Prayers 12 21 2008
*Welcome! Special music today—Hand Bells and the children are singing!
*Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Wednesday night beginning at 7:15 with a brief organ concert followed by a service of reading lessons and carols.
*Annual reports are due on Jan. 4th with the Annual Meeting on Feb. 1st
*CCU Thanksgiving Dinner, Sunday, Jan. 18, 5:00, Far East; See Dick Wong or David Wong for tickets at $20 per person
*Manger/crèche set made up of olive wood that came from Bethlehem. Each piece belongs to one of the 23 people who went on the Holy Land Pilgrimage this past July. They have brought the pieces in today as a way of sharing Christmas with you.
Prayer Concerns
*Capt. Thomas Mui, Salvation Army Church and CCU President is diagnosed with a tumor on his left kidney; resigned from his CCU position
*Pastor Peter Lee and family arriving in SF next Monday, Dec. 29th to begin his new ministry with us
*Rev. Jerry Mann has been officially called as the new pastor of Sunset Ministry; an installation service is planned for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2:30
Prayer of God’s People
Almighty and most merciful God, our soul magnifies you for you have looked upon your creation in love. Our spirit rejoices in you, O God, for you have saved your people from the crushing grasp of sin, the ultimate power of death, and the devious ways of evil. You have looked upon us with favor, blessing us with your presence, and gracing us with your gift of mercy. You have done great and mighty things for us, and holy is your name. You blessed your servant Mary with your call and asked her to bear your son, Jesus. Bless us with your presence in this time of prayer and worship, and allow Christ to be born anew in us today.
In light of the disruption caused by that first Christmas when Jesus was born, let us pray for the homeless. Gracious God, you walked with Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter. Be with the homeless today and raise up servants who will advocate for and be with all who need a home. In a similar way, Pastor Peter Lee and his family will be seeking a new home among us as they relocate from Hong Kong to San Francisco next week. We pray that you will protect and guide them and strengthen our commitment to welcome all to our church.
We pray for those who live under the rule of tyrants today. Gracious God, you led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in obedience to the command of a tyrant, and you led them to safety after Jesus’ birth as they fled the tyrant’s rule. Be with all who live under leaders who fail to care for their people. Give courage to those who resist and comfort to all who suffer. As our nation prepares to transition to a new governmental administration, we pray that we will work for peace and justice not only in our own country but as ambassadors of peace around the world.
We pray for families in crisis. Gracious God, you were with Mary and Joseph through a pregnancy and birth under the most difficult circumstances, and you brought them to safety. Be with the families who suffer through disappointments and heartbreaks as relationships falter and break. Give strength to families to cope through hard times. Be with Capt. Thomas Mui today as he prepares for his surgery and look forward to full recovery to serve you as a humble servant.
Hear our prayers as imperfect as our words may be, O God. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and comfort us all in our time of need, for the sake of Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
Let us go to the stable so that God can make us people we could not be on our own.
Let us go to the stable to forsake our stability when we worship the Lord and follow him.
Inspired by God’s presence, spread Advent good news.
Strengthened by the gospel, go out to serve.
Go with God’s peace.