Prayers 3 7 2010
*Welcome
*AFC Offering in the month of March
*Chile earthquake relief when we receive today’s Communion Offering
*Senior Center, Wednesday, with Alan Wong on “The YMCA, Then and Now”; see Dick and Anna Wong for reservations
*Women’s Retreat this weekend
Prayer Concerns
*Kenneth Tom’s paternal grandmother passed this week
*Victims of earthquakes, Chile, Haiti, and Taiwan
*Those who are unemployed and seeking for jobs
Prayer of God’s People
God of abundance, God who gives freely the gift of grace to all, we come before you today, petitioners not only for ourselves, but for the people of the world. There is struggle and suffering not only near at hand but around the globe. We pray for the victims of devastating and crippling earthquakes and tsunamis that have disrupted lives in Chile, Haiti and Taiwan in these recent days. Grant them hope and the resolute to have faith in a new tomorrow and lead us to show compassion in our prayers and our gifts.
In this time of worship, O God, let your presence excite our hearts so we may seize this moment and all moments in service to you. Let your word live in our midst. Let our hearts be filled with the truth of your promise. May we bear fruit, in times of scarcity as well as times of plenty. We pray especially for those in our church as well as in our communities who are seeking for steady employment so that they may use their gifts for your glory and to support their families. Bless them with encouragement and the promise of new opportunities in the days to come.
Dear God, we know that your thoughts are not our thoughts. Your ways are not our ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are your ways higher than our ways and your thoughts than our thoughts. Comfort those in our church family who are troubled by the loss of loved ones and bless them with peace. Be with Kenneth Tom as he and his family celebrate the life of his paternal grandmother.
Lord, bless our church and may it continue to be a vibrant witness of your love and mercy in the world. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray together, “Our Father…”
The Lord’s Supper
We’ve told people for so long that they are basically good, that they’re making progress, and that they are nice people who always mean the best. But they know better. Are we now at a point where we might speak the truth? Might we once again speak of judgment and repentance and of our need as sinners for a gracious, forgiving God?
This is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus said unless you understand the meaning of your life is only worthwhile when you know me as your Lord and Savior, you may perish and there may not be enough time for you to know God’s love for you.
On the night that Jesus was betrayed, he and his disciples were in the upper room. He took bread and blessed it and said, “This is my body broken for you. He then took the cup and after having given thanks said, “This cup represents the new covenant in my blood shed for the forgiveness of your sins.” God judges us by telling us that while we are sinners he loves us so much that he gave us our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Benediction
Go forward with God.
Go forth with the incredible news that God’s goodness is free.
Go faithfully, knowing that God is with us always, even unto the end of the age.
Amen.