Amber Congregational Church
Loving relationships that are committed to God, accountable to each other, involved in Christ’s transforming work in our world.
Praying the Psalms for One Another
Using the pamphlet "Praying the Psalms Daily" and combining it with our "2022 Amber Church Prayer Reminder" which lists all the members of the church family, we encourage you to pray for each other every day. Below is the list of daily Psalms and the office or mission and the individual for each day. Perhaps after praying for the person of the day you could call, text or email them and let them know you prayed for them.
May
1 Psalm 111:1-10 Minister – Jack and Janet Seymour
2 Psalm 112:1-10 Elders – Mel Simmons - Jenn Lawton
3 Psalm 1 13:1-9 Trustees – David and Roxann Bailer
4 Psalm 114:1-8 Clerk – Scott Trendowski – Butch Schmidt
5 Psalm 115:1-18 Treasurer – Andy and Linda Henderson – Alex Henderson
6 Psalm 116:1-19 Financial Secretary – Jason Wright
7 Psalm 117:1-2 Ministerial Relations Chair – Jenny Wright, Alex Wright
8 Psalm 118:1-29 Worship Director – Jim Seymour – Andrew Henderson
9 Psalm 119:1-8 Worship Services – David Angelo – Dawn Grace Simmons
10 Psalm 119:9-16 Sunday School – Chuck and Sue Ellen Harris
11 Psalm 119:17-24 Bible Studies – Teal Trendowski – Karen Swierk
12 Psalm 119:25-32 Youth Group – Mike and Cheryl Curtis
13 Psalm 119:33-40 Christian Education Director – Kim Vile
14 Psalm 119:41-48 Men’s Club – Mark and Brenda Henderson
15 Psalm 119:49-56 Women’s Fellowship – Rick and Lois Chaffee
16 Psalm 119:57-64 Supper Club – Garrett Crysler – Dan and Alex Southard
17 Psalm 119:65-72 Outreach Director – Rich and Lisa McVicar
18 Psalm 119:73-80 CCCC – Viola Darling
19 Psalm 119:81-88 CNY Congregational Churches – Adele Reagan
20 Psalm 119:89-96 Neighboring Churches – Barbara D’Aiutolo
21 Psalm 119:97-104 WMHR (Wayne Taylor) – Jeff and Debi Southard
22 Psalm 119:105-112 RBC Ministries – Jim and Gail Frary
23 Psalm 119:113-120 His Mansion – Matthew Henderson
24 Psalm 119:121-128 Teams 4 Medical Missions (John Heater) – Marilyn Fish
25 Psalm 119:129-136 New Hope (Kathy Jerman) – Dave and Kristin Heath
26 Psalm 119:137-144 Men’s and Women’s Conferences – Laura Isgar
27 Psalm 119:145-152 Search Committee – Nancy Barber
28 Psalm 119:153-160 Schools for Haiti (Carla Flesch) – Faith Stopyro
29 Psalm 119:161-168 Teen Challenge (Dave Pilch) – Carole Ianuzi
30 Psalm 119:169-176 The ShoreLight – Mike Wheeler
31 Psalm 120:1-7 Samaritan Committee – Sherry Persad
Prayers for the Day – May 8, 2024
Psalm 118:1-29
Our prayer-psalm today has some verses that you will all recognize from the church’s annual Palm Sunday worship. It is in this prayer that we have the words quoted by the crowds at Christ’s triumphal entry, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD” (118:25-26, Matthew 21:9). But as you can see, that line doesn’t come until toward the end of the psalm. What precedes it?
The whole prayer is a walk-through of public worship. This provides us with a mental image of a liturgical setting. There are different speakers in this processional. So let’s worship as we pray. The first 18 verses tell the story of the processional to the gate of the city. Verses 19-24 describe the scene at the gate, and verses 25-29 go from the gate to the altar.
Verses 1-4 – The choir sings an opening song of thanks and praise to the God whose “love endures forever.”
