Prayers 5 25 2008
*Congregational Prayer meeting, 12:45 led by Deacon Jason Yow
*Senior Center on Wednesday with Lily Zhang from On Lok on the topic, “Living at Home Care,” see Warren Lee or Gary Eng for lunch reservations
*OGHS Offering for Burma, China and other world relief; taken through the month of June
*Sabbatical begins on Monday; Pastor Chris and Dr. Chuck will be filling the 10:05 pulpit when I am gone; also pastoral care
*Baby announcements:
Stan and Jeanine Mak in San Diego gave birth to daughter, Adeline Sara Mak on May 12, 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20. Congratulations to Byron & Beverly Doung
Jon and Joyce Ng gave birth to Jacob Andrew Wong on Monday, May 19, 7 lbs, 6 oz., and 19 inches; Congratulations to Nelson and Lea Wong
Daniel and Lauren Ng Kushner gave birth to Story Ng Kushner on May 23, 6 lbs, 11 oz, and 20 in. (Same date as her older sister Sage of 2 years of age!)
Time with the Children
Do any of you carry a backpack with you to school? Whenever I hear about Jesus telling his friends not to worry, I imagine someone carrying a backpack.
Have the person with the backpack come forward to see what’s inside. The assistant says that the backpack is real heavy. What’s making it so heavy?
Look children, it’s filled with worries. (Read them.) Many of us carry lots of worries in our hearts and minds, and they get so heavy. Can you imagine carrying all that worry around with you? Jesus tells us not to worry and to trust God. Let’s ask God to help us trust and not worry.
Close in prayer.
Prayer of God’s People
Gracious Lord God, we give you praise and thanksgiving for life and the opportunity to live our days on this earth. Teach us to welcome every new day as yet another day to proclaim your good news to others especially to our friends and family members who are seeking for truth and meaning in life. Grant us the wisdom and courage to be your ambassadors of love and peace in the world. And when life circumstances become difficult and outright challenging, we pray that you endow us with strength to persevere and not be discouraged. As Jesus taught his disciples to not worry about what to eat or what to drink or what to wear, teach us to trust in you for everything that we need.
Today we once again pray for the unimaginable hardship and suffering that the Chinese and Burmese people are going through right this very moment. We believe that you are a loving God who wants all of your people to be safe and thrive. Instill in us the compassion to care and the generosity to give in support of the great relief that is going on in many parts of the world to end human misery.
Your church known as FCBC believes that there is a humble and gifted servant whom you have prepared to serve here in our Chinese-speaking ministries. We pray for that person to become an essential part of this pastoral staff and this body of Christ. Be with the search committee and others who are working diligently to bring this about. Be with Pastor Chris and Dr. Chuck who will be filling the pulpit while I am on sabbatical and providing pastoral care for the church. Grant them energy and endurance to serve you with grace and joy.
On this holiday weekend of remembrance, we remember the many loved ones who have preceded us and in faith, we believe they are with you in everlasting life. Thank you, O God for the saints, the ancestors, our forefathers and foremothers, our loved ones for their lives of witness and vision as we remember them today. And when our lives conclude on this earth, we are constantly being blessed with new lives and new beginnings that we are seeing in the many births of new babies. Bless these little ones and their parents as they come to know you as Lord and Savior.
All these prayers both spoken and those that remain quietly in our hearts we offer to you with the hope that inasmuch as Jesus taught us to pray, we pray together saying, “Our Father…”
Benediction
May God’s great Spirit empower us,
to teach like Christ,
To heal like Christ,
To love like Christ,
To forgive like Christ,
and to serve like Christ.
May the Lord Jesus Christ go before us, equipping, empowering and supporting us,
As we live out our faith each and every day.
Don’t worry.
Whatever tomorrow brings, it brings God with it.
Amen.