Worship & Prayer
Used Hymnals
Does your congregation have a stockpile of used/retired LBWs?  If they are in decent shape, we can use them in both our prison ministry and our Health Sciences Center ministry.  In addition, it's always nice to have LBWs which can be given to students.  Music students enjoy them for obvious reasons.  Pious students use them as devotional resources.  An LBW can also be a welcome resource for spiritual comfort in dark times.

SBHs and other historic hymnals are also welcome.   We actually use the SBH as a supplemental worship resource.

Worship Support

What's the best way that you can support our worship life?  Join us.  Students, faculty, and staff need to know that they are not alone in their walk of faith, and participation in public worship is a great way to prove it.  We often forget that the worshiping assembly is a "great cloud of witnesses."  Each additional person at worship strengthens the assembly.  Check out our worship schedule and share with us in the gift of Word & Sacrament.

Guest musicians.  In the past years, we've had several guest musicians: a congregational choir, special ensembles, vocal soloists, trumpeters, a brass choir, and a recorder player.  Are you a musician or member of a musical ensemble?  Contact us about sharing your musical gift.

Guest preacher/presider.  Always wanted to preach/preside in an academic community?  We may be able to make that happen.  If you are a pastor (or licentiate) of the ELCA (one of our full communion partners, or member church of the LWF), contact us.  Pastors of the WV-WMD synod, pastors of current students, and alumni/ae are especially encouraged to consider this.

Hospitality.  Jesus understood that if you feed them they will come.  Of course, he was rather critical of those only interested in a Bauchpredigt.  Still, refreshements following worship or even a full meal generally have a positive influence upon students.  Is this something you would be interested in providing?

Prayer Support

Sometimes the last thing in a list is the most important.  This is one of those times.  We covet your prayers.  We especially ask that the Sunday immediately before the beginning of each academic year, you include us in your personal devotions.  Ask your pastor to include us in the prayer of the church in your congregation's worship service.  Here are some suggestions.

Prayer Suggestions

Here are some suggested prayers.  The first two are found in the Lutheran Book of Worship.
O eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities, [and especially West Virginia University, __________], that they may be lively places for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (LBW, prayer 184)
Bless the schools of the Church and all colleges, universities, and centers of research and those who teach in them.  Bestow your wisdom in such measure that people may serve you in Church and state and that our common life may be conformed to the rule of your truth and justice. (LBW, p.52f., excerpt from "Prayer of the Church")

Look with favor, O Lord, upon our campus ministries [especially the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU].  Grant them courage and resolve so that they might boldly proclaim your Divine Truth.  Through them, strengthen the faithful and reclaim the lost.  Bless them in all things that they might be a blessing to others.

Almighty Father, hear us as we prayer for those attending in college, [especially _____________].  Through your Spirit, enlighten them that they might know you as the source of all Wisdom.  Preserve them faithful use of your Word and Sacraments.  Help them to engage in their studies as a holy vocation.  All this we ask that your name may be glorified and your kingdom known.

For exam time:  Lord Jesus, you promised peace such as the world cannot give.  Let your peace rest upon our students that they might enjoy clarity of thought and expression.

For times of travel (especially Spring Break):  God of those who journey, you have watched over pilgrims and exiles.  Watch over our students [faculty, and staff] as they travel.  Let your holy angels attend them and bring them safely to their destinations.

If you have any other prayer suggestions, let us know.

Don't forget to bless your students on their way.

We often have a special observance in our congregations when students graduate, but what about when they begin their studies?  Consider modifying the Farewell and Godspeed liturgy in the Occasional Services, and using it a week or two before your collegians head off for school.
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