2011 m2c texas prayer initiative 2.14

2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 14

MISSION HIGHLIGHT

Houston, Joy

JOY Lutheran Church is a congregation serving the community in the northeast area of Houston along Beltway 8.

For the Website click here.

If you would like to contact John Raddatz , click here.

Do you know people who would like to make a difference in the world?

Invite them to become an m2c Missional Prayer Partner. Forward them this link. click here!

Invocation

Gracious Father, You have promised never to leave me nor to forsake me. Nothing is in Your way to fulfill Your promise. Grant to me the courage to remain steadfast in You even as Your changeless Grace moves into a world that is always changing. Lift us above our fears and point us to the certainty of Your mission that You and You alone be seen in all we do and say. In the precious name of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus. Amen.

Reading Luke 5:29-39; Psalm 5

Reflection

Change is hard.

Earlier in chapter five of Luke we see Jesus introducing himself to Peter (Simon) in a very serendipitous way. He was preaching while walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Great crows were gathering so he noticed an empty boat and asked the owner, Simon, to push out into the water so as to not be crushed by the crowds.

When he had finished speaking he told Simon to push out into the deep and cast down the nets. Simon protested, but obeyed. When he pulled in the nets, they were so full that the nets begin to tear. He cried for help from his business partners, James and John. They came and both boats were filled with so many fish that they began to sink.

When Simon saw this, he begged Jesus to leave as, "I am too much a sinner to be around you." Peter had a transformation of the mind. From being a business man who would celebrate all the money he would make from this abundant catch, he realized he was in the presence of the divine Lord and knew he was not worthy of such grace.

Following this story are other stories of Jesus performing other miracles. A man with leprosy is healed and a crippled man is enabled to walk. But instead of amazement, some of the more legalistic in the church saw him as a blasphemer and continued to look for more behavior that supported their position. They found it. He ate with sinners and a tax collector named Levi whom he called to be his disciple. Levi believed and followed, but the church leaders could not change their views. Change is hard.

In fact, they became more hardened in their minds and asked, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" They went on to castigate Jesus and his new disciples for not properly fasting.

Jesus calmly clarified and illustrated what they could not see. He talked about not patching old garments with pieces from new garments and not putting new wine in old wine skins. He clarified the need for a total transformation of their spiritual lives, not trying to make the full kingdom of God fit into the limited concepts of man. This change is essential if we are to fully participate in God's kingdom work this side of heaven. But, we cannot do it all on our own. It's the work of the Spirit in a humble heart. Pray, as did Peter, acknowledging our unworthiness and then to not reject the change in you as God gives you new purpose, hope and direction in being a fisher of men.Change is hard, for us, but not for God.

Rev. John Hirsch, Texas District, LCMS

Pray (As you pray include . . . people who don't know Christ; people who will plant & witness; people who pray. )

Benediction

As you go, go remembering God's presence, certain that the One who calls and sends also sustains. Amen.

Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items for the prayer page

Pray that the members of the Texas District embrace the mission.

As fears grow concerning world events, make Your presence known, through Your church and through Your people in such a way that Your hand of grace would be seen calming hearts and minds ultimately drawing all people to Yourself.

Pray for Missionaries and their Families -----

For the Preparation of new Church Planters who are ready to enter into this challenging and difficult ministry in Texas and throughout the nation

For the Center for Us Mission CPAC. Pray that men and their families are raised up for vital church planting in our church body.

For the unseen missional workers in neighborhoods and communities in Texas and around the world whose hearts would reveal Christ to the world.

For Rev. George Masih, Grace Community Church, Plano

For worker Salome Aguero, Iglesia Luterana Rios de Agua Viva, Del Rio.

For your own pastoral leadership

For church planter coaches and those being coached
For those preparing for the ministry, that they recognize the heart and desire of Christ in every ministry to which they are called.

Pray for New Missions -----

For the Holy Spirit to guide the formation of Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Gonzales, Texas

For Hope Lutheran, Marble Falls, planted in connection with Genesis, Buchanan Dam

For Grace Community Church (Pakistani / Indian)

Rev. Ed Benarsi and Pakistani worship at Our Savior, Austin on Sunday evenings. Pray for effective outreach and God's blessings on this new beginning.

For Mission Marble Falls as it launches worship.

For Redeemer, Austin to strategize and implement childcare outreach.

For St. Paul, McAllen as they investigate a new start with SMP Vicar Mr. Andrew Perry

For St. Peter, Roanoke as it becomes a Texas Dist Church Planting Training Partner

For Mission Liberty Hill

For the development of mission in the northeast corner of Area A and Candelaria in the Southwest.

For St. John Cypress as they look for their next mission start.

For Epiphany, Pearland as they continue to develop their multi-site ministry.

Thanksgiving for God's movement in and through the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Makane Yesus.

Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----

The FiveTwo Wiki Conference on June 21-23, 2011

For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority

For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses

For Hope, Lubbock as they discern their next mission step

For the Ten new church starts in Area B

St Paul, Ft Worth / The Summit at Aledo as they search for direction concerning their next Multi-Site Mission location.

For POBLO and a new Ethnic Mission Plant in partnership with Our Savior, Rockwall.

For continued support for LINC

For the search for Director for LINC San Antonio

For Missional Worker Training in Area C

For workers as they gather together that the Mission of God be foremost in their discussions and that such resides in the hearts and mind's of each participant.

For 10% of the Baptized members of TxDistLCMS to pray for mission

Pray for Congregations to grow in their discipleship response to the Gospel including their financial support for kingdom work. For Stewardship Resources click here.

Message to Partners -----

Even though changes on these lists may be subtle and infrequent, do not be discouraged in your prayers and do not conclude that things are not happening. There is active mission movement in the Texas District. Perseverance in prayer is one of the characteristics of this ministry, as I am sure you know.

I assure you that your prayers are being heard and are greatly needed. There is movement in the body of Christ in Texas and around the world. Thank you for your persistent prayer support.

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 | Jon Braunersreuther

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.

Blessings,

Rev. Steven Misch
Texas District LCMS
806-433-4536