Prayers 1 13 2013
*Welcome! Our second Sunday of our new Sunday morning schedule; hope you are finding your way around
*CCU Annual Dinner, next Sunday, 5:00, Far East; installation of Pastor Peter Lee as the new president; $25 per person; see Dick Wong for tickets
*Welcome Rev. Ivy and Emerson Wu, endorsed ABC missionaries to Macau; Ivy preached at the 10:00 English and Emerson at the 10:00 Cantonese services this morning; invite you to listen to their call to missions and hear how we might support them in their overseas work
*Welcome Rev. Patricia Hernandez, National Director of AB Women in Ministry; advocate for women to respond to God’s call to ministry and to place women in ministerial positions; guest speaker at the next two days’ Minister Council retreat and attending meetings with me held at our church in the middle of the week; will be seeing Pat for the next 5 days!; Share a few words…
Prayer Concerns
*Arlen Ung’s mother, Ellen Ung passed on Monday, Jan. 7 after suffering from pneumonia; funeral on Saturday, Jan. 19, Cypress Lawn, Tiffany Chapel, 1370 El Camino, Colma, Viewing at 9:00 and service at 10:00; in lieu of flowers, donations can be sent IMO of Ellen Ung to New Life Christian Fellowship, Castro Valley where her niece Katie Choy-Wong is pastor or to FCBC; pray for their large family
*Donna Quan passed from a fishing boat accident while vacationing with her husband Rich in Chile on Wednesday, Jan. 9; services are expected to be also on Saturday, Jan. 19 in San Jose area; many in our Women’s Fellowship, Sojourners and particularly the South Bay members have known Donna for many years; pray for Rich, and their two sons, Matt and David
*Jonah Taylor Hom, born to Jason and Anna Hom, Friday, Jan 11, 8 lbs, 10 oz, 20 in.; mother and baby are fine after a C-section; congratulations to Grandparents Marian and Franklin too!
Prayer of God’s People
Dear Creator God, in this season of Epiphany when heaven and earth intersect at the place where your realm and our lives enrich each other, we see that you are present everywhere and always. We see everything in motion: the galaxies, stars and planets, circling and winding through the cosmos and know that everything is in their proper places because of your majestic handiwork. And while you have created all of this, you also took time and gave your attention to mortals likes us, making us just like angels, divine and in your own image.
We praise you and thank you for interrupting the secure and comfortable lives of Ivy and Emerson Wu in Ohio and casting them as Baptist missionaries to Macau. You saw in them the gifts and abilities to accomplish your work to proclaim good news to youth and young adults that there are other opportunities for them than to only work in the gambling industry. Strengthen and encourage Ivy and Emerson as they prepare to serve overseas. Guide and support the significant ministry of Pat Hernandez as she identifies and guides people and particularly women into Christian ministry. Just like the many women in the Bible, you have empowered Ivy and Pat with talents and vision to preach Christ Jesus and to advance your kingdom on earth as it is already in heaven. Lord, may the partnerships that are evident in this worship service this morning reflect more closely to the true Body of Christ you want us to become.
Today Lord, our hearts are heavy with sadness, as the result of the loss of loved ones in our communities. Be with Judy Ung, Arlen and Eva Ung, and the rest of their family as they grieve the passing of their mother, Ellen. We pray that the time to remember and celebrate her life will reassure them that she is with you, our Lord. We pray for Richard Quan and his sons, Matt and David as they and we grieve over the sudden death of Donna Quan especially when life offers so many more opportunities to live our days fully. Merciful God, reminds us once again that in your creative majesty, we can trust you and to see how everything on earth and in heaven comes together. Lord, grants us comfort and reassurance that your presence is with us now and always.
O God, it’s when we see the birth of a baby is when we are able to giggle and rejoice that our lives are worthwhile and worth living. We rededicate ourselves to raising up the next generation of young disciples to serve and give you praise. Thank you for the birth of Jonah Taylor Hom and pray that he will grow up in stature and in wisdom and become a believer in the Lord. Be with Jason and Anna and Colby as they welcome their new baby home.
All these things spoken or residing deep in our hearts, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Go forth in joy. Love and serve one another. Be a faithful witness to God in the world and live in such a way that the gracious Spirit of Jesus may be with you in all that you do and say. Amen.