2011 m2c texas prayer initiative 2.16

2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 16

MISSION HIGHLIGHT

Fishers of Men

Hispanic Mission,
Port Isabel

The Mission continues to grow and develop in reaching the Port Isabel area.

New sites for ministry are being explored under the leadership of Rev. Ed Weber.

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, thank You for Your call to be a witness to You. Enliven in us the hope, the desire, and the urgent witness of the first Apostles, by which we finally have come to know You, that through Jesus, others come to trust You as the way, the truth, and the life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Reading Luke 6:27-38; Psalm 98

Reflection

...(Jesus) called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles... (Luke 6:13)

Are you as awestruck as I am by Jesus' 12 apostles? Maybe it's the artistic depictions of men with fiery-eyes, billowing-hair, and an almost fanatically-determined expression that made such an impression. Perhaps it's the martyrs' deaths suffered by 11 of them, or the fact that parts of the Bible were written by some of them or the simple but significant fact that Jesus himself chose them. Wow-awesome-I could never do what they did!

Of course, the fuller picture of the 12 revealed by the Scriptures shows some very ordinary men. There's Peter, the one who only seemed to open his mouth for the purpose of changing feet. Then there's Matthew, the hated tax collector. Then there's all of them, arguing about which of them would be seated on Jesus' right and his left when he came into his kingdom. Not to be forgotten, naturally, is Judas...

Perhaps if you are as overwhelmed as I am by the greatness of the 12, it is helpful to think about Jesus' choice of ordinary men to do great things for his kingdom. And if He can use ordinary men like them to do great things for his kingdom, He can use ordinary men and women like us.

We are not called to be apostles, but we are called, in the various vocations given to each of us, to give witness to the difference that Jesus has made in our lives. For He has taken us, ordinary men and women that we are-steeped in sin though we are-and made us His own. Through His death and resurrection, which we celebrate this week, He has poured out His gifts of forgiveness and eternal life upon us.

And Jesus has chosen us to be ambassadors of His love and mercy to those around us. Now that's really awe-striking!

Rev. Jon Braunersreuther, Texas District, Area D 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.

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 local, state, and 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. Gary Martin, Cristo El Salvador Lutheran Church, Del Rio

For Rev. Jon Salminen, Epiphany/Missouri City Campus, Pearland.

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

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 the search for Director for LINC San Antonio

For Missional Worker Training in Area C

For continued support for LINC

For workers as they gather together at the Theological Convocation 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.

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.

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