Prayers 6 5 2011
*Welcome
*As announced last Sunday, Special Membership Meeting next Sunday, June 12, 1:00 to approve the new pastoral job description, Associate Pastor of English-speaking Ministries; see posting in the vestibule
*Tennis Tourney, June 18th, sign-up due today
*One Great Hour of Sharing Offering in June for world relief in times of disasters
Prayer Concerns
*Two SF firefighters who fought the blaze on Thursday where one died and the other one seriously injured
*Tom Wong
*Day Camp begins a week from tomorrow
Prayer of God’s People
Holy God and everlasting Lord, your love toward us is without ending or explanation and we are grateful for your abundance. We praise you, Lord for the gifts of life, health, resources, and opportunities beyond what we deserve. We recognize that apart from your Spirit we often fail to do what is right, so we are especially grateful for your guidance in uncertain times. As your people, we lift toward you the needs and challenges many among us face, ever mindful that some of our deepest anxieties lie beyond our words to express.
We lift up those among us who battle with dread disease; restore their health. Be with Tom Wong today as he addresses the health issues that he has.
We lift up those among us who worry about their work; reassure them of their productivity.
We lift up those among us who have family members in harm’s way, serving the needs of others; protect those whose faces are forever in our hearts. Continue to be with the firefighters’ families today as they grieve over the lost firefighter and the other with serious injuries. Grant them comfort and we thank them for the sacrifices that they make for our community.
We lift up the many exciting and life-changing summer ministries that we have coming up in just a few days; bless the leaders and the participants to learn about your love for them and protect them to be safe in every endeavor.
We place these concerns before you, and now name in silence those other needs known to Christ through the witness of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray and who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
The Lord’s Supper
The Space Shuttle Endeavour returned safely this week after it’s last mission to the International Space Station. I have always wanted to see a space rocket launch but have yet to do so.
But from what I can see on the TV or when I see a jet plane take off from SFO, pretty soon the plane is so far away that it’s small and out of sight. And when the plane is coming in for a landing, it first looks small and far away but when it gets closer and closer, it gets bigger and bigger.
This was the same for Jesus when he left the disciples—at the ascension, “he was lifted up, and the cloud took him out of their sight” (v. 9). Jesus looked smaller as he left, but he was just as big and powerful as ever, and the promise was that he would return—just like a rocket or a plane returning to earth (v. 11).
We are not to spend all day looking into the sky for Jesus. We are called to tell others about Jesus, meet together for fellowship, and to pray for doing mission to the “ends of the earth.” We have many important things to do while waiting for Jesus’ return.
Benediction
Jesus, our Lord, came to earth to seek to save those who were lost.
He ascended into heaven and will return again someday.
Until that time, he has commissioned us to share his love with the world around us.
So as you go from this place today, may the truth of Jesus’ words give you strength:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.” Amen.
Go in peace.