West Texas Missioner

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

MINUTE FOR MISSION: MINISTRY WITH THE ROMA PEOPLE - The Roma people of Europe have a long and complex history. Scholars generally agree, based on linguistic and genetic evidence, that their ancestors came from northwest India, but there are conflicting theories as to when. But one thing is clear: on their arrival in eastern, central, and western Europe some 600 years ago, they frequently found themselves the subjects of popular and official prejudice and discrimination based on their ethnicity. More recently, with the addition of eastern European countries to the European Union’s scheme of visa-free travel, Roma have traveled to western Europe in large numbers, only to experience frequent discrimination. All over Europe, Roma face discrimination in housing, employment, and education ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook now available ...

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the compassionate and prophetic disciples among us. They proclaim God’s justice — extending God’s reign each and every day through their lives and work. Their stories will inspire and encourage you. Engage in ministry alongside them by praying through the Mission Yearbook each day.

• Order your copy from the Church Store ...

Friday, November 7, 2014

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: Commissioning

From November 8th through the 15th, 2014, a team from 1st Presbyterian Church-Midland will be traveling to the Central American country of Belize, and working with The Word at Work ministry. This will be an opportunity to reach out and share the gospel with the people of Belize while working side-by-side with the local community and The Word at Work staff on a much-needed construction project ... all of this building upon a foundation of relationships that was laid early this year.

The eleven o'clock service, last weekend at 1st Presbyterian Church-Midland, included the commissioning of FPC's November 2014 Belize Mission Team. The commissioning includes three questions posed to the individuals on the mission team, regarding their commitment to serve ...

1. Do you accept the responsibility of representing this congregation in doing the work of our Lord in a distant place?

2. Will you work to exemplify Christ's teachings by loving one another and by translating Christ's message with excitement and care, turning strangers to friends and friends to brothers and sisters?

3. Will you serve in this special work with energy, intelligence, imagination and love, treasuring your experiences as opportunities to teach and to grow?

The church family is invited to come forward, lay hands upon the mission team members, and join in prayer ... it's a wonderful and encouraging time, and an important part of our preparations for the mission to Belize.

GOT QUESTIONS?
Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?

• CLICK HERE to e-mail us your question

Mysteries Revealed! "Advent Conspiracy" continues Sunday at First Prez-Midland

Continuing this Sunday, and every Sunday, in November at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas ...

There's a conspiracy afoot in the Tall City, and across the country ... though it's not the kind of conspiracy you'd find in a Dan Brown novel. Advent Conspiracy is an international movement working to restore the spirit of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption - a movement of Christ-followers who want to ...

• Worship Fully,
• Give More,
• Spend Less, and
• Love All.

It's a conspiracy without a hidden agenda ... speaking openly, conspirators remind us that the story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

We all want our Christmas to be a lot of things. Full of joy. Memories. Happiness. Above all, we want it to be about Jesus. What we don't want is stress. Or debt. Or feeling like we "missed the moment". Advent Conspiracy is a movement designed to help us all slow down and experience a Christmas worth remembering. But doing this means doing things a little differently. A little creatively.

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again? ... Welcome to the Advent Conspiracy. ... It means turning Christmas upside down.

Want to know more? Join us Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Lynn Hall at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, at the northwest corner of Texas and A streets, on the west side of downtown Midland. You can enter the church from Texas Street, or from Illinois, right across from Midland High School.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

RUSSIA (continued) - In 2013 Christians gathered in the city of Smolensk to share and to learn how better to reach a particular population—the graduates from Russia’s orphanage system. This is perhaps the most vulnerable population in Russia, with many falling through the cracks. From 16 cities and as many churches, from as far away as the Ural Mountains to the west and the Black Sea region to the south, teams gathered to glean a new understanding of the struggles of these young adults and to think about strategies.

Eamon Anderson, a social worker from the University of Montana and member of First Presbyterian Church in Missoula, spoke on trauma and PTSD in children and adolescents. As she shared about the symptoms and long-term effects, it was as if lights came on ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Nightlight Blog: "A Few Good Men, Part 1"

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

Annie Dieselberg, founder and CEO, 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,

One of the means Annie uses to share her observations and experiences is her blog, a document of Nightlight's's mission to see women and children freed from the sexual exploitation of prostitution and trafficking, and to see the global church and community working together to free, heal, and restore all who have been broken and wounded through the sex trade.

