Prayers 11 30 2014
*Welcome to the 1st Sunday of Advent!
*Today is the Church Membership Meeting, 1:00 after pork buns and tea for those who attend the meeting; Testimonies from 6 candidates for Baptism, election of 2015 officers, board and committee members, adoption of the 2015 Proposed Budget
*Thanks to all who contributed to another successful Thanksgiving Luncheon and Senior Appreciation last Sunday!
*Next Sunday, Dec. 7th, Pastor Visal will be preaching at 11:20 while Joy and I will be in Costa Rica for Jimmy Yung and Erica Chun’s wedding
*Christmas Workshops next Sunday, 1:00, Fellowship Hall; crafts, cookie bake, Lanna Coffee for purchase
Prayer Concerns
*George Chen, James Chen, and Carla Chen
*Nico Tom, almost 1 year old, no more night feeding but day feeding often; Eunice and Kenneth Tom, tired and weariness but also thankful for life and being a family
Prayer of God’s People
Creator and Redeemer God, we praise you for the wonders of your creation ad the wonders yet to unfold, bringing to completion that which was begun through your word and continued through your word made flesh in Jesus.
While we yearn and wait for what we do not yet see, we hold fast to the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, the day when Christ’s reign of love and peace, justice and righteousness will prevail in all fullness. And as we wait, help us to faithfully watch and pray, worship and work, in the Spirit and power of our living Lord.
On this day, we pray for our loved ones whom you have entrusted us to care for. We believe in the miracle of life that you have made evident in our living. Strengthen the bodies of our good friends, George Chen, James Chen and Carla Chen as they receive good medical care, the love of their families and the healing miracles of you, Lord as our Creator. Grant comfort to Eunice and Kenneth Tom as they lovingly care for their son, Nico as he develops and becomes more able. We pray for all in our hearts who are in need of your grace and mercy.
We pray for the life of this church and its historic and active ministries today. Thank you, O God for the people who are willing to serve this church as officers, board and committee members next year and the confidence they have in bearing faithful witness and service. We give you praise for those who have sacrificially pledged and contributed to the ongoing work of FCBC so that it would continue to have a vital mission in Chinatown and beyond into the world.
And Lord, when we choose passivity and lifelessness over a lively faith, we pray for forgiveness in our failure to wait with eager and active longing, and with passionate faith. Move us to that day of perfection of the glory and love and peace upon earth and in heaven as we pray as Jesus taught us, “Our Father…”
Benediction
God, who is Creator, Word, and Spirit began a good work in creation,
and who will bring to manifestation its completion,
blesses us with power and peace in believing.
Get ready and go out boldly to proclaim your faith of the incoming day of the Lord in all fullness. Amen.