October 2021 Prayers

Dear Church on the Street Family,

The October worship was filled with emotions, love, and so much hope for the future of Church on the Street. Celebrating Indigenous People's Month is always a memorable and life-giving experience for our congregation. We give thanks to our Dakota leader, Crow, for leading us in the Land Acknowledgement, reminding us of our continued need for reconciliation, and a time to join our faith in unique and meaningful ways. We give thanks for this multicultural community we get to be a part of. Please see our Facebook page for all of the beautiful pictures. https://www.facebook.com/ChurchontheStreetSiouxFalls

On a personal note, goodbyes have been said in both worship, and on the street, our home has been sold, a new home has been purchased, and we are on our way to Moorhead, MN, over the next few weeks to start my new call. I will be shopping for a parka soon, although being on the street in -20 below has prepped me pretty well, I am sure. :) 

I am SO thankful for the work of the gifted and faithful people who serve on the Church on the Street Board and staff.. They have done the hard work of searching, interviewing, and discerning a new leader to serve COTS and announced this week their decision to call Pastor Chris Matson as the next pastor of Church on the Street. The SD Synod Council approved this call, and they are up and running. Please enjoy Pastor Chris' note to you and biography below. Welcome, Pastor Chris, WELCOME!

With gratitude for your faithful partnership in the gospel,

Pastor Rebel

Hello, Church on the Street!

I am Pastor Chris, and I am thrilled to accept the call to be the next pastor of Church on the Street! Over the past 5 years, I've been a pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. When I learned Pastor Rebel was leaving Church On the Street, I found myself praying the Prayer of Good Courage - asking for faith to go out with good courage, not knowing if God might be calling me to walk a new path. My degree in social work, passion for serving folks on the margins, and joy of sharing the great news of God's love led me to discern this is where God is calling me. I know that God's hand is leading me, Pastor Rebel, and Church On the Street.

I'll be at the Early Thanksgiving Meal and worship with other volunteers from Peace on Saturday, November 13th at 11:00. My first official day is Monday, November 15th. As always, the staff and worship leaders at Church on the Street are hard at work sharing God's goodness and love in this time of transition. I look forward to getting to know you, and I continue to hold you in my prayers.

It is great to be church together!

Pastor Chris Matson

More about Pastor Chris:

Chris grew up in a church in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, that provided meals to folks experiencing hunger and accompanied those living with HIV/AIDS in Hospice Homes. These experiences led her to earn a Bachelor of Social Work from Capital University, where she discerned that God called her to publicly announce that God loves all people because every single person is created in the image of God. Chris spent a year in Milwaukee at All People's Church as a member of Lutheran Volunteer Corps, coordinating partnerships between suburban partners with the inner-city ministry that shared God's love with kids and families.

Most recently, she served as Associate Pastor at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer from 2008 - 2016 and at Peace Lutheran Church from 2016 to the present. She coordinated worship, servant opportunities, and church partnerships such as Church on the Street. Chris is committed to working with other denominations and other faiths and serves on the South Dakota Faith and Public Life board, which is dedicated to interfaith dialogue seeking peace and justice for the common good. She welcomes the opportunity to meet you and share stories of God's work in our world with congregations and organizations across the state and country!

Please lift these prayer requests, given to us with the great trust and hope of a promise, that God answers prayers.

Joseph: Please pray for my family to live in this place and have a good life.

Colleen: I pray for forgiveness and help with my husband. I want peace, love, and happiness. Help me find and reunite with my four children and help them to understand their parents addictions and failings and make us strong in faith and guidance and life to be better.

Jennifer and William: Please pray for us so that we can show each other how much we love one another. We pray for a half a healthy baby coming and to keep God in everything we do period to be the light to a Dark World. We will miss Pastor Rebel very much. Go with God.

Matt: I would have I appreciate a prayer request for my family at home on the crow Creek reservation. Also a prayer for my friends here in Sioux Falls. Thank you for respecting our beliefs.

Karla: Please pray for Dawson and Darcy and Angel who are in jail pray that they will get out of prison soon. Pray for strength and guidance for me and it protect me from all the people who want to stay in my apartment please make a way for me to get a different place to live to help me stay sober. God bless Pastor Rebel. I will never forget you.

Sharon: We pray for healing of our son David, healing for Don and love and support for our family.

Don: Pray for our son who has just came through cancer and is doing well but he's facing divorce as his wife has found someone else.

Ralph: Prayer for my children and grandchildren, my uncle, my cousins, my sisters and nieces and nephews. Many are on the streets.

Jon: We give Thanksgiving for the ministry created and for giving us pasta rebel in our lives. We ask that you watch over her and her family as she moves to a different ministry. Oh how lucky the people in ministry of Minnesota are. We pray for the new pastor coming on board and that she is loved.

Anonymous: Simply, we pray to continue in God's glorious faith and hope, Jesus Christ, for everlasting life. Christ lives through us and we go to the Kingdom. My family myself- hope we are really welcome.

