​April 20, 2026
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” (John 10:1-2)
Loving God, humble us each day we walk the earth. Remind us that we are here for a time and time will continue. Help us to see the past and recognize what has been accomplished, what should never happen again, and what believing and having hope have resulted in. We search out your love and acceptance and are humbled that you give it freely and without judgment. Help us to be the best versions of ourselves that you know we can be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 21, 2026
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3)
Living God, as believers, we are asked to trust that the Trinity is very alive in our world. Help us to hear your voice in the noise of living. Guide us with whispers in the wind, to do good things and make big changes towards equity and justice. We ask you, as Shepherd, to be a louder voice in our lives when we cannot hear you. Push us into big and bold things, making a lasting impact while we are here. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 22, 2026
“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4)
Eternal God, on this Earth Day, help us to feel closer to our natural environment and call us to be outside. May we take a walk and name the things we see that we are grateful for. May we take inventory of the things we take for granted. May your hope abide deeply within us that we can make changes to systems and things we’re complacent about, so we can help Mother Earth heal. Help us to sing with the birds, to bask safely in the sun, to jump in puddles, and to share love with all living things. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 23, 2026
“But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:5)
Hope-filled God, call our name and speak to our hearts every day. We pray we hear you and feel your presence surround us, especially in the tougher days of life. We pray we are doing the right things in our world and ask you to move us in the right direction if we’re not. You ask us to share our light and love in the world, but sometimes that is hard. Sometimes we’re pushed to our limits and we can’t go back. God, forgive us. Help us to move past the guilt and into the light. May we take those moments to learn and to grow. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 24, 2026
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7)
Caring God, thank you for being our guide and our opening to a better way of living. Thank you for your care and compassion you have for each of us, as sheep and as humans. Thank you for the gifts of community, laughter, music, freedom to gather as a religious community, and the assets placed in our care. Help us to nurture all of these. Challenge all of us to go beyond the limits of understanding the world as we know it and into the world as you might want us to discover. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 25, 2026
“All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:8-9)
Parenting God, Saturdays are for praying for families and on the 25th of each month we also pray for loved ones who have passed and those they left behind. We pray for families who lost children and all who lost someone extremely close to them. We pray for all who grieve within transitions of employment, housing, or relationships. We live in a world that can be heavy, and we pray that everything can be balanced with the simple chuckles of hope within the young ones around us. We pray for parents especially, who cannot monitor every access point for their children to keep them safe. May we be a strong community to support and assist. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 26, 2026
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9-10)
Praise-worthy God, as we gather for worship, empty our hearts and minds to be present with you. Carry our burdens so we can praise you fully for all the goodness in our lives. Thank you for being our Shepherd and Guide. Thank you for your love and grace. For the things we need to be saved from, help us to see your way, truth, and light. May we always help others to find hope, to see goodness, and to share compassion. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

​April 13, 2026
They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. (Luke 24:14-15)
Loving God, there are times when we are walking with Jesus and we don’t recognize him. We may not even recognize ourselves. Help us to tap into who and what you call us to be and to live fully into it. Yes, that means we might be more quirky, nerdy, clumsy, or imperfect, but you simply ask us to be authentic. God, give us courage to be fully ourselves and to do our best to make the world a better and brighter place. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 14, 2026
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:17-18)
Living God, your love reaches beyond this time and place, and even beyond our understanding. Help us not to put you and what we can be into a limited box. May that which we dream of, hope for, and live for, inspired and infuse us with passion and love for justice and community. Keep us connected to our communities so we can see where we need to put our energy and your light. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 15, 2026
“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.”  (Luke 24: 19-21)
Eternal God, there are times when we reminders of your love and sacrifice for us and the world. Jesus died not just for us, but for all people. He died so that we could see the truths of the world and in hope of us doing better. I pray that his short life not be lived in vain and that his teachings sit deep in our hearts, more than ever today. Help us to care for each other, to respect one another, and to believe in the best of each other. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 16, 2026
“In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” (Luke 24:22-24)
Hope-filled God, we pray that the Bible’s stories bring light and hope into our lives. We think of those who may have second-guessed the women when they said Jesus was alive. How was that information received? How were the women treated? But more importantly, what has happened in our world where our default may be mistrust or judgment? God, we pray you are in our hearts and souls, softening the hardened parts of them. Grant us your grace and light. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 17, 2026
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. (Luke 24:28-29)
Caring God, I pray that we invite Jesus, even when we don’t recognize him, to stay with us. I pray that we might recognize something beautiful inside all people. Help us to look for the good in each other, and to trust that you will care for them and us all our days. As the weekend begins, help us to rest and play safely and share your light with all around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 18, 2026
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (Luke 24:30-31)
Parenting God, as we pray for children and families today, we pray that our world opens our eyes to see bullies and bullying. We pray that bullying ends in our schools and is taken more seriously than before. We pray that parents have the tools and the hearts to see what we can do to change the behaviours in our homes, schools, playgrounds, and workplaces. Help us here at High Country U.C. to see how we can be active in ending bullying. Help us to be your love and light unto all who come our way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 19, 2026
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:33-34)
Praise-worthy God, we give thanks for the risen Christ. We give thanks that which we think is an ending is just a beginning. Help us to live into the idea of resurrection in everything that comes our way. Help us to set aside fear and hesitation and to live into dreams, hope, and your vision. We commit to living our lives for you, O God, even as imperfect as we are. Help us to take each step in our days, with light and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

