Prayer

The Prayer Wall

Share Your Prayer Request

You may add your prayer request to our prayer wall using the form below. Once your prayer request is received, we will share it according to your instructions. Feel free to submit as many prayer requests as you like!

Debbie van Sprakelaar

Sharing and reminder for Howie's Celebration of Life this Saturday at Bridges at 11am.

Howie's family posted this in the Tri-City Voice:

Howard Elton Thompson

March 22, 1936 - February 25, 2023

Resident of Fremont

Howie Thompson, beloved Papa (father, grandfather, great grandfather), teacher and coach, and a true friend to many, passed away on February 25 in Fremont due to medical complications and age.

Howard Thompson was born March 22, 1936 in Hayward, California. He grew up in the East Bay, raised in Castro Valley and Hayward, before finally settling down in Fremont for over 60 years.

Howie graduated from Hayward High School in 1954. Married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Thompson, on June 19,1955. Attended San Jose State University where he earned his degree in Physical Education and his California Teaching Credential. He earned his master's degree in Physical Education from California State University, Hayward and a second master's in Administration and Supervision from University of La Verne. Howard Thompson taught and coached at San Lorenzo High School for nearly 25 years. He then transferred to Bohannan Alternative High School where he served as a teacher and principal before retiring in June 1996.

Relationships were vitally important to Howard. His relationship with his family. friends, students, and most importantly his relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ were key components in his life.

First and foremost was his relationship with our Lord Jesus. He loved attending Bridges Community Church, formerly Fremont Evangelical Free Church, where he was actively involved since the 1960s. He worked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), where he turned his life over to God and His Son, Jesus in the mid 1960s. He used the "Huddle Groups" idea of FCA to present the life and death of his Savior to students, parents, and fellow teachers. Beginning in the 1970s, Nancy and Howard supported Young Life with their programs at numerous high schools throughout the Bay Area.

Family relationships were next on his relationships. Howie was married for over 62 years to his lovely wife Nancy. They had three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Howie lost his beloved Nancy in January 2018. He is survived by his caring family: their son Danny and his wife Sandi who

live in Whittier, California; daughter Teri who lives in Fremont; and son Scott and his wife Kristy who live in Livermore. He has six grandchil dren: Teri's son and daughter: Jesse and Jeni and their families; Danny and Sandi's daughter and son, Emily and Zac; and Scott and Kristy's boys, Cody and Nolan. He also has three Great Grand Children: Jesse III, Wayne, and Mila Grace.

Howard was also a loving uncle to Craig, Lorita, Howard, Kim and Laurie, and their families.

Finally, his relationship with his friends. They were like family to him also. He maintained friendships with his fellow teachers and many of the students he taught and coached over the years. He would attend weekly activities with his church friends, from Band of Brothers and ROMEOs to the many fellowship groups in the church.

A Celebration of Life for Howard Thompson will be held Saturday, April 29, 2023 beginning 11:00am at Bridges Community Church at 505 Driscoll Road in Fremont. There will be a reception in the church's gymnasium for a time of food and fellowship following the memorial service.

May we remember Howie Thompson with great love and fondness and celebrate the impact he had on all our lives. Thank you, Papa. We love you and miss you tremendously.

Received: April 26, 2023

Debbie van Sprakelaar

Prayer Requests from the individuals and families who attended the Joyful Bounty Easter bag distribution and connection event held at Bridges April 2.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Mohini: 18 year old boys – their school and EMT training

Tamana: family in Afghanistan – terrible conditions

Darlisha: blessings with new job with the school district. Surgery coming up for her. Grades for her 10th grade twins.

Liu: acceptance for daughter to preschool

Mohammed: needs work tools for starting a 2nd job working with wood

Donahue: to keep going, despite her work injury. And to continue building her faith (which helps her stay positive.)

Maria: for her husband-losing patience with job related issues and, trying to further his education. For the health and strength of their family.

Nadia: for her new grandson (age 1) and his very young mother (her daughter).

Guadalupe: for more work for her husband, he’s had a major decline in work. For the health of her entire family.

Baljinder: for her to be able to get a green card/work permit. For her family in India (parent’s health, dad has diabetes). For her husband, his back pain and to have more work driving a truck. Also, they are extremely behind with paying rent.

Josephine: Praise, after 3 years working again!. Pray for her shoulder pain. For her brother-in-law who had a stroke and is unable to talk. For her son adjusting to full-time college, balancing it all (less stress, mental health).

