March 12, 2013

Mid-March Greetings to all. It appears that a warm and sunny week awaits the Bay Area as winter 2013 draws to a close. I also understand that this cannot be said about other sections of these United States. Pity.
Having lifted up Eve and the Midwives of the Hebrews as distant companions on the long journey of  Lent we turn our attention this week to  sisters Mary and Martha, close friends of Jesus. Allison will be our preacher. Her sermon is titled “Its Complicated.”
The Hunger Task Force Luncheon and Bake Sale will follow worship meaning that there will be an abbreviated sermon talk-back with Ally and me beginning at 12:00. Enjoy some Chile Rellenos (vegetarian) or Tamales., buy some Made by the Pastor Fudge and join us as we discuss the place of the contentious sisters among the first followers of Jesus, the service that distracted Martha, and the “better part” which Jesus praised Mary for choosing. Both the sermon and the discussion promise to meaningful all who occasionally fail to see “eye to eye” with a sibling.

Prayers of the Congregation

• Prayers for those whose bodies need strength and healing – Bette Pancoe, Sybil Alexander, Charlotte Evans, Ted Evans, Jim Dorr’s cousin, John Taylor, Keith Paramour for his grandparents, Elizabeth Patrick, Barbara Bowman, Carol and Steve Leichter, Hershall Vinson, Marcie Giarizzo, Brenda McCarthy for her husband, PCBA leader Jerry Neale, Art Ferguson (John Muir Hospital, Concord)
• Prayers for those who are aging and their loved ones who care for them – Sandra Dunn for her father, Theresako Harris for her aunt, Larry Hutchings for his mother, Marc Harrison for his father, Sheryl Gattey for her mother
• Prayers for those who are grieving –  Cecil White , Helen Harrison for the Newberry family, Rod Murray on the death of his step mother
• Prayers for our loved ones who are facing significant challenges – Gloria and Phil Meads for their nieces, Kay Baxter for Stacey and Jamie, Georgia Upshaw for her friend Ginny, Toni Daniels for her family, Margaret Alexander for LaShaya and family, The Maldanado family, Joan Patten for her son Peter, Rowena Jackson for her son Paul, Barry Breaux for his family,
• Prayers for our community- For the ministry of our sister American Baptist and Alliance of Baptists congregations, for all who will come to our pre-Easter parade, for the Ceasefire work of the Oakland Community Organizations, for the work of St. Mary’s Center, Harbor House, Open Door Mission and Berkeley Food and Housing Project, 31 year old Erika Masclaris (missing since last Thursday, Erica is a leader at First Congregational Church of Oakland)
• Prayers for people we don’t know who  are facing challenges we can’t imagine- For our Kachin brothers and sister, those who are incarcerated, all who are affected by gun violence, the people of Haiti, the Roman Catholic Church in a time of transition,
• Prayers of gratitude – For the promises of Easter in the midst of Lent, For Mikki, Stan, Carolyn and the Voices of Lakeshore and the Lakeshore Handbell Ensemble, For Camille and Warren Parker on the 5oth anniversary as members of LABC, For our newest members Dayle Scott and Michael Simpson, For your generous response to the America For Christ Offering
• Prayers for ourselves – May each of us know peace, joy, acceptance and encouragement