April 6, 2026
That evening Jesus’ followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came and stood among then. He said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19)
Loving God, we give thanks for the resurrection of Christ and the divine mystery that surrounds it. We give thanks that light, love, hope, and justice will always win. Help us to believe more deeply in our hearts all that we learn in our faith. Where we have questions, encourage us to ask and grow within them. Loving God, may Your Word, Your Son, Your Spirit live on in all of us today and all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 7, 2026
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven. If you don’t forgive them, they are not forgiven.”  (John 20:22-23)
Loving God, help us to live as Easter people. May we be the ones who always hold onto hope, but also bearers of hope. This means having the courage to forgive others in hopes of deepening relationships and connections. It may be difficult to do it all at once, but help us to pick the pieces apart, to see things from another perspective and try to empathize. God, somethings may not be forgivable in our eyes and hearts, so help us to start with the things we know are possible and we trust that you will help us with the rest. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 8, 2026
Thomas (called Didymus) was not with the followers when Jesus came. Thomas was one of the twelve. The other followers told Thomas, “We saw the Lord.” (John 20:24-25)
Loving God, sometimes it feels like we miss out on events or experiences because of, well, just life in general. We don’t hear why Thomas wasn’t with the others at that time, but we do know he was missed. Jesus always seems to find the lost sheep, no matter how far they’ve strayed or if something is keeping them away. We give thanks that you are with us, always looking for us, and bringing us back into the fold. May we remember this, especially if we’re missing being around a church family. Time is just a marker, not the whole timeline. Bring us back to your love and light all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 9, 2026
But Thomas said, “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands. And I will not believe until I put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side.” (John 20:25)
Loving God, in our world many of us walk and live by faith alone. Some of us have had experiences we cannot deny about your presence. I pray that those who question their faith and wonder why we follow someone we never knew can grow to understand who Jesus truly was and is and what his life stood for. May his teachings on loving and serving others remain at the forefront of who we are and that we too are not afraid to fight for justice and equity in our world. God, may we follow and believe in the Christ you shared with us in all our days. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 10, 2026
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)
Persistent God, we pray for hope in our world. Help us not to always rely on signs that you are present and at work, but to trust. Help us to not hesitate in believing impossible things can happen, but to work into the hope you entrust us with. We pray that Jesus’ core being is set so deeply in us that we can navigate the world with peace and love while also working to make heaven possible here on earth. God be with us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 11, 2026
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you see me. Those who believe without seeing me will be truly happy.” (John 20:29)
Loving God, as we pray for children and families today, help us to notice some amazing things. Some children know Jesus so deeply even before we start sharing stories about him. Help us to live into the divine mystery that is within that. May families be encouraged to come to church, to make noise, be messy, and make our home their home. May they know they don’t walk alone as parents, that we understand many of the struggles that come with raising children. Help us to be your love and light unto all who come our way. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
 
April 12, 2026
Jesus did many other miracles before his followers that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you can believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you can have life through his name. (John 20:31-31)
Loving God, help us to live as Easter people. Help us to reframe endings as new beginnings, unexpected negatives into positive opportunities, and walls into places we can display fine art. The world is tough as it is, and I pray that as we gather together in church, that we can lift each other up, help each other to reframe the negatives, and live into the hope, love, light, and possibilities that arise. God be with us all in spirit and in health. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.