Prayers 7 20 2014
*Welcome!
*Church Picnic tickets for sale; August 24th, Sunnyvale
*Lanna Coffee, freshly roasted available next Sunday, July 27th
*Layton Doung’s Memorial Service, Thursday, July 24, 1:00 in the sanctuary followed by a Celebration of Life program at the Chinese Culture Center on Kearney in the Hilton Hotel, 2:30 with a buffet reception; all in our church are welcome to attend both events
*Fred Hee’s Memorial Service is not yet set, but it will be in August
*Next Sunday’s Summer Series is with Bacone College; President Franklin Willis and VP Leroy Thompson will be visiting FCBC to share with us their scholarship program for ABC students; plan to come at 10:00, YMCA
*Family Camp, August 30-Sept. 1, Happy Valley will feature Scott Shimada as the speaker; registration materials will be out soon.
Prayer Concerns
*Youth Camp begins next Sunday with the camp staff having their retreat this weekend; prayer calendar for you to use every day
*Chinese Summer Retreat this weekend
*Carolyn Hee and family in the passing of Fred Hee
*Janet Chan, Keegan Doung and Logan Doung in the passing of Layton Doung
Prayer of God’s People
O God of great design, you have revealed your plan to draw the whole world to yourself. And amazingly, you have chosen to work through us to make known your inclusive, forgiving love and your transforming power that is evident in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Lord, we acknowledge that your ways are not our ways, and your choices not the ones that we would logically make. When you call us to go and to do and to speak, we often respond by saying “but.” We hesitate, for we do not know ourselves to be either prophet or priest, experienced or eloquent, adequate or adept. We convince ourselves that we are not ready to answer your call. Forgive us for resisting the sound of your voice and for running away from the possibility of being commandeered for your service. Lead us to respond to your plans for our lives and for our church.
O God, we seemingly are experiencing a season of sadness and sorrow when loved ones and dear friends have departed from us. We pray for comfort and the reassurance of the promise that faith in Christ Jesus leads to everlasting life and peace with the Lord. We pray for Janet Chan and her family as we celebrate the life of Layton Doung this Thursday. We pray for Carolyn Hee and her family as they prepare to remember our good friend, Fred Hee who returned to you. Lead us to not be dismayed and disillusioned but rather faithful in our faith especially during times of untold sadness.
We are also shocked by the tragedies that we see happening around the world when innocent people on passenger airlines died as the result of warring factions on the ground. Grant mercy and comfort to these many families who have lost loved ones. We turn to the Middle East and we are stunned by the violence in missile launches and ground invasion into neighborhoods and communities seeking for a safe and secured homeland to thrive and have a meaningful existence. Teach us how to live in peace with each other that is according to your will and plan for us.
Be present with our church when those who are away on the Chinese Summer Retreat will have a deeper sense of the meaning of discipleship and with the youth who will attend Youth Camp next week that they will have a personal relationship with the Lord.
Lord, guide our steps and lead us to follow Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
We are a mixed bag of people just like the wheat is mixed with the weeds.
Teach us to be patient with one another and to trust you in your decision about us.
May the blessing of the God of ordinary people like us,
The Christ who exemplifies obedience,
And the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us rests upon us.
Amen.