Prayers 11 16 2014
*Welcome!
*Ebola Crisis OGHS offering received $1200; thank you for your generous gifts to help bring relief and basic human services to West Africa
*Thanksgiving Luncheon an Senior Appreciation next Sunday, Nov. 23rd; Lunch tickets for those who are 64 and younger are available for purchase today
*Send in your pictures or have Don Fong take yurs today for the new church directory; after church today
*Remind you of the Church Membership Meeting 2 weeks from today, Nov. 30th, 1:00: hear testimonies of persons about to join the church, adopt the 2015 budget, approve new officers, board and committee members, and to participate in the life of our church
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Prayer Concerns
*Potential unrest in Ferguson, Missouri when the decision on the police officer who shot Michael Brown is made known
*Church of the Brethren in Nigeria where the terrorist group, Boca Haram has destroyed the Brethren’s church offices and churches; this is the same group that kidnapped the 200 school girls who still have not be released; the BGM raised $1400 this week to send to the Church of the Brethren
Prayer of God’s People
Dear loving and gracious God, we thank you for the freedom of gathering for worship this morning when we know that there are places in the world when being a Christian or of another religious faith is being persecuted or means nothing at all. We pray for the end of violence and the freedom to practice faith in the world. Be with the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria that there will be peace and justice to be done.
In our own country Lord, we still are polarized over race and culture, casting distrust and stereotypes that fracture our communities like in Ferguson, Missouri. We pray for justice when an innocent person is killed as the result of one’s color of his skin. We pray for understanding and reconciliation that even in the dismay, there would be hope; in the brokenness, there would be healing, in the chance of riots and disorder, there can also be the potential of restoring a new community. We pray for your presence to shower upon the people in Ferguson.
Thank you, O God for the community known as First Chinese Baptist. Inasmuch as we have become heirs of those faithful Christians who have serve you before us, we pray that we would serve you, O Lord no less. Since you have blessed us with talents beyond what we have deserved, help us to share these talents beyond what we can easily give. Since you have blessed us with talented leaders and teachers and board members and committee members, help us to feel the your tap on our shoulders that you are calling each of us to deploy our talents too in the work of your kingdom. Since we see every year new disciples joining our church ready to give of their talents in faithful service in your name, help us to remember our own baptism and remind us again that we are called to give our very best to our Master.
We pray for those in our midst who are in need of your healing miracles. Continue to bring healing to George Chen as he faces cancer; give strength to Jimmy Chen’s health; encourage and sustain Carla Wysling Chen as she receives therapy. We pray for…
O God, as we are about to enter this season of Thanksgiving and the giving and receiving of gifts and blessings in the holidays, we pray for being grateful for the things that we have, the loving family and friends who comfort and support us, and most of all, the gift of Jesus the Christ who gave up his life so that our lives may be saved in the forgiveness of our sins. In the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
May the God who gives us 5, 2, or even 1 talent according to our abilities, bless you and watch over you to use your talents to bring about peace and reconciliation in our fractured world.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you today and forevermore. Amen.