June 30, 2014
Dear Lakeshore,
Karen and I will be joining Kristen, DP and Dash in the City of Angels this Thursday and Friday for the wedding of one of Kristen’s long time friends, Michaela Bantilan. We are sorry that we will miss the A’s game on Thursday night but look forward to being with you in worship on Sunday.
Sunday’s preacher will be Karen Okusu, who, upon her graduation from ABSW, became our Minister in Residence. Karen will be the third voice in our “What Communion Means to Me” series. Her sermon will be taken from Matthew 8: 5-13, Jesus’ healing of a centurion’s servant. Jesus’ response to the centurion’s faith was, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.”
The Book of Worship of the United Church of Christ provides this prayer for a national holiday. I trust that you will find time to reflect on it this Fourth of July week.
God of the nations, Guide our people by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom. Give us what outward prosperity may be your will, but above all things give us faith in you that our nation may give glory to your name and blessings to all peoples; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayers of the Congregation
- The Sims Family – Larry has been in Summit Hospital, Sheila’s dad has been in Kaiser hospital and Darnell’s grandmother is in Eden Hospital
- Cecil White and Ruben Artery as they mourn the death of Cecil’s nephew,
- The Singh family as they mourn the death of Rajeev’s uncle
- The Bresso family (Across the street neighbors of the Hopkins) for their mother and grandmother in her last days
- Georgia Upshaw for Irene and Rita Jennings
- Karen Hopkins for her friend Connie and all who are looking for jobs
- Paige Bence and John Lee for Rick Zavala
- Thanksgiving with Kay and Jamie Reid for a good week and for Stacey’s visit home
- Thanks giving with Celestine Bennett on her return home
- Connie Hector as she cares for her mother in law
- Ann Fields for her family
- Helen Roberson and family
- Barry Breaux for his mom
- Phil and Gloria Meads for June and Billy
- Dwight Dickerson for his family
- The country of Brazil (host of Soccer’s World Cup), so representative of the world – great beauty, deep pain, magnificent accomplishments and profound need all intertwined and interconnected
- Toni Daniels and all who are incarcerated
- Ann Fields for her family
- Sandra Dunn for her father
- Virginia Cheatham (hospice care)
- Helen Harrison for the Buchanan family
- Mary Karne for her daughter Maryla
- Shirley Jones
- Steve and Carol Leichter
- Katrina Lau for her grandmother
- Margaret Oladoja and family
- Charlene Wolf for her mom
- A prayer for Iraq – may the chaos of civil war be replaced by the shalom of civil society
- Ken Kirkey for his father Ken Kirkey Sr., recuperating from cancer
- The immigrant children being held at the border and at centers around the country
- All who are traveling
- Peace in the Middle East. Prayers for the people of Israel as they mourn the death of three kidnapped teens – Naftali Fraenkel, Gilaad Shaar and Eyal Yifrah
- Thanksgiving for a wonderful “Family Friendly” worship service on June 29. May the spirit of “Let It Go” prevail in our lives
- Thanksgiving for the strong financial support of the ministry of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church
- Thanksgiving that the Onwubuariri family was with us in worship. Prayers for them as they move to Wisconsin and for Marie as she begins her ministry as the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin
- Thanksgiving that Lt. Don Johnson (US Army) was with us in worship. Prayers for he and fiance Nicole as they prepare to be married on August 31
- The Kachin people as they seek justice and freedom (The after worship Forum this Sunday will be an update from Pastor Naw San Kay Dee on the situation in Burma.)