West Texas Missioner

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

In the News ... Funeral home in Andrews shows support for Uvalde"

KWES Photo

• The Andrews Corgill Funeral Home will be donating register books for each of the victim's families

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

ANDREWS, TEXAS - The Andrews Corgill Funeral Home will be donating register books [signed by West Texans] to the families of the victims during the Uvalde school shooting.

"So we have them out because we felt like the community needed somewhere to come and express their grief for the tragedy in Uvalde," said the Prearrangement Director Saralyn Phillips. "And somewhere to let these families know we care and support them and like I said somewhere for them to express their own grief because it is a tragedy that has effected us all."

People can stop by the funeral home any day this week between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

Big Spring boutique sending flowers to Uvalde families

KWES Photo

• The flowers will go to those who lost loved ones in Tuesday's shooting

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

BIG SPRING, TEXAS - Inspirations Floral Boutique posted on Facebook it would be sending flowers to Uvalde.

The Big Spring flower shop said flowers are being sent to the families who lost a loved one in Tuesday's shooting.

These flowers will include a special message from Big Spring to express their sympathy ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

Vitalant encourages blood donations in wake of Uvalde shooting

KWES Photo

• The blood service provider said they have already sent several units of Type O-negative blood to Uvalde

By Mason Storrs, Reporter
• KWES-TV

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Blood service provider Vitalant is encouraging people across the nation to get out and donate blood following the elementary school shooting in Uvalde Tuesday ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

Locals come out to Ector County Sheriff's Office to give donations for Uvalde families

KWES Photo

• "I know that money could not replace loved ones but we hope this small donation will show our support."

By Christina Burgess, Reporter
• KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - The flags at Ector County Sheriff's Office are flying half staff for those in Uvalde, Texas.

Just hours after this tragic event, the Sheriff's Office wants to lend a hand to that community in this time of need ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

How to talk to your kids about the Uvalde school shooting

AAS Photo by Mikala Compton,

• Explain things in the simplest yet factual way you can

Nicole Villalpando, Reporter
• Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Another school shooting.

With 19 students and two teachers killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on Tuesday, parents might be at a loss. How do we explain this to our kids? What can we say that we haven’t said multiple times?

After the Las Vegas concert shooting in 2017, Jane Ripperger-Suhler, a child psychiatrist at Seton’s Texas Child Study Center, had this advice for parents about how much we should say about a mass shooting. It’s good advice for what has happened [Tuesoday] ...

• Read the rest of this AAS report ...

How you can help Texas elementary school shooting survivors, victims

AAS Photo

• Blood drives, GoFundMe page set up for victims of Texas school shooting

Sarah Ann Dueñas, Reporter
• Austin American-Statesman

AUSTIN, TEXAS - The community of Uvalde, Texas, is reeling after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers – at an elementary school Tuesday, authorities said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooter walked into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde around noon Central time and opened fire with a handgun. The shooter was killed by responding police, Abbott said.

Uvalde is a city of about 16,000 people about 80 miles west of San Antonio.

Here is how you can help the community of Uvalde ...

• Read the rest of this AAS report ...

Ector County Sheriff's Office collecting donations for Uvalde County

KWES Photo

• Donations will be presented to the Uvalde County sheriff on Friday

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

ODESSA, TEXAS - Sheriff Mike Griffis announced on his Facebook page the Ector County Sheriff's Office will be collecting donations for Uvalde County ...

• Read the rest of this KWES report ...

Burgers & Blessings ... TONIGHT at Grace Presbyterian-Midland

Image by Laura Up In the Clouds

• Continuing our summer gatherings of faith, fellowship and food

June is here, and thus our annual Burgers and Blessings get-togethers are about to commence!

Please join us Wednesdays, during the month of June, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street in Midland, Texas. The dinners begin at 6:00 p.m. and are very casual.

Burgers, hot dogs and "the fixings" will be provided by the church; you just come, bring a side dish or dessert, and the gift of your company.

We hope to see YOU there!

