Prayers 8 24 2014
*Welcome to the 2014 All-Church Outdoor Worship and Annual Picnic
Community Outreach Minister Zita Cheng will be bringing the message today; also celebrate her one-year ministry with us at FCBC; today we’ll also bid farewell to her as she plans to refocus her life for ministry possibly in China
*After the message today, there will be a time for small group discussions led by members of the Deacons and CE Board. This will be our Sunday school time today
*Picnic tickets are still available after worship; $5—Adults and youth; $3 for Seniors and children 5-12; Free for 4 and younger
*Thanks the Social Committee and many volunteers who are preparing our picnic lunch today
*Dessert judging contest today and organized games led by the Deacons
*Hope that you will have fun today and an opportunity to meet new friends by going outside of your normal picnic areas to get to know others
*Next Sunday—August 31: Only 2 Worship Services—10:00 Cantonese in the Sanctuary and 11:20 Joint English in the sanctuary; YMCA is closed for their annual maintenance
*Next Weekend is Family Camp in Happy Valley; if you are interested in registering, there may still be time; please see Eva and Arlen Ung today
*Regular schedule will return on Sept. 7th
*Emmanuel Family Group’s 52nd Anniversary Luncheon to honor James and Marie Chuck welcomes the entire church for lunch, Sept. 14, 12:30; See Anna & Dick Wong
*Senior Retreat, Oct. 7-9, Redwood Glen; Register with Joel Jang
Prayer of God’s People
Gracious God, we thank you for the revelation of yourself in Jesus your Son. We celebrate the gift of Messiah in our worshiping this day, present to us as the Christ, within and among us. Thank you, Lord for gathering your people together–younger and older, English-speaking and Cantonese-speaking, nearer and farther to love you more deeply and follow you more joyfully and faithfully.
Today, we pray for the world and see how much it needs your love and peace. The ongoing war in Gaza and Israel destroys lives and disrupts living caused by centuries of misunderstanding and distrust. Dear God, teach us to love and respect one another as sisters and brothers. We pray for the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria where atrocities and hostage kidnapping bring great pain and suffering. We pray for Ukraine and Russia as the conflict heats up and fighting words escalate around the world. And near at home, we continue to struggle with treating one another as fellow human beings. Teach us, Lord that when people like Michael Brown are killed, we all lose some of our humanity unless we cry out for justice and having the basic human decency of honor and respect. Lead us to align ourselves with your Spirit moving within, around and through us to make a difference in our world.
On this special day when we have all gathered for worship and to share a meal together, we pray for unity in the Holy Spirit, common focus in mission, and the Oneness we have in Lord Jesus as the Body of Christ. Bless our time together and be with Zita Cheng as she discerns your calling to lead her to fulfill her life’s mission as your daughter committed to Christ Jesus.
And lastly, we also pray for ourselves to know Jesus personally not merely as a man among men, a teacher among teachers, a prophet among prophets, but rather as your Messiah to the world who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”