Prayers 3 21 2010
*Welcome
*Membership Meeting today, 1:30, testimonies of 6 persons joining our church; pork buns and tea made available by your Social Committee
*Next Sunday, Palm Sunday—beginning of Holy Week; Joint English Worship at 9:30; no baptism but welcoming Tiffany Lessler as a new member; 11:30 Cantonese Service will have 3 baptisms and 2 transfers; Sidewalk Tea at 12:45
*Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise, and Easter Sunday Services; see your bulletin
*Spring Cleaning—All Church event, this Saturday, 8:30-12:00 (Lunch included); come and help us brighten up our church home before the Easter holidays
Prayer Concerns
*Bill Jang has successful quadruple bypass heart surgery on Tuesday; resting well in LA area
*Memorial service for Byron Chan’s mother, Pearl Lee on Tuesday, March 30, 11:00 at the Community Baptist Church in San Mateo where she had her membership
*Don Fong has a new job—begins tomorrow!
Prayer of God’s People
Spirit of God, abide with us today. We come to you prepared to receive your word, as it is spoken aloud and as you write it upon our hearts.
Understanding God, it always suits us to criticize others for their waste and misguided priorities, as long as no one points to what we do. Today as we reflect on the criticism heaped on Mary when she anointed the feet of Jesus, help us to gain her insight that there is no moment but now, and that there is a time to abandon caution for the needs of this moment. We hold so much in reserve, allowing pain and suffering to continue because we are afraid to commit the resources necessary to alleviate the pain in the world. But if Mary had not anointed Jesus’ feet when she did, that jar of expensive perfume might never have been opened. Open our hearts, our hands, and our souls that we might seize the day in service in your name.
As tensions rise and protests erupt in the Middle East, we pray for calm and reasoned negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians to work toward reconciliation and peaceful co-existence. Guide the U.S. negotiators and ambassadors to begin open and direct conversations to take place in order for people to see each other as sisters and brothers rather than enemies and adversaries.
We pray for those are in need of your loving presence and healing embrace. We pray for Bill Jang as he recovers from his heart surgery this past week. Grant him mercy and patience to get back on his feet once again. Bless those who are struggling with physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns that they may feel renewed and revived as you, Lord restore their souls.
We lift up the 6 persons whose lives have been transformed by your love and forgiveness as they share their Christian stories with this church family today. Bless them, encourage them and empower them to use their gifts and abilities to advance your kingdom on earth as it is already in heaven. We are truly blessed when new disciples are called to serve with us in this place.
And we give thanks for your constant and never-failing presence in our lives especially at times of doubt and uncertainty. Thank you, Lord for granting Don Fong a new job when he’ll be able to use his gifts and talents for your kingdom.
God of faithfulness, mercy, and steadfast love, we pray that you might act more nearly, that your presence might be felt more clearly, and that your victory be displayed openly in our midst and around the world. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus who taught us to say together, “Our Father…”
Benediction
As you go forth today, be aware that you go into a world that understands only “I” and “me,” that understands only the need to horde and protect.
You go forth into a world that needs to understand a God of extravagant generosity—a generosity so full and complete that it is wasteful.
Remember that Jesus will stand up and defend you in your wasteful generosity when it is done in his name for his purpose.
Go forth to be generously wasteful in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.