Prayers 8 22 2010
*Welcome
*Last Summer Series—Taking Your Work to Church with Nelson Wong on “Public Works & Engineering”
*Next Sunday, All-Church Outdoor Worship & Picnic, Ortega Park, Sunnyvale; buy tickets today; 10:30 Worship; No worship services at church next Sunday
*2010 Family Camp 2 weeks from today on “Unshaken Families”; register ASAP
*Special Offering approved by the Deacons to help Pakistan and China recover from the devastating floods; today and next Sunday at the picnic
*Women’s Fellowship, Saturday in Sausalito; knitting and brunching
*Register with pastors for the “Bible & Theology Course” in October, Berkeley
Prayer Concerns
*Faye Wong and David Wong
*Flood victims in Pakistan and China
*Aaron Tom and his family as we celebrated his father, Doug You Tom’s life yesterday
Prayer of God’s People
We have come, Redeeming God, from many different paths. We have met many people this past week, some whom we were able to serve, and others whose lives we have not touched. We have been blessed and we have been wounded by events. But we are back. Lord, feed us, fuel us, defend us, strengthen us this hour of worship that we may go forth once more in your name, as wounded healers, blessed by the good news that we bear, your good news written on our hearts and spoken on our lips.
We see, O God that the world in which we have stewarded is shaking. We pray for the millions of victims of destructive floods in Pakistan and China often caused by the ways we have exploited the earth for our own gains. We pray for Iraq still shaking from instability in their government while US military service people who have served faithfully are now returning home. We pray for the war in Afghanistan as war and conflict wage on and people are still put in harm’s way. While the world continues to shake, we pray that you’ll grant us the reassurance that your kingdom cannot be shaken for which we are greatly thankful.
Just as innumerable angels gather to celebrate you, Lord, we come to celebrate and to covenant with you as a people of faith. Bless our church with sacrificial giving of both resources and talents to proclaim hope and love in the world. Lead us to new forms of ministry and mission as we seek a new servant pastor of family ministries to strengthen families and relationships in our church. Unify the rich diversity in our church for a common and life-changing mission as we worship and fellowship together next Sunday for our annual church picnic.
While you are the God of thunder and lightning, the mountaintop, and blazing fire, you have also made yourself known to us in the living Christ who became fully human in order to take on our sins so that once and for all, when our hearts are repentant, everlasting and merciful life is promised. We are thankful for your grace and love and we pray that you’ll continue to lift up Faye Wong who needs your healing touch. Encourage and reinforce David with your power to remain hopeful and to persevere. Make your comforting presence known to Aaron Tom and his family as they grieve the loss of his father, Doug You Tom whom we believe is with you in heaven because you are a merciful and forgiving Lord.
Always and ever, now and forever, we give you thanks and praise as we pray together the way our Lord taught us to say together, “Our Father…”
Offertory
Our ancestors in the faith saw a great fire on a mountain, darkness, and thunder, and were afraid. We have seen the living fire, the living law, in Christ Jesus, and we approach joyfully and faithfully today.
These gifts we humbly place upon the altar, grateful for your willingness to receive and your readiness to give far more than we merit. Amen.
Benediction
You have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Give thanks with reverence and awe—and live as one redeemed!
May the celebration of angels and the songs of the saints,
together in harmony praising God joyfully,
inspire and set you on fire for the life God intends for you, now and forever. Amen.