Pray for Japan on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Pray for Japan on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011

Prayers for Japan: Matthew 28:1-10

Oh God,
We call out to you at this time when the world again has suffered greatly by disaster.
We mourn for the many lives lost, the destruction of communities, farms, fishing industries, and the beautiful northern coast of Japan.
We fear for the health of our children, the safety of our land, our oceans.
We ask you God, to be present with those who have lost loved ones, their livelihood, and hope for the future.
We ask your special blessings on the many volunteers who are lending their hands, the professionals who are doing the noble work of saving lives, bringing comfort and restoring life.
Give our leaders the courage and wisdom to get us through this crisis and create a better future.
Bless the work of the Churches in Japan during this challenging time.
And we ask for your guidance to each of us, that we may do what we are able for the sake of the world.
We rejoice in the signs of hope in the midst of despair. And we give thanks for the resurrection – the ultimate sign of Hope – that Christ is present with us!
In the name of the risen Christ, 
Amen

 

Mission and Stewardship Moment from Japan:

It was spring break for Universities when the earthquake and tsunami hit northern Japan. April brought the start of a new school year, and all the busy events of this season. Spring has come and the sakura bloomed as usual. But of course, something is very different this year. Though we have not experienced tangible hardships in our lives, we feel the sense of urgency in the air.  We are anxious about the nuclear radiation, aware that aftershocks continue and wonder about the safety of other reactors in Japan.

 The students were quick to act. Some headed immediately to the north, to volunteer through the Emmaus Center in Sendai. Some have decided to take the semester off to volunteer. Many are eager to help and are organizing themselves. A group of students are working together with our partner church to create an Action Network to send groups of student volunteers on an ongoing basis. These are just a few examples of the action of young people. These compassionate acts give us hope for the future. As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, we know that God is with us in our pain and in our work to create a “new earth”.

 (Prayer and Mission Moment offered by Martha Mensendiek) 

Video Resources for Japan:

Global Ministries International Partners in Japan:

  • Doshisha University: http://www.doshisha.ac.jp/english/ Martha Mensendiek is a teacher of Social Welfare at Doshisha University, Kyoto. Casilda Luzares teaches English.
  • Asian Rural Institute: The mission of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her fullest potential. This mission is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ. To carry out this mission, ARI trains and nurtures rural leaders for a life of sharing. Leaders, both women and men, who live and work in grassroots rural communities primarily in Asia, Africa and the Pacific form a community of learning each year together with staff and other residents. Through community-based learning they study the best ways for rural people to share and enhance local resources and abilities for the common good. 
  • Emmaus Center: Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek works as the Director of youth ministries at the Emmaus Center, Northeast Conference of United Church of Christ in Japan, based in Sendai, Japan. Ms. Sandra Lee-Takei works as a global mission Intern at the Emmaus Center as the assistant to the Director of youth ministries. 
  • Kobe College: http://www.kobe-c.ac.jp/ekc/index.html
  • Korean Christian Church in Japan: http://www.kccj.net/
  • Miyagi Gakuin Women’s University:
  • National Christian Council of Japan: http://ncc-j.org/english/profile.htm
  • Tohoku Gakuin University:
  • United Church of Christ in Japan:

For more info about Japan, click here: http://globalministries.org/eap/countries/japan/

Global Ministries Missionaries in Japan:

Casilda Luzares who just concluded her assignment as a English teacher at Doshisha University.
Martha Mensendiek teaches Social Welfare at Doshisha University
Jeffrey Mensendiek serves and the Director of youth ministries at the Emmaus Center.

Pray for Partners without Global Ministries Mission Personnel: Cambodia

God, we pray for the country of Cambodia. We lift up our partners there and ask you to bless their ministries. Amen

For more info about Korea, click here: http://globalministries.org/eap/countries/korea/