March 18, 2014
It was a rough week at Lakeshore. We are grieving the deaths of both Fannye Leary and Richard Ice. Also, we received word that Rick Mitchell, a Baptist leader and member of Shell Ridge Community Church died while visiting family in South Carolina. Many in our family of faith face significant issues in regard to housing, employment, health, finance. Many are concerned about the well being of loved ones and friends. Though the sun is shining there is a heaviness in the air. At times like this we need to call on the resources of our faith, not in order that we would be more optimistic or cheery, but that we would know full well the promise, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
A Lenten Prayer from “Before the Amen: Creative Resources for Worship” seems to fit what I am feeling. “Holy God, you promise to speak to us in a still, small voice, but our world and our lives are so loud that we can’t hear you. You offer a voice of reassurance and an invitation of welcome, yet we are too busy to receive your blessing. Too often we pour out our concerns to you, but do not pause long enough to listen for your reply. We may live side by side with our neighbors, but never take the time to really pay attention to their word. Forgive us, God, Help us to have the wisdom of Samuel and say, ‘Speak, god, for your servant listens.’ Amen.”
March 23 is the third Sunday of Lent. I am happy that Sydney will be our preacher for the day. Her theme will be Compassion. Her central text will be Colossians 3:12-14.
Prayers of the Congregation
- The Leary, Ice, and Mitchell families as the grieve
- Kay Baxter for Stacey, Jamie and herself
- Karen Hopkins for her friend Katy Silverman (stroke) and family
- Sydney and Gigi for Aunt Ayana
- Anne Branch
- Irene Jennings
- Larry Sims for his family
- Helen Harrison for Seyer Maldanado’s sister
- Hallie and Michael, Paul and Johanna, and Mikki Boyd as they search for new places to live
- Katrina Lau for her father and grandmother
- Gloria and Phil Meads for June and Billy
- All those caught up in the disappearance of, and the search for, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370
- The people of the Ukraine and Russia
- The people of Syria
- Ann Fields for her family
- Carol and Steve Leichter
- Ted and Doris Evans
- Thanksgiving for the ministry of Kristen Fry and the ministry of Dwelling Places, Uganda
- Thanksgiving for the ministry of LABC’s Crafting For A Cause
- Mary Karne for Maryla and Diane
- Joan Patten for Louella Carissa Tolentino and for John
- George and Sylvia Lee
- Edna Dorenzo
- Frances Graham
- Virginia Damretzky
- Ruth Smith
- Georgia Smith
- Virginia Cheatham
- Connie Hector as she cares for her mother in law
- Helen Roberson
- Thanksgiving with Toni Daniels that Jullien and Pamela are expecting their first child
- Thanksgiving with the Glann family that Matthew will be competing in the Regional competition of U.S. Gymnastics
- Thanksgiving with Mary Alice Cirimele (March 17) and Stan Fong (March 21) as they celebrate their birthdays
- Thanksgiving with Mary Alice, and LABC as she begins her 21st year as our Church Administrator
Announcements
The Oakland Running Festival is this Sunday. The route map can be found at www.oaklandmarathon.com.
March 30 will be our Annual Hunger Task Force Lunch and Bake Sale.