Prayers 11 16 2008
*RMMO Offering for retired ministers and missionaries
*2009 Canvass—Footprints for Christ—more than half way there; make a pledge before Dec. 7th
*Thanksgiving Luncheon, next Sunday, serving begins at 12:00 for children and parents; tickets available today; Senior Appreciation—65+ eat free
*Advent Bible studies will begin next week: two groups of interest—East Bay led by Dr. Chuck and SF led by Pastor Don (begins on Nov. 25th) on What You Want for Christmas by James Moore
Prayer Concerns
*Augie Bau’s wife Katharine Hsiao Bau had a mastectomy last week and will undergo radiation treatment for cancer
*Good news—Pastor Peter Lee received a 5-year R 1 visa this past week to serve as our new Pastor of Chinese-speaking ministries! His family will now apply for their visas.
Prayer of God’s People
We give thanks to you, O God, for your great goodness. In your grace you have blessed us with life, health, strength, and a willingness to trust in you.
We pray for the leaders of nations and ask you, O God to use them to care for their people and for the earth, and to work for peace and justice in their own country and among the nations of the world.
We pray for the church, the followers of Jesus throughout the world. God, we ask you to grant safety and refuge for those living where it is dangerous to be a Christian. Encourage us and Christians everywhere to transcend differences in doctrine in order to work together to serve those in need. Bring the spirit and energy to churches that have grown complacent. Awaken all to the great treasure of Jesus and his redemptive love so that his love might be given away to those searching for your grace.
God, continue to guide our church to be a vibrant and faithful witness of Jesus Christ here in Chinatown and beyond as we accept positions of service in 2009 and make our pledges of resources. With Rev. Peter Lee’s R 1 visa granted, we are looking forward to sharing in life-changing ministries with him as he and his family join our church. Bless Pastor Lee during this time of relocation and change.
We pray today to also seek your deliverance. God, watch over the many who live where there is warfare and violence, poverty and hunger. Be with those who are sick in body, mind, and spirit, and grant your healing presence to them. Be with Katharine Hsiao Bau today as she recovers from surgery and uphold her as she fights the cancer in her body. Grant her, Augie and their family comfort during this time. Be with the strong and confident that they may share their gifts with all in need.
Gracious God, hear all these prayers, spoken as well as those unspoken and deep in our hearts. Forgive us when we have not used our talents and gifts according to your plan for our lives. All these things we pray in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together, saying, “Our Father…”
Commissioning of Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
These boxes represent only a very small portion of our abundance. They may contain a little worth of a few dollars and change. For many of us, we would want a shoebox to contain a flat screen TV or a piece of jewelry or perhaps a new car. But what we might have mindlessly bought and placed into these shoeboxes have now become truly treasures for the little children in this world who have so little.
There are toys to play with, books to read, and toothbrushes to keep their teeth shining bright, thanks to Dr. Wes Chan. These small items are still material possessions that in time will break and be thrown away. But we hope and pray that these visible items of treasures will symbolize for children the immeasurable riches of God’s love for them in Jesus Christ. God’s love is made visible through these shoeboxes because of the love of Christ in your hearts.
We dedicate and commission these shoeboxes to the work of our Lord and send them to the four corners of the world in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Let us pray. Gracious and loving God, we pray that these shoeboxes will be symbols of your unceasing love for all the little children in the world. May the children be happy and come to know Jesus as their Savior. Amen.
Benediction
Go with the confidence that the Lord will say,
“Well done, good and trustworthy servant!”
Now may the Lord keep you from all evil; may the Lord keep your life.
May the Lord keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Amen.