“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”  Matthew 28:6    

We pray for the whole Christian church on earth as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior on Easter Day.  Praise our resurrected Lord for defeating sin and death and Satan on our behalf.  Thank God for the “new lease on life” that is our because Jesus rose from the grave.  Ask that we experience the full joy of the Easter gospel not just today, but everyday!

• We ask the Holy Spirit to direct Tom Kock on his consideration of a similar call to be Pulpit assistant down at Atonement in Milwaukee. Lord, he is your servant.  Use his gifts to broadcast the Gospel effectively, whether here or there – and certainly with more impact at the Seminary where he teaches.  We trust that you will continue to bless our congregation with dedicated and faithful preachers.
• Our prayers of concern for Lance Backhaus, Jeremiah’s father, who is in ICU at the hospital with a brain bleed, have been answered. He is making good progress, and join the family in thanking you for sparing him.  No one knows the extent of the injury yet, so we entrust him to your loving care and continue to pray for his full recovery.
• We prayer for the family and friends of Jan Kraft, Ed’s mother, who was taken home to heaven…. We pray that her husband, Stan and their entire family find comfort in God’s wonderful promise of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus.  Fortify their faith in Jesus as their Savior.
• We pray for continued recovery for Cary, Pete Suelflow’s former wife, who was in a bad car accident and subsequently in the hospital to heal. Thanks for your protection despite the potential for severe damage.
• We rejoice with Pastor Aaron & Laura Bublitz, for good news after her recent cancer surgery. The doctor is quite confident that they were successful and that the cancer has not spread.  You have been their Great Physician in every way, body and soul to preserve them and their family through your grace.
• We seek your protection and guidance for the hands of the surgeon as Paul Karnopp’s mother, Karen, has hip replacement this coming week. Give her patience and faith as she goes through rehab and recovery.
• We pray for your continued guidance for Darren Vogt (and his wife Ruth), whom our congregation has called to teach and to serve as athletic director in our school beginning in the fall of 2017. As he deliberates where you want him to serve, direct him to a decision that is according to your will.
• For Ron Telega as he is transferred to the VA Assisted Living Center in King County.
• Neil Taylor, Colleen Taylor’s brother, who is on chemo therapy for benign desmoid tumors. But instead of decreasing in size they are growing.  We ask you to intervene and save him, Lord – but we ask even more that your will may be done for his good and to your glory.
• Alyssa Pautz’s Grandmother is going into open heart surgery, at an advanced age. Lord, steer the surgeons that they are successful in repairing her injured heart and strengthen her, body and soul, for this attempt to lengthen her life.
• Dorothy Bladow’s sister was called home to heaven in March. We pray now for her family as they are often off the “path of life.”

 Training workers in mission fields –Lord of the Church, the Holy Spirit is prompting many in other countries to seek theological training to become leaders in their local church bodies. Guide our synod as we teach them through seminaries, online coursework, and other arrangements. Continue to work in all of your people a love for your Word, its doctrines, and our calling to proclaim the gospel. Amen.

Additional Prayers:

• For Ellie Lembcke – she will be facing hip surgery next week Tuesday, a replacement.  We pray for patience during the healing process.
• For Adam Gerbert’s family – his sister-in-law passed away after a battle with cancer. Janice was married to his brother Joe.