Prayers 7 8 2012
*Welcome: Collin Tong,
*Teachers Training Event, today at 1:00-2:00, Fellowship Hall; I will lead; please come if you are a teacher or interested in teaching
*Summer Series begins today with Russell Yee on The Search for Asian American Worship, 11:30-12:30, YMCA
*Men’s Fellowship, Saturday, July 14, BBQ demo, Wes Chan’s, 9:00
*Special OGHS Offering taken next Sunday, July 15th for the FBC, Colorado Springs, CO for emergency assistance after the wildfires in that state; Rev. Michael Sayler is a long-time colleague of mine
*Seminarians Scholarship Fund applications are in the vestibule; due date on July 29th
*Rhythm of the World workshop on drums and djembe, Saturday, July 21, 9:30-12:00; sign up in the vestibule
*Lands of Luther, April 29-May 9, 2013; first orientation two Sundays from today, July 22, 1:30
Prayer Concerns
*Fred Hee, will have endarterectomy/carotid artery (removing plaque) surgery on Wednesday—no visitors until returning home
*Tiffany Lessler’s grandmother had successful gallstone removal surgery this past Thursday
*Day Camp begins its 4th week on Monday
*Visal and Lindsey Sok will arrive in SF on Thursday, July 12 to begin his new ministry with us next Sunday
Prayer of God’s People
Gracious God, we raise our hands in thanksgiving, grateful for all we have received. We raise our hearts in praise, thankful for your presence in our midst. We raise our voices in song, our minds set free from well-traveled paths to follow the way that leads to your glory. We thank you for your presence in our midst as we pray to you today.
We pray for the different ways that our church community proclaims the Good News in Jesus Christ as we reach out to the families in Chinatown through Day Camp and Friday Night School, the sport teams that bring people into Christian fellowship, and the camps and retreats that invite participants to believe that Christ is their Lord and Savior. We pray for Visal and Lindsey as they make their final preparations to come to FCBC to serve and remain faithful to Visal’s call to ministry.
For those who suffer from illness, for the ones who struggle with old age or poverty, and for those who are overlooked and underserved, we pray that your mercy and grace be present. Be with Tiffany Lessler’s grandmother as she recovers from her recent surgeries in order to return to her active life. Be with Fred Hee this Wednesday as he undergoes a surgery to strengthen his heart and to become well once again. Grant these loved ones the miracle of healing and guidance for the medical professionals to perform their life-saving tasks.
Lord, we confess at times and make excuses that our efforts have no meaning. We make excuses that we are not ready, that others are better than us, that we are not well enough, to perform the tasks to which you have called us. May we take comfort and courage in your servant, the apostle Paul. He prayed that his affliction might be lifted. When it wasn’t, he continued actively in the ministry to which he was called, tirelessly bringing the Good News to people. Strengthen us to be like Paul and honoring us in our best efforts. We pray in you name, Jesus the Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Even with your “thorn in the flesh,”
Endure the insults, persecutions, calamities, and weaknesses of the coming week,
Secure in God’s presence,
Sure of Christ’s victory,
Strong in the Spirit.
Amen.
Benediction
Even with your “thorn in the flesh,”
Endure the insults, persecutions, calamities, and weaknesses of the coming week,
Secure in God’s presence,
Sure of Christ’s victory,
Strong in the Spirit.
Amen.