2011 m2c texas prayer initiative 2.30

2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 30

MISSION HIGHLIGHT

Zion Christian Center

Begun in 2008, this ministry is endeavoring to reach inner city families through worship, teaching, after school programs, adult daycare, child care center, financial planning, food/clothing pantry, job training, home repairs, parenting classes, tutoring, and more.

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

O Father, once again, as I kneel before You, extend Your mercy and grace to me, hear my prayer, incline Your ear to me. I will be comforted by Your presence and Your leading today. In Your ever present name I pray; Jesus. Amen.

Reading Luke 9:37-50 ; Psalm 130

Reflection

Knowing and Still Loving

Donald Knuth, one of the world's most brilliant computer programmers, is a dedicated and committed Christian and is Lutheran. In his desire to grow more deeply in relationship with God he decided to study all the "3:16" passages in Scripture. He chose this particular verse because he knew there was at least one of these verses that had profound significance and is referred to as the Gospel in nutshell, John 3:16.

So that he would understand the text more deeply, he learned Hebrew and Greek so as to read the texts in the original language, recognizing that even with this skill and his brilliance of mind, he would still not fully grasp the depth and power of God. In his brief four page chapter on John 3:16 he wrote, "As a computer programmer, I can glimpse what the situation might have been like, because I can effectively create new worlds inside a computing machine. The ultimate act of love would be to become part of those worlds myself, if I could." Man can do the former; only God can do the latter, and he did, in Christ.

It is in this unique position that Jesus bridged the gap between the divine and the human. Hence we see in our lesson for today, the day following his transfiguration, a glimpse into the splendor of heaven, Jesus re-entering the humanity of the world he came to save. A father of only one child, a son, possessed by an evil spirit comes to Christ and asked for healing from demon possession. He had asked Jesus' disciples to do it, but they could not, despite that earlier they could (Lk. 9:1-2). Jesus spoke strongly to them about this wavering trust/non-trust behavior, then healed the boy.

The disciples did not get it and again regressed into very human behavior by arguing over who is the greatest among them. But the one who bridged the gap between the divine and human embraced a young child and said that to them, if you want to be great learn to be humble, learn to trust, believe in me and you will be welcoming the one who sent me. Then, and only then, will you understand greatness.

As we venture forth in mission, we, not unlike the disciples of old, will regress. We will fail to trust. We will put our hopes in our own greatness. We will make our mission God's mission. When we do we pray, Lord, pull me back and let me trust in the one who knows me and still loves me. Redirect my thinking and overcome my weakness of faith and earthly desires for success. Let me seek after you and humble myself before your will. Amen.

By Rev. Dr. John Hirsch

Church Planter Assessor, 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, rejoicing in every promise, to His glory. AMEN.

Note: Those items that are in bold italic are newly added to or timely emphasis items

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.

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 Vicars and Call Candidates as the Lord prepares them and their families for work in God's Kingdom.

For Rev. Mark Junkans, LINC Houston Executive Director, Houston, TX.

For Rev. Oscar Benavides, LINC North Texas Executive Director, 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

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.

For St. John Cypress as they look for their next mission start.

The development of the "Uvalde Great Commission Outreach," in Uvalde.

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.

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

Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----

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

For Ramiro Guierrez and his family in the New Hope ministry. That leaders would be raised up for the surrounding community.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 LINC NT work in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD and for protection of the children during summer vacation, especially from drugs and pregnancy.

Thanksgiving for a very successful Gala. Thanksgiving for the development at New Hope.

For the Ten new church starts in Area B

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

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.

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 Worker Training in the Texas District, click here.

Blessings,

Rev. Steven Misch
Texas District, LCMS
806-433-4536