In the News ... Opinion: "Southern Baptist Convention has met a day of reckoning. We must do better to stop sexual abuse"

AP Photo by Mark Humphrey

• As a pastor who holds Southern Baptist Convention school degrees and has served on boards for SBC entities, I am mortified by what report disclosed

By Pastor Eric Costanzo, South Tulsa Baptist Church, Guest Contributor
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - A dark and difficult day has come for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). We knew it was coming. It needed to come. And it is devastating.

As the prophet Isaiah warned, “What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?”

The Southern Baptist Convention and our convention of churches now have nowhere to turn, nowhere to run, and no place left to look but inward ...

• Read the rest of this ARN 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.

Photo by Ammi Robles

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 8, 2022

CHILDREN’S ENRICHMENT CENTER AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER - The Rev. Mark Adams, a mission co-worker at the U.S.-Mexico border, tells an unsettling story about Jaciel, a 6-year-old boy at Frontera de Cristo’s New Hope Community Center ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

FBR Report: "Force Multiplier – the Next Generation"

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement. They bring help, hope and love to people in the war zones of Burma (Myanmar) and the Middle East. Groups send teams to be trained, supplied and sent into the areas under attack to provide emergency assistance and human rights documentation. Together with other groups, the teams work to serve people in need.

FBR Photo

Force Multiplier – the Next Generation

April 2022
Karen State, Burma

Dear friends,

Eliya is a force. He’s a force that is full of joy, is committed, and serves God and his people. Everyone who meets him remembers him and his larger-than-life personality. He is the chief medic for the Free Burma Rangers and was the first Ranger to work with Dave Eubank, 25 years ago ...

• Read the rest of this FBR Report ...

Thank you and God bless you,

Dave, family, and team

• CLICK HERE to learn how YOU can get involved in FBR and its mission ...

“LOVE EACH OTHER.
UNITE AND WORK FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND PEACE.
FORGIVE AND DON’T HATE EACH OTHER.
PRAY WITH FAITH, ACT WITH COURAGE, NEVER SURRENDER.”

Burgers & Blessings ... TOMORROW at Grace Presbyterian-Midland

Image by Laura Up In the Clouds

We hope to see YOU there!

In the News ... Opinion: "Senseless killings, such as Sutherland Springs and Uvalde, are our crosses"

• We have witnessed this scene too many times

By Bill Tinsley, Columnist
• Abilene Reporter-News

ABILENE, TEXAS - We are reeling, again, stunned once more from the senseless murders of 19 fourth-grade children and their two teachers in Uvalde.

We have seen their faces and recalled their names. We have watched the videos of their family and friends embraced in grief, weeping. And, as a nation, this week we mourn with them as they bury their dead.

Like everyone else, I am disturbed ...

• Read the rest of this ARN report ...

In the News ... "West Texas Food Bank seeing effects of inflation"

• The food bank is also in need of volunteers

By Kim Smith, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - With gas prices nearing $5 a gallon and a gallon of milk going for nearly $4, inflation is impacting everyone across the Permian Basin and the West Texas Food Bank is seeing it play out on a weekly basis.

The food bank is seeing about 500 cars a week coming through the pantry, numbers not seen since April 2020, at the start of the pandemic, said Craig Stoker, director of marketing for the food bank.

“Our numbers dropped when people started going back to work and they started being able to find things at the grocery store again. We went down to about 300 a week, but since the beginning of the year they started picking up again and the lines have been getting longer and longer and longer,” Stoker said.

Last week, 537 vehicles came through, he said.

Luckily, Stoker said grocery stores have resumed donating again and monetary donations have never fallen off, but food bank officials are concerned about the ever-increasing price of fuel.

Transportation costs have risen about 35% and the food bank distributes donated and purchased food across 34,000 square miles, Stoker said.

Further complicating the issue, the food bank stopped charging some of its smaller agencies for deliveries during the pandemic because they couldn’t afford it and only a few have resumed paying it, Stoker said.

The community has always been generous toward the food bank and Stoker said he hopes that will continue, but he also hopes those who have never made a donation will consider doing so now.

