Friday, April 30, 2010

Got Prayer? ... Got Bear?

(there's no charge ... just look for one of the baskets inside any of the main doors of the church, which is located on the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, at the west edge of downtown Midland)

Dear Friend,
I'm Just a teddy bear, it's true,
but I have a message to bring to you;
I've been to church, and sat in a pew,
and I've been hugged by quite a few;
I've bowed my head when they said a prayer;
I've been charged with love by those who care.
And now I've come to live with you -
to bring you joy when you are blue,
to let you know that others care
and want all your days and nights to share.
So keep me close and squeeze me tight,
and know God's love makes all things right.

With our prayers for you,
In Touch Ministry, First Presbyterian Church

When you've had your time with me,
maybe you can set me free
to someone else who needs a prayer,
to show that God is always there.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Word from Uganda: "Wish List"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

Wish List

If you, your church or your organization is planning a trip to Mbale, Uganada this year, please consider taking along items from the following 'Wish List,' posted in February on Natalie's blog.

Lulwanda Children's Home ideas:
games and cards!!!
colorful magazine advertisements and old calendars (magazine papers need to be a bit thick like "real simple" and "martha stewart"
sports wear uniforms
simple yarn (not the super fuzzy kind)
crochet needles
pencil bags
small gifts/trinkets for teacher appreciation: pens, note pads...
Happy Birthday pencils
small pencil sharpeners
box of markers per older kid
board games, card games (any and all and multiples of each)
small photo albums for each child
quality school socks, undies/panties
CPR & Heimlich posters
bulletin board decorations (for a "good job/wall of fame" type board in the main hall)
kids DVDs
good pens and pencils
chalkboard erasers
"uniformed"/ matching sets of clothing-- I know sometimes private schools have surplus of matching uniforms (whether misprinted or being replaced by new design)- nice or sportswear

Care package ideas for me :)
powdered coffee flavors
face sun screen
berts bees or "lip medex" blistex (in blue container)
music
good books
crafty things/ideas
seeds for vegetables
CHOCOLATE CHIPS
brownie mix, muffin mix
cereal- quaker oatmeal squares, cinnamon toast crunch, kashi blueberry something
luna bars- chocolate peppermint or chocolate and peanut butter
individual water bottle flavoring (like crystal light, etc)
candy (Symphony bars, m&m, resses, skittles, starburst, gummy bears, lemon drops, cinnamon things, etc)
clothing- skirts, sundresses, tops, Bermuda shorts, tshirts
trail mix-ish things (the brand at target has many varieties)
nuts (plain)


If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

Monday, April 26, 2010

Midland Group Reports Two Chinese Christians Interrogated for Passing Out Gospel Flyers

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland Group Reports Two Chinese Christians Interrogated for Passing Out Gospel Flyers

Released by ChinaAid, March, 2010 ...

"XINJIANG REGION, CHINA – On March 22nd, 5:00 PM (local time), two Christian women (one native to Kuche, Xinjiang) were arrested for passing out Christian gospel flyers on the streets in Akesu, Xinjiang. Kuche Police joined forces with local Akesu authorities to arrest the two women. The police were not in uniform and provided no legal documents, violating standard legal procedures for the arrests. The two women were detained and interrogated by police for about two hours. Both were released at 7:00 PM (local)."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Friday, April 23, 2010

Midland Group Offers "Prayer Band That Started a Revolution"

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Issued by ChinaAid ...

This prayer band has been declared illegal in China.

Chinese police have stopped people on the streets and taken the bands off their wrists. Some have been interrogated and arrested; at least three families were evicted from their homes—for the government, the prayer band is a symbol of revolution.

We thank everyone across the U.S. and around the world who answered the call to wear a "Pray for China" prayer band and pray during the Olympics. Your willingness to stand with Chinese house church Christians encouraged them as they also wore prayer bands and prayed for their country. Their commitment came with a cost. Read more.

Yet, house church Christians refuse to be intimidated. They say that prayer for China is even more critical now that the world is no longer watching. Persecution has increased. Will you join in this revolution of prayer for China?

