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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 18
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MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Iglesia Monte de Sinai |
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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
Merciful Father, You have shown us Your grace, receiving us into Your kingdom by the work of Your Risen Son, Jesus. We are honored at Your call to bring Life and Light to the world. Amen.
Reading Luke 6:39-49; Psalm 127
Reflection
It must have been 1993 when I strolled into a lobby at a hotel. There was a bowl full of the most gorgeous looking apples. I was hungry. So assuming these were complimentary apples from the hotel I grabbed one and took a bite. Actually let me clarify I tried to take a bite. Turns out these were the best looking wooden apples with a paint job that could rival some of those on American Choppers. The good news was I didn't break any teeth and the bad news was two of my buddies were with me so the story lives on.
As I read Luke 6:39-49 one of the recurring themes in my mind is authenticity. One can be very authentic without being completely mature. One can be very genuine while knowing there is still growth ahead. One can be authentic even after becoming semi-mature in their faith. Jesus says, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." This speaks volumes to where Jesus intends for us to end up on our faith journey. We for sure have the compass pointing us in the true direction our lives should be heading. He desires for you to be more like Him.
Not long after this point by Jesus He talks about trees and fruit. Jesus presents a pretty straightforward paradox. A bad tree doesn't produce good fruit. A good tree doesn't produce bad fruit. Is it possible to be fooled by other people's fruit? You know I would have to answer this question with a "Yes!" Jesus really moves this dialog in a way that it spirals downward to a very central issue: your heart. This is the wellspring of the good, bad, and ugly that flows out of each and every one of us. If we are to be authentic, genuine, and true as our Savior we must mind our heart (pay attention). There are many followers and churches that are simply attempting to disguise bad fruit and give it an appearance of being shiny good and ready to eat.
Pay attention to what fruit YOUR serving and don't ever take a bite based merely on appearances (trust me it will hurt). Be true first to your Master Teacher, second to yourself, and lastly to every one else. We are blessed through our Mighty Savior who always rights our roots. He always aims to fuel your life with everything you need to be His conduit in delivering His fruit to others!
Rev. Tim Radkey, Lead Pastor, Hope Lutheran, Lubbock
Pray (As you pray include . . . people who don't know Christ; people who will plant & witness; include people who pray. In addition, pray that the land be quenched with rain and that opportunities to bring God's love to individuals and communities impacted by the wildfires not be missed by God's servants.)
Benediction
You have heard, you have been called, now you are sent. Go in the confidence of the presence of the Living God. 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 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.
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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 Rev. Dimas Jimenez, LINC Houston Iglesia Luterana Memorial & Christ Clinic, Katy
For Worker Veronica Gaytan, Colonia Morelos Bible Study, 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
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 St. Paul, McAllen as they investigate a new start with SMP Vicar Mr. Andrew Perry |
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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
For St. John Cypress as they look for their next mission start.
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For Steve Sandfort, Mission Planting Vicar at Crown of Life, Colleyville and the launch team for Edge Community Lutheran, NW Tarrant County.
Thank God that Steve's house has sold in Ft. Wayne.
For the development of mission in the northeast corner of Area A and Candelaria in the Southwest.
For Epiphany, Pearland as they continue to develop their multi-site ministry.
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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 the search for Director for LINC San Antonio
For Missional Worker Training in Area C
For continued support for LINC
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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
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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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