Prayers 10 21 2012
*Welcome: Mike and Becky Mann
*Inquirers Class begins today following this worship service in my office; all those who are seeking the meaning of the Christian faith and church membership are encourage to attend
*Pledge Sunday is next Sunday; All-Church Worship begins at 10:30 at the YMCA; prayerfully bring in your pledges for 2013
*Special Membership Meeting, Nov. 4 to discuss and approve the Proposed Sunday morning hours; the CE and Deacons are meeting to consider your ideas and suggestions
*CA Council of Churches voter recommendations in the vestibule
Prayer Concerns
*Susie Ko’s family, Hercules
*Steven Ng and Kenley Mew in Cambodia for medical missions
Prayer of God’s People
Hear us, Creator God. Guide us into your peace that passes understanding; let the light of your wisdom shine upon us. Let your word be our support in tough times. Let your ever-presence be felt by all of us in worship and prayer right now.
Gracious God, we find ourselves in the midst of many decisions that we have been asked to make. We are praying about how much we should give in 2013 to support the growing ministries of our church. We are envisioning and wondering about the proposed new Sunday morning hours and how we might vote two weeks from now. And we are presented with a ballot of presidential candidates, legislature candidates, and countless propositions to make decisions on. We pray, Lord that you would always help us to see the bigger picture of your divine plan and will for us. While we all may have our specific perspectives about things, we also seek the unity of the Body of Christ and the unfolding of your kingdom work on earth and how we as one church is actively and faithfully participating in that. Grant us the wisdom to see from another’s point of view. Grant us the patience and love to respect and honor one another. And grant us the peace in Jesus Christ that passes all understandings.
For those who, in following Jesus, have set us an example in being more ready to serve than to be served, we pray for safety and protection. Be with Kenley Mew and Steven Ng as they continue serving in Cambodia to bring much needed medical help to people there. We are thankful for the many American Baptist missionaries who are serving around the world and our part in that through the generous giving to the World Missions Offering. And we lift up those who are considering Baptism and church membership because you, Lord have touched their lives with love and grace and now they want to follow Jesus.
God, you make us able. You promise us we will share in the sufferings of Jesus as well as his glory. You perfect us in our lives of discipleship and service. But all things being equal, we would rather be saved on the cheap. Let us only say a few words and promise to do well when it is convenient, and then lift this cross from our shoulders. We want to be like Jesus, at least once a week. We want to carry this cross, but not too far. Help us to face your scriptures with courage, or at least attention. May we once more offer you our lives, our hearts, and our minds, not just those portions we think we can spare. Forgive us all our sins, and renew our hearts in your service. This we pray, ready to be faithful, ready to be true, in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Strive to be a servant in service to each other and in service to Jesus.
Go from this place, secure in the promise of Jesus that if we are afflicted, if we suffer or struggle, then we bear the marks of Jesus to display to the world. Let the world see the call to glory in our suffering and in our triumph. Amen.