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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 21
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MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Zion, Mission Valley Victoria, TX Formerly an ELCA congregation, this chartered congregation, seeks to reach the greater Victoria area with new and vibrant mission and ministry. Email Rev. Mike Couchman. |
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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
Loving Father, who embraces me apart from condition, hold me in such a way that I would be of Your mind and heart toward those who do not know You. I desire to love them as you love me. I only seek to know how. Show me in the name of Him who is, was, and is to come, Jesus. Amen.
Reading Luke 7:36-50; Psalm 146
Reflection
It's upsetting - Jesus loves real sinners!
The cast out has incredible courage and gall to walk into the house of a Pharisee and sit by behind the Rabbi. She cries at his feet and wipes his feet with her hair. Without thinking she begins to pour out the expensive perfume on his feet. His affirming look makes her cry even more, accepted, loved for the first time.
Jesus finds himself in a precarious position again, doubted by the religious leaders that he wants to teach verses the sinners that believe in Him so much more. He lived with this tension gracefully, always abundant in grace to both the sinner and the arrogant religious leader.
The point of the story is that he who is forgiven much loves much. This explains the opposite actions towards Jesus. The Pharisee judged Jesus the woman loved Him. It's upsetting to the Pharisee that Jesus loves the sinner so much. Its upsetting to us too.
Its obvious that many of us rather spend time with the donor, volunteer, elder, etc. . . . there is nothing wrong with that. Nevertheless, his example should push us and our leaders to have several relationships with the broken, marginalized and lost of this world. We all know that we must love the sinner, but do we even know anyone living in open sin?
I read my three year old son a book several times each night. It is called, "I love you Through and Through". It focuses on why I (dad) love him so much and it ends with the words, "I love you today, tomorrow and forever." He loves that part! Being a Christian for a long time has the inadvertent effect of losing the desire for that love from our God.
Religious leaders tend to isolate themselves from the world through layers of religious activities and people. Our business and responsibilities may have stolen our passion and love for Jesus. I pray that you will fall on your knees today and fall in love with Him again. He loved us first and always will. Jesus loves YOU through and through, today, tomorrow and forever.
Rev. Oscar Benavidas, Executive Director, LINC North Texas
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
Go, trusting that He leads you. Amen.
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| Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items |
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Pray that the members of the Texas District embrace the mission.
Lord, 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. Amen.
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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.
For Vicars and Call Candidates as the Lord prepares them and their families for work in God's Kingdom. |
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For Vicar Juan Antonio Zamora, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Irving, TX
For Rev. Karim Baidaous, POBLO TX Executive Director & Arabic Church of All Nations, Dallas, TX
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. |
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For Mission Marble Falls.
For Redeemer, Austin to 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.
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.
For St. Paul, McAllen as they investigate a new start with SMP Vicar Mr. Andrew Perry
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Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----
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The FiveTwo Wiki Conference on June 21-24, 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 preparation and planning of the 2011 Professional Church Workers Conference to be held in Kline, TX October 16-18. that the Mission of God be foremost in the heart and mind of presenter and participant alike.
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 Worker 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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