Katrina Relief |
How to Help |
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1. Pray for people who live in communities affected by hurricanes. 2. To help those affected by disasters you may send gifts payable to your congregation marked for "Emergency USA " with the request they be sent through the Connecticut Conference office on to Wider Church Ministries. OR 3. Send gifts payable to The Missionary Society of Connecticut and marked in the memo portion "Emergency USA" to the Connecticut Conference UCC, 125 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105. You may also designate gifts for "Back Bay Mission." |
From the Rev. Ken Hoyt, Pastor, Buckingham Congl Church in Glastonbury
Lord of many names.
Adonai: The Lord.
Hear us as we pray.
Elohim: The Creator.
creation has been destroyed
El Shaddai: The All-Sufficient One.
you are our foundation, our rock, our salvation.
Jehovah-jireh: The Lord will provide
Send us strength and vision to help those in need.
Jehovah-raah: The Lord My Shepherd
Watch over us and guide us as we work for your children in distress.
Jehovah-shammah: The Lord is There
may your spirit empower us.
Jehovah-shalom: The Lord Is Peace
be in our hearts to calm us and help us rest.
God of names be with us this night and with our brothers and sisters who grieve,
the loss of life
the loss of home,
the loss of very being.
Help us Holy One, to understand those losses
and to be your eyes and ears;
your arms and legs;
your very presence to the forgotten and lost.
Aug. 30, 2005
Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
- Be present, O God, with those who are discovering that loved ones have died, that homes and jobs are gone. Embrace them in your everlasting arms.
- Be present, O God, with those who suffer today in shelters, hot and weary from too little sleep and too much fear. Let them know they are not alone.
- Be present, O God, with those who wonder what they will find when they return to homes battered by wind and engulfed by flood. Teach them to hope.
- Be present, O God, with those who have not been able to reach loved ones, who are frantic with worry. Offer them consolation.
- Be present, O God, with those who have hardly recovered from last yearÍs storms, who are unsure how much they can bear, who yearn only for quiet. Grant them peace.
- Be present, O God, with all who respond - mayors, police, firefighters, FEMA employees, Red Cross workers, pastors, church disaster response coordinators. Their work is just beginning, and will not end for many months. Strengthen them for service.
- Be present, O God, with the people of the United Church of Christ in storm damaged areas, and especially with the staff and clients of the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi where we fear so much has been damaged. Inspire us by their determination to care for others amid their own trials.
- Be present, O God, to each of us as we pray, that distance may not deter us from generous giving and enduring companionship. Help us remember tomorrow, and next week, and next month.
- Be present, O God, with all affected by Hurricane Katrina. May Immanuel, God with us, our precious Jesus, take every hand and lead us home. Amen.
