Held in the Unformed

Before there was light, there was God.
Before there was order, there was Spirit.
Before there was movement, there was Love hovering close.

We hold that truth as we share these prayers—trusting that God isn’t waiting on the other side of clarity, but already here with us, in the midst of the mystery.

Prayers of the People:

• Kami asks for prayers for her health and ongoing financial hardship.

• Amy lifts up all those graduating this season—from preschoolers to post-docs—and all who love and support them.

• Amy also asks for safe travels for everyone on the move this weekend.

• Scott celebrates with Aleah, a PATH Fund client, who has completed her nursing assistant training and found a new job.

• Sabrina asks for travel mercies for her family as they set off on an Alaskan cruise.

• Judy invites us to pray for military families—those who serve behind the scenes, with courage and sacrifice.

May these prayers be held.
May the darkness be honored.
And may we remember: God is already here.

Spoken Aloud, Held in Common

This week, our prayers make space for progress, concern, gratitude, and care.

We pray for Jan, Suzanne P.’s sister-in-law, who received a revised diagnosis of level 2 congestive heart failure—less severe than previously believed. A moment of relief, met with ongoing tenderness.

We pray for Russ, Suzanne P.’s brother, who is beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s. We hold Russ, Suzanne, and their family in care as they face uncertainty together.

We pray for Steve M., who shared a milestone in his recovery—he was able to mow his full lawn for the first time in a while. He also asked for guidance as he continues with medical treatment.

We give thanks for Jim V., whose work installing memorial stained glass in the kitchen windows and track lighting for the meditation garden brings beauty and and tender memories. Bob M. named this with gratitude.

We pray for Sandra J., who is preparing to leave on a two-week mission trip. We send her with our blessings and care.

We give thanks for Lorie C. and the reflection she offered. She spoke about the joy, love, and smiling faces in this congregation—and how supported she and John have felt since their move from Glenwood Springs.

We pray for Betty, Debbie B.’s sister, who is experiencing a relapse of a recurring health challenges after a period of improvement. Our hearts are with her in this hard turn.

We give thanks with Melanie M., who shared that their recent trip to a nephew’s graduation went beautifully. She was grateful for the prayers that surrounded their travel.

We celebrate with Larry E., who recently retired from CU. Myrle M. offered congratulations on this meaningful milestone.

These are the names we heard aloud. These are the lives we carry together—with gentleness, honesty, and hope. 

What we named in community this week

 

On Sunday, our prayers ranged wide—across grief, gratitude, milestones, and movement. Some were spoken in celebration. Some with longing. Some simply to name what is real.

Here’s what we carried together:

Michele gave thanks for a neighbor’s quiet kindness in mowing the Matthews’ lawn. She also asked for prayers, on this Mother’s Day, for parents who have lost children.

Judy expressed gratitude for her own mother, long gone, and lifted up those for whom the relationship with their mothers is painful or unresolved. She also asked for safe travels for her sister and brother-in-law, who are coming to visit.

Rebecca shared joy as Mawce prepares to graduate from high school on May 18. She asked for traveling mercies for the family gathering to celebrate.

Sabrina lifted up prayers for strength and patience for teachers as they move through the final stretch of the school year.

Bob asked for prayers for mothers everywhere—especially those in war zones.

Melanie asked for traveling mercies as she and Bob head out to attend her nephew’s graduation. She also asked for prayers around restoring relationships in her family.

Diane celebrated Jim’s 97th birthday—a long life, marked with presence and community.

Each of these prayers holds its own weight, and together, they shape the kind of community we’re becoming—honest, imperfect, attentive.

These are the names we said aloud

On Sunday, we gathered around the table. No sermon. Just silence, readings, and presence.

And in that space, a few names rose—held not just in words, but in care.

We prayed for Mawce, standing on the edge of what’s next. They’ll attend Emerson College in Boston this fall. The road to college is both exciting and overwhelming—and they won’t walk it alone.

We prayed for Mike, Joan’s neighbor, who faces brain surgery this week. As he prepares for what’s ahead, we carry him in our thoughts and hope for steady hands and full healing.

We prayed for Bren, who shared that this was her final Sunday at St. Paul’s. She’s moving to Ohio soon, and we send her with deep gratitude for the time shared in this community.

We prayed for Kami and Blair, named by Rev. Elizabeth. No details needed—just the kind of prayer that comes from paying attention to people you love.

Some names were spoken. Others remained quiet.
We hold them all, trusting that naming is its own kind of care.

The things we said out loud this Sunday

 

Some prayers come with celebration. Others carry grief. Some hold both. These are the ones spoken aloud during worship this week.

Celebration

• Rebecca gave thanks for Mawce who turned 18 years old on Sunday.

Hopes & Concerns

• Rev. Elizabeth requested prayers for her sister, who is pregnant and due to deliver at any moment.

Grief & Travel

• Claudia shared that her friend Rachel has passed away. She asks for prayers as she travels to Rachel’s memorial service—and for herself as she prepares to say goodbye.

Whether spoken aloud or kept quietly within, may these prayers remind us we’re not meant to carry it all alone.

This Week's Easter Prayers

The room was full—of bodies, of language, of music, of presence. On Easter morning, we worshiped alongside Beautiful Boulder Korean Church, with over 80 people gathered at St. Paul’s. And in the middle of it all, we spoke prayers aloud.

Here’s what was named in the room this week...

What we’re celebrating

Sandra gave thanks that her son, who was recently fired from NOAA, found a new job—and not just any job, but one that feels “perfect.”

Rebecca shared gratitude that Ben returned safely to college after his visit to Boulder.

What we’re hoping for

Rebecca also asked for prayers for her friend Arlyn, who’s looking for work after taking early retirement from NOAA.

There were more people in the room than usual—but the same things filled the space: honesty, concern, relief, gratitude, and the quiet courage it takes to say something out loud.

If you’ve been carrying something too, even if you didn’t speak it—this space is still for you.

What we carry together this week

 

Each Sunday, prayers are spoken aloud—words of thanks, concern, uncertainty, and hope. These are the things our community brought with them this week.

As you read, you’re invited to pause and hold these prayers with care.

Gratitude & Celebration

• Claudia expressed gratitude for the Lenten Bible study.

• Steve M. gave thanks that a new treatment is helping his condition, even though the cause remains undiagnosed.

• Kyle celebrated his engagement to Crystal and asked for prayers as they begin planning their wedding.

• Bren shared praise for the unexpected relief she felt after learning her house inspection revealed many needed repairs.

Grief & Concern

• Bob M. asked for prayers for the family of his colleague, Camerson, who passed away suddenly.

May these prayers—spoken and unspoken—be held with gentleness, and may those named here feel surrounded by care.