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As you prepare to vote today...
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Putting Your Heart Into It...
    As you prepare to participate in elections today, allow yourselves to recognize and role that Christ calls us to bear more to heart in our participation.
    We have experienced one of the longest seasons of political discourse and rhetoric (nationally and locally).  There are a myriad of issues and considerations in discerning candidates' views and appropriateness in representing and leading for our communities.
     However, our lives as citizens are not segregated or disembodied from our lives as God's people that follow Jesus' Way.  Therefore, allow yourselves to enter into the polling stations with Christ's words in Scripture and the Church's prayers.  Allow yourselves to prayerfully discern who our communities and nation can be a beacon of light, a place of hope, and expression of God's promise.
     As our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts-Schori wrote to the church...
"As Election Day approaches, I want to remind you that our democracy gives us the opportunity to speak urgently about the many issues and challenges confronting our nation and the world.  I would encourage every eligible voter to prayerfully consider the choices before us and commit to using the political process to seek solutions to our society's most intractable problems.  As part of our baptismal vows we commit "to strive for justice and peace among all people" and "respect the dignity of every human being."  As you prepare to vote, I urge you to consider how the Reign of God - a just society - particularly as explicated by the Hebrew prophets and by Jesus, can be made real in our own day."
Scripture to Consider...
     'When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
     Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,these my brothers you did it to me."
      Then he will say to those at his left hand, "You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."
     Then they also will answer, "Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?" Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."
 Matthew 25:31-45
Prayers for Government & Elections
A Litany For Sound Government
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.
To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

24. For an Election
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States and  of this community in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.