Prayer Valued in Worship

Brighton First is a community that values prayer. We believe that prayer is a primary way that we grow in relationship with God and experience God’s grace. On Sunday morning, people in worship are invited to complete Prayer Cards. Their concerns are lifted in prayer by clergy and/or our praying community. Prayer Quilts, created by our Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry are tangible evidence of prayer. Worshipers are invited to tie knots in each quilt as they offer prayer for the quilt recipient. 

Words spoken in prayer during worship have traditionally been called “liturgy” which means “the work of the people.” We are very blessed at Brighton First that our worship prayers are written and offered by persons from the congregation. Each week, our worship hosts work to craft prayers that speak for the community and connect with God.

It is our practice to observe an extended time of silent prayer during worship. By measurement of real time, the silence may last 1 – 2 minutes, but in our sound-filled world, the time may seem longer! As we sit in silence together, we can speak our hearts to God or listen for God’s breath to move. The Holy Spirit is powerfully present when a congregation prays together.

In times of worship let the spoken prayers join our voices before our Lord and Savior. Settle into the time of silent prayer and feel God’s presence.

Prayer Valued in Worship

Brighton First is a community that values prayer. We believe that prayer is a primary way that we grow in relationship with God and experience God’s grace. On Sunday morning, people in worship are invited to complete Prayer Cards. Their concerns are lifted in prayer by clergy and/or our praying community. Prayer Quilts, created by our Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry are tangible evidence of prayer. Worshipers are invited to tie knots in each quilt as they offer prayer for the quilt recipient. 

Words spoken in prayer during worship have traditionally been called “liturgy” which means “the work of the people.” We are very blessed at Brighton First that our worship prayers are written and offered by persons from the congregation. Each week, our worship hosts work to craft prayers that speak for the community and connect with God.

It is our practice to observe an extended time of silent prayer during worship. By measurement of real time, the silence may last 1 – 2 minutes, but in our sound-filled world, the time may seem longer! As we sit in silence together, we can speak our hearts to God or listen for God’s breath to move. The Holy Spirit is powerfully present when a congregation prays together.

In times of worship let the spoken prayers join our voices before our Lord and Savior. Settle into the time of silent prayer and feel God’s presence.

The Power of Small Groups

Macky Bachelor - "A lot more
than sewing goes on here."

On Monday morning I stopped by the weekly meeting of the Prayers and Squares quilters to talk with the people that make and give away over 100 prayer quilts each year. Macky Bachelor has just returned from wintering in the south and I asked her, "So did you miss sewing when you were away?" Macky said, "I still sewed. A lot more than sewing that goes on here."

I made the mistake of thinking of the Prayers and Squares group as simply the producer of quilts. The group does spend Monday mornings measuring, cutting, sewing and ironing, but the room is also filled with conversation and laughter. There is a time when all the work stops and someone leads a devotion and the group prays together. I have seen them circle around to pray for a group member and I have witnessed their care for one another that reaches beyond the 3 hours on Monday mornings.

The Prayers and Squares quilt ministry has been an entry point for people who join Brighton First and it has been a group that has held tight to its members even when they, through illness or age, were no longer able to attend. 

As Brighton First works to develop an intentional discipleship plan for moving people from "seekers" to maturing Christians, we will be training leaders who will form small groups. Groups will have the goal of connecting people to other Christians and creating safe places to discuss the Bible and faith issues. Our prayer is that the depth of fellowship and care that Prayers and Squares quilters experience will be enjoyed by all Brighton First small groups. 

The Prayers and Squares group is a place of prayer, care and
friendship. Group members may come to make quilts
but they discover that the group offers much more.

The Power of Small Groups

Macky Bachelor - "A lot more
than sewing goes on here."

On Monday morning I stopped by the weekly meeting of the Prayers and Squares quilters to talk with the people that make and give away over 100 prayer quilts each year. Macky Bachelor has just returned from wintering in the south and I asked her, "So did you miss sewing when you were away?" Macky said, "I still sewed. A lot more than sewing that goes on here."

I made the mistake of thinking of the Prayers and Squares group as simply the producer of quilts. The group does spend Monday mornings measuring, cutting, sewing and ironing, but the room is also filled with conversation and laughter. There is a time when all the work stops and someone leads a devotion and the group prays together. I have seen them circle around to pray for a group member and I have witnessed their care for one another that reaches beyond the 3 hours on Monday mornings.

The Prayers and Squares quilt ministry has been an entry point for people who join Brighton First and it has been a group that has held tight to its members even when they, through illness or age, were no longer able to attend. 

As Brighton First works to develop an intentional discipleship plan for moving people from "seekers" to maturing Christians, we will be training leaders who will form small groups. Groups will have the goal of connecting people to other Christians and creating safe places to discuss the Bible and faith issues. Our prayer is that the depth of fellowship and care that Prayers and Squares quilters experience will be enjoyed by all Brighton First small groups. 

The Prayers and Squares group is a place of prayer, care and
friendship. Group members may come to make quilts
but they discover that the group offers much more.