Prayers for November 8, 1998
Call to Worship
We praise you, O God; we acknowledge you to be the ruler over all. All the earth worships you, God everlasting.
Invocation
O mighty God, surely your presence is in this place today. We honor your power and magnify your goodness. We sing of your righteousness and tell of your salvation from day to day. Thank you, dear God, for the opportunity to come to worship you today in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Welcome
Visitors
Prayer concerns: Ken Lee (biopsy of his lung)
Nancy Sonoda (difficult time with cancer)
Sheu Au’s mother is having cataract surgery
Prayer celebrations: Joyce Wong’s museum installation at the International Children’s Art Museum at the World Trade Center until January, 99.
$510 to Puerto Rico Hurricane relief
Opportunity to give to World Mission Offering to support ABC missions overseas–$4000 goal for 1998
Prayer of God’s People
Dear Creator God, Your love and care for us are everlasting. We are touched by the transforming power of your hand. We see how our lives have changed because the meaning and purpose of living are on Jesus Christ. Jesus has made us whole through your love for us. Thank you, O God, for your constant blessings.
We ask, dear God for special prayers of healing for Ken Lee and Sheu Au’s mother. We continue to petition to you for miracles to happen for Nancy Sonoda as she faces the uncertainties of her long-termed illness. We pray for encouragement and comfort for these your children and to others who are recovering from the struggles in the journeys of life.
As the seasons change with the wind-swept rains of today, we are reminded of you, O God of nature and of all seasons. May the rains tell us of the many blessings that are showered upon us. May the slight chill in the air keep us alert and awake to your will for our lives. May the autumn red sun with its thousands of rays of light filtered through the trees show us the majesty of your continuous creation in this world. May the first fruits of our harvest give us incredible joy that all things come from you.
In this autumn season, we behold the promise and hope of new life that comes from the dropping of leaves and seeds to the long winter nights of darkness to the season of new birth. Thanks be to you, O God, in the name of the Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together…
Offertory
In Proverbs 3:9, it says, “Honor God with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce.”
Offertory Prayer
Dear God, accept these many gifts that we have brought today to sustain the ongoing ministries of this church, to support the faithful witness of our missionaries around the world, and in our “first fruits” offerings as thanksgiving to the blessings that you have given to us to continue the legacy of ministry through this wonderful church. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Benediction
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. Amen. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)