"They can arrest me or put me in prison, but I'm not going to stop praying for China. Although the prayer band is banned in China, prayer can never be banned. I am asking every Christian to support believers in China by wearing a prayer band." - a prominent house church leader

At this crucial time, will you partner in prayer? And, will you please forward this information to others who will want to pray for the persecuted in China.

» Click here to order a China Prayer Band

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

In the News ... "China Aid Association works to shed light on its legal defense fund"

By Kathleen Thurber
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Alimujiang Yimiti has served just more than five months since he was issued his latest sentence. He still has more than 175 months remaining.

The 35-year-old Uyghur house-church leader in China was first imprisoned more than two years ago and has since been charged with "revealing state secrets," said President of Midland-based ChinaAid Association Bob Fu.

The formal allegation came after Alimujiang shared with an American businessman a conversation he'd also had with a Chinese official about what caused him to convert from his Muslim faith to Christianity.

"This is one of the most serious cases," Fu said. "Even according to basic Chinese law he is totally innocent."

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Word from Uganda: "Sports Competition 2010"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

Sports Competition 2010

"We had around 20 different children participate in this years Sub-county sports competition,” Natalie writes. "The day started out with the sun blazing down on us and thousands of kids cheering their school athletes on.”
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

"The First Commandment"

God, your God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children's hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole hear and soul and live, really live. Deuteronomy 30:6
The Message, by Eugene Peterson

"God greatly desires our love. It is the nature of all love to want to be acceptable and to be accepted. God longs to have the love of our whole heart."

"How can we love God with all our heart and soul? In the same way that we receive salvation-through faith alone. Paul says, 'I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me' (Galatians 2:20). When we take time to wait upon God and remember how God sought to win our love through the gift of God's Son, we shall realize that God has a strong longing for our love."

"Our hearts are blind. It is easy to forget that God longs for the love of God's child. Once we believe it, we will feel constrained to wait before God and ask for God's light to shine into our hearts. As the sun gives us its light, God is a thousand times more willing to give us the light of God's love."

"As we wait silently before God, we become strong in the assurance of faith. God, who longs for our love, is almighty and will fill us with God's love by the Holy Spirit."

"O God, I bow before you. Fulfill my desire, which is also your desire, that my heart may be filled with you. Amen."
The Best of Andrew Murray on Prayer, compiled by Edward A. Elliott

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Praying Friend,

This coming Wednesday, April 21, 2010, we will meet to pray for children at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride's Room at at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. Afterwards, we'll have lunch ($5) and fellowship. I hope you will be able to join us.

If you have prayer requests or celebrations about children or those who care for them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for the children of our world!

Grace and peace,
Chris

Monday, April 19, 2010

Midland Group Reports Persecuted Church Leader Encourages Chinese Christians

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland Group Reports Persecuted Church Leader Encourages Chinese Christians

Released by ChinaAid, March, 2010 ...

"SHANXI PROVINCE, CHINA – On March 19, 2010, prominent house church leader Brother Zhong Guang wrote a letter to the persecuted brothers and sisters in Shanxi Linfen to encourage and comfort them with Scripture. Zhong Guang was a pioneer in establishing house churches as independent from the Three-Self Church in the mid-1950s. He was forced to work in a labor camp for his refusal to renounce his faith and his adherence to the Biblical truth. In his letter, Zhong reminds Christians in Linfen of Christ's encouragement to 'be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life' (Revelation 2:10)."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Friday, April 16, 2010

Sparkling Mission

Annie Dieselberg heads the staff at NightLight, a ministry in urban Bangkok, Thailand, that reaches out to women and children working in the bar areas of the Nana-Sukhumvit district. Located in a neighborhood with a growing sex trade, Nightlight’s vision is to share the Light of the world in both word and deed to those who live in darkness, and to combat the sexual exploitation of women and children, both Thai and foreign.

Right now, Annie tells us, the greatest need at NightLight is to sell more jewelry. NightLight Design Co., Ltd. is a registered jewellery business which employs women coming out of prostitution or having been at risk of prostitution and/or trafficking.

