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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
| Vol. 1; Num. 23
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 71
Acts 13:1-23
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for missionaries and families,
thanksgivings,
for new missions,
for continuing missions,
for key events.
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Invocation
Almighty Father, send your Spirit into our hearts and guards our words that we would make the good confession as we are sent into the world and before all people, in the name of Him Who is, Who was, and Who is to come; Jesus. Amen.
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Reflections
Acts 13:1-23
It never ceases to amaze me how that early Christian church was going in all directions to share the Good News about Jesus...and it was being driven by the local congregations. Acts 13:1 states, "In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers..." The instructions were given by the Holy Spirit and the congregation responded: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."
They fasted, prayed, blessed them, and sent them off. We celebrate our coming to the Lord in worship and Bible study; we celebrate in meetings and serving; so, how do we celebrate the "sending"? In one of the churches that was our church home over these many years, they regularly celebrated "sending". Whenever a group was about to reach out into the community or beyond in service, there was a "sending" celebration as part of worship on Sunday morning. So, not only was the group that was being sent, sent off with a blessing, the congregation participated in the sending...they knew that folks were being sent to various places for serving and proclaiming...and they regularly prayed for those being sent.
This text also reminds us that it was the Holy Spirit that did the sending (verse 4) and the local congregation was an instrument through which that sending was accomplished. The Holy Spirit is a "sending" Spirit. He did that at the first Pentecost by making it possible for the followers of Jesus to speak in the language of the people gathered in Jerusalem.
Acts 13 also introduces us to "Paul" for from this time forth, that is now his name. The reading for this day includes the beginning of the great sermon preached by Paul in response to the statement made by the rulers of the synagogue, "Brothers, it you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." And Paul didn't pass up the opportunity. He was sent, he was invited, and he proclaimed.
We are all sent, invited and can share the message of Christ. May we pray for each person: sent, invited, and witnessing to the Christ, our Lord and Savior. Celebrate being "sent!"
Dr. Lou Jander
MMF Emeritus
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Missionaries and Families
Pastor George G. Masih, Pastor Brisco Sydney, Javed Almas and Alex Veerani (Alex is going to the Ismailee people, one sect of Islam).
Mr. Fabir Fafhair, Dallas, POBLO, Church of All Nations.
Chase Jacobs and Anthony as they work through Water's Edge at TheStationDenton (UNT Denton).
Vicar E.B. Holschuh, Holy Cross,
Arlington as he works to plant a Russian speaking congregation, Crossroads
Russian Speaking Outreach
Vicar Travis Hartjen and the launch
team of Water's Edge, Allen as they have begun regular Boot Camp training
for launch team members.
Worker Vianey Guzman, Gel Rio, Colonia Morelos Bible Study
Rev. Michael Meissner and the people of
LifeBridgeChurch (LifeBridge is a daughter church of St. John, Cypress.)
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New Missions
Grace Community Church, LCMS, Plano who have started "Hope for the LOST" mission society.
St. Paul, Plano and Mission Planter elect, Rev. Darren Anderson, Portland, Oregon has accepted the call to plant.
New mission groups investigating formation in Marble Falls and in the Spring Branch areas.
Redeemer, Austin as they strategize a new childcare outreach ministry.
St. Paul, McAllen as they look at the possibility of a new start in Mission, Texas under the leadership of Mr. Andrew Perry (preparing to apply for the SMP program).
The ongoing search for a Director for LINC San Antonio.
St. John, Cypress is seeking God's guidance in beginning their next mission, perhaps in the Fairfield area or ethnic ministry with LINC.
Area D and the Texas District as the new Area D MMF is being pursued.
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pearland as they have begun worshiping at their new multi-site campus. Epiphany - West at Hightower High School, Missouri City
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Continuing Efforts
God's blessing on the continuing education meetings of the Missional Worker effort.
Area A m2c development and the Mission Summit planning.
Area B m2c development as 10 new church starts are in various stages of progress in 2010.
For the bold living in lifestyle stewardship for members and congregations across the district so mission can be funded.
That God would lift up workers throughout Texas
Hope Lutheran, as they continue to build upon current mission efforts and explore new mission opportunities in Lubbock.
Coleman, Texas youth ministry as they reach teenagers in their community for Christ.
POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach) Texas as Sabir Bashir is in training to lead a new mission, Arlington Asian Church of All Nations, later this year.
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
Crown of Life, Colleyville, as they await the arrival of Vicar Steven Sandford, CTS, Ft. Wayne who will become their mission planter.
St. Peter in the Roanoke/Alliance area of North Fort Worth
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Key Events
God's blessing upon the planning and participants for the Area A Mission Summit to be held in August, 2010.
God's blessing on the Professional Church Workers' Conference, November 21-23, 2010, as registration begins and planning continues.
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Benediction
Be filled with God's Spirit this day and always that the peace which passes understand would keep your heart and mind in Christ, Amen. |
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m2c Prayer Partner Resource
This publication is made available for your encouragement in prayer ministry and prayer support for Mission 200 of the Texas District, LCMS. Reflections are authored by missionaries and leaders in the Texas District whose heart is to bring the Gospel to people who do not know Jesus Christ. 
If you have questions, comments, prayer requests for planting, or if you are looking for information concerning church planting in your community, you may email your Area Mission and Ministry Facilitator:
Steven Misch | Paul Krentz | Mike Newman | Area D
Mission 200 (M2C) is the
effort of Texas District Congregations to start 200 new Word and Sacrament
Ministries by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
The Texas District prays that a mission movement can grow in Texas.
For more information and resources for mission planting in Texas go the m2c website by clicking here.
For information about Missional Work Training in the Texas District, click here.
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Mission 200 Texas District LCMS
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