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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 15
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MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Hope Lutheran, Corinth Reaching the Corinth community with Jesus Christ For the Website click here. |
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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!
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Invocation
Gracious Father, You are the source of every good prayer. Grant to us Your desire for all people, that through Jesus, they come to know You as the way, the truth, and the life. In the meantime, deliver us from coldness of heart and distraction of purpose that we may worship, witness, and live in spirit and truth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reading Luke 6:1-11; Psalm 17
Reflection
Exodus 20:10 plainly says "but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work." The Pharisees and teachers of the law had expanded this in Mishnah, Shabbat 7.2 so that now Jesus disciples are being accused of breaking three Sabbath laws...by picking grain they were thought guilty of "harvesting"; by rubbing the grain in their hands, they were guilty of "threshing" and by tossing the chaff aside they had now "winnowed." They quote from tradition while Jesus quotes from 1 Samuel 21:4 when he reminds the Pharisees that David ate consecrated bread. It is odd that these same Pharisees seem to be traipsing after Jesus and the disciples when a "Sabbath Day's Walk" was ¾ of a mile. They were likely breaking Sabbath law in an attempt to catch this infraction. I doubt that their religious sensibilities were actually offended...they had plainly decided that Jesus must go because he had upset their cultural map of what righteousness looked like. They could not stand it that Jesus taught that the "letter of the law" must not trump "the spirit of the law." Jesus reminds them that He is the Lord and maker of Sabbath.
Luke goes on to describe another affront to their sensibilities as they feign great offense as Jesus is about to heal a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. Jesus' question is interesting. He not only asks if it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath, but whether it is lawful to do evil! His question exposed the fact that their expanded definition of Sabbath laws not only prohibited doing good but actually promoted evil! Jesus changes the parameters of what righteousness looks like. It is not about avoiding a checklist of religions "do's" but rather being captured by and living out God's rescue mission for the world. That's what He was all about. May we be about the same work!
Paul Krentz, Texas District, Area B MMF
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.
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| Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items for the prayer page |
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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.
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Pray for Missionaries and their Families -----
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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. |
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For Mr. Javed Almas, Grace Community Church, Plano
For worker Daniel Hernandez, 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.
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Pray for New Missions -----
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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. |
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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
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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.
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Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Pray for Congregations to grow in their discipleship response to the Gospel including their financial support for kingdom work. For Stewardship Resources click here. Pray for the U.S. Budget Process for 2012 and for the strengthening of our economy in the US and around the world for the continued resourcing of the Mission.
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Message to Partners -----
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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.
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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.
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Blessings,
Rev. Steven Misch
Texas District, LCMS
806-433-4536 |
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