Among our Joys:
On Saturday we had piano recital with 15 students. All the students are from the Center for Spirituality and the Arts.
Next week, welcoming Dean Kris Culp from the University of Chicago Divinity School.
Continuing Thursday mid-day prayer and meditations, Thursdays in the Sanctuary at 11am.
Good friday prayer vigil, contact the office if you would like to participate.
It that time again.... Easter brunch food signup will be in narthex or you can contact Cassie at cassie@fcctacoma.org
Among our concerns:
Misty Hahn-Zwosta
Alex Tapia
Corrine Bahrke's friend, Loralie
Martha Redford's friends, Margo and Teresa
For all our homebound friends, including Harry and Margaret Lobberegt, Helen Bosley, Marylu and Joseph Mills and Jane Nelson.
We lift up the family and friends of Larry Levy, a friend of Susan Pearson's on the news of his death. We've been praying for Larry the past several weeks and hold with his family this tender time as they grieve.
We also lift up Don Tripp and his family on news of the death of his uncle, Steve Klaus, who died Friday night due to heart complications.
We remember in our prayers Mel Peabody on the death of their beloved wife, Bear. A gathering with close friends was held in her honor in Seattle yesterday and we look forward to holding a memorial service here at FCC for Bear in the near future. Please stay tuned for more information.
And lastly, yesterday, I traveled to Portland for the memorial service of my childhood brother from another mother, Rollie Wirt, who died at the age of 30 after a seven-year battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. We pray for his friend and family as they grieve.
Among our local and global community,
Those in harm's way in Gaza, Ukraine, and many other places around the world in the midst of genocide, conflict, and strife
We lift up the village on 6th and Orchard
We pray for the dignity of all fleeing violence. Jesus, who himself was a refugee in Egypt, calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. God’s realm transcends human borders. We pray for peace, for the breaking down of barriers, for the melting of weapons, and for the building of true community among all the peoples of the world.
We lift up our Global Ministries partners in Egypt. This morning I'd like to read to you a blog post written by a mission co-worker there: Throughout the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Service’s (CEOSS) long-lasting partnership with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through Global Ministries, we have sought to achieve God’s will on earth together. In this regard, Global Ministries has been eager to support CEOSS’s work with the poor and marginalized communities. One of the beneficiaries is Asmaa. Asmaa is 16 years old, lives with her family, and has 3 sisters. Her eldest sister has a disability. She works in a grocery store, and her father works as a driver. When Asmaa came to our activities, she was very shy. She refused to participate in any activity, so we encouraged her to participate by explaining the general idea about the activities. Finally, she decided to go on one of our trips with her younger sister. Through the trip, she met other girls of the same age. We convinced her to attend another activity, “training children to face harassment.” After that, she started participating in most activities, including medical eye convoys. We also provided her with school supplies to support her. Now, Asmaa has become one of the most important figures in child protection initiatives, where she attends seminars and training. She overcame her shyness and has become involved in all discussions. She constantly visits different groups of people and advocates for girls’ rights and laws that protect her and ensure that families are safe places for the girls.
If you'd like to share a prayer joy or concern, please contact Pastor Doug at doug@fcctacoma.org or by calling the church office. Please indicate whether your prayer is to be shared publicly, or if you'd like it to be kept private.