A Few Good Men, Part 1

We at NightLight believe that men are part of the solution in regard to the issue of sexual exploitation. We are committed to reaching out to the men who come to Bangkok to participate in the sex industry. These following stories will highlight “a few good men” that we work with or encounter in the Nana red-light district in Bangkok ...

“I don’t have sex with the women.” I hadn’t actually asked his intentions, but a conversation with a man in the middle of the red light area is likely to end up addressing this very thing. The large, muscular man was curious about who we were, and he had approached as one of our team was doing Thai sign language with the deaf streetwalkers. He made a few signs to the women and then tried to ask questions of our team member. She was deeply involved in hand signs with the deaf, so I engaged him in conversation instead.

“Thank you. Thank you for respecting the women,” I said sincerely. His response took me by surprise. “I respect myself,” he said. “Why would I do that when I respect myself?”

I’m pretty sure that is the first time I have heard these words in the red light area. It made me stop and think ...

• read the rest of this post ...

Faces of Children: Prayer Concerns for This Week

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 11/5/14

Honduras

• Please keep the children and people of Honduras close in prayer during this season of drought and food insecurity. Over a half million people have been affected by a severe drought that has caused crops to die, food prices to skyrocket, and reduced work for agricultural day laborers.
• more on this request ...
• Pray for families who’ve been forced to sell their livestock and belongings in order to purchase food just to survive. Over 20 percent of Honduras’ population suffer from chronic malnutrition.
• Pray for those who have migrated to escape the drought and its effects as well as the extreme poverty rampant in Honduras. Tens of thousands of Central American children, the largest number coming from Honduras, have migrated to the United States in the past year.
• Please pray the upcoming harvest will help the estimated 122,000 families who are dependent upon subsistence farming. Pray God will bring rain to this parched region.
• Pray Honduras’ relief agencies can provide support for the most vulnerable children and families who not only need access to food, but also to clean water, health care, and proper hygiene facilities.

India, Brazil

• Please keep in prayer India’s hungry children. One in every three malnourished children in the world lives in this country and more than 190 million people are undernourished in India. Give thanks to God that Indian leaders are serious about ending malnutrition and have adopted Brazil’s “zero hunger” challenge.
• more on this request ...
• Thanks be to God Brazil has been able to virtually eliminate malnutrition through this initiative. By providing support to farmers and rural residents (who are often the worst affected by food insecurity) and adopting other policies, Brazil has almost halted malnutrition within its borders.

Iraq

• Please continue to keep the children and families of Iraq’s Yazidi minority in prayer as they face renewed persecution from Islamic State (IS also known as ISIS or ISIL) militants.
• more on this request ...
• Pray for the loved ones of those killed by Islamic State fighters. Thousands of Yazidis have been shot, beheaded, buried alive, kidnapped, or sold into slavery by IS militants in what UN officials believe is an attempt at genocide. Please pray for the freedom of those who have been kidnapped or trafficked by Islamic State fighters.
• Pray for Yazidi children, youth, and adults who are forced by IS militants to convert to Islam or be killed.
• Pray for the thousands of Yazidi children and families still stranded on Iraq’s Mount Sinjar as IS militants tighten their siege on the mountain. On October 20, Islamic State fighters began a renewed assault on several Yazidi residential compounds, forcing inhabitants to flee up the mountain.
• Please pray for the safety and freedom of all minorities targeted by Islamic State militants. Pray for peace and stability in this region.

United States

• Keep in prayer the loved ones and friends of those killed in a school shooting near Seattle on October 25. The young man who allegedly shot five friends in the school’s cafeteria lured his victims there via text message. Fourteen-year-old Zoe Galasso and 14-year-old Gia Soriano were allegedly shot by 15-year-old Jaylen Fryberg who took his own life.
• more on this request ...
• more on this request ...
• more on this request ...
• Pray God will bring healing to those injured in the shooting. Pray for 14-year-old Shaylee Chuckulnaskit who is in critical condition and for Jaylen’s cousins, 14-year-old Nate Hatch and 15-year-old Andrew Fryberg, who are also hospitalized. Pray for their parents and families as they care for these teens.
• Please remember in prayer the students and staff at Marysville-Pilchuck High School during this season of loss and grief. Pray they will sense God’s comfort through the love and support of the community. Pray they will have access to grief counselors as they deal with the trauma of this shooting.
• Give God thanks for the actions of first year teacher Megan Silberberger who intervened in the attack when the gunman paused, possibly to reload.
• Pray for Jaylen’s family as they deal with his death and the shock of his actions. Jaylen was a popular, well-loved student at the school—he was a football player, on the Homecoming court, and a member of the Tulalip Indian tribes. Pray for his Tulalip Tribe community as they struggle to cope with this tragedy.
• more on this request ...

