.

Message: How to Love
Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40
Offered 7/24/16 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida

Love = Agape
Sacrificial, Unconditional, Makes the first move
Love is a choice tied to an action
Not so much an emotion but a motivation

United Methodist Four Areas of Focus

It’s easy to do good from a distance, but that’s not what we do. Yes we give, but we also welcome, we take care, we visit. We love with skin in the game because that’s what God does for us in Jesus Christ. In this loving, we experience a full circle moment. We accept the gift of God’s love, we share that love, in that sharing we are loving God.
– Lisa Degrenia <><

Worship Resources
Reader’s Theater- Separating the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25)

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I’m excited to now offer mp3’s of my Sunday messages. A huge thank you to Leon and my brothers and sisters at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota for all their help in making this possible. If you’re ever in Sarasota, please drop by for worship Sundays at 9am or 10:30am, or drop by during the week for a chat or small group. You and those you love are always welcome.

Prayer Station- Sandbox Confession

Posted on July 8, 2016 by revlisad

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Prayer Stations are interactive experiences with Scripture or devotional prompts. A simple, creative gesture can help us slow down and listen for what God reveals. The gesture likewise opens us to respond.

For me, utilizing the sense of touch in prayer takes me to a child-like place. I’m reminded of a less complicated time- a time of wonder, imagination, and play. It gets me out of my head and into my heart. I’m often surprised by the ease and depth of God’s interaction in these encounters.

This prayer station was designed for the opening night of a women’s retreat. The opening night theme was “Let it go.” It could be used in many other settings as well.

I pray this idea encourages you to set aside some time to meet God in interactive prayer. If you choose to use this idea, or better yet create one of your own, I’d love to hear from you. – Lisa <><

Prayer Station Instructions
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Practice…
• Think about a concern, regret, burden, or sin. Sum it up in one word.
• Write that word in the sand. Take your time.
• Stay with the word for a moment.
• Wipe the word away, accepting the healing, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus.
• Repeat as needed with other situations and words.
• Take your time. Stay as long as you need.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Prayer Station Symbols

Red, patterned tablecloth, empty cross, and victorious Christ statue representing the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection
Icon of Jesus healing the man born blind
IHS monogram and Chi-Rho monogram, ancient representation of Christ’s name. As Christians we call on the name of Jesus to save us, forgive us, and heal us.
Candle representing the Light of Christ and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit
Green plant representing the hope and promise of new life and growth
Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery and Stone. When we are honest with ourselves, when we claim our universal need of forgiveness and the universal offer of forgiveness in Jesus, we lay down our stones of condemnation and death.
Shell, ancient symbol of baptism. We are named and claimed by God in our baptisms.
Sand
- From dust we are formed and to dust we shall return. (Ecclesiastes 3:20)
  - We are all in the same situation. We are all in need of God’s saving power and love.
- As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:13-14)
- Jesus writing in the sand when wisely, truthfully, and compassionately answering the accusations against the woman caught in adultery. (John 8:2-11)
  - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Click Here for the printout of the instructions for the prayer station
Click Here for the printout of the story of Jesus writing in the sand, the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11)

Sermon Recording- A Basket on the Nile (Exodus 2:1-10)

Posted on June 23, 2016 by revlisad

baby moses basket

Sermon Series: H2O, Hope to Offer
Messages on the water stories from Surf Shack VBS

Message: Baby in a Basket
Scripture: Exodus 1:6-2:10
Offered 6/5/16 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida

There will always be Pharaohs in this world. We must read this story again and again to remember Pharaoh doesn’t win. We are the legacy of the children of Israel. We are the sons and daughters of those who live in awe of God. We are the heritage of doing the right thing, the hard thing in the face of great evil. – Lisa Degrenia

When the Pharaohs want us silent, we will speak. When they want us submissive, we will be assertive. When they want us unable to think, we will be calm and clever. When they want us cowering, we will be courageous. When they want us divided, we will break down the dividing walls with our compassion. – Lisa Degrenia

Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.”

Worship Resource for this Message
Opening Prayer (Psalm 18:1-3)
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
My God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
My shield, and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
so I shall be saved from my enemies.

Turning the Word

Poetry, Worship Resources and Sermon Starters from Pastor Lisa

Tag Archives: compassion