If you are interested in hosting a jewelry party please write to Charity at NightLight, at charity@nightlightusa.org, and she will assist you in setting that up.

Remember the beautiful jewelry is also available on-line at http://www.nightlightbangkok.com/

"God is going before us to the bars preparing the way. He is sending us to receive the women and give hope," Annie writes. "We ask you to join us in this adventure. Thank you to those of you who already do. You are saving lives!"

In the News ... "China Aid Raising Funds to Help Persecuted Christians"

Shelley Childers
Reporter
KOSA-TV


MIDLAND, TEXAS - A local organization that helps persecuted Christians in China is holding their annual fundraiser.

China Aid, located in Midland, is a faith-based, non-profit group that supports human rights and religious defense and legal aid in China.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

In the News ... "Greenwood Baptist minister to retire after 22 years"

By By Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

GREENWOOD, TEXAS - His good friend and assistant superintendent of the school district called him “the face of Greenwood.” His parishioners said they would miss his leadership. After nearly 22 years as senior pastor at Greenwood Baptist Church, Wayman Swopes has decided to retire.

“Most of us have mixed emotions,” parishioner Tony Ham said of Swopes’ retirement. “We’d like for him to stay but we’re happy he’s getting to retire and we’re just really going to miss him.”

The congregation will honor Swopes at the church from 10 a.m. until noon April 25, the day of his retirement. A celebratory lunch at the Midland Center will follow. Both events are open to the public.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Faces of Children: Prayer Requests

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).

Prayer Concerns for the week of 04/14/10

Benin
Pray for the children of Benin who are trafficked into servitude because their family situations are so desperate. Pray for those who must contribute to the family income because of deep poverty, making them extremely vulnerable to exploitation.
Pray for girls who are trafficked within Benin for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation and for boys who are trafficked within the country for forced labor as plantation workers, street hawkers, and construction workers. Pray for children trafficked out of Benin who are forced into prostitution, child labor, or illegal adoption.
Pray for children who are sexually exploited by teachers in return for better grades.
Pray for more openness about the subject of trafficking children for commercial sexual exploitation-the subject is taboo in Beninese culture. Pray for greater awareness of the problem of child trafficking and just laws that are enforced with consistency. Please pray that safe homes and programs that help with healing will be available for children rescued from this type of modern day slavery.
A report from EPCAT
Pray for an end to the tradition of using young, virgin girls as slaves to the temple priests in the tradition of trokosi, or "wives of the deity." Young girls are brought to a shrine to compensate for a crime committed by their families, sometimes for transgressions committed generations earlier, and must work in the household, clean the shrine, and serve as sex slaves.
A report from gvnet.com

China
Please continue to keep the children in Pishon Family Ministry's orphanages held close in prayer. Pray for the children in the orphanages who are "illegal" and unwanted. Many of them have some kind of physical or mental impairment and have been discarded by their parents. Because of China's strictly enforced one child policy, often the parents of a disabled child will dispose of that child in favor of having a healthy one, preferably a boy.
Pray that each "illegal" child will be able to receive identification papers that will make them legal. Thank God for the orphanage leaders who have been working hard to obtain papers for every child. Give thanks that these children are loved and wanted by God and that they have people in their lives who share this with them often!
Please pray for the caregivers and volunteers of Pishon Family Ministry and for their work with and witness to these children. Pay that God will encourage and support them in every aspect of their service. Pray that God will also provide them with the resources necessary to care for these forgotten children. Again, give thanks to God that the love of Jesus Christ is being made known to some of China's most vulnerable children.

