Prayers 2 19 2012
*Welcome—Holiday weekend, YMCA Run and Bay Bridge closing
No use of the Y today
*Discover FCBC luncheon, next Sunday, 11:30, Fellowship Hall to be acquainted
*Inquirers Class, following worship today
*Richard Chen’s services this Friday and Saturday listed in the bulletin
*Lanna Coffee available for purchase next Sunday
*Women’s Retreat, March 9-11, brochures and registrations available
*Meeting with Paul Borden of GHC resulted in learning that the regional board decided in January to keep things unchanged which means that the church buildings at this point is not under any threat of being sold; further conversations will be underway to bring greater assurance that such actions might not happen again
Video Witness
ABC is actively participating in a new initiative called, Transformed by the Spirit. To renew and revitalize churches, teams of people are identifying adaptive changes rather than technical ones to become more mission-focused in their respective communities. Last year, a video team visited our church and included us in this video we are about to see. Our church leaders saw it in January when we launched our new year, but I want you to see what transformation is like today as we celebrate the Transfiguration of Christ on this Sunday.
If you are interested in learning more about Transformed by the Spirit, there will be a meeting on March 31, 9:00 at FBC, Alameda when Dr. Alan Roxburgh will make a presentation. See me if you would like to attend—it’s open to all.
Prayer Concerns
*Bill Chin had an endoscopy this past week and apparently any internal bleeding is healing itself
*Helen Fong’s brother, Frank Fong, 85 has cancer
*Search Committee meeting on Monday to review the 7 candidates
Prayer of God’s People
Lord of life and love, you surround us with both majesty and mystery. We see your majesty in the evening sky when the sun sets over the ocean and the beauty of the Bay Area. We encounter your mystery in life challenges when we are in ill-health and pray for the restoration of souls. We comprehend neither the extent of your glory nor the depth of your mercy. But we only know that when we are apart from your grace and mercy, we are without joy and purpose.
We pray for those whose sufferings are like yours when Jesus, our Savior and redeemer, knowing hunger, thirst, homelessness, anxiety, fear, and even the bitterness of death has bore our infirmities. We pray for Bill Chin who is still seeking for an improvement in his health so that he may return to serving you. We lift up Frank Fong and Tom Wong who are addressing the scorn of cancer and pray that you will grant them hope and your healing touch. For all people who are afflicted and need comfort, we pray for healing and the healing of the whole world.
Lord, we are constantly amazed over how you call up, prepare, and send your servants to labor in the field that is full and plentiful for the harvest. As the Search Committee meets tomorrow night, we pray for their task of discerning your will for our church and the place of your servants in ministry. If it is your will to be done, we look forward to the opportunity and excitement of working with your church leaders to strengthen and work faithfully to proclaim Good News in Jesus Christ at FCBC.
As the disciples on that mountaintop said to Jesus, “It is so very good for all of us to be here!” we also give you thanks for gathering us together against all kinds of odds today. Bless this time of worship as your light in Christ is revealed so that we may be transformed, renewed, and redeemed. In the holy name of Jesus Christ, we pray and who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
God is speaking to us on the mountaintop:
“This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”
Let us come down this mountain
And go out into the streets and highways of life.
Following Jesus leads us to the Cross.
Amen.