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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 47
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Victory in Christ
Led by newly installed Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, this mission brings a strong kingdom presence in the Newark community with emphasis on church and school.
To read more about this growing mission/ministry click here.
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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
Almighty, Lord, as I kneel in Your presence, stripe me of all that would hinder me to be Your disciple, used to Your glory, reflecting Your grace in every word and action that I take this day. Amen.
Reading Luke 14:1-14; Psalm 84
Reflection
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem for one last Passover week as he goes to the cross. While on his way there he visits many villages and towns meeting a collection of people including tax collectors and sinners, 10 lepers, little children, a rich young ruler, Blind Bartimaeus of Jericho and Zacchaeus - the dishonest tax collector. It was a motley crew of people desperately in need of Good News. Many of this collection of folks were not the prominent people of society, but the unimportant, the despised and the unclean. Jesus was ready to share the good news of the Kingdom of God with all of them including the prominent Pharisee at whose house he now sits on a Sabbath Day. Jesus wants to find out if the Pharisees gathered there get it - the Kingdom of God that is. He affords them every opportunity to express that they understand God's love and what He is doing in their very sight and hearing.
A guy shows up with "dropsy" which the medical dictionaries describe as an accumulation of water particularly in the feet due to congestive heart failure. This guy's life hangs in the balance. If Jesus doesn't heal him, his life will end soon. So - he give the Pharisees a chance to demonstrate that they understand. When asked if it is lawful to heal him, the Pharisees don't have a single thing to say. Their silence was deafening. For them, keeping the letter of the law mattered infinitely more than a human life. Jesus is undaunted and taking physical hold of the man, He heals him, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that Jesus did this. Even after reminding them that the law allows for the rescue of a donkey that might fall in a pit on a Sabbath Day, they still have nothing to say. Their devotion to rules and regulations makes it impossible to see the bigger picture of God's love come down in the person of Jesus. Their seething silence does little to mask how much the despise Jesus.
As we believers go on mission together, it is vital that we never allow our systems, traditions and rules to become more important that the redeeming of a single life. Like one invited to a banquet with lots of important people, Jesus encourages us to take the posture of one who honors others and their needs more than our own status or place in the pecking order. Jesus goes even one step farther. He suggests that when we throw a banquet or party, that we invite those in physical, emotional and spiritual need. That gives us a great opportunity to bless others. In doing so, we might experience the thrill of someone saying to us at the resurrection of the righteous (v. 14) "Thanks for sharing your life and Jesus with me. If it were not for you, I might not be here."
--Mr. Paul Krentz, DCE, Area B Mission and Ministry Facilitator, 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
The Lord is near you and will use you this day for His kingdom. Amen.
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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 leads them and their families for work in God's Kingdom. |
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For Vicar Travis Hartjen, SoulThirst - Waters Edge, Allen
For Rev. Walter Dube, LINC Houston Chaplain M. D. Anderson Hospital, Houston
For your Pastor and his family
For congregational leaders.
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 Campus Missions and those serving in those locations across Texas.
St. Paul, Ft. Worth / The Summit at Aledo has launched Crossroads in Burleson. Through crossroads, God is mobilizing people to grow as His disciples and to be a blessing to the South Tarrant/North Johnson County region! They launched on Sunday, October 9 at the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce from 5-7PM.
New Church Plant development in Lubbock with Rev. Tim Radkey of Hope, Lubbock.
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The development of the "Uvalde Great Commission Outreach," in Uvalde through Rev. Gary Martin.
For St. Paul, McAllen
For WOBLO TX as they begin the adventure of bringing God's kingdom into darkness.
For Epiphany, Pearland as they continue to develop their multi-site ministry.  |
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For joyful and dedicated stewardship commitments in congregations to recognize the strength we have in common mission efforts.
For Steve Sandfort, Mission Planting Vicar at Crown of Life, Colleyville and the launch team for Edge Community Lutheran, NW Tarrant County.
For the community celebration in Candelaria at the end of September. This celebration will include Area A mission presence.
There is conversation about starting a Lutheran School in Candelaria (closest school is 50 miles away.)
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Pray for Continuing and Key Events -----
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Pray for the students and AVID teachers.
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For congregations to make bringing Christ to communities their top priority
For strong fellowship development among like minded witnesses
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| For Mission Liberty Hill
For Redeemer, Austin to implement childcare outreach.
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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Pray for the new partnerships between LINC NT and congregations in the metroplex.
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For congregations in Area A as they look to develop missional hearts.
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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.
For Hope Lutheran, Marble Falls, planted in connection with Genesis, Buchanan Dam
For Area C: Missional Worker Training
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For the Ten new church starts in Area B.
Pray for the LINC NT staff
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Pray for a great start with the new SALI teachers in the Metroplex
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God is raising up new workers connecting with Ely Prieto in LINC SA.
LINC SA submitted a grant request for Hannah Shoup's work among college students, women and children.
For POBLO and a new Ethnic Mission Plant in partnership with Our Savior, Rockwall.
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Circuit Seven and Wichita Fall Mission Initiatives. That mission culture be developed.
For High Plains Mission Initiative development.
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 & 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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