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.

If you have prayer requests about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to Chris Laufer, FOC Coordinator, at claufer@facesofchildren.net

In the News ... "A monkey off their backs"

OA Photo

• Baptist church pulls together to start anew

By Lyndsay Weaver, Reporter
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The folks who call Central Baptist Church their place of worship each Sunday are a small group: Sixty or so; mostly retired; the older generation.

The church on Texas Street, led by Pastor Vaughny Taylor, was moved by his vision five years ago to pay off the church’s debt on its education building.

The loan amounted to the tune of $212,000. It was a monkey on Central Baptist’s back

...

• read the rest of this OA report

• What: Debt Payoff Celebration Service
• Where: Central Baptist Church, 1401 N. Texas, Odessa.
• When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

RUSSIA - The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 4:12).

The Outreach Foundation has been richly blessed by the example of young Russian Christians who are helping their congregations to reach out in ways that make God’s love real in the lives of others.

At Second Baptist Church in Smolensk, the youth are active volunteers in a variety of outreach ministries, including the congregation’s weekly orphanage ministry and its summer camp ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

WAW Wednesdays: Raising awareness, funds, prayers

"The Word at Work is a ministry that mobilizes churches and individuals to answer God's call to minister to those in need," writes Rev. Tim Tam, Director of the Amarillo, Texas-based ministry. "Through our relationships, God reveals needs and opportunities for service. As we come along side the poor, new friendships develop and doors for ministry open. As we serve, God provides the resources to supply for the needs he reveals."

Raising awareness, funds, prayers

Dear Friends,

Thanks for taking a minute to read our weekly update.

This past Sunday we were privileged to work with Michael Martin Murphey and the Western Heritage Museum located in Hobbs, NM on a fundraising event for TWAW. Close to 100 guests enjoyed a meet and greet time with Mr. Murphey and an intimate concert in the Museum Auditorium, where they heard more about our ministry. We're grateful to everyone who participated!

Here's a photo of Mr. Murphey with one of the high bidders on an autographed guitar featuring the lyrics of Wildfire. We had a special guest auctioneer at the event; Bob Herndon and his wife, Sharon, joined us all the way from Jackson, TN; they brought 100's of Christmas toys for our Christmas Project in Belize, December 13-22! Would you like to join us on this trip? If so, let Mollie know by November 1! If you've been gathering items for the Christmas container, let Tim Hagen know so he can share our shipping schedule.

This year our TWAW donors have provided scholarships for close to 150 students in Belize! Thank you so much!! We have just one student left on our list - a 12-year-old young lady, one of 9 children, is hoping to get her education in the Valley of Peace. Sponsorship is $150USD - once we have this student covered, we'll begin building our scholarship fund for 2015.

Finally, it's been a bittersweet week for our friend Ladeni and all those who have come to love her and her family ... the tumor in Ladeni's leg was too advanced to allow for reconstruction, so surgeons were forced to perform an amputation in order to save her life. The sweetness of watching so many people come around this family with love and encouragement is indescribable! Here's Ladeni, just this morning, beginning the next part of her journey. She's been comforting others in the midst of her own pain - what a hero in the faith this young woman is! We've created a fund to assist with some of the family's expenses while Ladeni recovers; let me know if you'd like to make a donation and thank you for your continued prayers.

Gratefully,

tt (Tim Tam)
The Word at Work

EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking from my own first-hand experience, working side-by-side with Tim, Kenny and our brothers and sisters in Belize, won't you give thoughtful, prayerful consideration to supporting the efforts of Tim, the Word At Work staff and their partners? Please please fill out this Commitment Card and return it to their office!

Also, remember that you can follow The Word At Work on their Facebook page!

Partners Blog: "Life After Uni"

Steve and Oddny Gumaer started Partners Relief and Development in response to the needs of refugees and displaced people from Burma. Their mission is to demonstrate, through holistic action, God’s love to children and communities made vulnerable by war in Burma.

