This Name Saves: O Father, send Your Spirit into our midst and enliven Your church that the gospel of Jesus may be brought to all creation, for it is in His powerful Name that lives are changed, relationships are strengthened, and action is emboldened to go in Your name.  Amen.

 Reflections

Clarity is rare and precious.  In chaotic moments from the kitchen table to the board room table, how helpful is the voice of one who sees through the fog of emotion to expose the true matter at hand!  Sadly, clarity is often in short supply also in our churches!
 
Peter and John were living out what had become normal for them-worshiping the Savior and kindness to those they met along the way.  (Acts 3)  It was "The Way" of Jesus.  And The Way had become popular, drawing up to 5,000 followers now.  At the same time, The Way threatened others.  As it turned out, the same assembly that had sentenced Jesus to death recently and prompted Peter's coming unglued.  This meeting looked all too familiar!  What now?
 
The Holy Spirit, not cleverness, prompted powerful clarity from Peter:  This is about kindness to a cripple in Jesus' Name.  The Name of Jesus prompted the kindness; the Name healed the illness; the Name reveals Resurrection power.  This Name saves.
 
Our ministry environments are no less chaotic.  Shaky economy, brokenness in the lives and families of those making up our congregations, and general spiritual and moral confusion cloud our thoughts and plans.  Indeed, Jesus said that because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)  But wherever Christ-followers pause before the Name, led by the Spirit, clarity and power again shine.  Kindness in the Name. Forgiveness in the Name.  Yet another, saved by the Name.
 
The Name that changed Peter is changing Christ-followers and congregations.  It is changing me. (Rev. John Messmann)

 Intercessions

 

St. Augustine said, "If I weep for the body from which the soul is departed, should I not weep for the soul from which God is departed?"    Ask our Lord, who loves all and who has died for all, to remove barriers in the lives of people that they would come to faith or be strengthened in their faith.  Pray for an everlasting relationship with Jesus by grace through faith.

Pray for the mission of the Church that the Gospel of God's grace in Christ be received into faithful hearts and minds as workers in the field, members of congregations speak in ways that honor Jesus and communicate His love for all people.

• Mr. Prabhakar Pulukuri: LINC Houston Bible study group
• Ms. Allison Schlack: LINC North Texas
That God open doors and workers move willingly at God's lead
• Give thanks to God for beginning to open doors in the campus ministry at Texas Tech, Lubbock.
• For Dr. Afzaal Firdous (with LINC Houston) as he provides training for congregations, looking at the Islamic culture, history, and doctrine as well as techniques and methods to approach Muslims.
• For the bold living in lifestyle stewardship for members and congregations across the district so mission can be funded.
• For Abdul Verani, that God give him more understanding of Scripture and develop him as a strong witness for the Gospel in the Pakistani and Indian community.
• Grace Community Lutheran, Pakistani and Rev. George Masih as they worship at their new location, Messiah Lutheran Church, Plano
• POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach) Texas as they pray, ponder and plan for expanded ministry in the Arlington area.
• That God would lift up workers throughout Texas
• The Laredo area as workers become available for deployment
• The Austin City Church/UT Chaplaincy vacancy
• Rev. Michael Meissner and the people of LifeBridgeChurch (LifeBridge is a daughter church of St. John, Cypress.)
• St. John, Cypress is seeking God's guidance in beginning their next mission, perhaps in the Fairfield area or ethnic ministry with LINC.
• The "MissionalWorker.org" training initiative.
• Area A m2c development and the Mission Summit planning.
• Area B m2c development and the possibility of five new church starts in 2010.  There is a need for visionary workers for these starts.
• Area C m2c development and the ongoing regional Area C Missional Greenhouse on-line meetings as pastors and people work together in church planting.
• Area D m2c development and Dr. Bob Newton's seminar work @ Gloria Dei, Houston, March 6th.
  
• Give thanks to God for Dr. Lou Jander's work in Area D and the Texas District, lift up the new Area D MMF.
  
• Rev. ViJay Gurrala and Dr. Johnson Petta who works with University of Houston student ministry
• All Texas District congregations who are praying and planning for new mission starts in 2010-2011
• La Frontera Ministries (multi-district initiative on the Texas-Mexico boarder)
• For King of Kings, San Antonio as they pray concerning beginning Hispanic ministry in their community
• Zion, Walburg as they continue to pray over locations for planting a new congregation.
• St. Paul, Ft. Worth/The Summit at Aledo, as a prayer team is currently involved in weekly prayer over their next Multi-Site Mission Location
• The search process for a Director for LINC San Antonio
• Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Colleyville, as they search and pray for the church planter God has already chosen to lead their new church planting effort
• Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pearland as they have begun worshiping at their new multi-site campus. Epiphany - West at Hightower High School, Missouri City
• St. Paul, Plano as they continue to explore the location and timing for a new church plant
• Vicar E.B. Holschuh, Holy Cross, Arlington as he works to plant a Russian speaking congregation, Crossroads Russian Speaking Outreach
• Vicar Travis Hartjen and people of Water's Edge, Frisco as they  work Water's Edge, Allen
• St. Peter in the Roanoke/Alliance area of North Fort Worth.