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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 29
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MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Redeeming Grace Lutheran Church, Austin
Begun in 2005 Austin: Redeeming Grace is seeking to reach the lost in the south Austin area. Website |
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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
O Father, settle my heart and mind this day as I prepare once again to listen to You just as Your chosen disciples did so long ago. As I listen, give me ears to hear, hands to serve, and Your voice all to bring Your love to those around me this day. In Your every present name I pray; Jesus. Amen.
Reading Luke 9:27-36 ; Psalm 113
Reflection
Jesus begins His public ministry with his baptism by John the Baptist. Luke records a voice from heaven saying, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Lk. 3:22). At the Transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9, a voice from heaven says, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him" (Lk 9:36). In each of these events, God is declaring who Jesus is - the Son of God. Each time there are witnesses to what God declares. At the Transfiguration, Peter, John, and James are the witnesses. Later on Peter would write in his second letter about what he and the other saw and heard. "We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain" (2 Peter 1:18).
Peter uses his experience on the mountain as reason for proclaiming Jesus as the Savior of the world. This isn't something that Peter or the other disciples are making up. Jesus is the Son of God and salvation can come only through him.
Before the baptism of Jesus and after the baptism, John the Baptist declared that Jesus is Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The disciples present at the Transfiguration can proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God and the one who has come so that all may have life in his name.
The Transfiguration gives us the encouragement and empowerment to engage in mission. What we share with people around us is the same that the disciples shared with people. Jesus is the Son of God, and it is the Father's will that everyone come to know him and believe in him. Jesus is the sacrifice that makes us one with the Father; that oneness we lost at the Fall. The church through the centuries has said, "Jesus is the propitiation for our sins."
Luke records God saying, at the Transfiguration, that we should "listen" to Jesus. After coming down from the mountain, Jesus begins to tell his disciples that he must suffer and die, and be raised to life on the third day. The Transfiguration gives credibility to the death and resurrection because Jesus is the Son of God, and he takes away our sins through his sacrifice on the cross.
As mission people, we too need to "listen" to Jesus and learn from him. Our message cannot be different from the message of God's Son and God's Word. Where the Scriptures are silent on an issue, we are too. But, where the Scriptures speak, we are to speak so that others know Jesus and are encouraged on their faith journey. From the Transfiguration, we speak very clearly, "Jesus is the Son of God".
By Rev. Ken Hennings
President, Texas District, LCMS
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, as His disciple, reflecting Jesus in all you do and say. to His glory. 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 Rev. David Kim, LINC Houston Mission Director, Houston, TX.
For Mr. John Seale, LINC North Texas Office Manager, 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.
For New Workers in the District
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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. For St. John Cypress as they look for their next mission start. |
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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 WOBLO TX as they begin the adventure of bringing God's kingdom into darkness.
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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 Mission Liberty Hill
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Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----
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The FiveTwo network across the world
For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority
For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses
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For Ramiro Guierrez and his family in the New Hope ministry. That leaders would be raised up for the surrounding community.
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For Beto and a Church Plant that God would guide to the start of prayer groups and Bible Studies in the communtiy and for the I-360 visa application. Beto's current visa expires on July 27th.
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For congregations in Area A as they look to develop missional hearts.
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 Parent Ministry in the Spanish-Speaking Church Plant in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, to break through the apathy to grow, and that parents and children grow in their relationship.
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For ongoing connections with AVID teachers: Becky, Teal, Liz, Lindsey, Christina, Camille, Richard, and Cindy.
For a new intern to help run SALI in the 2011-2012 school year.
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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
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For LINC NT work in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and for protection of the children during summer vacation, especially from drugs and pregnancy.
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Thanksgiving for a very successful Gala. Thanksgiving for the development at New Hope.
For the Ten new church starts in Area B
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Circuit Seven and Wichita Fall Mission Initiatives. That mission culture be developed.
For High Plains Mission Network development.
For preparation and planning of the 2011 Professional Church Workers Conference to be held in Klein, 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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For SALI as they move out into other school districts as well as for the new Early College High School Parent Nights at Brookhaven College.
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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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