Prayers 2 6 2011
*Welcome
*Happy New Year!
*Today is Church Annual Meeting, 1:30; Vote on the 3 motions that were discussed on Jan. 23rd, review year-end financial statements, remember loved ones who returned to the Lord, and hear the State of the Church report; Char sui bows available before the meeting
*Steps of Paul Tour; first orientation session, 3:00, Fellowship Hall; anyone interested is welcome to attend
*Senior Center, Wednesday, “Building Better Bones” with Kaiser; see Dick Wong
*Men’s Fellowship, next Saturday to participate in the Chinatown Clean-up, 9:00-12:00; sign-up with Nelson Wong
*San Juan Biennial Offering; Deacons recommended that we raise $1000; next Sunday, Feb. 13 and on Feb. 20
Prayer Concerns
*Walter Owyang is now under hospice care
*Anna Lee, sleep condition and need for rest
*Uprising in Egypt and other countries in the world
Prayer of God’s People
Gracious God, we come before you as a people who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, and who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Bless this time of our worship so that we may feel the Holy Spirit in our midst and in this world. In a world that is filled with unrest and uprisings, we pray for peacemakers who will be merciful and pure in heart. Bless us this day and may we rejoice when we receive your rewards in our present time together with you.
We pray for the many people of the world in cultures and histories that are so different from our own but we know in faith that you are their Father in heaven as well. Lead us to understand what may be happening and help us to pray for peace and reconciliation for people who are desperately struggling for justice and human rights.
Be with us this afternoon, O God as we celebrate the many faithful work that has been done by this humble but dedicated community of disciples known as First Chinese Baptist Church. As you have guided our ministries last year, we pray that your hand will guide what we do this year. Give us courage to look at problems differently. Grant us patience and trust to build on one another’s ideas and perspectives. Show us, Lord to trust in the promise of another tomorrow when we will continue to proclaim good news to believe in Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.
Be present as your people gather together to celebrate traditions, customs, and family life as we wish each other a peaceful and gracious New Year. We pray especially for our loved ones who are in need of your grace and mercy. Be with Walter Owyang as he places his life in this world in your hands knowing that life in you is everlasting. Comfort Ginny and their entire family at this time of remembering and sharing. Bless Anna Lee as she receives rest and help for her present health conditions. Be with…
We pray that you will hear our confession. Forgive us that we might yet strive to become your disciples and live the life you taught us on earth. Thank you, O God for your patience as we give Christ praise and who taught us to say together, “Our Father…”
The Lord’s Supper
Christians are often told that we need to be “realistic,” that we need to accept the “facts of life.” But this begs the question: in what sort of reality do we live? The coming of Jesus was an assault upon the world that we thought was real. A new world breaks in through the preaching and the work of Christ. The shape of that new world is seen in Jesus’ opening of his sermon on the mount—the Beatitudes—in which Jesus pronounces blessings on those whom the world often curses. In so doing Jesus invites us to become citizens of this new world, a new reality.
Benediction
Go with God, all you who are the poor in spirit,
You who mourn, the meek, you who hunger and thirsts for righteousness,
The merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers,
And all of you who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake!
Go with God into the new real world
And when you do, you are blessed!
Amen.