Prayers 7 3 2011
*Welcome and Happy July 4th holiday!
*Good to be home with all of you!
*Welcome David Lee home to FCBC to proclaim the Good News message today
*Summer Series begin next Sunday, July 10:
9:10—Marcus Dong will lead a class based on 1 John on the topic of biblical assurance of one’s salvation—10:30-11:30
10:20—Brian Whitlow of SF CARD on preparing for disasters—11:30-12:30
*Men’s Fellowship, 7/16 at Don Lam’s, 9:00
*Family Camp registrations
*Next Sunday, July 10th, James Chuck will be preaching since I’ll be attending Canon Kushner’s dedication in San Rafael. This is different from what the bulletin says
Prayer Concerns
*Memorial Service for Rev. Clark Flesher, former pastor of FBC, Alameda will be on Saturday, July 16, 6:30 PM at FBC, Alameda
*Church member, Ng Lok Yu returned to the Lord on July 2nd; James went to see her recently
*Tom Wong after almost 2 weeks in the hospital for pancreatic cancer surgery was discharged on Friday; will need lots of rest at home; prognosis is very good—cancer free reports; God is good!
*Jason and Ana Hom is the proud parents of Jordan Emilio Hom on July 1, 7 lbs, 14 oz, 21 in. long; Marian and Franklin—welcome to the grandparents club!
Prayer of God’s People
O God, on this holiday weekend when friends and family gather for barbecues and fireworks, help us to find a bit of your joy in our life, make our faith a simple connection to you. Help us to see ourselves in love with you. Help us to find you dear God in a moment of happiness and in a moment of shared faith. Help our faith grow not through complicated words but in simple moments of understanding. We ask you, dear God, to help us find the child like faith that hides in each of us. Purify our trust in you. Help us not to have an agenda when we approach you, loving Father of Jesus in worship and prayer. As we celebrate you in our lives O God, help us to turn our backs on what others think of our simple faith that connect our lives with yours.
On this Independence Day weekend, we remember the cost of freedom that our ancestors paid so that we may religious liberty today. We are thankful that we can gather as Christians and specifically as Baptists to worship you Lord in both word and deeds, to practice the Lord’s Supper and Believers Baptism without the fear of persecution, and to proclaim prophetic justice out on the streets so that your Word of peace and reconciliation can be heard in a violent and sinful world. We continue to pray for the many who are fighting wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and other places so that the bells of freedom may ring.
Lord, you are the living water of your steadfast love with us, and all who love us, and all whom we love. We pray for Tom Wong as he rests and recovers from his surgery at home. We pray for healing and the restoration of good health so that he may continue to be your humble servant and loving father, grandfather, and husband in his family. In the passing of Ng Lok Yu, we praise for comfort to the family and the trust that all is well in heaven. We lift up…
Today, we also celebrate the beginning of new life as Jason and Ana Hom welcome a new baby into their lives. Bless Jordan Emilio Hom as he is nurtured by the love of his parents, guided by the faith of this church family and spoiled by his loving grandparents.
O Lord, we ask that we become gentle in our faith, we ask that we become simple in our faith so that we are no longer blinded by this world but can only see you waiting for us in heaven and on this earth. We pray in the name of our gentle Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
The Lord’s Supper
In Matthew 11, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Most of us look forward to the July 4th weekend as a time to rest from our work and heavy burdens. And as a people of faith, we seek relief by turning to God. But unfortunately, we often believe that we are not religious enough, not learned enough, or wise enough to receive God’s forgiveness and mercy.
Jesus tells us that belief in him is the way to gain peace for your soul. The body may have its burdens to bear, but there is rest for the spirit when our trust is placed in Christ. The yoke is easy to bear; the weight of his requirement is light.
When it comes to receiving the Lord’s Supper, some people withhold themselves from receiving it. Why? Because they feel they need to save such a holy experience for when they feel more worthy. There is no religious obligation that you need to fulfill. Jesus comes to meet people in Holy Communion who are never worthy. The Lord’s Supper is the time when we come to be refreshed, to find rest for our souls. We do not come when worthy, but are made worthy by the blood of the Lamb of God who meets us there.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” This is a promise God’s people need.
Benediction
You have feasted at Christ’s table. Your hunger has been satisfied and your thirst quenched.
You have learned how to wash one another’s feet to love and serve one another.
Go, therefore, be faithful servants to witness God in the world and live such a way that the gracious Spirit of Jesus may be with you in all that you do and say. Amen.