Father,
You have shown us from the beginning
Your Story is the story of God, People, and Place.
May we see our neighbors and neighborhood
As hallowed gifts and holy ground. 
Thank you for inviting us into the sacred story
Of Your extravagant love and endless grace. 

Beyond the shame and pain for the world, 
In You there is hope and joy. 
We celebrate today the many gifts You have given to us: 
Our life, Your breath, the hope of the world.

We celebrate all You have done today 
And hold on to hope for all You will do tomorrow.

We pray to you Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
but we do not pray in abstraction.
For you are the God who demands specificity.
You are Jesus of Nazareth.
the Word made flesh,
born of Mary,
the eternal Son of God,
raised in the home of Joseph the carpenter.

May our playgrounds be
Places of exploration and connection,
Where both children and parents
Learn how to be good neighbors,
And where families find nearby friends.

May we forgive our neighbors who trespass against us:
For un-shoveled sidewalks and un-mowed lawns;
For late-night backyard parties and loud music

Father in Heaven, 
May the churches in our neighborhood Be neighborhood churches. 
May we be present to both the people and the place Recognizing where we gather is holy ground. 

Father in Heaven,
May all who enter our home this year
Find the Light of Christ
Here among us.

May the sounds of sirens in our neighborhood
Be bells that call us to prayer.

May our sidewalks be
Places where we return
To moving at Godspeed,
Walking at a pace

May your mercy bring healing.
May your grace make us whole.
And may your love bring us at the last
To our eternal home.

May we walk through this season
And walk through our neighborhoods With Your eyes
With Your heart
And with Your love

May we wake with grateful hearts
May we walk with grateful bodies
May we talk with grateful minds
And may we live with a grateful spirit

The light of Christ enlightens all.
You have come for every nation and every neighborhood,
You deliver us from darkness
And invite us to live in Your light.