The food bank is also in need of volunteers; many have gotten out of the habit since COVID-19 struck, he said ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 7, 2022

ASSOCIATION OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDUCATORS ANNUAL GATHERING - During opening worship at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators annual gathering, the Rev. Shannon Johnson Kershner asked some 500 participants gathered in person and 200 joining online to put on “their glasses of imagination” ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, June 6, 2022

From @chinaaid : "Shanghai lockdown canceled 15-year-old Chinese Catholic pilgrimage'"

The ChinaAid 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.

ChinaAid Photo

Shanghai lockdown canceled 15-year-old Chinese Catholic pilgrimage
Distributed by ChinaAid, May 2022 ...

SHANGHAI, CHINA – May is the “Month of Mary” in the Catholic tradition, and China’s nationwide pilgrimage was canceled. May 24 celebrates The Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians. The universal Catholic Church will hold a prayer event for the Chinese Church on that day, and the German bishop issued this initiative ...

• More on this story from ChinaAid ...

In the News ... Opinion: "First Baptist pastor laments for the SBC"

• "For those of us who are SBC lifers, this has been a difficult week to say the least."

By Pastor Darin Wood, First Baptist Church - Midland, Contributor
• Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Throughout FBC’s 136-year history, our church has always been a Southern Baptist church, primarily because of our shared commitment to Biblical truth, evangelism and missions. Each and every time you give to FBC, a portion of it goes to the Southern Baptist convention and her associated ministries. As such, we often join in the Annual meeting. Each year in June, the SBC meets to conduct the business of the year, gathering thousands of Baptists from across the US to a central location. There are more than 40,000 Southern Baptist churches across the US representing more than 14 million Baptists.The annual meeting is the only time for official business on a broad scale to be conducted. This last June, at the annual meeting a task force was formed and assigned the responsibility of researching and reporting back on the sexual abuse issues plaguing the convention for more than three decades.

On May 22, the report was presented online for review before the upcoming convention next month ...

• Read the rest of this MRT report ...

In the News ... Brewster County Sheriff's Office donates money to the Uvalde victim's families"

KWES Photo

• Sheriff Ronny Dodson traveled to Uvalde to directly deliver the donations to Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

ALPINE, TEXAS - Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson traveled to Uvalde, Texas to deliver donations and offer support to the victim's families of the mass shooting.

The week before, the Brewster County Sheriff's Office collected donations from community groups and other local law enforcement agencies in the area who were looking to add to the donation total ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

Funeral home in Andrews shows support for Uvalde

KWES Photo

• The Andrews Corgill Funeral Home will be donating register books for each of the victim's families

Staff Report
• KWES-TV

ANDREWS, TEXAS - The Andrews Corgill Funeral Home will be donating register books [signed by West Texans] to the families of the victims during the Uvalde school shooting.

"So we have them out because we felt like the community needed somewhere to come and express their grief for the tragedy in Uvalde," said the Prearrangement Director Saralyn Phillips. "And somewhere to let these families know we care and support them and like I said somewhere for them to express their own grief because it is a tragedy that has effected us all."

People can stop by the funeral home any day this week between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ...

• Read/watch the rest of this KWES report ...

Big Spring boutique sending flowers to Uvalde families

KWES Photo

Vitalant encourages blood donations in wake of Uvalde shooting

KWES Photo

• The blood service provider said they have already sent several units of Type O-negative blood to Uvalde

KWES Photo

AAS Photo by Mikala Compton,

AAS Photo

Ector County Sheriff's Office collecting donations for Uvalde County

KWES Photo

In the News ... "Tale of Absalom a tragic one"

Painting by Corrado Giaquinto

• Ministers say it shows that children must have discipline

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - The story of King David and his son Absalom in the 11th through the 19th chapters of the Book of Second Samuel is one of a family gone tragically wrong. The story begins with David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah the Hittite, for which God has the prophet Nathan tell David that his family will be plagued by violence ever after.

