November 1, 2021
We remember: Faith Guffey, 25, shot to death; found on porch of abandoned house on Oct. 11, Caho St. near Nassau St. Bruce Davis, 40, shot to death on Oct. 15, Otis Dr., Harrison Twp. John Canfalone, 65, found dead Oct. 15 on Blanche Ave. after police did a welfare check; may have been dead several days; being investigated as a homicide. PRAYER OF REMEMBERANCE OPENING PRAYER: God of the sorrowing, we pray for family and friends of Faith, Bruce and John who have been touched by tragic deaths. May you wipe away the tears from their eyes. May those who mourn be comforted by the fact that nothing can separate them from your love. For Faith, Bruce and John death came as a thief in the night. We trust that they are now experiencing new life in your kingdom. From these tragedies may we find strength to battle the violence that seeks to destroy families and neighborhoods. As people of faith, we commend this sister and brothers of ours into your hands. Amen. SCRIPTURE: ISIAH 43: 1-3a - 4 Thus says the Lord, who created you and formed you: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God ... you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you ... REFLECTION: Imagine God whispering these words to those who have died. INTERCESSIONS: (Response: Lord, hear our prayer) For Faith, Bruce and John, that they may be enjoying God’s presence, we pray LORD ... For the family, and friends of Faith, Bruce and John that God will heal their grief, we pray LORD ... For neighborhoods that have experienced violence, that God will bring them together as true neighbors, we pray LORD ... For the perpetrators that they will find both justice and mercy, we pray LORD ... For law enforcement personnel that in their search for justice God will guide them and keep them safe, we pray LORD ... For ourselves that we may actively pursue lives of non-violence we pray, LORD ... We make these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ who shed his blood so that all might know the love and mercy of God. Amen.