Verses 5-14 – The individual rises to exclaim why he is going to worship. It is because the Lord answered my cry and met my need. “He is my helper…and it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” As a result, I am voicing this publicly for “the LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Verses 15-16 – The congregation responds to this message, affirming that it is true and that it has also been our experience for “the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” All get to join in the joy of the one who shares his story.
Verse 17-18 – The individual responds with a renewed commitment. “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.”
Verses 19 – The individual asks entrance into the place of worship. “Open for me the gates of righteousness.”
Verse 20 – The priest responds that “this is the gate…through which the righteous may enter.”
Verse 22-24 – The congregation sings as they also enter in with words that acknowledge God and praise him for the day he has made. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Verse 25 – The congregation, on the way to the altar cry out for God’s salvation. “Save us” (which is the word “Hosanna”).
Verse 26 – The priest identifies the one who can save with the words, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD.” We know that this one is Jesus as he is identified for us in the New Testament quotations.
Verse 27 – The congregation states, “The LORD is God” and sings in “festal procession up to…the altar.”
Verse 28 – The individual whose story was the heart of this procession makes the congregation’s acclamation personal by singing, “You are my God and I will give you thanks…I will exalt you.”
Verse 29 – The choir who began with an opening song of praise now concludes with the same song. “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
What a great pattern for our worship, both public and private. We sing our praise to you, Lord Jesus!
We pray today for our Worship Director, Nancy Barber, and for Jim Seymour and Andrew Henderson.
Let’s pray together.
Lord, we thank you that we are able to meet together in worship on a Sunday morning. We enjoy sharing together the stories of how you have met us in our times of despair and struggle. We take comfort and assurance in hearing how you have worked in others lives. As we read and pray this psalm, we take a kind of mental walk-through of what public worship offers us when we gather. We know that you are our Savior and we sing your praise.
And today we remember Nancy, Jim and Andrew. Give them all wisdom and grace to follow you and to grow in their understanding of worship and of our great Savior, Jesus Christ. Draw them into the rich and practical experience of public worship. Help them to benefit from others’ stories and know the help and encouragement in sharing their own. Give us all a true and growing understanding of what it means to worship you. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 7, 2024
Psalm 117:1-2
Here we have the shortest of all the prayer-psalms, only two verses. It hardly gets started and it’s over. “Praise the LORD” (117:1) and then “Praise the LORD” (117:2). The call or instruction to do so is addressed to everyone, the “nations…all you people” (117:1). I guess that means you and me too.
And the reason for our praise is clear as well. “For great is his love…and faithfulness…it endures forever” (117:2). What wonderful traits to be known for, love and faithfulness. Often we see one or the other but not both together. A person vows to love their spouse at the time of the wedding, but often that love is betrayed by a lack of faithfulness. And sometimes we pledge our faithfulness to one another but when we examine carefully the expression and manner of our love our pledge appears sadly lacking. But God combines these not simply in words but in his character and relationships. He defines our words and the only proper response to him is to sing his praise.
We are to pray today for our Ministerial Relations Chair, Mike Curtis, and for Jenny Wright and Alex Locke-Wright.
Let’s pray together.
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, because you have not only told us that you love us, you have proven it by laying down your life for us (John 15:13). You are love and faithful in both word and deed. And we thank you for the promise that you will never change, that these character traits that are so much a part of you will endure forever. Help us to be like you.
We thank you for Mike, Jenny, and Alex. We pray for a growth in love and faithfulness in their lives. We know that none of us are perfect; we stumble in our efforts to deal properly with you and with others. But we come to you and request that we, your people, will be known as those who reflect your glory. Help us to be more loving, more faithful, more worthy of the name we carry as Christians, the name of Christ. Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 6, 2024
Psalm 116:1-19
Our prayer-psalm starts off very well, “I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy” (116:1). It is a wonderful experience to have one’s prayer answered. “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion…when I was in great need, he saved me” (116:5-6).
