Prayers 2 15 2015
*Welcome
*Church Chinese New Year’s Learning Centers and Celebration, Fellowship Hall after worship this morning
*Men’s Fellowship, Saturday, 9:00 at Nelson Wong’s with Matt Chin sharing his pictures on his safari
*Inquirers Class begins next Sunday, 10:00
*Biennial Mission Summit Planning meeting, March 1st; any interest in attending?
Prayer Concerns
*Mary Lee had her right knee replacement and resting at home
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Prayer of God’s People
Holy and glorious God, by our gathering together in this place we are affirming that it is good for us to be here. It is good to acknowledge our need and desire to worship, and to be open to your presence in our midst. Help us to prepare to receive the revelations you give when your people gather in Christ’s name. And having been touched by the wondrous mystery of your love, and transformed by the experience of being your church, may our lives reflect your glory.
As the beloved community, we pray for those who are in need of your healing grace and mercy. Be with Mary Lee as she recovers from her knee replacement and with many others who are suffering from seasonal illnesses. We pray for our families and friends as we once again mark the cultural holiday of another lunar New Year bringing loved ones together to live more faithfully and harmoniously together for love and support.
We pray for the world and all that makes up your creation. When we are shocked by the way your people cause unspeakable grief and sadness upon one another, we pray for peace and consolation. Help us to work for mutual respect and understanding of our differences that unite rather than divide. Show us how to love particularly people who may not share our religious beliefs, our cultural identity or the same color of our skins like the way Jesus Christ our Lord loved everyone even to be on the cross in order to bear all of our sins that we have done against God and with each other. Forgive us, O God and transform us into the people you created us to truly be.
Lord, we confess that we may come to church more out of habit and to see friends, rather than with sincere desire to praise and worship you. We often experience worship like the many days in the rest of the week being ordinary, predictable, unsurprising and uninspiring. Lead us into the awareness of your loving presence, to your word, and to your uplifting and life-changing Spirit.
Hear us and bless us, good Lord as we pray in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us saying, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Having been transfigured with Christ,
Go now to participate with Christ in transforming the world.
Now may the blessing of the self-revealing God,
The redeeming Christ,
And the enabling Holy Spirit is upon you. Amen.