Prayers 12 20 2009
*Welcome to Christmas Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Advent, and a Service of Baby Dedications!
*Children Christmas Program that is taking place during this service and some of our younger families may leave to participate in that upstairs
*Pastor Lauren Ng completes 5 ½ years of ministry with us at the end of this month as our Assistant Pastor focusing on young families and young adults; All are invited to a Farewell Reception at 1:00 in the Fellowship Hall
*In response to demand, Lanna Coffee in the gift bags will again be available for purchase this afternoon at the reception at 1:00
*Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols, 7:30 this Thursday evening; memorable, meaningful, and placing yourself in the proper spirit for the coming of Christmas
*Love Gift presentation
Prayer Concerns
*US military personnel who won’t be home for Christmas this year
*Shannon Jung who is being treated for an infection that has affected her kidneys; Elton and their little boy, Benjamin
Prayer of God’s People
God of small towns, God of great cities, God of rural spaces, God of remote outposts and centralized populations, your story is stretched around the world throughout all of creation. We celebrate Bethlehem as the birthplace of a savior, but this story of our faith includes the old Northern kingdom, and the great capital in the south, Jerusalem, and even Rome, the center of ancient empire; will be shaken by your entrance into history.
Our nativity sets may be plastic or an antique heirloom, our carols may be off key or sung by our excellent choir, our church may be perched on a hill in a redwood forest or nestled in the midst of a big city like San Francisco—your gift is the same. Be present, dear God as we pray for the love of Christ to be among us this day.
For the men and women who are serving in the US military and not home for Christmas, we pray for their safety and their families and loved ones at home. Grant them your protection as well as the commitment to bring about peace and order in troubling areas in the world. We pray for hope and promise in our own country especially when there are too many people who are poor, unemployed, and homeless. Place in our hearts the spirit of generosity and hospitality so that all may know you through our good deeds.
We pray for those who are not well and are in need of your healing and restoration. Be with Shannon Jung as she is being treated in the hospital for an infection and praying that her body will respond to the antibiotics to be well soon. Strengthen Elton as he supports her with care and encouragement. We pray for…
Dear God, when Mary realizes that she will be serving to bring into the world, your Son and our Savior, Jesus the Christ, she proclaimed, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior,” may we also magnify you, Lord in this season of Christmas. We pray in the name of Jesus who is Christ, the Lord, “Our Father…”
Benediction
The Word became flesh.
You are the Body of Christ made visible in the world.
Go forth in love to greet the Prince of Peace,
The infant child who awaits your embrace,
In every manger, in every child’s face,
The Word made flesh in you and in me. Amen.