Shenru: Praises: health is good, good neighbors and a Chinese community. Pray for her fear of violence; more kindness; political climate; and, her need for a car.

Na: She hasn’t seen her husband in China for 7 years, is a single mom here with two kids and cares for her father. She misses her mother and lost her half-sister (age 30) from Leukemia. Pray for her health and positivity.

Dora: Praises: oldest son is healed from seizures! Her sons are getting Confirmed. Prayer for finances, for more construction work for her husband, and her youngest son adjusting to homework.

Sai: for more strength, as she often cares for her 4 grandchildren.

Dorothy: Praises: doing well, health improving.

Mya: Pray for youngest son (age 4) recently diagnosed with Autism (very little communication).

Julia: Praise, family doing well!

Kathy: Pray for her son who is an addict, unhoused, and combative. And prayer for continued healing after her surgery.

Jerry: Praise-staying healthy and feeling positive.

Received: April 5, 2023

Debbie van Sprakelaar

A Celebration of Life service with Reception following will be held for Howie Thompson on Saturday, April 29 at 11am at Bridges Community Church, 505 Driscoll Road, Fremont, CA 94539 in the worship center. Thank you for prayers for Howie's family and friends.

Received: April 5, 2023

Rachel Babu

I have been working with a group of Indian ladies who are not Christians. I have been leading them in doing breathing exercises and general stretches once a week for some time. Now they have started asking me to pray for them for different issues they are facing in life. My prayer request is for anyone who would like to pray for these ladies with me regularly over the phone. Please get in touch with me at sbabu5378@gmail.com.

Received: March 21, 2023

David Fair

A Deaf immigrant couple with a daughter is in need of a place to stay whether rent at least two bedroom or small unit. They need to move in within 2-3 months. Contact me if u have a place for them to stay. Thanks.

Received: March 20, 2023

Jessica Minter

Thank you to everyone who prayed for my nephew, Malachi! The diagnosis turned out to be much worse than originally anticipated (a rare genetic heart condition) and he needed a heart transplant. The disorder is fatal for most adolescents, but God saved him! And, because of His mighty love, power and grace - Malachi received a new heart on Friday, 2/17 - just 3 weeks after being admitted to the hospital. He is recovering well and will be in the hospital for at least another 3 weeks. We are so grateful and are giving God all of the glory! We would appreciate your prayers for him and the family as he walks into a new phase of life.

Received: February 20, 2023

Debbie van Sprakelaar

Our dear Howie Thompson has been in the hospital and is now entering hospice care. More out-of-town family will be coming in today. Please pray for a comfortable transition for Howie and the Lord’s comfort for all of his family.

Received: February 19, 2023

Jessica Minter

My 14-year old nephew, Malachi, was hospitalized last Friday after dealing with a lot of inconclusive symptoms over the last several weeks. It turned out that his heart was enlarged and not pumping well. He is undergoing a barrage of tests and will have a cardiac catherization done to diagnose the condition tomorrow (2/1).

We praise God that Malachi was admitted before things got worse, that he is relatively stable, and in good spirits! We ask the Lord to heal, provide a clear diagnosis/cause/treatment, and that Malachi's quality of life going forward will be good. We'd also appreciate your prayers for salvation as my sister, her ex-husband, and her children are non-believers. Thank you!

Received: January 31, 2023

SHARON L BAILEY

My son-in-law, Tom Heathorn, went home to meet Jesus this past week, Please pray for peace, strength, and comfort for my daughter, Lisa and their 5 children. I'm late getting this out because I've had back surgery and then a bout with covid. I would love prayer for my healing also. It's been a rough road these past few months but our loving God sustains us, Thank you dear Bridges's family. My love to you all.

Received: December 11, 2022

Helita Dewitt

Please pray for Joel Dombrow, Senior Pastor at Cedar Grove Church in Livermore. He has been battling stage 4 cancer of the colon and liver. He has completed all chemo treatments and is scheduled to have surgery on both the colon and liver on the same day Friday, November 11th. Please pray for wisdom and steady hands for the surgeon, as well as for the medical team that will be attending to Joel’s care. Pray for a successful outcome and healing and strength in the days and months ahead. Joel’s prayer is that he wants to be strong enough to preach the Christmas Eve service. May God’s will be done. Thank you in advance for your prayers.