United States
Please keep twins Micah and Nehemiah, who were born 6 weeks' premature, held close in prayer. Pray that they will learn to suck and swallow quickly so they won't have to stay in the hospital for a long time.
Pray that God will protect 14-year-old Teresa* from a high risk environment in her biological mother's home. Pray for her safety and that she won't be abused by the men with whom her mother associates regularly. After scheduled visits with her father and step-mother, Teresa often goes back home to a houseful of men drinking with her mother. Pray for Teresa's emotional and physical health-she has recently been hospitalized for behavioral problems, possibly stemming from the home environment.
* Name changed for confidentiality and/or protection.
Please lift in prayer the 10-year-old granddaughter of a Michigan woman who allowed her 67-year-old drug dealer to sexually assault the girl in exchange for cocaine or other narcotics. Pray for this child's physical and emotional healing. Pray for resilience and for her complete recovery from this horrible abuse. Pray for swift justice in this situation. And pray for the grandmother and the predator-that healing would take place in their lives as well.
A report from mlive.com
Please pray for God's comforting presence to be with the children and families of the miners killed in the April 5 coal mine explosion in West Virginia. Pray for those who lost fathers, brothers, sons, grandfathers, uncles and friends in one of the deadliest mining accidents in the U.S. in 25 years.
A report from the Washington Post

Faces of Children
Please continue to pray that more churches and individuals will join with the ministry of Faces of Children in spreading awareness about children in crisis and inviting more people to pray for children at risk.

In the News ... "Growing the Faith"

Roy Waggoner
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - A population surge has led to the urgent need for more space at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church — and the need is being met with a large new education building.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Word from Uganda: "The Love of God"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

The Love of God

"The Lord is great and greatly to be praised. In reflection of my morning reading, I was struck by the words of "treasure" and "richness" that the Amplified Bible uses,” Natalie writes. "Here is my journal entry from this morning.”
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).


A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:44

“Have you ever noticed how much difficulties play a part in our life? They call forth our power as nothing else can. They strengthen character."

"All nature has been so arranged by God that nothing is found without work and effort. Education is developing and disciplining the mind by new difficulties which the student must overcome. The moment a lesson has become easy, the student is advanced to one that is more difficult. It is in confronting and mastering difficulties that our highest accomplishments are found."

"It is the same in our relationship with God. Imagine what the result would be if the child of God had only to kneel down, ask, get, and go away. Loss to the spiritual life would result. Through difficulties we discover how little we have of God's Holy Spirit. There we learn our own weakness and yield to the Holy Spirit to pray in us. There we take our place in Christ Jesus and abide in him as our only plea with God. There our own will and strength are crucified. There we rise in Christ to newness of life. Praise God for the need and the difficulty of persistent prayer as one of God's choice means of grace."

"Think what Jesus owed to the difficulties in his path. He persevered in prayer in Gethsemane and the prince of this world with all his temptation was overcome."

"Jesus, in persevering prayer may I walk with you and learn of crucifixion. May I share in the fellowship of your cross. Amen."
From The Best of Andrew Murray on Prayer, compiled by Edward A. Elliott


Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

Even though this piece might have been more appropriate for Holy Week, I've found its message timeless and hope it will speak to you as well.

I have often fought the impulse to make the path easy for our children by fulfilling whatever need they've had at various times in their lives. My husband is wonderful about reminding me that it isn't healthy to give our children everything they want and think they need. In fact, I've noticed that doing so can be a form of abuse. If our children don't have to work for something they want. if they don't have to struggle through a difficult experience. if Mom or Dad always comes to the rescue. we deny them the opportunity for growth and even the opportunity to meet Jesus face-to-face in times of hardship and suffering.

Knowing that I'm being given an opportunity for growth through persistent prayer gives me hope when facing the difficult situations in life (of which there seem to be no limit). God is good to remind me that it isn't healthy to give me everything I think I need or want. I am shaped and formed through prayer, through my conversations with God about the difficulties in life. I'm learning that in my weakness, God's Holy Spirit is able to intervene and pray for me. Have you experienced this as well?

I hope you'll be able to join us in persistent prayer for the children of our world on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland. Please join us for this time of prayer and afterwards for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, have authority over them, or harm them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call.

Thank you for persisting in prayer for children at risk!