Then Absalom’s rage at his half-brother Amnon, the heir-apparent to David’s throne, for raping their sister Tamar and his ordering Amnon’s murder two years later is a prelude to his rebellion in which he almost succeeds in murdering his father and becoming king himself.

The Revs. John McLemore and Russell Nebhut say Absalom was the handsomest man in Israel and he only had his long hair cut once a year. He was fleeing the decisive Battle of Ephraim’s Wood with David’s army and was slain when his hair was caught in the branches of an oak tree.

“Absalom avenged Tamar because the Old Testament standard of an eye for an eye was pretty much the law,” said the Rev. McLemore, pastor of Belmont Baptist Church. “He was afraid David would kill him and he left for three years till David was mourning the fact that Absalom was gone and took him back.

“Absalom turned the people against David and tried to overthrow him in a plan that was poorly conceived and poorly executed. David fled Jerusalem, but in the end he triumphed because he was the one God had chosen. So David’s family was brought to ruination with the loss of his two sons.”

McLemore said the lesson is that taking justice into one’s own hands is a bad idea. “Absalom should have taken Tamar’s rape to the king,” he said.

“We may think we can solve all our problems ourselves instead of seeking wisdom from other people. If we take a minute and seek wise counsel, we might handle some of the things that come into our lives in a different way and they might go better.

“When we don’t stop and consider all the consequences of what we’re doing and all the people it will affect, we may get bad results,” McLemore said.

The Rev. Nebhut, pastor of Spirit and Truth Church, said Absalom had Amnon killed at a banquet he had organized for all 19 of David’s sons. “How many times do we see parents let their children get away with murder?” he asked.

“We see it in family dynamics where the kids take matters into their own hands and learn a different pattern of doing things. If there is no discipline or accountability, the kids keep getting into worse and worse trouble and the parents keep bailing them out till they end up getting into really bad circumstances.”

David had asked his general, Joab, “to be gentle with Absalom, but Absalom is killed and David grieves his death,” Nebhut said, adding that Absalom had even had sex in public with David’s concubines to humiliate him ...

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 6, 2022

100 NEW WORSHIPING COMMUNITIES -Today is the day the liturgical calendar turns green. Ordinary Time … the long expanse of days without festival or celebration. It’s as if all that fire of Pentecost has burned out overnight and the Holy Winds have blown right out to sea. Yesterday was a great and mysterious day, but it’s time to get back to work and on with life as we’ve known it. Blow out the birthday candles.

The Church is another year older, feeling her age in her joints and in her responsibilities. So, let’s get on with it. ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, June 5, 2022

In the News ... "Odessa Church News"

• Today and in the days ahead, in Odessa-area houses of worship

Staff Report
• Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Coming events include worship services, classes, Bible studies, community outreach, fundraisers, mission opportunities and more. The Odessa American welcomes church special events. Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesdays for consideration for the following Saturday’s edition. Email oalife@oaoa.com.

Holy Cross Catholic School registration for the 2021-2022 school year is now open for grades 9-12.
Register at holycrosschs.org/admissions. For questions, call 432-235-1094 or email info@holycrosschs.org.

Second Baptist Church, 711 E. 17th St., has scheduled Rodz For God Family Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 4.
Fee is $10 plus bag of canned food.
There will be kids activities & VBS registration.
For car registration, call 432-334-8381 or register the day of the car show.

Connection Christian Church, 4141 Tanglewood Lane, has scheduled a VBS Worship Arts Camp for ages 4 through 5th grade from 9 a.m. to noon June 6-9.
Activities include drama, music, art, snacks, dance, and more.
The children will help lead worship at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on June 12.
Registration deadline is June 1.
Register at tinyurl.com/596449sa.

Second Baptist Church, 711 E. 17th St., has scheduled Make Waves VBS for ages 4 through 6th grade from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 5-9.
To register or for information, email jsbrem_98@yahoo.com or visit tinyurl.com/yt75tm86.

Sherwood Baptist Church, 505 E. 42nd St., has scheduled VBS for children who completed grades K-8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 5-9.
This year’s theme is Spark Studios, “Created for Christ, Designed for God’s Purpose.”
To register or for more information, call 432-366-0331 or visit sbcodessa.org/vbs.