This is a positive prayer, a positive assessment of life’s difficult situations. The circumstance that prompted this prayer was a near-death encounter. “The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow” (116:3). And God preserved his life, he “delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears” (116:8). Certainly that is good news.
And yet…my mind goes to those who have lost loved ones, who prayed that their spouse, their parent, their child would be saved from death and their prayer was not answered in this fashion. Their loved one died. How do we reconcile this? Why are some prayers granted and others not? How can we commit ourselves to a God that we don’t understand? How can we pray “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD” (116:13-14)?
The only answer this prayer gives us is the affirmation that “precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints” (116:15). When God does not bring the desired healing, we can still rest in the emotional connection of his love. We cannot explain God or his ways, but we can know God, the compassionate heart of God, and we can “sacrifice a thank offering and call on the name of the LORD” (116:17). We can still “Praise the LORD” (116:19) for he continues to call us to himself.
Our Prayer Reminder has us praying today for our Financial Secretary, Faith Stopyro, and for Jason Wright.
Let’s pray together.
Lord, we do thank you for answered prayer. We thank you that you hear us and that no prayer of your people is considered trivial or unimportant. We confess that we do not know how prayer works. We don’t know why you grant some of our requests and others you do not. We often feel confused and even abandoned. And yet, with Peter we say in our confusion, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69).
Today we are praying for all those who have recently lost loved ones. We pray for your strength to sustain them as they continue to walk with you. Give them the assurance even in confusion that your love is real and available.
We also pray for Faith and for Jason. Give them your guidance. Help them to know your leading in their lives. Deliver them from the losses of their lives and give them clarity and wisdom, encouragement and faith as they walk through any present difficult times. May we all continue to sing “I love the Lord!” as we pray again with a “Praise the LORD!” This we pray in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 5, 2024
Psalm 115:1-18
The next three psalms, 115-117, all have the repeated “Praise the LORD” at the end of the prayer instead of at the beginning. The meaning is the same. These are prayer-songs that shout “Hallelujah” about what God has provided in our salvation.
Our beginning words recognize our place and God’s place, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness” (115:1). Too often we are fixated on ourselves. In placing ourselves in the center we not only push God to the side, but we get upset with others when they don’t treat us as the important folk we think we are. There certainly are a host of illustrations of this in the news every day. But God is the only one who should take center stage.
“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (115:3). In contrast to the Almighty Sovereign God people create gods with imaginary powers but who actually are totally useless. “And those who make them will be like them” (115:8). This story plays out clearly in Romans 1:21-32. The reverse of this is also true that those who worship the LORD of heaven and earth will also become like him, not in our power but in our character. The blessing that follows has benefits to “both you and your children” (115:14). This is indeed something to praise God for, but are we giving him that priority place in our lives?
Our prayers today are for our Treasurer, Gail Frary, and for Andy and Linda Henderson and Alex Henderson.
Let’s pray together.
Lord, we confess that we often see only ourselves in this world. We know what we feel and what we believe, and we think that everyone else should see life from our unique perspective. But we are not the Creator, we are not God. Give to us a true view of yourself and of life so that we might live in the enjoyment of your love and faithfulness instead of in the illusion of our own greatness. And make us like you in character and compassion.
We are praying today for Gail, Andy, Linda, and Alex. We pray that you would be the center of their world. Reveal yourself to them in ever increasing glory and reality. May they have the commitment that puts you first in their lives. Help them to follow you unreservedly and help us all to praise you with our lives as we offer this prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 4, 2024
Psalm 114:1-8
The beginning “Praise the LORD” which should start our prayer-psalm, is probably the last line of Psalm 113, the result of a textual copy error. Not a big deal, just a point of consistency for the collection of Psalms used in the Passover worship (Psalms 111-118). This one sings the exodus story of redemption, “When Israel came out of Egypt…Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion” (114:1-2). God’s people were led out of bondage into the freedom of their new land. It is the salvation story of the Old Testament (Exodus 12). They came out as a “sanctuary,” that is, as a safe place, and as a “dominion,” God’s people. What makes us safe is that we are under the authority of God himself. He owns us and we are his. That is to be our new and our forever identity.
