Prayers 9 00 service 10 3 99
Pastoral Prayer
Eternally faithful God, we come to prayer this morning with many thoughts in our minds. When we see all around us things changing and turning, we are at times troubled but we also know that change does dominate our lives.
Seasons change.
Families change.
Jobs change.
Friends change.
Relationships change.
Needs change.
We change.
Change excites us as we ponder new possibilities. But then, too, change frightens us as it threatens our securities. Amid the discomforting assaults of change, provide us with stability through reminders of those aspects of life that do not change:
our need for your loving presence,
your love,
our desire for the forgiveness that follows genuine confession and repentance,
your forgiveness,
our longing for a fellowship of worship and ministry,
your community,
our passion for a life filled with faith and hope,
your grace.
O God of change and permanence, transitions and stability, as we give you thanks for all that is eternal, we ask for help in relating to all that is temporal. Today we pray for Pastor Richard as he opens himself to your divine calling for new directions in ministry. May his search lead him to meaningful opportunities. We pray for Milton Dong’s mother as she finds comfort and reassurance that life is good and that you are always by her side. We pray for those who are searching for the meaning of life when change occurs and we are thrown about in a tailspin. Help us and guide us in times of change.
O God, may the nature of our commitment to you and of our desire to serve you never change, except to become more and more graceful. Guide us in the coming weeks as we begin to explore new possibilities in strengthening our Youth Ministry and Christian education programs. Encourage all of to become actively involved in shaping our future together. And we give thanks for the wonderfully committed leaders and teachers we have teaching our children, youth and adult programs today.
Be with us tonight, dear God, as we celebrate the independence and maturity of the Sunset Ministry. Bless them and grant them the wisdom to remain faithful to your ministry. Continue to be with all of us as we rededicate ourselves to the mission of our church through the stewardship campaign. With joy in our hearts, we are so grateful to see the vitality of both of our churches sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in San Francisco and to the ends of the earth.
We pray through Christ who changes everything, yet remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us how to pray together, Our Father…
Closing Prayer
May the peace of God that passes all understanding fill your hearts and minds and bring you stability in the midst of an unstable world. Go in peace. Amen.