A New Church Year, and a New Church: At the inaugural worship service of Resurrection Church of the Nazarene in New York City, Towel & Basin president David Best joined Dean of the Palmer Institute, the Reverend Bruce Barnard, in leading the congregation in these prayers...
Bruce Barnard: In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, "Lord have mercy."
David Best: For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Bruce Barnard: For our Board of General Superintendents, for our District Superintendent Pastor Art, for our clergy and ministers, and all the holy people of God, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
David Best: For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, that our divisions may cease and that all may be one as you and the Father are one, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Bruce Barnard: For the peace of the world and especially for our allies in France, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples; for our cities in this land, for civil unrest and violence, especially those in San Bernardino, for lives lost and lives taken, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
David Best: For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees and especially those fleeing Syria, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Bruce Barnard: For this Episcopal parish, for New York's Bishop Andy, for the congregation of The Good Shepherd, for Rector Erika, for their willingness to share space with us for worship and break bread in communion, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
David Best: For all who have died in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is known to you alone, that, with all the saints, they may rest in the place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, we pray to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Bruce Barnard: Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this now, for yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yours is the kingdom come, and the kingdom of not yet; yours is the power and the glory and the honor, now and forever.
People: Amen.