“The sea…the Jordan…the mountains…the hills” (114:3-4) all acknowledged God’s power at work. Remember the story of the Red Sea parting before the Israelites as they escaped (Exodus 14) and the story of the Jordan River parting before them as they entered the land of Canaan (Joshua 3). This reminds us of our New Testament Savior, Jesus Christ, who calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee and his disciples remarked, “He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:25).
“Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord…who turned the rock into a pool” (114:7-8). This is another indication of God’s provision for his people. This time in the wilderness, when there was no water he provided it from the rock (Exodus 17). So it is with us. God provides for his own all that is needed at just the time it is needed. What a wonder, what a sanctuary, what a dominion. I am reminded of the song, “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”
We are to pray today for our Clerk, Cheryl Schulte, and for Scott Trendowski and Butch Schmidt.
Let’s pray together.
Almighty God, how forgetful we are often times of just who you are and who we are. You are the one who made us and redeemed us. You are the God who can control the earth and all that is within it, people, nations, nature. You have dominion over all. And yet you care about us and you make us your sanctuary. It is only in relationship with you that we are safe in this broken world of sin and pain. Remind us of yourself and of your provision for us in the midst of all our affairs.
We ask for this comforting and convicting knowledge for Cheryl, Scott and Butch. They don’t need it more than the rest of us, but they are the ones we pray this prayer for today. Give to them a fresh wave of your reality to wash over their conscious minds. Like the skipping mountains and hills fill them and us with your joy and praise. Satisfy our thirst with your living water. Help us together to sing, “Praise the LORD!” Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 3, 2024
Psalm 113:1-9
“Praise the LORD” starts our prayer-psalm today just as it has the last few days. It is a rousing yet simple call to worship. That simple call is followed with a reiteration of praise explained as being about God’s name. “Praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised…the name of the LORD is to be praised” (113:1-3). A person’s name is the identifying association we place on that individual. It is why surnames often were given to express some distinguishing characteristic. “Chaffee,” for example, means either “hot headed” or “bald headed,” either one was probably a good definition of that fellow “Rick Chaffee” to distinguish him from other Ricks. Naming can easily degenerate into name calling and bigotry, a practice of belittling the other before getting to know his character.
So here in prayer we are urged, called, to name God even before we get to know him. He is the LORD, the one who defines himself as “the one who is” (Exodus 3:14). There are so many descriptive names for God in the Bible but none as personal, none that get to the heart of who he is than the name YWHW, LORD.
After telling us to praise his name in the opening verses our prayer then describes him as the one who “is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens” (113:4). No one is like him. He is “enthroned on high…yet stoops down to look” at us (113:5-6). And in looking on the earth “he raises the poor…lifts the needy…settles the barren” (113:7-9). Clearly there is very good reason to praise the LORD. And what a privilege it is to know his name and to call upon him as both Lord and Christ. I think my most frequently used name for God is Lord, and although when I speak it sounds the same I try to remind myself that it is not just Lord but LORD. And despite the fact that he knows me through and through and everyone else who has ever lived, he wants me to know him through and through. This is both amazing and an invitation to “know that which surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19). Surely then I can stand and sing the “Praise the LORD.”
Our prayers today are for our Trustees and for David and Roxann Bailer.
Let’s pray together.
Father, it is so amazing that you know us backwards and forwards and still want us to know you. Most of us have spent so much time trying to hide from you and others and here you are trying to reveal yourself to us in deeper and more intimate ways. Thank you for your incredible love.