Blessings,
Chris

Monday, April 12, 2010

Midland Group Reports Attorneys Rescue Christian Petitioner from 9-Day Abduction

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland Group Reports Attorneys Rescue Christian Petitioner from 9-Day Abduction

Released by ChinaAid, March, 2010 ...

"BEIJING, CHINA – Christian petitioner Shen Peilan was illegally arrested on March 7, 2010, and held captive for nine days by officers from the Bureau of Letters and Petitions. Shen was abducted early in the morning, while she was having breakfast near Beijing southern train station. After her disappearance, friends from church she had been visiting called on local human rights activists and lawyers to search for her in Beijing."
Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Friday, April 9, 2010

Rolling Mission

Founded in 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Headquartered in Irvine, California, FWM works around the world in partnership with a vast network of humanitarian, faith-based and government organizations, sending wheelchairs to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, providing not only the gift of mobility, but of dignity, independence, and hope.

"Our mission is to transform lives through the gift of mobility to
the physically disabled poor in developing countries
as motivated by Jesus Christ.
Our vision is to provide 20 million wheelchairs."


Want to take one for a test drive? During normal business hours, visit the lobby at the Texas Street entrance of First Presbyterian Church-Midland, at the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west side of downtown Midland. For $51.29, you can give the gift of mobility. You can donate by mailing FWC, calling them, or visiting their website.

Free Wheelchair Mission
9341 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618

(800) 733-0858

www.freewheelchairmission.org/

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Word from Uganda: "This and That"

Missionary teacher Natalie Rolfe writes, "'When He calls me, I will answer ... I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.' My call was Mbale, Uganda and that is where I have returned to serve for another year. Specifically, I am teaching phonics at Lulwanda Children's Home, an orphanage and school for 90 kids." Natalie also keeps an online journal of her service at the weblog, When He calls me, I will answer ...

This and That

"I had forgotten about these photos on my big camera. Some are from LCH and the others are from around my house in Senior Quarter,” Natalie writes. "I like to take a walk in the evening and see what I might be able to shoot. I hope you enjoy.”
CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post

If you are interested in supporting LCH by sponsoring one of the 90 children, go to www.ugandaorphans.org If you are interested in financially supporting Natalie in her mission, you can send checks (with "Natalie Rolfe" in memo) to: Midland Bible Church, 2800 North A Street, Midland, TX 79705

In the News ... "MISD Shoe Drive"

Stephanie Rivas
Reporter
KOSA-TV


MIDLAND, TEXAS - There will be some happy feet across MISD thanks to one Midland church.

First United Methodist Church recently learned that there were over 400 students classified as homeless in the district that were in need of shoes.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Midland Group's Leader Speaks on Chinese Human Rights Defense in Europe

The China Aid Association is a non-profit Christian organization - based in Midland, Texas - with a mission to uncover and reveal the truth about religious persecution in China, focusing especially on the unofficial church. They do this, they explain in their website, by exposing the abuses, encouraging the abused and equipping the saints to advance the kingdom of God throughout China.

Midland Group's Leader Speaks on Chinese Human Rights Defense in Europe

Released by ChinaAid, March, 2010 ...

"LONDON, ENGLAND – At a press conference held Wednesday, March 24, 2010, President of ChinaAid Bob Fu shared more than 124,000 signatures calling for the release and verifiable information on the whereabout of missing human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng."

"In the course of his meetings with members of the European Union and the English Parliament, Bob is sharing Gao's story, and the story of other severe persecution cases like that of Linfen Church in Shanxi and of Uyghur Christian-convert Alimujiang Yimiti, with the help of veteran Chinese lawyer Dr. Li Baiguang. Over the next few weeks they will continue to meet with high ranking officials in Europe to discuss the status of human rights and conditions for lawyers in China."

Read the Rest of the Report from ChinaAid

Invitation to Prayer

Faces of Children is an ecumenical prayer ministry under the auspices of First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas. Our mission is to initiate ministries of prayer for children in churches, communities, and neighborhoods. In doing so, we seek to provide an opportunity for people of God to join together, learn about children and their needs throughout the world, and celebrate Christ's love (especially as it relates to children).


