Year of Prayer: Pray Without Ceasing

Neighbor Day

"As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, 'I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.'" - John 3:16-17

God our Creator,

     Christ our Redeemer and Spirit our Sustainer, Your creation calls us to live in community and to serve Your Kingdom here on earth. We thank you for the generous gift of this church, and for this spacious facility in which we are called to welcome our church family as well as our neighbors in this city to join in fellowship, experience the love of Christ, and serve our neighbors in need. We ask for your special blessing on our Neighbor Day event in September. Purify our hearts and ignite our passion for loving your people. Give us the gift of generosity to those in our midst and those who might come into our midst for this event.
     Bless our efforts to collect food for our neighbors in this city who are hungry. Fill our hearts with both joy and compassion as we seek to do good in Your name. Help us to work together and serve you in harmony and faith. Give us such a trust in you to work through this event that the fruits of our labors will be a witness to all.
     Thank you for the volunteers and leaders who will coordinate the many details for this undertaking, give them your spirit of enthusiasm. May your guiding hand be on every aspect of our undertaking.

In joy and hope we pray, Amen.

- Leslie Saum

Youth Group

"Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'" - Luke 3:21-22

Holy Father,

     Thank you for coming to us as a child in Bethlehem, and growing up in our midst. We are inspired by Jesus, who although worrying his parents, knew what his Father’s business was when he was found in the Temple with the wise ones of his day. We praise you for youth, for teenagers, especially the youth of this congregation and all those who serve with them.

     We hold before you the small group leaders, our Director of Youth Ministries, all who walk alongside our young people, who drive and host and counsel. We think of all of the decisions that face our youth each day. Give them courage to invite friends to Youth Group. Thank you for the gift of the Youth House and the recent renovation. May it provide a safe place for many holy conversations.

     May the strength and witness of this faith community, and the living Word of God, guide each one in every decision, friendship and opportunity for service. Keep us open to listen and learn together we pray.

Through Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Amen.

- Dr. Joyce Emery

Music Ministry

"But Peter said, 'I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished." - Acts 3:6-11

Dear Lord,

     We thank you for the gift of music and the people you have given us who ably lead us in worship with music. Their talents are a blessing. We ask that you would use our choir, organist, and others with musical abilities to draw us all closer to you. We pray that your Holy Spirit will continually lead our music ministry to show your love and goodness. May all who hear sense your presence in both their hearts and minds. May your pleasure in our ministries for you be ever increasing, and may all your people grow in pleasing you. Amen.

- Carolyn Gasarch

Stephen Ministry Training

"As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them." - Luke 4:40

God of compassion and love, Lord Jesus...

You walked the earth to bring the Good News of God’s love to all. You showed us by example how to love and care for one another. Make known to us your caring presence as we begin this training class for Stephen Ministry. Thank you for the members of this class who heard your call to service and witness. We thank you for those who are a part of this ministry of listening, loving, caring, and supporting. May this caregiving ministry be one way in which we touch the lives and hearts of people within and outside of our congregation. Reveal to us your presence as we care and serve.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

- Lucille Smiley

New Members - Pathway Class

"When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him." - Luke 5:11

Dear Heavenly Father,

      We come before you to ask your blessing on all those who will be attending the Pathways New Members Class at National Presbyterian Church. Please encourage those who are looking for a Christ-Centered church family to come and see how we seek to be a witness to God's love in Washington, DC.
     We ask for strength for our pastors and those who will be sharing information about our faith, our denomination, and our church. Be with us as we tell prospective members about worship at NPC and how we encourage our members to grow in their faith and love for Jesus Christ.
     We ask that you prepare the hearts of those who attend; help them to hear your voice and guidance as they decide if church membership at NPC is the right place for them to share their time, talents, and treasures, to your glory. We thank you for your power and might and your love for us as we try to make this important decision.

We ask all these in the name of our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

- Barbara Mitchell

World Communion Sunday

"Jesus answered, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick...'" - Luke 5:31

Heavenly Father,

     Thank you for this reminder that on this particular Sunday, churches throughout the world, in addition to ours, will be celebrating the Sacrament of Communion. In your worldwide church, may we be especially mindful of the persecuted Christian; help us to never forget them. Lord, remember them, protect them, strengthen them.
     We come before you knowing that Jesus Christ died for our sins, Christ rose from the dead and that Christ will come again in glory. Thank you God for this gift. May we honor this gift by obeying your commands, by loving you and loving our neighbor. For everyone today, the table is ready.

In Christ’s name, Amen.

- May Yamate

Sunday Ambassadors

"And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles..." - Luke 6:13 

Our Heavenly Father,

     We thank you that you know our every need and that you know what people are seeking as they enter our church buildings. We praise you for each member of the Connections team and each member of our congregation as we serve those who come to have relationship with you, even though they might not yet know your plan for their lives. Help us to be Ambassadors of Jesus and to do your will and to be your voice in our interactions with all those we meet. Guide our conversations.

