"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

Luther's Small Catechism defines prayer as "an act of worship wherein we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him."  

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-8

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philemon 4:6-7

Please pray for the following, who are ill or have special needs and concerns, and remember to thank Him when He has healed them:

Bob Anderson, father of Barbara Satterwhite
Jean Anderson, mother of Barbara Satterwhite
Eddie Arrington, brother-in-law of Sharon Schuler
Connie Bramlet, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Ann Bertoia, mother of Rob Bertoia
Connie Earsley, friend of Gary and Diana Schwede
Rick Furr, friend of Clifford Fischer
Verna Mae Herzog, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Shana Jackson, sister-in-law of Tom Jackson
Pat McCauley, friend of Rob and Ann Bertoia
Pearl Pasi, mother of Linda Faber
Jim and Candy Porter, brother and sister-in-law of Ann Bertoia
Sara Rae, friend of Gary and Diana Schwede
Karl Rose, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Virginia Scott, friend of Marilyn Darby
Kate Seal, friend of Rob and Ann Bertoia
Susan Sellers, sister of Sharon Tull
Joy Simpson, member of Christ Lutheran Church
Lucille Slankard, sister of Joyce Lynn
Michael Smith, brother-in-law of Barbara Satterwhite
Bill Wolfe, friend of Eddie Wilt

Praise God for our members and friends celebrating birthdays in May:

May 1, Emily Elkins
May 1, David Spriggs
May 3, Valerie Morgan
May 4, Cassandra Carpenter
May 4, Pat Lynn
May 5, Stuart Williams
May 6, Jennifer Jackson
May 12, Joyce Lynn
May 12, Travis Simpson
May 13, Pastor Mark Paul
May 14, Dennis Satterwhite
May 16, Janet Kothmann
May 18, Liam Meeks
May 18, Jacob Scivally
May 20, Kameron Deterding
May 20, Jeni Fields
May 21, Jonathan Rushing
May 22, Beka Harris
May 22, Ashley Millet
May 23, Craig Breunig
May 23, Kathy Franklin
May 25, Crystal Rowe
May 27, Jack Meeks
May 28, Louise Reynolds

Give thanks for another year of married life as these people celebrate wedding anniversaries:

May 2, Kody and Janet Kothmann
May 3, Jerry and Sharon Tull
May 8, Brooks and Becky Jennings
May 10, Tom and Jennifer Howe
May 14, Kirk and Debbie Hedgcoth
May 15, Pat and Joyce Lynn
May 18, Roy and Vickie Nolte
May 20, Clifford and Betsy Fischer
May 23, Jeff and Laura Dean
May 25, Artie and Beverly Limmer
May 28, Forrest and Marky Edwards
May 29, Mike and Loretta Owen
May 31, Ron and Lorna Anderson
May 31, Than and Renee Rittiluechai

Finally, the Prayers of the Church for the Seventh Sunday of Easter:

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

    Eternal Father, You sent Your only begotten Son Jesus into our flesh and gave Him unto death for the sins of the entire world.  You did this, O Lord, so that we may be Your own and live under You in Your kingdom.  We thank You for this wondrous gift of salvation which You bestow through Jesus Christ.  Guide us throughout life as we constantly put to death the evil lusts of our sinful nature.  By Your Spirit’s power, assist us in serving You in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.  Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    By Your Gospel, call to repentance those who do not yet trust in You for salvation.  Give zeal to our congregations in seeking those who remain outside Your kingdom of grace.  Bless the outreach efforts of our congregations, districts, mission agencies, and Synod so that the Holy Spirit may create saving faith in the hearts of all those You place in our lives.  Help us to trust in Your powerful means of grace to accomplish the spiritual conversion that we can never achieve by our own merit.  Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    Lord Jesus Christ, before whom all in heaven and earth shall bow, grant courage to Your children who confess Your saving name in the face of opposition from a world hostile to the Gospel.  By Your Spirit, strengthen their faith, so that they can consider times of suffering for the name of Christ to be a blessing.  Help all who suffer opposition for their faith not to be ashamed, but rather to entrust their souls to You, their faithful Redeemer, who will return on the Last Day for the final judgment.  Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    Preserve our nation, O Lord, in justice and honor that we may lead a peaceable life with integrity.  Grant health and favor to all who bear office in our land, especially the president and congress of our country, the governor and legislature of this state, and to all those who make, administer, and judge our laws.  Give safety and protection to our military personnel as they risk their lives in order to shield our country from danger.  Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    Heavenly Father, abide with those wearied by illness and affliction.  Grant Your strength and presence to all those undergoing medical tests, those receiving treatment for illness, and those whose long-suffering with chronic pain and terminal illness continues to weaken their bodies.  By the example of Your incarnate Son who suffered deadly pain in His life, teach them to remember that You are with them in the midst of all pain and suffering.  Strengthen their faith in the full assurance of the glory that will be revealed to them on the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    O Lord, You are the Resurrection and the Life. Comfort the family and friends of those who have died in the faith.  In the midst of their grief, give them the peace that the world cannot give.  Bring to their remembrance the hope of everlasting life which You give in Your beloved Son, Jesus.  Instill in them the assurance that their loved one who died in the faith is presently among the angels and archangels singing Your praises and awaiting the final resurrection of the dead.  Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    Risen and Ascended Lord, You are above all rule and authority and power and dominion.  Yet out of steadfast love You continue to dwell with us by giving us Your body and blood to eat and drink.  Let us find favor in Your eyes to receive this holy Sacrament in faith for the salvation of our souls and to the glory of Your holy name. Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    We remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served You in Your Church on earth, who now rest from their labors.  Keep us in the fellowship with all Your saints, and bring us at last to the joys of Your heavenly kingdom.  Lord, in Your mercy,
    hear our prayer.

    All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.

    Amen.

Adapted from prayers published by the Commission on Worship, LC-MS, and used by permission.
The background music on this page is "Brother James' Air" presented by the Christ Lutheran Church Choir February 11, 2007

You are the since March 17, 2001