Prayers 9 14 2008
*Seminarians Scholarship Fund Offering today
*New Life Center, Chiang Mai staff visiting our church next Sunday; come and hear an update on the mission work that they are doing to stop human trafficking
*All-Church Fall Clean-Up Day, Oct. 11, 8:30-12:30; please sign up with Liane Wong
*Sermon Talkback Class this morning will be on the Matthew 18 parable
*Information on a memorial celebration for the life and ministry of Diana Ming Chan is available from Clarence Chan or on the table in the vestibule this Sunday; the event will be on Sunday, Oct. 26th, 2:00 at the Officers Club in the Presidio
*Community Outreach Staff Jane Lam will share about the need for volunteers at the church’s Friday Night School ministry
Prayer Concerns
*Candidate for the Chinese-speaking pastor position visiting our church next Sunday
*Dan Lee’s brother, Gan Fay Lee in Virginia with cancer in hospice
*Bill Chin’s mother, Mrs. Chin with hip pain
*Adam Kung’s grandmother, Fung Yuk Lui who is recovering from breast cancer surgery
*
Prayer of God’s People
Almighty God, we seek the gift of your presence. Awaken us when we are unaware of you. Calm us when we are too anxious to look for you. Be among us today with your gift of forgiveness. Illumine the dark corners of life with your healing touch. Spirit of God, blow your life-giving breath into our assembly and inspire us to give you our praise.
Here our prayers for those we know and love and whose needs we entrust to you. We pray for Dan Lee’s brother, Gan Fay Lee who has struggled with the debilitating disease of cancer. Bless him to know your merciful love and strengthen and comfort Dan and his family during this time of sorrow and concern. We pray for those in our church who need your healing miracles. Be with Mrs. Chin to regain her strength and relieve her of any pain. Be with Mrs. Lui as she recovers from her recent surgery. We lift up many others who are a part of our large and expanding family fellowship in need of your grace and comfort today.
O God, we pray for our candidate for our Pastor of Chinese-speaking Ministries position who will be visiting our church next weekend with his wife to have safe journey and a positive visit. If it is your will, dear Lord, we pray that he will make a decision to serve at this faithful church to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in our world that is desperately looking for hope and peace.
Today, Lord, we also pray for your grace that we might know when to speak the forgiving word. May those who have been hurt by violence and abuse find safety and strength. May those who willfully harm others be held accountable and receive due justice. But we pray for courage to speak the word of forgiveness to break the cycle of vengeance. In our homes, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, in our nation, and in our world may we be able to speak a word of forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy, we pray as our Lord, Jesus Christ taught us, saying, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, hearts, and souls.
Grace, mercy, and peace be with you
from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, in truth and love.
Go in peace for the unfinished business of forgiveness awaits you.
Amen.