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2011 Prayer Support for Mission V. 2; N. 52
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MISSION HIGHLIGHT
Lifebridge, Houston
LifeBridge started in the Fall of 2008 with a group of believers in Cypress who desired to create a different kind of church. At the heart and core of LifeBridge is a belief that the church should look very different from our consumer-driven culture. (For more go to The 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
God of heaven and earth, Father of time and eternity, You hold all that is Created in Your hands, yet You call me to Yourself. Give me the boldness to move in Your name and under Your authority in this life with Your Gospel for the sake of Him who was, who is, and who is to come; Jesus. Amen.
Reading Luke 2:8-20; Psalm 99
Reflection
The Nativity of Our Lord
Luke 2:8-20
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."
Simple Shepherds "Glorifying and praising God." What Christian Missional discipleship is that? What part of Christian vocation? In the presence of real need, pain and sorrow, suffering and loss, amidst danger and the daring of duty and death itself, what good in the world could it possibly accomplish to "glorify and praise God"?
In Luther's Small Catechism, in the meaning of the Second Commandment, we say "...pray, praise, and give thanks."
But not necessarily in that order. Not on this Day! Not with the shepherds or with us!
Really, we pray because we are in the spirit of praise and thanksgiving. We know that God will hear us and all of our prayers because of Christmas, because of this Babe come to die for us and rise again and ascend to the right hand of eternal glory. All for us men and for our salvation!
We pray in the Spirit of this Day always! "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." The Babe is with us and for us! So we praise God for the Glory of His Gift. We give thanks for such a Savior and such a salvation. And we pray, as holy work and vocation. Why? Because the angelic message announces, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." For all the people in all the world for all time! We pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom Come!" We know the Gift of Christmas is for all everywhere and so we praise, give thanks, and pray that all hearts may receive the wonder of redeeming grace in the Babe of Bethlehem.
--Rev. Steve Morfitt, RioMAC Director Missional Worker Training Center & El Calvario Lutheran Church
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, you are sent. Go in the boldness of the presence of the Living God. 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 Rev. Larry Lieder, Holy Three-In-One Lutheran Church, Houston
For Rev. Pedro & Erica Jofre, LINC Houston Centro de Alabanza, Spring
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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