October 11, 1998
Call to Worship
Give thanks! Call on God’s name; make known God’s deeds among the nations. Sing praises to God, for God has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in your midst is the Holy One.
Choir call to worship
Hymn: #160 Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Invocation
O Gracious and Merciful Father God. We come this day with an open heart to hear your message to us. We rejoice today because we know that you are always with us, even when we forget the power you have on our lives. We give thanks that our lives are filled with your presence urging and calling us to be near to you in order for us to know your blessings. Speak to us during this worship of praise and prayers. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
Prayer of God’s People
Dear Lord, thank you for the great acts of healing which bring wholeness in our fractured world. There are so many signs of your divine plan for us that we give praise and glory to you! When we can see little children discovering that they are special because of the love from a teacher or a senior member feeling fulfilled because there are projects that require her skills or one of us who may be rediscovering how meaningful one’s faith is to life, we KNOW that you, Lord is acting in the world. Thank you, Lord for acting in our daily lives.
Precious Lord, we pray for the many who are recuperating from illnesses and surgery. We pray:
Mrs. Tom, John’s mother who is recovering from surgery this past Thursday.
Diana Ming Chan-Pneumonia
Audrey Chin for her receive rest and to discover what may be causing her heart to race
Lotus Yuen for knee replacement
Continue to hold these persons in your arms so that they may feel your love and healing.
O God, we give you thanks for the continuation of our church’s commitment to prayer and fasting to discern your will for us as a church. What a wonderful experience to pray together for 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Even in the darkest hours of the night, we prayed and found you among us. Thank you, Lord for your everlasting presence and love for us.
During this season of understanding the meaning of stewardship and discipleship, touch our hearts, O God so that we may know what might be our response. Although we may feel that we have given and done so much already, we also know that you are calling us to new heights of sharing and serving. Show us this way, O Lord. May the weeks ahead be full of promise and opportunities for Christian service that you would be pleased.
Gracious God, we pray for our sisters and brothers at the Sunset Ministry. Strengthen their abilities and sharpen their skills so that they can continue to reach out to new neighbors in Sunset. Helps them to begin equipping new members to learn how to serve, teach, and support people in need. We celebrate and give praise to you for the wonderful things that are happening at our new church plant.
We also pray for our brothers and sisters who worship at the 11:15 service. May we continue to join hands together to envision our mission in Chinatown. As we look outside, we see the ministry that we have. Instill in us the courage to serve you in order to make a difference in this place.
Gracious God, help us to listen for the still, small voice, that we may know a great sense of your glory and power. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who has shown us the way to your kingdom, who taught us to pray together… Our Father…
Offertory
Teach us, God, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost. To labor and not ask for reward, save in the knowledge that we do your will.
Prayer
Receive these gifts as symbols of our full-cost of discipleship to go forth to spread the Good news of Christ in the world, that the world might become a more joyful place in which to live. Amen.
Benediction
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God look upon you with love and give you peace. Amen.