Harriet: Please pray for the future of church on the street and all of the people who will miss Pastor Rebel so much.

Darin and Kari: Pray for the safe travels of the next pastor who will join us in doing this work.

Lisa: Please pray for my sister Krista who is battling cancer.

Paula: Prayers for my grandson that he finds work and finds the Lord.

Doreen: Prayer for my dermatology appointments and for caring for the spots on my nose.

Nadine: I love you Lord! Please keep my family safe. My name is Nadine and I pray for my children. Protect us please. I love you. Amen

Anonymous: Please pray that I may be released and kept free of depression anxiety and that my wife and I can be together until death in both love and loyalty.

Donna (9): I love you Pastor Rebel since I was a little girl and you sat and ate with me in the park and brought me pop tarts. I will never forget you. I will pray for you and you pray for me.

Kari and Journey of Hope: I pray for those affected by mental health disorders, addictions and homelessness. I pray for our community to come together to love and care for one another.

Azzie: This was my first time here with my foster daughter. Even though I didn't get to meet this pastor you all love I felt welcomed here and it was nice to listen to all the people who obviously love us. I recently left my religion that I grew up with and this was a most definitely cool experience. I feel God here.

Karl and Julie: We ask for church on the street to continue this amazing calling through the transition

Samuel: Prayers for all the students and new parents. God's love grows forever.

Joyce: Dear God I pray for you to watch over everyone and please give them what they need like a home food and place to sleep period also pray that you help every night throughout needs help. Thank you for giving us a chance to write our prayers, Pastor Rebel. It had been a really long time since I had been to church. Thank you for all your kindness and all that you are. Love, Joyce.

Kuol: I love Church on the street. I want you to pray for me because I have a last thing going on in my mind. I need God to correct my thinking and forgive me for all that I've done wrong in the past so help me God please.

Daryl: Prayers for Pastor Rebel and her family for a quick and wonderful transition. Also for the pastor who will come to replace her here in Sioux Falls. This is important work. And we need her for him. We pray that people in US will become more civil.

Dick: Please be with Church on the Street during this time of change please be with the new pastor and let them be welcomed.

Bryce: Please pray for pastor Rebel's safety as she travels to Moorhead MN. As she does what the Lord calls her to do also for God's strength to always follow what the Lord has in store for her no matter what. I will continue to be strong and know that I am enough no matter what. I will pray each day to be physically mentally and emotionally strong even on impossible days that it may seem.

Steve: Please pray for Church on the Street and the future of its congregation each day at each night.

Gary: Healing and blessing to all who are in need in this place and throughout the world we, your children, thank you for the love and gifts. Bless us with patience for your spirit.

Thelma: This is my family's second time here. The love that we encounter while attending is awesome. Between life and reality- the Word of God has kept me humble. We've been out of food- the pastors and pastor Paul and his wife made sure my children ate. I'm truly blessed in the name of Jesus. I would like to say congratulations to Pastor Rebel for a new beginning.

Zanki, Ziya, Parkeita: We pray for all the people in our world.

Pastor Chris: Please bless Church on the Street and Pastor Rebel. Continue to shower us with your love and hold us in your grace.

Tammy: This is my first time at Church on the Street I am here because my home church in Zion Lutheran in Hartford is helping today. What a wonderful ministry. Praying for Pastor Dan's family and LCOOR in Watertown. Praying for his wife and daughters as they continue to live life without their beloved husband and father He will be very missed.

Diana: Prayers for all people of Church on the Street. Prayers for Pastor Rebel and her new call.

Lorie: Please pray for my family’s Salvation, healing for my family members and family relationships. For my son to get off drugs finances to move to a different place and wisdom and finances to start a new business.

Kelly: I pray that the devil won't win and that Pastor Rebel, rebel’s all over this land to remind the church what the church is here for. You are a blessing- traveling mercies as you go.

Kayla: Please pray that my extended family will continue to reach out to me.

Jerry: As a volunteer, thanks so much for letting us meet and friend the people of God. All the people of God.

Kenzie: Please pray for students, love and joy for going to school everyday- even when I don't want to, for my heart to be restored for the Lord.

Cindy: Dear God, please give me a pastor who loves me. No one will ever be Pastor Rebel but I will love the next person too. Please give me strength to let her go and give her peace and joy in her new calling. Watch over my friends and family.

Dra: Prayer for gratitude for meeting and walking with Pastor Rebel. May she thrive and be loved at least half as much as we love her.

Lavita: Much needed prayers for finding me home soon and pray for all the families and not have hard time period I am very thankful for waking up every day.

Janet: Pray for Megan as she moves towards heart bypass surgery. For FUD who has lost his sister and father in the last few months.

Jonathan: Please pray for a healthy pregnancy as we wait for our third child.

Tyler: People in life may struggle with many things but sometimes you need a light in the darkness. Pastor Rebel, you have been out light. Thank you for all you have done for us.

Carolyn: All of the Church on the Street parishioners during this time of change.

