Prayers 12 5 2010
*Welcome!
*Membership Meeting today, 1:30; Election of new officers, board and committee members, testimonies from candidates for Baptism and church membership; and Adoption of the 2011 Revised Proposed Church Budget
*Senior Center, Wednesday; “Celebrating the Holidays,” See Dick Wong
*Next Sunday, Joint English Worship, 9:30; Baptism; Welcome Sidewalk Reception after the service (YMCA is bad weather)
*2010 Annual Reports are due on January 2nd, four weeks away
*All-Church Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24, 7:30; Service of Lessons and Carols; Invite your family and friends
Prayer Concerns
*Mrs. Wong Ng Ho passed on Monday, Nov. 29; Funeral on Dec. 11, 11:00 AM, Golden Hill Cemetery, 2099 Hillside Blvd, Colma, Luncheon afterward
*Anne Lee’s throat surgery was successful
*Marian Hom’s eye surgery was successful
Prayer of God’s People
May peace begin with us, Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Dwell in our midst as we gather together in your holy name to pray and adore you. Let your presence be our guide as we seek to become a sanctuary here upon the earth.
On this day when this faithful congregation gathers as your people to conduct your work, we pray for your presence and guidance. We praise you for the men and women who have agreed to serve as church leaders utilizing their gifts and talents that you have equipped them with to advance your kingdom on earth. We seek your wisdom and strength to act wisely and with compassion when difficult decisions need to be made in regards to bringing reconciliation to our ever faithful vision for ministry and the reality of the financial resources that we are blessed to work with. We pray for reason and understanding, support and cooperation, trust and the promise that what we do today is according to your will. We celebrate the excitement and joy of 6 persons whose lives have been touched by your love and mercy revealed in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We pray for them as they begin their journey of faith at this church.
Lord of mercy, we pray for the life of Mrs. Wong Ng Ho who has returned to you this past Monday. Comfort her family to know that their family circle now extends from this world into the next. We thank you for watching over Anne Lee and Marian Hom as they had successful surgery and are now on the road to recovery.
As we look toward the coming of Christmas and read the biblical accounts of God coming to dwell among us, we pray that the Bible continues to speak to us, giving us guidance and sustenance in our contemporary world. We pray all of these things in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together as it is recorded in the Bible, “Our Father…”
Offertory
As we join our voices in prayer and praise, so, too, we bring together the symbols of our life investment: money we have earned, the hours we have before us, the abilities that are ours alone. Let us give ourselves with joy.
Dear God, may our offerings spread the knowledge of your ways across this earth, widening the circle of inclusion to embrace all your children, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Lord’s Supper
When we study the Bible, we read about John the Baptist who attracted crowds who knew there was something wrong with their lives. Some asked what they should do in response to the call to prepare the way for God’s anointed one. John the Baptist was pretty simple and direct: “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” (Luke 3:11)
During this time of the year, we are asked to donate clothing for the poor and food for the hungry. But John says nothing about giving used, worn, second-hand, and second-best garments, nor does he suggest we go looking in the cupboard for dented cans with expired dates that contain stuff we don’t like very much.
This season of giving calls for us to give our very best, stuff we would be proud to have our name attached to. Jesus gave his all and best when he died on the cross for our sins. He took the very best bread, his body and the very best wine, his blood and said, “This is the new covenant that I make with you today.”
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.