Mid-week Message

Greetings!

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.” - Matthew 6:10-11

I am sure you have heard about the disastrous earthquakes that occurred in Turkey and Syria on Monday. Brett talked to us on Sunday about how Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D) lives the Lord’s Prayer. One of the ways they do this is through disaster assistance around the world. PWS&D has already mobilized with their partners, ACT Alliance, to provide warm food and canned goods for those on the ground in Turkey and Syria. If you would like to financially support their relief work, you can give a donation to PWS&D in two different ways:

1. Through Briarwood and designate your offering as “Turkey earthquake relief.”

2. Through PWS&D’s website: https://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/2023/02/07/syria-turkey-earthquake-response/

We can also help by joining in prayer for those affected. Here is a prayer from Canadian Food Grains Bank (https://foodgrainsbank.ca/news/turkiye-syria-earthquake/):

God of Creation,

We live in a world where both beauty and danger are found.

Hear our prayers for those who have been overcome by disastrous earthquake damage in Turkiye, Syria, and beyond.

For all who are in need of healing …

for all who are disabled by injury or illness …

for all who are troubled with confusion or pain …

for all who are in pain …

for all who cannot find adequate food or shelter …

for all who have lost their homes, churches, community centres, and workplaces …

we pray and ask that you help heal the pain of all who are affected.

Strengthen with your presence all who are numb with fear and distress.

Guide those who anxiously search or wait for loved ones.

Be near those who are grieving, and bless them with your peace.

In the midst of disaster we give thanks for moments of generosity and human-kindness…

Grant tenderness, strength, and wisdom to the doctors and nurses, police and military, fire-fighter and emergency responders; to all who minister to human need in our time of distress. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Sarina