Prayers 11 23 2014
*Welcome! Mike and Cathy Socia, retiring from Redwood Glen and returning to Massachusetts
*Thanksgiving Luncheon and Senior Appreciation today after worship
*Lanna Coffee for purchase upstairs today
*Church Membership Meeting, next Sunday, 1:00; Six testimonies from candidates for Baptism, adopt 2015 Church Budget, election of 2015 officers, board and committee members; please plan to attend!
*Next Sunday—1st Sunday of Advent when we begin our Christmas season at FCBC
Prayer Concerns
*Visited James Chen at the rehab center and he saw the Raiders won their first game this season
Prayer of God’s People
O God, on this special day when we celebrate Thanksgiving as a church family and recognize the importance of all members of that family and in particular our seniors in our midst, we make a joyful noise to the Lord in all the earth. Lead us, Lord in worship and prayer with gladness.
We pray for the life and vitality of this faithful church that has been served mightily by saints in the past and that this church will continue to receive the blessings of dedicated and committed church leaders who are willing to give of themselves, the blessings of resources to support and sustain the life-changing ministries that have led to many people professing their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and of the blessings of love and compassion for those who are in need of a helping hand and Good News in Christ. Lord, we pray that you will always lead our way in this world to be your light of hope and truth.
We believe in the miracles of life and the miracles that you make happen in our lives. Today we lift up for your care James Chen for him to continue to become stronger each day with his eye on that day when he can return home. We pray for George Chen and Carla Chen as they receive treatment that will restore their health. We pray for…
Generous God, you gave us life that we might choose to live it to your honor and glory, blessing us with untold opportunities to grow spiritually. But we have often chosen to go our way, misusing many precious moments and days allotted to us. You gave us an earthly home on a lush green-blue planet, but we mar the face of its beauty and ravish its riches for shortsighted gain. You gave us Jesus the Christ, Savior, counselor, and companion, as well as judge. But in spite of this greatest of all advantages, we continue to make choices in accord with our own will, for our own pleasure and self-serving ends. Forgive us the sins of pride and fear. Forgive us for ignoring Jesus’ first claim upon our lives and for being so slow to learn the lessons of faith, obedience, and sacrificial love.
In deep humility, we pray as Jesus taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Now that you have entered his gates with thanksgiving,
And his courts with praise,
Go out into this world
Proclaiming that the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
And his faithfulness to all generations. Amen.