As we get to know you may we also become more like you. Help us to care for others as you care for us. We pray for our Trustees as they seek to provide property and financial guidance for the church. We also say a prayer today for David and Roxann. Help them get to know you as you are so that their hearts will sing your praise. And may all the rest of us join in the song. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 2, 2024
Psalm 112:1-10
Our prayer-psalm today is certainly a very positive one. It starts with a “Praise the LORD” (112:1). Then what follows is perhaps to some a Pollyanna type of poem. “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands” (112:2). Everything from this point on sounds like a perfect life. “His children will be mighty…wealth and riches are in his house…good will come to him…he will never be shaken…he will have no fear of bad news…he will be lifted high in honor…” No matter what happens around him the person who fears the Lord is still blessed. This is true “even in darkness” for even there “light dawns for the upright” (112:4). Most of us at this point may be saying, “Who are these people? Whose life looks like this?”
A good question to ask ourselves when we experience dark times is, “What are the hidden bright spots that God has for me in this time?” This is not an attempt to make light of difficulties but simply to search for meaning and growth. If given thoughtful attention and not immediate dismissal all of us can see some good things that have happened as a result of those times. For some days of trial bring an increased appreciation for family or friends who come to offer comfort and support. A period of sickness may provide an opportunity to read and think and meditate. This prayer-psalm tells us that even in the worst of situations God will continue to bless those who put him first. That blessing may not appear at first glance, but God always takes care of his own.
Our Prayer Reminder tells us to pray today for our Elders and for Mel Simmons and Jenn Lawton.
Let’s pray together.
Father, make us sure of your hand in our lives. Help us to see that you are always with us, standing available and eager to reveal yourself to our hearts. Even in times of darkness make us confident that your light will still dawn upon us. We pray this in the midst of whatever our present situation might be even if it is by no fault of our own.
We pray today, Lord, that you would give this encouragement especially to Mel and to Jenn. May their thoughts be turned to you and to prayer and devotion. We pray too for our Board of Elders that they would have your wisdom as the seek to provide spiritual guidance to our church family. May their faith increase as they walk through the ups and downs of their lives as well as the corporate life of our church. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayers for the Day – May 1, 2024
Psalm 111:1-10
Psalms 111-118 are a collection called the Passover Hallel, or the Passover Praises. They were read and prayed and sung by the Hebrew people during the annual festival of Passover when they remembered their escape from Egypt in the Exodus account under Moses. Each one of these eight Psalms begin with the word “Hallelujah,” translated by our NIV Bibles as “Praise the LORD.”
There are three words that describe what God has done which prompt thinking people to praise him. “Great are the works of the LORD…Glorious and majestic are his deeds…He has caused his wonders to be remembered” (111:2,3,4). The works of the Lord are his creative acts in calling the world into being and making mankind in his own image. We have certainly done much to destroy his creation both environmentally and relationally. Pollution and war endanger our planet. Yet his majestic deeds provide a continual involvement which sustains the world, us, life itself. He will not allow anyone to ultimately destroy what he has made. In fact, he causes his wonders to be remembered. These are the redemptive actions of God which provide for our redemption and the worlds eventual renovation.
All of this is what is included in the concept of covenant. “He remembers his covenant forever…He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever – holy and awesome is his name” (111:5,9). The thinking person sees this as the “beginning of wisdom… and follows his precepts” (111:10).
We are to pray today for our minister and for Jack and Janet Seymour.
Let’s pray together.
We praise you, Lord, the one who made us, sustains us, redeems us. We thank you that your hand has been and continues to be in the affairs of everyday life. As our Creator and Lord you have a rightful claim on our lives and so we offer them willingly to you.
We pray that you will lead the Search Committee to the right person who will be our next minister. And prepare that person as well. We pray too for Jack and Janet. Thank you for their presence in our church family. Give to them an increased understanding of your ways and your plans and help them to always remember the wonder of their own salvation story. Thank you for waking us to your grace and goodness. Walk now with us so that we remain faithful to you and your covenant with us. “To you belongs eternal praise” (111:10). Amen.