A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

You have conquered death and given us new life in you, O Lord, our God. Alleluia!

“Dear Jesus, you once were condemned; you are still being condemned. You once carried your cross; you are still carrying your cross. You once died; you are dying still. You once rose from the dead; you are still rising from the dead."

"I look at you, and you open my eyes to the way in which your passion, death and resurrection are happening among us every day. But within me there is a deep fear of looking at my own world. You say to me: ‘Do not be afraid to look, to touch, to heal, to comfort and to console.’ I listen to your voice, and, as I enter more deeply into the painful, but also hope-filled, lives of my fellow human beings, I know that I enter more deeply into your heart…"

"As your passion, death and resurrection continue in history, give me the hope, the courage and the confidence to let your heart unite my heart with the hearts of all your suffering people, and so become for us the divine source of new life."
From Christ Our Hope, daily Lenten meditations from the works of Henri J.M. Nouwen


Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

This was just too perfect to pass up, so you get another dose of Nouwen for Easter Sunday. This letter to Jesus truly gives me encouragement in my own work. As Nouwen confessed, I too will share that I’m afraid to look closely at my own world sometimes. It really is painful to think about what is happening to children in our world. So much unredemptive, negative suffering. So much senseless pain.

Yet Jesus challenged Nouwen to not be afraid of looking, touching, healing, comforting, and consoling. Jesus challenged him to not be afraid of entering more deeply into the pain of others. As odd as this sounds, we’re able to discover new life when we open ourselves up to others’ pain and suffering. We open ourselves up to the source of this new life, Jesus the Christ, when we risk uniting our hearts with the hearts of his suffering children.

This coming Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland, we’ll unite our hearts in prayer with those of the suffering children of our world, for children at risk. Please join us for this time of prayer and afterwards for lunch ($5) and fellowship.

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, have authority over them, or harm them, please send them to me at claufer@facesofchildren.net or give me a call.


Celebrating the divine source of this new life,
Chris

In the News ... "Local Church Now Offers Spanish Worship Service"

Shelley Childers
Reporter
KOSA-TV


ODESSA-MIDLAND, TEXAS - A local church is now offering a Spanish speaking worship service each Sunday.

Mid-Cities Community Church held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to kick-off the grand opening of its new worship building.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the KOSA story.

Holy Week Scripture: Easter Monday

First Presbyterian Church of Midland has prepared a list of Scripture from the Bible, to help acquaint you with the story of Christ's final days, and prepare you for that joyful announcement on Easter Sunday (the links below are to biblegateway.com, King James Version).

Easter Monday
Luke 24: 13-39
Psalm 100

Sunday, April 4, 2010

An Opportunity to Make a Joyful (?) Noise

As we draw near the end of Holy Week, a week where the two biggest Christ-related news stories involved sex abuse in Europe and Christian militia in America, with breaks devoted to ads for Easter candy and holiday sales events, it's good to remember the biggest news story of all ...

He is risen ...
Christ is risen, indeed ...

"We are the Easter people," Pastor Jim Miles of First Prez-Fort Stockton reminds us ..... and that is what we affirm today, the day for which we have prepared all week, the day for which we live at all times. A promise was made on a joyful, star-lit night, in a stable in Bethlehem ... but that promise was kept on a bloody, storm-darkened day, on a hill outside of Jerusalem.

The following is part of my annual observance of this wonderful day ...
A pretty-full house for early service and a filled-to-capacity house for late service this morning at First Prez-Midland, and I don't think anyone went home disappointed. The church's staff and ministry did themselves proud today, and the message of Christ's resurrection - and our salvation - was loud, clear and compelling.

There was a little something for everyone ... including me. A small notice in the church bulletin said, "Those who have sung the 'Hallelujah Chorus' and would like to join with the choir in this great anthem, please come to the chancel during the singing of 'Christ is Aive.'"

I had ... so I did. As I do every Easter, now, I sang that awesome piece with a choir. And not just the choir this morning, but accompanied by brass, percussion and organ.

