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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
| Vol. 1; Num. 24
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 81
Acts 13:24-50
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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, You have transformed me and drawn me into Your Kingdom. Hold me fast in Your embrace. Keep me secure in Your promise. Give me courage to to go to my community with Your Gospel. Amen.
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Reflections
Acts 13:24-50
The responses of people to the witness of God's Word is not always the same. As we are witness of the Good News, we are not about results-that is God the Holy Spirit's job. We plant the seed; God provides the increase.
When Paul and Barnabas visited Pisidian Antioch, they were straight to the synagogue and were invited to speak. I am not sure the synagogue rulers knew what they were in for from this visiting Rabbi Paul. But what they got was a full-on sermon, taking on the whole history of Israel from Moses to Samuel to David and on to John the Baptizer, with quotes from the Psalms and Habakkuk even, leading to the conclusion that God was doing something new in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was a powerful sermon!
But what was the response? They were invited back; people wanted to hear more. When they met next Sabbath, Acts tells us the whole city turned out.
The next response we hear about was jealousy. The Jews didn't like it that the crowds were large, and they spoke abusively against what Paul was saying. The scene turned ugly.
Paul and Barnabas went on to the Gentiles, who had another response: they were glad and honored the word of the Lord. They believed!
The Jews response got uglier, as they stirred up a persecution and expelled Paul and Barnabas. But you have to wonder if some of the Jews who had received the word so favorably disagreed with this action.
The upshot for today is simple. Sometimes our witness will meet with reception and belief; sometimes with scorn and abuse. But we keep on sharing the good news.
I have always been impressed that in the parable of the sower, the sower continues to sow even in the bad places-the path, on the rocky soil, among the weeds. Some might say he was wasting his time, and should only have sown on the fertile ground. I disagree. Evidently, Jesus means for us to keep on sowing the seed of the word of God everywhere, leaving the growth to Him. It's what Paul and Barnabas did. We do it too.
Rev. Randy Haedge
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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. Hazim Moeen, Dallas, POBLO, Church of All Nations.
Worker Irene Torralva, Del Rio, Cristo El Salvador Lutheran Church
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.
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
Live in the promise of Christ's presence, as you make disciples of those you know and those you will come to know this day. 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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