Prayers 1 8 2012
*Welcome! First Sunday after the Epiphany/The Baptism of Our Lord
*CCU Dinner, next Sunday, Jan. 15, 5:00 at Far East; see Dick Wong
*RMMO Thank You Offering; please continue to support this
*L’Adonai Music program led by Ian Heung begins today, Sanctuary
*2012 Day Camp Co-Directors—Rachel Jensen & Melanie Ng!
*Staircase & hallway flooring replacement—Thanks for your cooperation and be careful
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Prayer Concerns
*Bill Chin’s medical procedure was successful on Wednesday and was discharged on Thursday
*Nico, son of Linda Calmere and friend of Tommy Lim received good news when the most recent tests show no new cancer cells
Prayer of God’s People
Dear God, as we are in the beginning of this New Year, we remember how you in the beginning of creation brought all things together so that there is day and there is night. You hover over the dark waters and you brought forth life for which we are eternally grateful. In this life, Lord, we pray that we would bring light and hope in the world as you have done in Jesus Christ, the light of the world at Christmas.
When John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord, we pray that we may also be today’s voices of peace and justice proclaiming and spreading good news. Thank you, Lord for equipping and empowering our faithful and dedicated church leaders and Sunday school teachers as they serve you in this church in this New Year. We lift up Rachel Jensen and Melanie Ng as they begin planning for this summer’s Day Camp and we lift up Matt Chin and Jonathan Wong as they lead Youth Camp that in all of these wonderful ministries, children and young people will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
As Jesus came to John the Baptist at the Jordan to be baptized, we remember our own baptisms when you Lord reached out to us in grace and we out of your love for us that we have never deserved or earned, decided to obey and give our lives to you in service and life-long discipleship, we rededicate ourselves to you this morning. We pray that our faith rests upon your loving actions toward us, rather than on something done or believed by us.
We pray for your inspiration so that we may become fully the light of Christ, the hands of Christ, the face of Christ, and the will of Christ for all people. As your caring and loving community, we give you thanks for miracles and healings. We pray for Bill Chin as he is finally on the road to a healthy recovery. We praise you for Linda Calmere’s son, Nico who received encouraging news about his cancer this week and pray that he will continue to get well. We pray for… And we thank you, Lord for teaching us about compassion for others as you revealed compassion for us on the cross.
In our worship, our eyes are upon you, our hearts are open to your word, our hands are open and prepared for service. For these, and for all things, we offer our hearts in thanksgiving in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
God expects us to be in the valleys of life where Jesus is.
God expects us to be faithful in our baptism as Christ’s disciples.
“Prepare the way of the Savior! Make all paths straight!”
Let there be light, shining upon your way,
That your step be steady,
Your footing sturdy,
And your arrival certain,
Into the blessed destiny God has prepared. Amen.