Prayers 4 24 2011
*Happy Easter! Welcome Visitors, Members, and Friends!
*We had a wonderful Sunrise Service and YMCA Annual Easter Breakfast this morning
*Next Sunday, Pastor Jane Lam will be preaching while I am with the church group in Yosemite
*China Mission Trip Orientation session, next Sunday if you are interested
Prayer Concerns
*Helen Doung, mother of Byron and Layton Doung passed on Thursday, April 21; she was 95; private services are on Tuesday
*Celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Jimmy and Nancy Yee
*New Pastoral Job Description Task Force meeting this Wednesday to start its work
*Asian ABC churches have been approached by the GHC region to either vacate or purchase their properties; including Sunset Ministry, our daughter church and 21st Avenue Baptist Church where both Chinese and Burmese churches are using
Prayer of God’s People
Christ Jesus, redeemer of the world, all glory and honor be yours. We thank you that you have come into our midst as we, like the disciples nearly 2000 years ago, gather in our own upper room. We were afraid. The world wants us to be afraid. But you come once more, the lamb bearing the marks of slaughter, to bring us peace, wholeness, shalom.
We see you in each other’s eyes. We hear you in the voices raised in song. We know you, in the garden outside the empty tomb. Jesus, Risen Savior, Redeemer, Restorer, lead our prayers today.
In times of stormy trouble that cause discontent and where our lives are tossed and turned about, we pray for your ever-presence to find stability and comfort. We lift up the Baptist churches that are put at risk of jeopardizing their ministries because of the real possibility of losing their properties to do ministry. Grant these pastors wisdom and courage to address these matters creatively in order to seek acceptable solutions. Guide the leaders of the GHC region to consider the importance of supporting vital ministries that are touching the hearts of people in our city. We pray also for those who on this day of celebration and resurrection are discouraged and uncertain about another tomorrow. Bless them with peace, hope, and the confidence that you are with them through all times and all concerns. Bless the Doung family at this time of grief as they also celebrate the long and productive life of Helen Doung who is now with you in heaven. Be with…
On this Easter morning, lead us to seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set our minds on the things that are according to your will, not on the things that are worldly, for we have died with Christ, and our life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life is revealed, then we also will be revealed with Christ in glory. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray and in his name that we pray together…”Our Father…”
Benediction
Go to your sisters and brothers, all of humanity,
And see—we have obeyed and seen it!
We have seen for ourselves the Risen Jesus!
Look for Christ!
Live for Christ!
Love in Christ!
Christ the Lord is risen today!