Prayers 6 24 2012
*Welcome!
*Special Membership Meeting today, 1:30, Sanctuary; to approve Visal Sok as our new Associate Pastor for English-speaking Ministries
For 9:00:
*Recognition of Senior High graduates with Life Application Bibles—Keegan, Jackie, and Kyle
*Appreciation for Kyle and Tiffany Lessler for retiring from teaching
*Dedication of Hand Bells to attend the hand bell conference in Anaheim
*Ashira Fellowship at Don and Joy’s this Saturday, 10:30 and lunch; see Jackie Ma to sign-up
For 10:20
*Lanna Coffee for purchase today—Every Sip Saves Lives!
Recognitions and Dedications
*High School Grads—Completing 12 years of formal education is a big accomplishment, you have spent more days in the classroom than on the playground, and if you have been coming to church and attending Youth Camp, you have spent more time studying the Bible than any other book that you know—now you are about to embark on another chapter of your life—either starting a career to sharpen your skills or going to college for more education; the type of person you’ll become depends largely on what you’ll be doing in the next few years; as your church family, we’ll pray for you to fulfill what God’s plan is for you; one of the ways is to equip you to pursue your calling is this “Life Application” Bible—learn how to apply the Bible teachings to your daily living.
*Kyle & Tiffany Lessler—Teaching is the most honorable profession there is because you are entrusted with the awesome responsibility to shape and fill the minds of students; in some ways, you pass on the traditions, the substance of our faith, the content of the Bible and especially, the deeds and behavior that you displayed as committed Christians; all the students that you have taught will carry with them some of your DNA for that you should be honored and grateful; We appreciate your dedication and service to the Lord!
*Hand Bells Choir—Bells are used to start a new school day, declare Independence Day as in the Liberty Bell, announce the love of two persons in wedding bells, Christmas bell ringers, and as in Psalm 150,
“Praise God with trumpet sound;
Praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
Praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals’
Praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Praise him with the FCBC hand bells!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Whenever you play for worship, the coordination or orchestration of many ringing bells to compose a melody gives us a foretaste of what heaven may be like. On this day, we dedicate you as your travel to Anaheim to receive training to become even more talented in making a joyful noise for the Lord! Travel safely and know that your church family is praying for you.
Prayer Concerns:
*Celebrate the wedding of Stephanie Wong and Bruce Wong last Sunday and Christine Louie and Joshua Arnaldo yesterday; may these new bonds of love be strong and faithful
*Day Camp in its 2nd week
*Today’s Special Membership Meeting to approve Visal Sok
*Beverly Low with ovarian cancer
*Bill Chin with rapid heart rate is now under medication
Prayer of God’s People
Dear Lord God, may the Holy Spirit breathe on us and that our thoughts may be holy. Draw our hearts to you so that we might love what is holy in your sight. Strengthen us, dear God so that we may be about your work in the world.
On this special day in the life of our church, we pray for your presence as we discuss and discern the decision to call Visal Sok as our new associate pastor for English-speaking Ministries. You have coordinated his life with ours and if it’s according to your plan, we pray for creative and effective ministries in the years to come. We lift up the Hand Bell Choir as they travel to Anaheim to receive further training in order to continue to make a joyful noise in your name. Give them safe travel and a fruitful experience. Thank you for the dedication of Kyle and Tiffany Lessler who has served you as youth Sunday school teachers across many years. Bless them and grant them rest as they get recharged to do your will. And we pray for the senior high school graduates who have completed their secondary education and are now ready to make decisions that will continue to hone their skills and discover a vocation. Bless them as they choose to start college or to begin in the workplace. We thank you, Lord who created us in your own image so that we may become the people you set us out to be.
We praise you for showing us what love is like in the life and death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. And today, we pray for those who have made commitments to the vows of marriage so that their new lives together will bring you honor and glory. Bless these young people, Stephanie and Bruce and Christine and Josh that they will be happy and will continue to serve you as Lord.
Lord God, there are days when it seems like we are surrounded by giants too large to slay. We feel helpless against the foes in our own lives and those at large in the world. What can we do to overcome hunger and persecution? What power do we have to end hatred and war? How do we beat back homelessness and unemployment in our community? How can a slingshot eliminate the fear, broken relationships, suffering and grief in our lives? We long to be whole. We long to be at peace with ourselves, each other and the world. As we wrestle, help us to remember these struggles are temporary. Remind us that you are a stronghold for the oppressed, and in times of trouble. Remind us that if we rely on you, we need not fear anything. Instill in us a stronger faith. Fill us with your Spirit, inspire and guide us in ways to help spread your kingdom and to overcome the giants. Help us to find reconciliation and peace as we pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Friends, know that even in those times when you feel beset by giants, God is present with you.
Do not lose heart! Remember Paul’s reassuring words, and trust in the knowledge that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us into his presence.
Thanks be to God! Amen.