Prayers 9 11 2011
*Welcome all visitors and friends! Good to be back in worship after being away for 2 weeks.
Israel Alvaran and Cindy Chen, a Grand Hyatt housekeeper who is on struck with other hotel workers in other cities for not only a decent contract but is about solidarity with others who don’t enjoy the benefits and protection of being a union worker.
*Welcome Jenny Rohner and her crew to film our church today; she is doing a story on how our church has adapted to changing times to remain faithful and effective in ministry; mainly focusing on our partnership with the YMCA
*Senior Center begins its Fall events this Wednesday on driving safety; see Anna and Dick Wong to register for lunch
*Special Offering to relieve the hunger and suffering in Somalia approved by the Deacons for today and next Sunday; please give generously by using the enclosed envelopes
*ABC Missionary Mike Mann will be on home assignment beginning this next month and is shopping for a reliable used car to buy; if you are in the market of buying a new car and would be willing to sell your current one to Mike Mann, please see Tommy Lim
*Thanks to Joe Chan and his kitchen crew for starting Breakfast at Church today; we missed having Lanna Coffee and a hearty breakfast for the past few weeks
*Adult Classes begin today; come over to the Y to hear more about each class and decide on the one you wish to attend
Prayer Concerns
*Evelyn Hoey, good friends of Butch and Gayle Chan who fell and are now at a rehab center
*Miles Smith in physical therapy and healing
*Hotel workers who are seeking for working contract with decent benefits
*Pastoral Search Committee and the 4 applicants whom we will become more acquainted with in the weeks to come
*Remembering the lost and damaged lives at 9/11, ten years ago
Prayer of God’s People
Glorious God, you created so much beauty and given us eyes and ears to perceive it. Even when by our greed and violence we mar the beauty of the earth, you call us to repentance and enable us to join you in restoring it.
On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, we pray for the 3000 people who died, the 500 first-responders, fire fighters, police officers, and rescuers who gave their lives in trying to save others. We remember them today and pray that even in such horrible tragedies, you are with these families who lost loved ones, you are with us who still grieve over the sadness and feel the threat of terrorism every day, and we pray for those who wish to cause us harm for reasons that that we find hard to comprehend.
On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, we pray that you would restore in our hearts mercy, grace and forgiveness toward those who have caused us great and unimaginable suffering. Show us how to forgive as you have forgiven us for our sins.
You have blessed us with companions with whom we share blessings in worship and service, and who provide support when we are in need. Be with Evelyn Hoey as she recovers from a life-threatening fall so that she can return to her active lifestyle. Continue to be with Miles Smith as he begins physical therapy and giving signs of encouraging progress. Bless…
As a beloved community and the church of Christ, we ask that your Spirit give us clarity of vision and strength of heart, mind and soul, to follow your will. We pray for those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, that they will feel the healing presence of your Spirit. We pray for those who are hungry and homeless, whose poverty prevents them from living the good life that we sometimes take for granted for ourselves. We pray for the hotel workers in our own city who are exploited by their corporate employers toward the end that fairness and justice can be restored.
Be with the people of Somalia and other places around the world who are in great need of food and water. Stir our hearts to give to respond to such human tragedy. Give us generous hearts and spirits that we might share with others, not only in person, but also by making changes to our society that reflect your kingdom. Hear our prayers for ourselves, our nation and its leaders, and for the whole word that so greatly needs your love. We ask this in the name of Christ who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”
Benediction
You have heard the good news of God’s boundless forgiveness.
Jesus said, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy time seven times.
Go and do likewise!
Amen.