Flame of the spirit,
warm our hearts to love our neighbor.
Flame of the spirit,
light our path that we may walk in truth.
Flame of the spirit,
rise in us with a passion for freedom.
Flame of the spirit,
gather us together in the celebration of your life.

Hymn of Praise                   My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord

Responsive Prayer   (L= Leader; P= People)

L:       We are the farmers and fisherfolks in Asia.
          People who toil the land and sea
          from which comes daily food
          sufficient to feed the millions in our world.

P:        We thank you, 0 God, for you are the Creator
           and the Sustainer of life;
           Who causes the sun to shine and the rain to fall
           that harvest and catch might be in plenty,
           and all peoples might be fed.

L:        Yet millions are still starving
           and dying from lack of food.
           Storehouses are full
           but food prices are high.

P:       We pray for our lawmakers and governments.
          May they put the people’s interests above their own
          so that those who toil to feed their families and entire
          population might have enough to eat and land to live on.

L:        We are the industrial workers and alborers in Asia.
           Women and men work in the factories and plantations
           striving to improve our countries’ economy,
           Hoping to better life for us and our children.

P:       We thank you, 0 God, for giving us
          a desire for a better life,
          The kind of life you intended for us
           when you created us.

L:       Yet we are paid very low wages
          and our lives are subjected to risks and dangers;
          Management put profits above workers’ safety.

P:       We pray for courage and strength to unite with all workers
           in the fight for just wages and safe working environment
           That all may live in dignity.

All:      0 God of Truth and Life,
          We seek to live in obedience to your will
          shown in the life of Jesus.
          Grant us courage and strength to be living,
          living witnesses of your love, mercy and grace

          Amen.

Message                               Bishop John V. Samuel

Hymn of Dedication              In the Lands of Asia