Prayers 3 20 2011
*3 Special Offerings: Love Gift for Pastor Chris Otani; AFC Offering for home missions; and OGHS for Japan disaster relief—use the special envelopes provided for you today
*Inside Out—Saturday, Fellowship Hall, 3:00-7:00
*Farewell Reception for Pastor Chris, next Sunday, 12:30, Fellowship Hall
*Inquirers Class, 11:30, my office
Prayer Concerns
*Mrs. Mae Lee, discharged from hospital last Monday and family is looking for nursing home care for her
*People in Japan
Prayer of God’s People
We believe in you, O God, who so loved the world that a Savior was sent, that not one of us should be lost but that the whole world should be saved. May we in our gathering take part, not only in our own salvation, but in the healing of the nations, and in restoring what has been lost through our sins, our barriers, and circles that fences others out. We pray for the people of Japan who are suffering dearly after the tragedies of last week and the untold number of lost lives. We pray for relief and the help that we may provide through our compassion and generosity.
We are born from above, not according to human measure but according to the bountiful love of the word made flesh that dwells among us. We are each unique creations, and our rebirth is as individual as we are. Together we are the body of Christ searching, sometimes boldly following God’s call like Abraham and Sarah, sometimes fitfully going forward like the apostle Peter, and sometimes fearfully, like Nicodemus, but in God’s time and in God’s way we are all coming to a perfect knowledge of God.
We pray for our congregation to continue being a light of hope and love in Chinatown and in our city through the many ministries of outreach to those with human needs. Be with Pastor Jane Lam as she leads us to share the gospel good news through our teaching and the fellowship around the dinner table. Encourage and empower the teachers and kitchen staff to serve faithfully knowing that in you, O God, you are changing lives.
For those who are sick and grieving, we lift them up to you, Lord for mercy and comfort. Be with Mae Lee as she begins a new phase of living a long life. Be with…
For ourselves and for all others we pray. Draw us into your presence for hope, healing, and transformation, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)
You are born from above. Amen.