     We pray that you will use us all to help others to discover the love, grace and mercy that only you can provide. Thank you for the incredible privilege we have in representing you.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

- Wanda Martinson

The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee

Scouts

"And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, 'Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.' When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, 'I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.'” - Luke 7:6-9

Dear God,

     We give thanks to you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon us. We are grateful for the food that nourishes us, the clothing and shelter that warm us, and for the love of family and friends that sustains us psychologically. We are especially thankful for the blessings of children. As we raise our children, please continue to help us to nurture them correctly, both physically and spiritually so that they may follow in the path of your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
     We would especially like to pray for the children who are participating in Boy Scouts. Please continue to guide the adult leaders of the Boy Scouts, as they teach the important physical and spiritual lessons of Scouting. Help them to ensure that the Scouts learn the true meaning that Scouts are to be “helpful…friendly…clean and reverent” and that Scouts are “to do a good turn daily.” Please protect our Scouts and give them courage as they go forth in their Scouting activities, so that they may learn the important lessons of life, and thereby more fully serve you as their lives progress. Please also watch over the adults, who have generously volunteered their time and efforts to aid in this most worthy endeavor.

We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

- Paul Waymack

Service of Remembrance

"Jesus answered them, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.'" - John 12:23-26

God our comforter and Savior,

     We praise you for giving us life here on Earth. Remind us to never take for granted each day that we get to spend with those we love. Thank you for blessing us with family and friends who walk alongside us in faith.

     On this All Saints Day let us take time to remember each beautiful moment shared together, and the great cloud of witnesses that surround us. Please bring comfort and peace to those who are grieving the passing of a loved one. Remind us that Your Son has prepared a room for each of us, and that there will be a day when we are reunited in Your loving arms. As Paul wrote in the book of Romans, “we are sure that neither death nor life…nor anything else is all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Amen.

- Liz Martin

Online Worshiping Community 

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully." - II Timothy 4:1-5

Heavenly Father,

     Thank you for the freedom we have to gather and worship you openly every Sunday. Please be with us as we seek to worship you more joyfully and learn how to love and serve you more faithfully. Please be especially with all those who are worshipping with us online. Even though they are not with us physically, may they feel your love, your grace and your mercy.  As they participate in the service from wherever they may be, help them to hear a word from you, to feel your presence and gain strength from your word. May all who participate in Sunday services, either on-site or remotely, feel more prepared, encouraged and confident as we seek to follow you more closely every day. 

We ask this in the strong name of Jesus, our Savior.  Amen.          

                                                        
- Ginny Beeson

Milestones for Our Children

"Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, 'Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.' One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?' Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all." - John 6:3-10

Dear Lord,

     We thank you for the children of National Presbyterian Church. We thank you for their parents who faithfully bring them to church, keeping their vows of raising them in the Christian faith. We thank you for their Sunday school teachers, choir directors and others who volunteer each week to teach them about your Kingdom and your love for each of them.
     We celebrate with our families as their children reach these Milestones of the Christian faith and thank you that we can share this joy with our congregation. We pray that these Milestones will be increasingly meaningful to our children as their faith deepens and they grow in their love for you.

In the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

-  Nancy Piho

Festival Choir

"On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

-Luke 17:11-19

      King of Kings and Lord of Lords, echoes of praise resound across the centuries naming the Messiah, Jesus, as the source of our eternal joy and salvation.Thank you for the inspiration you poured out upon George Frideric Handel in the 1700’s as he sought to give glory to you.

      Bless our “Festival Choir” as members and friends join their voices together to bless us all during this Advent Season as they sing portions of “The Messiah.” Guide our Director Michael Denham, Carolann Haley, our accompanist and Todd Fickley, and each member of the orchestra that our hearts would be tuned to the glory of your praise forever and ever.  Amen.

-Dr. Joyce Emery

Winter Warmth Drive for the Homeless in DC 

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

-Luke 1:46-55

      Loving God, you made the earth and its seasons, and you know and love everyone who lives in your world. As the seasons change and the nights grow cold, we lift up our homeless neighbors to your care. Thank you for moving our hearts to share winter clothing items as the summer heat turns to chilling cold.
      We pray for emergency shelters and permanent homes to be opened up, safe and warm, for those without homes right now. We ask that you would grant courage to those afraid of that next step, and break down every barrier that would keep people away from a safe place to stay.
      Please give us compassion for the vulnerable among us, and grant effectiveness to the church’s mission partners and local service agencies who care for men, women and children without regular places to stay. We all look to you in hope for our true home in the life to come.  In Jesus’ name and in the power of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

-John Turpin

Mission Gifts 

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith."