Belmont Baptist Church, 1200 W. Eighth St., has scheduled VBS, “Monumental,” Celebrating God’s Creation from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 6-10.
Registration starts June 1 in the fellowship hall.
Bring a towel and shoes that can get wet for some water fun.
Snacks will be provided.
The event is free.
Visit tinyurl.com/5987zkea.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, 1820 E. 52nd St., has scheduled VBS for ages 4 through middle school from 9 a.m. to noon June 6-10.
Register at tinyurl.com/yckzvcwr.

First United Methodist Church, 415 N. Lee Ave., has scheduled a Worship Arts Camp for children in grades K-5th (completed) from 9 a.m. to noon June 6-9.
The camp will include teaching Biblical lessons through song, crafts and other fun activities.
To register or more information, call 432-337-1527 or visit fumcodessa.org.

First Baptist Church and the Black Cultural Council of Odessa will present Fred Hammond in concert on June 15 at the church, 709 N. Lee St.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
General admission is free.
Text CONCERT to 40778 for VIP seating.
For more information, visit tinyurl.com/yckf5txw.

Freedom for the Basin has scheduled a Summer Outreach at 7 p.m. June 18 at Sherwood Park, 4400 N. Dixie Blvd.
There will be music, free food, recovery testimonies and prize drawings.
Many organizations from the community will be present standing together to show we believe recovery is possible.
Visit tinyurl.com/bd8p44tw.

Odessa Bible Church and New Life Church have scheduled an Adventure Camp for students who completed grades K-5th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 20-24 at New Life Church, 7184 Club Drive.
Early bird pricing is $185 per camper (a 20% discount for each additional sibling).
The price will increase to $225 after June 3.
To register or for more information, visit tinyurl.com/3nsntubx.

St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 2212 E. 11th St., has scheduled an installation service of the new pastor, the Rev. James J. Bolton, at 3 p.m. June 26.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call Claire McQueen at 432-661-3630 or email Claire_ockletree@yahoo.com.

First Baptist Church, 311 W. Eighth St., has scheduled VBS, “Make Waves,” for ages 3 through 6th grade from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 27-July 1.
Activities include STEAM projects, water games, and more.
To register, visit tinyurl.com/25at3em4 or text VBS to 40778.
B
Belmont Baptist Church, 806 N. Belmont Ave., offers family meals during its Family Supper time from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. each Wednesday when Awana is in session.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 432-332-0248, email belmont@belmontbaptist.org or visit tinyurl.com/23vkhr47.

Belmont Baptist Church, 806 N. Belmont Ave., offers family meals during its Family Supper time from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. each Wednesday when Awana is in session.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 432-332-0248, email belmont@belmontbaptist.org or visit tinyurl.com/23vkhr47.
For more information, call 432-332-0248, email belmont@belmontbaptist.org or visit tinyurl.com/23vkhr47.

Catholic Charities Community Services Odessa, 2500 Andrews Highway, need of volunteers for pantry distribution.
Distribution times are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
For more information on dates and times, call 332-1387.
Visit facebook.com/ccodessatx or ccodessa.com.

The West Texas Street Rod Association has scheduled Cars at Crossroads from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. every fourth Saturday of each month at Crossroads Church, 6901 E. Highway 191.
There will be coffee and donuts inside the church.
Visit tinyurl.com/cdjd6pvt.

Door of Hope Mission are in need of financial support to help provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower to those who struggle with addictions through Bible study and counseling.
There a few ways to give:
• PayPal Giving Fund: 100% goes to the mission, visit www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315. PayPal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service.
• Door of Hope Mission website, www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html, or mail a check to Door of Hope Mission, PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760.
• On Amazon or eBay, add Door of Hope Mission as preferred charity, and a portion of purchases will go to the mission.
• On Amazon Smile (www.smile.amazon.com): Login to your account then select Door of Hope Mission Odessa TX so the mission receives donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
• On eBay (charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315): Add the Door Of Hope Mission to favorites.
All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call 337-8294 or visit doorofhopemission.com.

