Call to Worship
God calls us from the valley of dry bones.
Come, listen for a word from our God.
We hear the Teacher calling for us.
Christ unbinds us that we may see and believe.
Prayer of God’s People
Jesus said something like this, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning with all the burdens of life and we are seeking rest. Comfort us with the embrace of love and reassurance that we know come generously from your grace. Renew our hearts to trust you in our every day walk in life. Guide our feet as they lead us to unchartered paths of sharing our faith with others. Set aside any differences that we may have and unite our spirits with the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be of one accord in our passion for ministry through First Chinese Baptist.
We pray, dear God for peace in Eastern Europe today. We want to see the warring parties come to their senses and to see that your will is always reconciliation and the sacredness of life. May we become aware of the problems both near at home as well as in far away places. Help us to never be content in our own station of life when others are hurting and dying.
Almighty God, we present to you our personal concerns of life. We celebrate when our friends and family members are feeling better in their health. We pray for Pauline Chin as she is recovering from her fall—may she heal quickly. We also ask that you guide those in our church who are discerning new directions in life. May their journeys reflect that your will be done.
We give praise for those who responded to the evangelistic message at last week’s Friday Night School program. May your love and inspiration challenge them to make decisions for Christ. Continue to equip and empower our church and its members to reach out in love and witness in our Chinatown community.
God of life, may the life-giving power of Christ raise us up to a way of living that is renewing and refreshing. Revitalize your spirit within us, so that this mortal body of ours can be motivated by the power of the Resurrected One, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Move us to believe that the living Christ can empower us to generate a new valley, a new city, and a new life from the dry bones of death. May we obey your redeeming call: “Come out and live!” In the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray…
Commissioning of Care Partners & Team Members
Invite the Care Ministry leaders to come forward.
When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “If you love me, tend and feed my sheep.”
In 1 Peter, we read that as church leaders, we are to “tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.”
Care Partners and Care Team Members, you have been appointed by the Deacons through this congregation to offer lay pastoral care to our church members and friends. Do you promise, as God is your helper, to serve God and this congregation with all faithfulness in the areas of praying for your members, being available to them, making regular contacts to maintain relationships, and being an example of Christian servant?
I do.
Let us pray. Dear loving God, we offer these chosen to serve as Care Partners and Team Members on behalf of this church. Grant them patience and wisdom to care and love people where they are and to have the faith that you will bring wholeness to all of creation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Give our bookmarks and pennies.
Benediction
O God, you have blessed our coming in, now bless our going forth; and grant that when we leave your house we may not leave your presence, but be ever near us and keep us near you. Amen.