Life After Uni

After visiting the Mother Teresa homes of Kolkata, India, I caught my first glimpse into the world of extreme poverty. I witnessed the desperation of young mothers trying to feed their malnourished children and the immense suffering of people longing for hope. Returning home to New Zealand (NZ), I was confronted by these opposing worlds of affluence and scarcity.

After graduating with a Masters in International Development from UoA, I knew that I wanted to do something more than working a 9-5 job out of a sky rise office building every day. I decided to volunteer with Partners Relief & Development ...

• read the rest of this post

Partners Relief and Development is a registered charity in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, working with communities impacted by war in Burma.

FPC-Midland Belize Mission: How You Can Help

How You Can Help

While God has opened up a door for us on the team to develop a greater heart of compassion for all his people around the world, he has also opened that door for you to share that compassion in different ways.

First and foremost, we ask for your prayers that God will prepare us for our visit, and bless our efforts as we minister to the people of Belize. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead, and add the Belize Mission Team, 1st Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas to your church’s prayer list.

We also ask for prayers that our financial needs be met. Each member of our team needs to raise almost $2,000 in support – through our own resources and through the support of friends and family. Would you prayerfully consider supporting our team through a small contribution? If you feel led to contribute financially, please make checks payable to “First Presbyterian Church” and include “Belize Mission Team” in the notation line. The checks may be sent to:

Belize Mission Trip
c/o 1st Presbyterian Church
800 W. Texas Avenue
Midland, TX 79701

Whether you feel led to contribute financially, through prayer or through both ... all of your support is appreciated!

GOT QUESTIONS?
Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?

CLICK HERE to e-mail us your question

In the News ... "Local Churches Unite to Pray for Persecution"

KMID Photo

Staff Report
KMID-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Local churches united this weekend to pray for those persecuted in other countries.

Awake the Nations Conference was held at First Baptist Church of Midland Saturday in hopes of bringing awareness to religious persecution ...

• read the rest of this KMID report

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 5, 2014

ARMENIA - At age 96, Vartan Jinishian made a momentous decision. He gave all his earthly treasure to suffering Armenian brothers and sisters throughout the Middle East. The Armenian homeland is a cradle of Christianity—and of human civilization—and yet its people have suffered persecution, genocide, and dispersal. By establishing an endowment with the Presbyterian Church(U.S.A.), Jinishian’s gift has provided hope to millions in Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Jerusalem through the Jinishian Memorial Program ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Word from Uganda: "From my heart"

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 ...

From my heart

Loss, Change, Uncertainty, Loneliness

It is easy to feel this way right now. The reality is that in the past 4 months ALL of the closest friends that I have been walking life with for the past few years have left my life in one way or another. Literally, every close friend ...

• read the rest of Natalie's post ...

Invitation to Prayer: TOMORROW

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 Still Small Voice

Why is it so difficult to be still and quiet and let God speak to me about the meaning of my life? Is it because I don’t trust God? Is it because I don’t know God? Is it because I wonder if God really is there for me? Is it because I am afraid of God? Is it because everything else is more real for me than God? Is it because, deep down, I do not believe that God cares what happens at the corner of Yonge and Bloor?

Still there is a voice—right there, in downtown Toronto. ‘Come to me, you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light’ (Matthew 11:28-30).

Can I trust that voice and follow it? It is not a very loud voice, and often it is drowned out by the clamor of the inner city. Still, when I listen attentively, I will hear that voice again and again and come to recognize it as the voice speaking to the deepest places of my heart.”

Here and Now by Henri J. M. Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Intercessor,

The Midland Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center conference room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, Afterwards, we'll share lunch ($5) and fellowship.

I hope you are able to join us as we pray for the children of our local and global communities.

Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for the littlest citizens of God’s Kingdom! If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children, those who care for them, those who have authority over them, or those who harm them (the really hard prayers to say sometimes), please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call.

Grace and peace,

Chris

In the News ... "Midland College to host annual Empty Bowls event"

MRT Photo by Tim Fischer

• Part of grassroots effort to fight hunger

By Steve Kuhlman
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Midland’s annual Empty Bowls event will for the first time be held at Midland College on Thursday. Benefiting the West Texas Food Bank, the event will feature soup, bread and drinks donated by Jason’s Deli.

