Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection: Luke 14:25-35

Prayers for Thailand:

You ask us, Gracious God, through the words of Jesus, to “count the cost” of the holy journey. Help us to appreciate the freedom that comes from placing our life and our hopes in your hands, God of mercy. Let us, like the Christians in Thailand, be brave enough to appreciate “sacrifice,” and to trust that the Way of Jesus brings new life and beloved community. Then let us be that community for others, through Christ. Amen.

by Doug Smith

Last weekend, we hosted mission coworker Anne Gregory who was just back in the U.S. from Thailand. Anne grew up there and returned forty years later on a Global Ministries assignment. She told us that the favorite hymn of the Church of Christ Thailand, our UCC and Disciples partner church, is "That Cause Can Neither Be Lost Nor Stayed." As the song leader, she made sure everyone learned it at the Tall Oaks Grandparents and Grandkids Camp this year:

Sometimes mission co-c workers get a bad rap. Even back in the 1970s, many Christian groups decided to find a name other than “missionary,” to use for those who feel the call to do the work of the Good News in another culture.

Lectionary Selection:  John 12:1-8

Prayers for Thailand: 

O God, you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change. There is trouble and devastation all around this world, O God. We pray for the people of Thailand at a time when industrialization is harming the air. We pray for all leaders who are trying to find the best ways to respond. We ask, too, that all of us can be part of cleansing this earth that you have made, so that all living things may have a future. Give us the power to make sacrifices that honor you, and that honor this earth, our home. In all these things we thank you because of Jesus Christ, who never allowed obstacles to stand in the way of his work of compassion and redemption. Amen.

During Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to a virgin girl who lived in Nazareth, a town in Galilee.  She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary.The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord is with you; you are very special to him.”

Old Testament: Exodus 1:8–2:10
Epistle: Romans 12:1–8
Gospel: Matthew 16:13–20

God of life and of love, may the meditations of my heart, of my mind and of my spirit be acceptable and pleasing to you, and may they faithfully express the wisdom you have given to each one of us. In your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.

God’s Providence. God provides. I am back working in Bangkok after six months of itineration in the USA. I spoke at more than 20 churches in five different states. The only negative experiences I had were with machinery. Thank God! Everywhere I went people were welcoming and giving—even when they had problems of their own. Well, I think we all have problems of our own.

“Every day is another opportunity for humility.”  This is a (very) small joke I share with friends—a lot.  But it’s also true.  My work as a Mission Co-worker in Thailand has involved constant cross-cultural communication—or lack thereof.  I fear that I make mistakes more often than I realize.

Lectionary Selection: Mark 1:14-20

Prayers for Thailand:

We give thanks, O God, for the knowledge that the people all around the world are our sisters and brothers. We thank you for your faithful people in every land who pray for those on the other side of the world. Open our hearts, we pray, to remember the sister or brother we have never met and may never meet. Help us to remember that human struggles are similar everywhere; that we all long for moments of peace and hope, and the people of Thailand long for it just as we do where we are. We ask for your strength and grace for those in Thailand who minister in the name of Christ, and who work to share the Good News of abundant life with those who are weary and tired. In the words of the Psalmist, let us all trust in you, for you are our refuge. We pray through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 25:14-30

Prayers for Thailand:

We give thanks, O God, for the late king of Thailand, who practiced mercy and inspired the love and respect of millions, of every religion. In a day when so many use their power for abuse and corruption, we thank you for a true human example of kindness and compassion. And now, we pray for the gifts of wisdom and stability in a nation thrown into uncertainty in the present moment. Let us turn to you and to your mercy, we pray through Jesus Christ. Amen. 

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