Laura: Please pray for my friend Stacy and Nebraska dealing with cancer. Please pray for my son Nolan, to find a job that works for him. Please pray for my mother dealing with Parkinson's.

Pat: Please pray for my mother, Mary, as she suffers from dementia may she know God's love!

Linda: Dear Lord, bless and keep all, last the weak and the poor. Look over my family and there's. Thankful for the many blessings I have.

Anja: Prayer that God will continue to hold up and care for this ministry of Church on the Street and laundry with love. And the deep needs of all who come.

Hailey: Help the people that need help. Help people to get better from sickness. Help me to get over my headaches. Pray to the Lord I don't need to get surgery.

Julie: Please pray for the weak and the suffering. Please help people that have needs.

Kristi: Please guide me with the help with my mental illness.

Jean: Please help me heal from my surgery.

Tricia: My prayer request is to take the pain and arthritis from my body - help me feel like my true self again.

Robert: Please forgive my bad choices. Protect me with God's love.

Tami: Prayers for patience and endurance, please.

Brett: My prayer request is to ask God that I might find work, a home, and self-respect. Also, if you need a drummer let me know.

Jo: Prayers for church on the street to continue in God's grace and love for everyone here and those not here.

Eunice: Pray that Pastor Rebel is safe. Pray to help church on the street find someone to take her place.

Luke: Pray for rebel as she accepts this new chapter. Circle her and her family in our love and prayers.

Bennie: Please pray for all the homeless people this winter. We lose people every year and it's hard. Who will pray with their families? Who will understand their faith? Who will not judge? Please send someone who we feel was sent by the spirit to be with us.

Kristie, Donald, Zaniya: Pray for the lost souls to come to know Jesus. Let people love each other. What churches see what happens here and do it there. God does the work.

Violet: I need a one bedroom house for me in my dog. For my grandkids to play period to get out of the shelter.

Lando: is to be a part of this holy day. I give something for the ministry of church on the street. Prayers for the Ofstehage family and all who loved Dan. The church on the street community in this time of uncertainty and discernment.

Sam: I want to send out a prayer for my father. He is struggling with his cancer which has spread to more body organs and given 6 to 8 months to live on this earth also a prayer for my family to help cope with the diagnosis and prognosis.

Audrey: Prayer for forgiveness, my kids, myself, my court case, Jeff and Tammy, Rodney, my legs, and peace.

Ranielle Feather: Prayers for soldiers that I was in war with. Please pray we don’t commit suicide. We all deserve a better happier life. Amen

Amisa: Prayer for a job.

Bella: Prayer for a place to live and stay warm this winter, for a bed away from Covid.

Colleen Smith: Prayer for peace and getting back on my feet for my family. Also getting a car and for an understanding for my husband and our divorce.

Cindy: Prayer for my health and for my son to get a job and stop drinking and hope he doesn’t die. Please special prayer for all those I love and Joey for getting better. Thank you Lord.

Greg: Please help me and everyone around to get the demons away from me and mine. God Bless.

JoAnne: Prayer for my mother Ramona, Jennesse, Rencountre family, Kimberly Vassar and family.

Lavita: Please pray for me to find a home.

Troy: Prayer for Tala Shalls son to get out of the hospital.

Thank you Jesus. Prayer request for unity and strength. Unification for my family with the world. Guidance and direction.

Can you please say prayers for Audrey Davis and her son Alexander Andrade? We are having a hard time right now.

Audrey: Prayer for my kids, the spiritual battle. God Bless

Crystal: Please pray that my husband keeps getting better, no more heart attacks.

Brandy: I live in a dangerous building. Pray for protection and prosperity so I can move.

Lexi: Prayer for me and mom to get a new house.

Please pray for Tom because he is in the hospital and not doing too well.

Christian-prayer for long life and prosperity.

Simon C: I need hope.

Karla: Prayer for myself, Angel my grandson, and Dawson my son, and Darcy my daughter. Strength and guidance for my son, daughter, grandson. They are in jail or prison. For a different apartment. To be sober. Thank you.

Prayer for Michael Crisencia, Ramirez, Little Killers families to be in great health and love. Also for them to get an apartment, safe place to live.

Prayers for Troy-he is hooked on meth and having a hard time.

I pray for everyone to get along.

Audrey: Prayer for myself and for my people and for peace.

Bella: Prayers for a warm place to stay

Lyn: I am in need of a prayer. I got robbed. My cell phone, wallet, purse, my whole identity gone. That is not the part that I even care about. I had my daughters drivers license in my billfold with a little trinket taped to her ID with her ashes in it. That just breaks my heart, soul & mind. She was my everything. Amen

Heidi: Pray for my family and friends all around me. And for the lovely volunteers that help us.

Audrey: Pray for Penny for peace of mind including Ernie. Pray for my kids, my friends, give thanks to church on the Street. Chris Musseoux, RIP.

A.J.: Prayers for my family for alcohol & drug use.

Lord in Your Mercy, Hear our Prayers.

Amen