I was a tenor in high school, and I don't quite have the range now, that I did then. The lump in my throat - not the result of stage fright but, rather of exhilaration - didn't help either ... what can I say? ... it was a wonderful moment. And even as I mangled this note or that, I didn't care ... I was making a joyful noise, nonetheless. And, I enjoyed it so much that I came back and sang at late service, as well.

Perhaps what I felt was something like what Edward Hoagland once described ...

"Though I'd seen mobs behave savagely, some of my experience was of the moments when, on the contrary, a benign expressiveness, even a kind of sweetness, is loosed. When life seems to be an unmixed good, the more the merrier, and each man rises to a sense of glee and mitigation, alleviation, or freedom that, perhaps, we wouldn't quite dare to feel if he were alone. The smiling likeness, infectious blitheness, the loose, exultant sense of unity in which sometimes, the mass of people as a whole, seems to improve upon the better nature of the parts."

"This intrigued me."

"Just as with other natural wonders of the world, to which one relinquishes one's self, instead of feeling smaller, I often felt bigger when I was packed into a multitude And taking for granted the potential for mayhem of crowds, of which so much has been written, I was fascinated instead by the clear, pealing gaiety."

"It manifests itself, for instance, in the extraordinary quality that singing by a congregation acquires. The humdrum and unlovely voices gradually merge into a sweet, uniquely pristine note, a note angelic-sounding, hardly believable. Looking about, one can't see who in particular might have such a voice. Everybody in the pew has an expression as if he were about to sneeze, and squawks just a little. It is a note created only when hundreds sing ... it needs them all. No single person is responsible, any more than any individual in a mob lends that its bestiality."

"It's like riding in surf. It's like a Dantean ascent ... one circle up. Suddenly, we like all these strangers, even the stranger in ourselves, and seem to see a shape in life, as if all the exertions of the week really were justified and were a source of joy."

Alleluia ... Amen


With thanks to Florence Sherwood, Chorus Director at Dallas Senior High School, Dallas, Pennsylvania, for her wonderful talent and her incredible patience.

Holy Week Scripture: Easter Sunday

First Presbyterian Church of Midland has prepared a list of Scripture from the Bible, to help acquaint you with the story of Christ's final days, and prepare you for that joyful announcement on Easter Sunday (the links below are to biblegateway.com, King James Version).

Easter Sunday
Luke 24: 1-12
Psalm 118

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Holy Week Scripture: Holy Saturday

First Presbyterian Church of Midland has prepared a list of Scripture from the Bible, to help acquaint you with the story of Christ's final days, and prepare you for that joyful announcement on Easter Sunday (the links below are to biblegateway.com, King James Version).

Holy Saturday
Luke 23: 50-56
Psalm 121

Friday, April 2, 2010

In the News ... "Good Friday community service meant to focus on the cross"

By Kathleen Thurber
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - In an effort to help locals focus on the cross and Jesus’ death before they celebrate his resurrection Easter morning, the Midland Ministerial Alliance will host a Good Friday service for the community.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Holy Week Scripture: Good Friday

First Presbyterian Church of Midland has prepared a list of Scripture from the Bible, to help acquaint you with the story of Christ's final days, and prepare you for that joyful announcement on Easter Sunday (the links below are to biblegateway.com, King James Version).

Good Friday
Luke 23: 1-49
Psalm 22

Thursday, April 1, 2010

In the News ... "First Baptist working with other churches to reach people in their homes"

By Megan Lea Buck
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - If you live in Midland, chances are someone has knocked on your door these past few weeks and offered you a multi-media CD containing the Gospel of John, personal testimonies of Christians and a link to a Web site that offers the New Testament read aloud in a number of different languages.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

Holy Week Scripture: Maundy Thursday

First Presbyterian Church of Midland has prepared a list of Scripture from the Bible, to help acquaint you with the story of Christ's final days, and prepare you for that joyful announcement on Easter Sunday (the links below are to biblegateway.com, King James Version).

Maundy Thursday
Luke 22: 7-70
Psalm 116