Prayers 2 28 2010
*Welcome David Lee as our guest preacher for today
*Lanna Coffee for purchase after worship today—Benefits the coffee growers that are committed to fair-trade and the House of Love and the New Life center in Thailand
*Baby Dedications at the 11:30 service today followed by the whole church is invited to a baby party luncheon in the Fellowship Hall; we celebrate with Vincent and Matia Chan, Warren and Alvina Tai, and Nachi and Joanne Lau
*Stained Glass Windows were finished last night—Thanks for the special gifts given by Byron & Gayle Chan, the Gordon & Anita Foundation, and additional special gifts for this project; the workers from the Bovard Studios who worked on our church windows were outstanding
*Solar Panels have been installed and test was successful; now waiting to schedule a time for PG&E to test and approve—Special thanks to Clarence Chan, gifts given to the Diana Ming Chan Solar Project, and to Curtis Poon who donated time, materials, and expertise in monitoring the completion of this project
*There will be a dedication time for both of these new projects at our church soon
Prayer Concerns
*Walter Owyang and his fight against cancer
*Steve Lessler’s father passed last Sunday morning after a long fight against diabetes and will be having private services this afternoon
*Earthquake in Chili
Prayer of God’s People
O great Creator, loving God, giver of our every good and perfect gift, we ask your Spirit’s guidance as we struggle with situations that threaten us, make us afraid, or tempt us to be less than who you have called us to be. Strengthen us so that we may follow your plan, and be guided by the wisdom you have given us by your Spirit.
Make us sensitive to your Spirit, so we can discern your will and plan, and follow your guidance. Give us the courage and the insight to grasp where you are leading us, and to go boldly and do what you would have us do. Lead us to do missions both at home and in faraway places like in Thailand when we believe that every sip of coffee that we take can save a life. Lead us to be a living witness of protecting and conserving our natural resources that come from you as we power up our new solar panels so that we may leave a smaller carbon footprint on this beautiful but fragile world. Lead us once again to have compassion and care for the many victims from this most recent disaster in Chili when we are asked to give generously for relief and rebuilding.
Lord, we know that you do not cast off or forsake us but you are with us in our suffering and adversity. Even when we live as enemies of the cross, as the God of Jesus Christ, you do not give up on us. We know there is shelter for us in the midst of our troubles and forgiveness when we have gone our own way. We lift up for your loving embrace our friend, Walter Owyang at this time of need. Bless his body to respond to treatment and encourage his family to have confidence in your grace. Be with Steve Lessler and his family as they celebrate the life of his father this day. May these precious moments be cherished for the rest of their lives.
Teach us, Lord to imitate from the apostles a life of faithfulness according to the example you have set for us in Jesus Christ. Remind us that we are citizens of your kingdom first and pledge our allegiance to your righteousness and justice. Inasmuch as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was humiliated on the cross for our sake, call us into discipleship during this Lenten season to give of ourselves in order to bring you glory and praise.
Dwell with us in this time of worship. Strengthen us when we are tired and weak. Reveal your love, mercy, and grace through our lives just when we thought that we were not worthy. These things we pray in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together, saying, “Our Father…”
Offertory
Our offering is one important step we can take towards a life of faithful service to God.
Gracious God, we thank you for your trust as we receive offerings given in your name for your work. All we have is yours. You are the source of all good things. In these offerings we acknowledge your sovereignty and fulfill the trust you have in us by faithful accounting and a focus on ministry and service. We thank you for this opportunity once more to be contributing members of your reign. Amen.
Benediction
Beloved sisters and brothers, stand firm in the faith!
As citizens of God’s kingdom,
Imitate the examples set by the apostles and Christ himself.
Go on your way with Christ as your companion,
And be a witness of the living God.
Amen.