[Friends] Kirkwood Shooting affects Presbyterian community

[Rev. Christian D Boyd]

Dear brothers and sisters,

By the time you read this, you may have already heard.  Last night at the Kirkwood, MO, City Council meeting there was a tragedy which resulted in eight shot and six killed, including the shooter, Charles Thornton. The mayor is still in critical condition, and others who were wounded are still under care or have been released. More of the story is on-line (http://www.stltoday.com/) .

One of the men killed in the shooting in Kirkwood last night, Kenneth Yost, was the husband of the Director of New Member and Lay ministries, Cathy Yost, at our sister congregation, First Presby. in Kirkwood (http://www.kirkwoodpres.org/) .

Gatherings are planned today in Kirkwood in response to Thursday night's shooting rampage. A noon prayer service will be held at Kirkwood United Methodist Church, 201 W. Adams Avenue. A 7 p.m. vigil will be held on Station Plaza, across from Kirkwood City Hall. It is being sponsored by the Kirkwood Ministerial Association. Also, residents of Meacham Park, the Kirkwood neighborhood where the gunman lived, plan a gathering at noon today at J. Milton Turner School, 234 Meacham Street.

Today, let us be in prayer.

Our Father, God of compassion,
you watch our ways,
and weave out of terrible happenings
wonders of goodness and grace.
Surround those who have been shaken this tragedy
with a sense of your present love,
and hold them in faith.
Though they are lost in grief,
may they find you and be comforted;
through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives
and rules this world with you, we pray.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, Lord, merciful God,
you teach us in your Holy Word
that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your children.
Look with pity on the sorrows of all those who have lost their loved ones last night, 
especially our Presbyterian Christian family in the loss of Kenneth Yost, your servant,
and his family, for whom we pray.
Remember them, O Lord, in mercy.
Strengthen them in patience,
comfort them with the memory of your goodness,
let your presence shine on them,
and give them peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray.
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, God our creator,
by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people
to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived.
We commend the City of Kirkwood, MO, to your care,
that it might be kept free from social strife and decay,
and healing and peace may abound out of your loving grace and compassion.
Give them strength of purpose and concern for others,
that they may create a community of the Spirit, 
a community rooted in your peace
where your will may be done;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray.
Lord, have mercy.

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time 
with one accord to make our common supplication to you; 
and you have promised through your well-beloved Son 
that when two or three are gathered together in his Name 
you will be in the midst of them: 
Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; 
granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, 
and in the age to come life everlasting. 
Amen.