Prayers 9 26 2010
*Thank you for your support for the Seminarians Scholarship Fund
*130th Anniversary Luncheon tickets; turn in your reservations and checks today for final counting; 2 weeks away
*Adult SS classes begin today at the new YMCA—see the list of classes available, coffee and tea at the Y; the facilities are beautiful; please also notice on the donor board as well as inside the gym, the recognition of our church’s support of the Y
*Overview of the Bible & Theology Course in Berkeley led by Dr. Chuck begins next Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:30; see me if you are interested; we have about 8 participants signed up
*Ping Pong Tournament today in the Fellowship Hall at 2:00
*Membership Meeting next Sunday, 1:30, Review the Proposed 2011 budget for canvass
Prayer Concerns
*Faye Wong and David Wong
*Pastoral Search Committee meeting today
Prayer of God’s People
O Lord, our God, how wonderful are all your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. When we pause in the midst of the autumn, we can see the changing colors of the leaves and the clear skies that make this time of the year in the Bay Area very spectacular. We see the full moon and are reminded of our Chinese heritage of the autumn moon festival and see your wonder all around us.
When we venture out of our private and personal spaces, we can witness the creativity of your creation in the people we interact with. The young people walking up and down the streets busily chatting with their friends. The older people who sit down at park benches watching traffic go by. People we come in contact with at the supermarket or gas stations or shopping malls who smile and we discover that you, Lord God are being revealed in them to us. Teach us, Lord to celebrate your world and our place as co-creators in making your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
Today, we pray for those in our circle of friends who are in need of your mercy. Continue to be with Faye Wong and David Wong granting them your strength and unfailing love. Be with those who are struggling about finding work and being underutilized with their skills and abilities. Give them reassurance and confidence that every day is a promise of new possibilities and opportunities. We pray for…
We pray for the faith and vitality of this church as we consider that promise of calling a new servant of God into our midst to lead the 9:10 worshiping congregation and to support young families. Be present with the search committee today as they review the applicants to discern your divine plan for our church.
As we come to the season in our church about giving and how to discover a life of contentment in godliness, remind us that we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Lord, keep us from temptation. Let us not be trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. May we take hold of real life, true life in you, to which you have called us today.
All these things, we pray in the name of God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer as we share in praying, “Our Father…”
Offertory
Blest be the tie that binds us together through this, our shared stewardship of God’s good world.
Gracious God, you have blessed us with all that we need and often more than we need. Help us receive what you give with grace. In turn, help us to be generous—with our monetary gifts, our possessions, our talents and our time. We ask that you accept and consecrate all these gifts to further your work in the world. Amen.
Benediction
Pursue righteousness and godliness, today and always.
Face life with gentleness and endurance.
Fight the good fight of faith every day.
Be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share.
So that you will take hold of the life that really is life.
Amen.