“It’s great that we have the community support (from Jason’s Deli) to be able to do that,” said Tina Corbett, development director for the West Texas Food Bank. “We’re just thrilled to be a beneficiary of this program. I think that it’s just a great way for the community to come out and support the food bank” ...

• read the rest of this MRT report

On Thursday, November 6, the Midland College Art Department will host “Empty Bowls” to raise funds for the West Texas Food Bank. Donations of $10 will entitle participants to purchase a handcrafted bowl and enjoy a light meal, courtesy of Jason’s Deli. The event will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the McCormick Gallery section of the Allison Fine Arts Building on the MC main campus, 3600 N. Garfield.

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 4, 2014

ROMANIA - One Sunday in a PC(USA) congregation, a speaker lifted up the church’s ministry to Romania’s crib-bound babies, institutionalized orphans, and other children of trauma. A special-offering basket was then circulated to help support PC(USA) partner NOROC fulfill its mission of providing New Opportunities for Romanian Orphaned Children ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, November 3, 2014

ChinaAid: "Guest post: Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain"

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.

Guest post: Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain
Distributed by ChinaAid, October, 2014 ...

By Jinghong Cai – I just read an ABC-13 report that nine Chinese nationals, together with others from different countries, illegally crossed the Texas-Mexican border into the United States. Immigration authorities found that these Chinese brought with them a “Christian checklist” to help them seek asylum in the U.S. On the checklist, there were answers to questions such as, “Where was Jesus born, where did he grow up,” “Jesus had how many apostles … what are their names,” and “When is Christmas.” It is simply outrageous ...

• more on this post from China Aid

Invitation to Prayer: WEDNESDAY

In the News ... "Buckner brings author who draws positivity from faith"

• “God can do anything with a person’s life”

Steve Kuhlman, Reporter

Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Buckner International will host a community-wide luncheon featuring best-selling author Karol Ladd as a guest speaker. The November 4 event at Midland Country Club will benefit Buckner-sponsored programs that support vulnerable children and families in the Permian Basin.

“I like to focus on the fact that life isn’t perfect and that through the struggles that we have with circumstances and with people in our lives, we still can find something good and rise above the challenge and become stronger,” Ladd said during a phone interview ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

HUNGARY - Some say that the Reformed Church in Hungary (RCH) has difficulty meeting the needs of Hungarian youth. While it is true that there might not be many young adults in Sunday services, there are many spiritually active youth in the church. Nothing is more exciting than a young adult participating in the life of the body of Christ, and examples of this abound in the RCH. The youth group in Kiskunhalas is one of them. ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

The Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is a daily devotional with 365 inspiring mission stories that come from next door and all across the globe. It inspires thousands of Presbyterians daily as they uphold the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in intercessory prayer. How often have you wondered, where are the young adults in the PC(USA)? Wonder no longer. The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study is devoted to the theme of young adults in the church. Its stories, many told by young adults, lift up how Presbyterians of all ages are engaging and joining with Presbyterian young adults in reforming the church for Christ’s mission.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: November 2, 2014

MINUTE FOR MISSION: STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT - The psalmist reminds us to “give thanks to the LORD, for God is good” (107:1). Generally I think of my stuff as mine: my car, my house, my money. Our faith calls us to a different perspective. As a believer, I am to be mindful that all good gifts come ultimately from the loving and generous hand of God. In the Sunday service, I am invited to present my tithes and offerings in the same spirit of love and generosity with which God meets me. This time is to be one of joyous thanksgiving, an opportunity to “let the redeemed of the Lord say so” (Ps. 107:2) and demonstrate our gratitudE ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Mysteries Revealed! "Advent Conspiracy" ... TOMORROW at First Prez-Midland

Starting TOMORROW, and continuing every Sunday, in November at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas ...

In the News ... "Pastor to start radio show"

Staff Report
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Rev. Larry Long, pastor of Fellowship Community Church, will be hosting a talk show beginning Nov. 2 on radio station KWEL.

Long said the 30-minute broadcast, which will air at 1:30 p.m. Sundays, will be called “The Intersection.” It will be divided into two segments — a 15-minute prepared monologue and then 15 minutes of questions from callers ...

• read the rest of this MRT report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

CZECH REPUBLIC - When I was 14, my family moved from the Ukraine to the Czech Republic. I lost all my friends and relatives. At that time I was arguing with my parents, with my brother, who was going through the same problems as me, and, of course, with God. “How could you do that? Why me?” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more