PrayersandConcerns - First Presbyterian Church, Altadena

Prayers for the Family -- Remember shut-in family, friends. Members and friends of our church family who may be shut in at home or hospital are remembered in our prayers. Their lives may be lonely at times but they are always in the care and love of our Lord and Savior. We also continue to remember members and friends of our church family -- Akiko & Roy Fujitaki Fuyu Hashimoto Hana, daughter of Paul and Maida Kikuchi Albert Koyama Miki Kumamoto Yeiki Matsui Jan McEntire Ty Morris Hatsuko Nakatsuka Jan Naritomi-Hart Kiyo Okamoto Margaret Shigetomi Gordon Sugano Shig Takayma Mori Takemoto Mary Tamura Trikie Tomoyasu Sophie Toriumi Mary Uchida Bill & Lily Yamamoto Lyle & Mitsie Yamate Also, those mission workers who carry the message of love to friends in foreign lands -- Tim & Juji Boyle, Japan Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Kang, Russia Michael & Chris Mason, Japan John & Anne Wheeler-Waddell, Ethiopia (In the U.S. for now.)	Pastoral Care Alert Please keep the following saints of our presbytery in your prayers -- Elder *Bill Matthews (Glenkirk), his wife Carole, and their son Trevor. This past weekend, Trevor* fell 100' "and landed on his head and neck, breaking C2, but he has use of his arms and legs, which is a miracle." He was in a coma for a while but is miraculously recovering. The road before him will not be without its challenges, but he is expected to recovery well. Keep those prayers coming that he will continue to be encouraged and feel the love of his friends and family. Rev. Dr. David Cortez-Fuentes on the loss of his mother, Camila Fuentes. David had previously gone to Puerto Rico to be with her in her last days. After returning to California, David was called by his sisters with the news that his mother had joined the cloud of witnesses. He returned for the funeral and to be with his family in Puerto Rico. Please pray for David, his wife Josey, and their son Antonio as they walk through the pain of this loss Prayers this Week Please offer prayers for the following persons over the coming week -- Church Family Please pray for the saints at *Pasadena,* Pasadena. May God bless their co-pastors, the Rev. Drs. Barbara Anderson and Mark Smutny, their staff, elders and lay leadership, along with the community of saints, as they seek to be ever-faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Minister Members - for their Ministries, their Leadership and their Families Jin Oh Bae Gayle Beanland Cliff Benzel Donald Berns Karen Berns Elders - for their Ministries, their Leadership and their Families Allison West of Community, West Covina Marian Westen of Village, Arcadia Kathy Whittle of Glenkirk, Glendora Janet Wichman of Glenkirk, Glendora John Wiedmann of Glenkirk, Glendora Candidates/Inquirers to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament Candidate William Miller of Glenkirk, Glendora Inquirer Karolina Wright of Northminster, Diamond Bar Prayers for the Week As you hold one another in prayer this week, I ask your prayers for: 1.) The men and woman who, with their families, evacuated the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Gustav battered their homeland. 2. ) The men and women who are helping to rebuild the damage from the hurricane - National Guard, Red Cross, Fire Fighters, Police Officers, Medical Teams, Recovery Teams and more. 3.) Our Churches - the many hopes and plans for a new year of ministry. 4.) For renewal in our Sunday schools; for renewal in our music programs; for renewal in our discipleship efforts; for renewal in our stewardship; for renewal in our mission and ministry in the world. I leave you with the words of the following blessing. Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.	Be Ready in Time of Loss – There is Wisdom in Planning Ahead A fact that all families must face is the loss of a loved one. When the time comes, the family or friend must decide on a funeral service. In preparation, Bob Uchida, who has coordinated services at our church, offers a list of questions that can be answered in advance. The questions are, as follows: SERVICE o A funeral with the body present in a casket o A memorial service without the body (ashes may be in an urn) o A graveside service - a brief worship service at the burial site The service may be public or private. The service may be held in a church, a mortuary or a location of the family’s choosing. It may be public or private (family, relatives, and closest friends.) In the case of a memorial service, is there a picture of the loved one that the family might want to display? RECEPTION o Does the family want a reception after the service? If so, what kind? How prepared? ELEMENTS OF THE SERVICE o Is there a preference of pastors to conduct the service? o Favorite Scripture passage to be read? By whom? o Favorite hymns played and/or sung? Soloist or musicians? o Life history prepared? Read or printed in the worship program? o Words of comfort by pastor or friend? o “Remembrances” - By a friend or relative. Also friends who may volunteer during the service? o Invitation? o Words of appreciation - Who in the family or among friends would speak in behalf of the family? o Flowers - Should “No flowers” be requested? In lieu of flowers, is a donation to charity to be requested? o How will the flowers be disposed of after the service? o Does the family have a request about “Koden”? o Would donations to a charity be an alternative? IF NEEDED If the need arises to arrange a service, please call the Church Office at (626) 791-4271 and a pastor or funeral coordinator will call you as soon as possible. Call Bob Uchida or Ted Tajima if there are any questions.