-1 John 5:1-4

      Lord Jesus, your birth is always special cause for celebration among your people. Not for tinsel, but for grace. Not for Santa, but for salvation. As we enter Advent, we ask that you would bless our NPC Mission Gifts, that they might give help and hope to the most vulnerable among us.
      We ask you to hold up especially our mission partners in our city, our nation, our world, who each day, labor to help those who need help most and to spread your Word, bringing it to people everywhere — no matter where they are in their spiritual journeys or their earthly journeys.
      We also ask your blessing and encouragement for the many in our Congregation and staff who serve you in Mission Gifts — the cashiers, the decorators, the organizers, the publicists, and yes, our many Givers. Use this time of your birth, Lord, to draw us nearer to you, and to our neighbors, near and far.  Amen.

-Bryan Smith

Parenting Series 

Flower Ministry  

-Matthew 6:28-30

-Joanna Lam & Gerri Hall  

Christmas & Christmas Eve Services

Baptism 

Facilities Team

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

-Ephesians 2:19-22

Dear Father in Heaven, 
      You have blessed this congregation with a beautiful church and campus: a fitting place to gather in your name, meditate on your word, and discern how we may act as your agents to carry out your work and purpose in the world.
      Thank you, Lord, for the hands, hearts and minds devoted to maintaining the church’s physical space and negotiating the challenges and aging systems within that space.  We hold up the entire Facilities Team, Lord, that you will sustain them in their efforts. Please grant them the strength and energy to face the challenges ahead; help them to seek your will when tough decisions must be made. 
      Help us, as a congregation, to recognize, honor and support the work of the Facilities Team. Help us to be very good stewards of all the donations that have been so generously gifted for this work. Encourage those in the congregation with gifts in facilities operation to feel called to come forward and assist the Facilities team in this important work. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.

-John Neely 

Officer Training

Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

-1 Timothy 3:8-9  

Heavenly Father,
      We ask your blessing for those who will participate in our church’s officer training.  We thank you for guiding them to the opportunity to serve you and the congregation of this church.
      As they learn more about the important roles they will have in serving our congregation, guide each of them in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. Give them the moral strength to make decisions that are in the best interests of our church and the community they have been asked to serve.
      During their term in office, help each of them to set examples that will not only encourage others to serve but also nurture the growth of our church. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

-David and Renee Dragics

The Session

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

-Luke 14:7-11  

Almighty God and Gracious Lord:
      We are grateful for your church on Nebraska Avenue and the community it creates in the name of your son Jesus Christ.  He has shown us that he is present when we gather together.
      We humbly accept the responsibility to be a self-governed church in our Presbyterian tradition.  We ask for your guidance for our governing body, the Session.  Have the Holy Spirit light fires in the hearts of these women and men who have pledged to serve the congregation so that they may be passionate about leading our church.  Give strength to both Session’s ruling elders (laity) and teaching elders (pastors).  Grant wisdom to the Session’s Moderator and leader, Pastor Renwick.
      Encourage the Session in its new season of strategic planning. Show the best ways that the congregation can serve the community in your name. Let newly ordained elders flourish in the soil of service.  Grow them into great spiritual leaders of the congregation.
      Sanctify too the work of Session’s Executive Committee as it designates elders for specific obligations of leadership at this time of transition. Continue to bless the work of our Councils as they oversee the ministries of the church and its operation.  May they work in harmony with the congregation to make our church reflect your light to our neighborhood, city, and even the world. In Christ’s name. Amen.  

-John Gregg

Confirmands and Mentors

-Dennis Burgart

Family Retreat  

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

-Luke 15:31-32  

Heavenly Father,
      We praise you for the upcoming Family Winter Camp and for promising your presence whenever two or more are gathered in your name. We ask that your holy purposes would be accomplished and we thank you, even now, for how you will provide beyond what we can imagine.
      For those who have organized this event, we ask that you multiply their efforts as only you can. We pray for the speaker, for inspiration and wisdom as he prepares his talk on Love Languages. We pray for each parent and child attending. Help them to grow in love for you and for each other and to enjoy the beauty of your creation. Lord, protect them from injury, sickness and the temptation to take this opportunity for granted. We ask that you refresh, renew and strengthen all those participating so they may live lives to your glory.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Small Groups  

Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”

-Luke 17:1-4

      Lord Jesus, thank you for setting an example for us while you were here, of the power of a small group. Your 12 disciples, equipped by your Spirit, shared the power of your Gospel, and new believers are added to your family every day because of their faithfulness!
      Our small groups today are no less powerful! You are alive- your Spirit is alive- your Word is alive, and through our small groups we can be reminded of these truths, lay our burdens down together in prayer, and grow in boldness for you and your kingdom!
      Help us be willing to be family for one another in small groups. Grow this ministry at our church in number and in power, Lord, for your good pleasure. Thank you Father. In Jesus name. Amen.

-Lynne Gochnour 

Who is Missing  

-Ginny Beeson

“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

-Luke 15:8-11

Men's Ministry     

-Luke 20:27-36

-Gregg Gochnour 

College Students  

He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

-Luke 12:22-31

-Nancy Piho

Children's Ministry 

-Sue Lockwood 

COVID-19  

-Rev. Joyce Emery