Prayers 3 2 2014
*Welcome
*All-Church Event; March 22; register today!
*Reception Ministry will take place today at 1:45; come and participate
*Getting to Know your Bible class, 10:00-11:00; next Sunday
*Women’s Retreat this weekend; Men’s Fellowship at Nelson Wong’s at 9:00 on Saturday
*3 on 3 Basketball on March 23 and CCU Basketball sign-ups
*Baby Sok Shower, March 16, 12:30-2:00; All are welcome
Prayer Concerns
*Nico Tom, Eunice and Ken Tom
*Fred Hee
Prayer of God’s People
Gracious God, praise and honor to you as we come to prayer knowing that you are always listening to our cries and answering our prayers according to your will and plan. Bless this time of our worship with your presence. Open our hearts to your desires that we are your people in your new kingdom in this world. We pray that the All-Church Event gathering will reflect more closely the Body of Christ that you wish us to be.
Our lives are not as ironclad as we hope but fragile and precious. We bring to our attention those whom we know that need your comfort and healing powers. Be with Eunice and Ken Tom by strengthening their faith and hope that Nico will become stronger and healthier each day. Cradle them in your arms so that they feel your love. Continue to grant Fred Hee and others with the healing of their bodies returning them to active and productive living.
Lord, teach us to count our steps to follow your path to faithful discipleship. When we welcome the stranger to our church in Reception Ministry, may these friends sense your love. When the Women’s Retreat gather for their annual time this weekend, may they know that they were all made in your loving image. When we are faced with the temptation to seek revenge for the evil that have been done to us, may we remember what Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek and to go the second mile. And when we partake of the Lord’s Supper today, may this table be once again a reminder that Christ died for us so that we may have life everlasting.
For much has been given to us that we give of our lives to you seeking the forgiveness for our sins and the Holy Spirit to enliven our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior whose name we pray, “Our Father…”
The Lord’s Supper
Two thieves barged into the room of an old man and demanded, “Show us all of your valuables. You might as well cooperate, there is no way you can stop us.”
“And I don’t want to stop you,” the old man said. “Here take what money I have and anything that you can use.”
Quickly the men went through the small room, taking what few items of value they could find. Just before they left one of the thieves opened the old man’s small closet and spotted a new shirt. He tore if off the hanger and threw it into his sack.
As the two men left the house the old man grabbed a box that lay on the floor and ran to the door. “I didn’t realize that you were interested in clothing,” he shouted. “Here, take the coat that I just purchased this afternoon. I am certain it will fit you.”
One of the thieves turned toward the old man and demanded, “Just what is your game, old man? Why are you offering me this coat?”
I try as best I can to live by the commands of Christ,” the old man replied. “He told his followers not to resist those who are evil and that if someone takes your shirt to offer your coat as well” (Mt. 5:39-40).
The two men listened with amazement to the simple words of the old man. Then, they carried all of the items they had stolen back into the house.
As they left, the first man whispered, “Pray for us, old man.”
The second one just shook his head and said, “I didn’t know there were any Christians left in this world.”
Benediction
Our Lord commands us to go out into this world to
Turn your other cheek,
Give up your other coat,
Go the second mile,
Love your enemies and pray for them,
So that you may be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Amen. Go in peace.