Highland United Methodist Church, 1808 N. Dixie Blvd., and volunteers offer a back door blessing meal at 6 p.m. Wednesdays in the fellowship hall.
There is no charge. Any donations contributed goes toward Highland’s children’s ministries.
Call 332-0261 or email highlandumc.odessa@gmail.com.
Visit highlandodessa.com.

Sherwood Church of Christ, 4900 North Dixie Blvd., offers free clothing on the first Saturday of every month.
With so many families in the community are losing their jobs due to COVID and the downturn in oil, the Sherwood Clothes Closet is an opportunity for people to find needed clothing items for the entire family.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Masks are required to comply with city orders and to protect each other from spreading the virus.

Victory Christian Fellowship Church, 325 N. County Road West, offers individuals assistance who are hurting from addictions to become drug and alcohol free, physically well and most important spiritually alive.
All services are provided for free.
Several homes are located throughout Texas, New Mexico and Chicago.
For more information, call the Rev. Albert Flores at 432-978-9959 or 432-335-8925.
For home locations, call for Odessa, 325-300-0832; El Paso, 915-838-8887; Fort Worth, 817-626-1819; Houston, 713-880-4732; Mathis, 361-547-3755; McAllen, 956-702-2781; San Angelo, 325-658-1061; Albuquerque, N.M., 505-550-5661; Artesia, N.M., 575-745-4294; and Chicago, 773-696-9094.

• Read the rest of this OA report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 5, 2022

PENTECOST OFFERING - “We plan and God laughs” is identified as a Yiddish proverb, the title of a book or two and the headline of multiple online articles meant to help people navigate periods in life when personal plans seem to disintegrate in front of their eyes. When we hear or read the proverb, it can be difficult not to nod along, especially when the phrase encapsulates something most of us have experienced: a perfect resume or proposal sent, but no word back; a flawless itinerary dissolved by the smallest delay; an event set to begin, upended by a storm; a setback or an entirely “new normal.”

As much as we might nod along, or wince at our own experience, the proverb points us in another direction, too. And if not the proverb, Scripture certainly does ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, June 4, 2022

In the News ... "Lubbock Area Faith Calendar"

Courtesy Photo

• What’s going on in area churches

Staff Report
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - From the Avalanche-Journal, news of regular services, and special events and programs at houses of faith in Lubbock and across the South Plains ...

• Read the rest of this LAJ report ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Dr. Andrew Root

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 4, 2022

YOUTH MINISTRY - Gina Yeager-Buckley began the conversation on “Why does the church need youth ministry” with the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association by asking participants to describe what their stories would have been like without it ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Friday, June 3, 2022

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Provided Image

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 3, 2022

NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS - Gun violence is an issue that divides our nation, our political parties and our churches. Whenever there is an incident of gun violence, whether it be an accident or a mass shooting, people always return to the same debate: gun rights versus gun control.

However, the major issue with this debate is that it generalizes both “sides” of the argument ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

From ServLife International ... "A Better Future"

ServLife International is a movement defined by values of God’s kingdom, not programs built around human efforts and activities. The reign and rule of God should be made apparent to every person on the planet, despite their religion, race or socioeconomic status. We believe that issues of justice are inseparable from the good news that Jesus Christ came to proclaim. ServLife exists to take the gospel of Christ and the hope of a better, more just, world to the lives of people we touch. This happens through individual contributions of time, creativity, resources and dreams.

ServLife Photo

A Better Future

Ujjwal lives with his parents, little brother Sujal, his grandparents and uncles. His parents Jitender and Dropadi want to see Ujjwal receive a quality education and bring honor to their family. Jitender was determined to find a way for his son to go to school, “I heard about the mission school from my neighbors. They put their child in the school so I decided to get my child Ujjwal admitted also.” ...

• Read/watch the rest of this Servlife report, and learn how you can help ...

• Click here to give a gift to help families and our partners in India and Nepal.

