Prayer 3 16 2014
*Welcome
*AFC Offering—Give to support ABC home missions; video today
*Breakfast will return next Sunday; sorry for the inconvenience
*Baby Sok Party after worship today, Fellowship Hall until 2:00; all are welcome to share blessings and advice to Pastor Visal and Lindsay
*All-Church Event, this Saturday, March 22, 9:00-3:30; coffee available at 8:30; come to fellowship, meet your church family, learn and give feedback on the long-range planning committee’s report to date; worship the Lord
Prayer Concerns
*Nico Tom; blood donations this week
*Pastor Peter’s father fell and will be having hip surgery
*Tom Wong
Prayer of God’s People
Dear God, on this day of Sabbath when we take time away from our busy week and busy lives, we give you praise and adoration for your presence in our lives. Help us to understand your call for living out our discipleship is based on faith and not based on works. Regardless of the amount of good deeds that we do, we pray that we would understand that it’s all about your grace that has saved us from ourselves. Thank you, Lord for your love for us that you have come to save us in Christ Jesus.
We are saved by grace for a purpose and that is to share in the mission of proclaiming Good News of Christ in the world. We pray for the vitality and unity of this church to always be Christ-centered and outward focus. Lead us to reaffirm once again why we are here as the church and where we need to go beyond these doors and walls. As we gather for the All-Church Event this Saturday, may we develop a deepening trust in each other to do ministry and mission together. May we engage and provide valuable feedback to the work of the Long-range Planning Committee as we trust in the promise that you have for us to continue serving you in this world until you return in glory. We pray that our witness as American Baptists welcomes all people, young and old, seekers and believers, strangers and friends, creatures great and small to feel at home in this community since we too have been received in your grace and mercy.
And while we are able to do mission outside our doors in Chinatown and the city, we pray that we would also support the mission endeavors that are happening around our nation and in Puerto Rico. Call us to give sacrificially to the America for Christ offering so that peace and justice might come on earth.
God of healing and life, we pray for Baby Nico to gain weight and to become well. We pray for his parents Kenneth and Eunice Tom that they remain faithful and encouraged knowing that after everything that they and others are doing and will do, we trust the rest only in your hands to do the rest. Bless Lindsay and Pastor Visal as they prepare to become new parents in May. Continue to watch over Tom Wong at this time in his life that he has nothing to fear when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has proven that death has no sting. Be with Maureen Wong especially at these days of providing care and love for Tom.
Lord, you have placed all of us on this earth for a purpose. Show us what that is so that we may know that we’ll do our part to advance your kingdom in this world. We pray all these things in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
May you not go round and round with no end in sight.
May God who blessed Abraham for his faith also bless you for your faith.
May you receive the power of God today and forevermore.
Thanks be to God. Amen.