Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us this opportunity to worship you today, how awesome and amazing it is to be here in the presence of one another both in person and virtually, as we glorify your name Lord. We come before you humbled, broken, disoriented, and fatigued by today’s world, and as we face yet another lockdown, father remind us of the need to be patient and caring for one another, as we battle this pandemic together. As today’s scripture tells us, how we treat one another is reflective of how we treat you, and because of this let us remember those that are more vulnerable to this disease, and that our actions today will further help contain the spread and risk of transmission. Lord, let us also be mindful for those that may be impacted by the shutdowns financially, and teach us to be generous and to have a giving heart to those around us in need.
Lord as we near the end of the year, let us also reflect on many of the wonderful things that you have provided for us, especially this community where we can come and share our lives with each other. In a year where our theme was Becoming Together, it was through your will Father that we continued to experience worship and fellowship with each other, and that even though we are physically apart from each other, that we were able to continue growing in Christ together as a community. Thank you for the hardworking and dedicated staff of St Tim’s that worked tirelessly this year to keep the church going, and for ensuring that we each had an opportunity to participate in worship, prayer, bible studies, fellowship, and spiritual growth together this year.
Lord today is also a special day for our church, with the ordination of our new Elder, Grace Bai. Lord your providence is always amazing and inspiring, and thank you for hearing our calls and prayers, and speaking to her heart and giving her the conviction and courage to serve you and the St Tim’s community in this new capacity. We are so blessed to have her kindness, will, and ever-seeking search for truth and knowledge as part of this community, and look forward to having her as part of the Session. Lord be also with her family as well, Aram, Miles and Yuna, and may you continue to bless them and give them strength and guidance. Lord, we also give you thanks for Elders Steve Lee and Brian Park, and as they step down from six years of faithful service, thank you for all of their hardwork and dedication to this church over the years, and give them time to rest their bodies and minds.
Lord, as we face the start of a new year, let this be a year of revival and redemption. As we move forward from this liminal state, prepare our hearts and minds for what is next to come. Lord we pray for the continued progress of a vaccination, and await the time when we are able to rejoice with each other, fellowship with each other, and embrace one another in person again without the fear, anxiety, and conscious distancing that we have become so used to. Lord we look forward to this day in much anticipation and eagerness, and have faith that you will see this through.
Lord, continue to bless this St Tim’s community, in all walks of life. Please give us the discernment and heart to continue caring for each other. There are many different needs within this community, but let us work together to provide for each other. Let us not just help one another, but also have a heart to look outwardly to the communities and world around us, and give us the heart to be mindful of the needs outside of these walls.
Lord, as Reverend Inkee speaks your word today, let us prepare our hearts for the words that you speak through him. Thank you Lord for always being good, always providing, and always protecting us.
We pray all this in Jesus’ name.
Amen
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