Prayers 5 27 2012
*Welcome! Day of Pentecost, Memorial Day Weekend, and Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th Anniversary (My mother and brother arrived under the GGB when it was just 10 years old. She used to tell me that when they saw the bridge, they knew that they have arrived in America. Today, when we drove across the bridge to come to church, I thought about my mother as well as all Chinese immigrants who saw the GGB for their first time, people who are seeking for a new life, yearning for freedom and liberty, and the opportunity for a second chance. We give thanks to God for such hospitality and generosity in the past and now we pray for our responsibility and courage to welcome newcomers today.)
*Today—
*Lanna Coffee for purchase today after worship—Support the Hill Tribes in Northern Thailand
*Hand Bells Fundraiser to attend a music conference in Anaheim—Spaghetti lunch and drinks, Fellowship Hall, 12:30
*Live in Harmony, 2:30-4:30, celebrate our church unity with songs of praise
*Men’s Fellowship, Saturday, 9:00 Breakfast, Alan Fong’s; see Nelson Wong
*OGHS—month of June for world relief when disaster happens; please prepare to make your donations
Prayer Concerns
*Tom Wong fell this past week
*Diane Yuen is hospitalized
*Men and women in military service who have bravely served our country on our behalf, those who are still on the front lines, and those who have given their lives to whom we remember today
Prayer of God’s People
Holy Spirit, you have condemned the falsehoods of this world. The world is wrong about righteousness, about sin, and about you. You have sent your spirit of truth in our midst, to guide us into all truth, yet we cling to the falsehoods that war brings peace, that our security matters more than the well-being of others, and that some people are simply not as loved by you as we are. We have worshipped the idolatry of nationalism. As a result, some regard need, alienation, and disease, along with detrimental changes in our climate, as if they were political matters, and not an affront to you. Forgive us, Lord, for following these falsehoods.
Descend to us in fire, Holy Spirit. Though we are in the world, you have called us to a different way of living. We are to follow your example, where the greatest among us is the servant who washes feet. You died to give us life. May we die to ambition, nationalism, materialism, and power, and truly be born into a new and abiding community of grace. Lord, we ask not for a king. We do not want what the nations of the world have to offer.
Today, as we celebrate the first fruits of the church in the onrushing of your Holy Spirit, may we be renewed. May we rededicate ourselves to the spirit of truth, and not a spirit of convenience. May we worship in hope and trust, and not in fear. May we lift up those in our community who are struggling with health issues and life’s challenges—be with Tom Wong as he regains his strength from chemotherapy and with Maureen as she supports him in such loving and caring ways. Be with Diane Yuen as she rests and gets better from her illness.
We thank you on this Day of Pentecost for the vitality and faithfulness of this church to be a continuing witness of Good News in the world until that time comes when Christ returns to begin his reign on earth. Since we are the first fruits of the Spirit, let this day be the first day of a new harvest in Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
“Know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
If you have lost a future story, the Holy Spirit will bless you with hope.
May the Spirit of God guide you into all truth as you go out into the world this week.
Amen.