Prayers of the People (2) | Easter Sunday (Year C)

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These prayers are adapted from a version used by St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Evanston, IL in 2006 The leader of the Intercessions stands in the middle of the congregation. The people respond to the prayers as indicated.

Rejoicing in the mighty acts of God who has delivered his people from sin and death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Let us lift our voices and pray,

Risen Lord, Hear our Prayer.

Let us give thanks to God for the multitude of blessings he showers upon us:

For our lives and for those whom we love, For the beauty of this home God has created for us, For our families and our friendships, Let us give thanks to the God of Life.

Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.

Risen Lord, Hear our Prayer.

Let us pray for the Church, that it may carry forward the redemptive works of God:

For our clergy and our bishops, For the many lay people who serve the church, And serve the world through the church. For those gather here in worship and prayer.

Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.

Risen Lord, Hear our Prayer.

Let us pray for the newly baptized, that the joy of Easter may ever grow within them, and that the Spirit may guide them in lives of active faith.

Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.

Risen Lord, Hear our Prayer.

Let us pray for the nations and peoples of the world, that the powers that oppress and destroy may decline, And that justice, peace, and prosperity be lifted up.

Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.

Risen Lord, Hear our Prayer.

Let us pray for those who are sick, those who suffer, those who struggle: and who have died:

That the hope born of Easter give them peace, acceptance and renewal, And that through their struggles they may come into closer communion with the God who redeems and restores.

Special intentions are offered silently or aloud.

Risen Lord, Hear our Prayer.

The celebrant adds a concluding collect.

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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.