Prayers 1 19 2014
*Welcome!
*CCU Dinner tonight at 5:00, Far East Café; if you want to attend, please see Dick Wong or David Wong to see if there may still be room
*Next Sunday, Rev. Moa Imchen will be preaching at 11:20 while I travel to Fort Lauderdale, FL for a Baptist ministers meeting
*Annual Meeting; 2 weeks from today; please plan to attend
*Honoring James Chuck, Saturday, Feb. 8th, 1:30-3:30 at ABSW, Berkeley; FCBC is sponsoring the reception afterward; let me know if you are planning to attend
Yosemite Trip, April 26-28; registration materials available from David Louie
Prayer Concerns
*David Wong experiencing back and leg pains
*Success of Reception Ministry that launched yesterday
Prayer of God’s People
We thank you, O God, for the scriptures that tell us about Jesus and for the church through the ages which has embodied his story. We give thanks for the Holy Spirit active in our lives, revealing Jesus to us in ever-new and unexpected ways. As we labor with zeal and endurance for your promised new world, we pray that we will see Jesus alive and at work in our time and generation.
For the life and vitality of this congregation, we pray for outlooks that turn our attention from ourselves and toward the world where neighbors and friends who are looking for peace and the promise of eternal life in Christ can find such assurances. We pray for outreach ministries such as the Reception Ministry, the plans to send another mission team to Thailand, our ongoing Friday Night school, and many other efforts that get the Good News of Christ out of the pew and into the hearts of people. Lead us, dear Lord to become your hands and feet in your world that you so love.
For those who are in need of grace and mercy, we lift up in prayer believing that the power of healing miracles comes from you. Be with all those who are feeling vulnerable and are vulnerable when challenges threaten life and health. Continue to watch over the children in our midst, Nicodemus Tom and Tristan Feng and others who are cradled lovingly by their parents and by you, Lord. Be with David Wong as well as with all who are facing physical suffering and increased challenges that they would find strength in your strength, health in your wholeness, and hope and joy in the promises and life-giving Good News of Jesus Christ.
Holy God, we confess that we look for Jesus where he is not to be found. In our preoccupation with ourselves and our affairs, we often miss being aware of Christ’s presence right where we are. Forgive us for our blindness to your love and grace. Reveal to us Christ whose movements are leading us toward the world that you envision. In his name we pray and who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
The Lamb of God has freed us;
Jesus Christ has called us.
Let us follow him into the world,
to go where he leads,
love as he loved,
and serve as he serves.
Amen.