Natalie's Grace Notes

  Service of Worship Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Sunday, October 25, 2020 Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor Let us pray: Prayer for the Election Year of a President God of mercy, our nation is in a time of great transition. With all of the injustice and fear in our world today, we ask you to inspire us and guide us as we participate in the upcoming presidential elections. We seek a government that upholds and protects human rights and justice for all its citizens, regardless of race, class, gender, or religion. Move and inspire us by your presence among us in the most vulnerable in our society. For their tears are your tears, their pain is your pain, their suffering is your suffering. In gratitude for the right to vote, we pray. - Anna Misleh   Deuteronomy 34: 1-12 The Death of Moses 34  Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed h...

  Service of Worship Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church October 18, 2020 Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor   Let us pray:   Loving God, I ask you to guide me during this important election season: Help me to understand the Gospels, in which Jesus Christ reveals his path of love, mercy and compassion, especially toward those who are poor, sick or struggling in any way. Instruct me on what the church teaches on the important issues of our day: abortion, racism, migration, war and peace, health care, the death penalty, economic justice, care for the environment and on all those questions that I must ponder with your help. Enable me to form my conscience so that I may vote wisely. Loving God, I ask you to help me to live peacefully with others: Allow me to be open to the opinions of others with whom I disagree. Fill me with a spirit of charity toward those who may oppose me. Give me patience in times of struggle. Loving God, I ask you to help me sta...

  Service of Worship October 11, 2020 Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor   Let us pray: God of all our days, of all our thoughts, of all our fears, of all our priorities: be with us. Made known to us in the person Jesus, walk beside us in this season. Put our hands and feet where you would put yours. Hear our prayers for help and guidance, and then put our prayers into action, for the sake of your Kingdom. Amen. Philippians 4: 1-9 Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Final Exhortations ...

  Service of Worship October 4, 2020 Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church Rev. Natalie Bowerman, Pastor   Let us pray: My Creator, You are so faithful to me. You never change, grow weary of me, or tired of helping me. If Your Word says You care, then I choose to trust in that care. I place every burden I carry in Your hands today. I entrust my very soul into Your care. I will not worry for one moment. I refuse fear, for my Shepherd cares for me and You are well aware of every critical issue I am facing today. I will not be discouraged. I will not be moved off of this strong stance of faith. I will stand my ground and declare that God is good! You care for me! I can, therefore, live a carefree life, free from heaviness, oblivious to the confusion and quandaries the enemy of my soul tries to engage me in. Thank you for Your loving care for me and all that is important to me. Teach me to trust You more and more every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.   Ex...