Join Our Mission

ServLife International propels reconciliation and justice by building global community to plant churches, care for children and fight poverty. Compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ, we seek to care for the spiritual, physical, social, and economic areas of life in northern India and Nepal. Learn more about our latest news, featured stories, and how to get involved at servlife.org


Support a Pastor Our church planters spread the love of Christ in some of the most difficult environments in the world. • Support Them ...	Sponsor a Child For only $30 per month you can help give a child food, education, care and, most importantly, hope. • Sponsor Now ...	Fight Poverty The HOPE Fund, our micro-finance program, provides start-up funds for a small business, paving a way out of poverty for families in need. • Learn More ...

ServLife International, Inc.
P.O. Box 20596
Indianapolis, IN 46220
USA

In the News ... "Sundt Foundation donates $7,000 to El Paso Charities "

• Awards grants to local charities that support disadvantaged children and families

Staff Report
• El Paso Herald-Post

EL PASO, TEXAS - The Sundt Foundation awarded $7,000 to two nonprofits in El Paso during its current giving round. Project Vida. received $4,000 and the El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center received $3,000 ...

• Read the rest of this EPHP report ...

In the News ... "Photo Album: Second Baptist Church hosts Memorial Day service Sunday in Lubbock"

LAJ Photo by Mark Rogers

• Students, veterans and family members in attendance

By Mark Rogers, Reporter/Photographer
• Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - Students, veterans and family members attend at a Memorial Day Service at Second Baptist Church Sunday, May 29 ... ...

• Enjoy the rest of this LAJ photo album ...

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Photo by Jakob Owens via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 2, 2022

PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY'S MILITARISM WORKING GROUP - The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Militarism Working Group recently scheduled a 90-minute webinar on Gun Violence & Militarism.

This was the second in a series of educational webinars called “Connecting the Dots.” Read a report on the first in the series here ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

In the News ... "West Texas Food Bank to start serving summer meals'"

• Will begin their SFSP program on June 6

Staff Report
• Odessa American

MIDLAND/ODESSA TEXAS - The West Texas Food Bank is once again participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program to feed school-aged children, 18 and younger and enrolled student with disabilities up to 21 years old, during the summer months.

“Summer months can be daunting for families on fixed budget where their children receive two meals a day from their schools,” Libby Campbell, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank, stated in a news release. “Our goal is to serve beside our friends at the school districts to make sure no child is hungry over the summer months.”

The West Texas Food Bank is one of the nonprofit organizations partnering with Texas Department of Agriculture to serve meals across Texas. Families are encouraged to use these three tools to find a meal site anywhere in the state:

• Call 2-1-1 to speak to a live operator.
• Visit www.SummerFood.org for an interactive site locator map.
• Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.

West Texas Food Bank will begin their SFSP program on June 6.

Organizations partner with TDA to serve meals in areas where more than 50 percent of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, faith-based groups, nonprofit summer camps, government agencies and other tax-exempt organizations. All meal sites must be sponsored by an organization that has a contract with TDA.

Burgers & Blessings ... TONIGHT at Grace Presbyterian-Midland

Image by Laura Up In the Clouds

• Kicking-off our summer gatherings of faith, fellowship and food

June is here, and thus our annual Burgers and Blessings get-togethers are about to commence!

Please join us Wednesdays, during the month of June, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2801 N. Garfield Street in Midland, Texas. The dinners begin at 6:00 p.m. and are very casual.

Burgers, hot dogs and "the fixings" will be provided by the church; you just come, bring a side dish or dessert, and the gift of your company.

We hope to see YOU there!

Today in the PC-USA Mission Yearbook

Photo by Karsten Würth via Unsplash

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 1, 2022

PRESBYTERIANS FOR EARTH CARE - Presbyterians for Earth Care has joined a growing list of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) groups calling for a speedy divestment from companies that contribute to the production of the two major greenhouse gasses, carbon dioxide and methane.

Nearly 80 people attended a recent webinar to learn more about PEC’s proposed overture, “The Time is Now to ‘Cherish Creation, Cut Carbon and Speak Up.’” Read the proposed overture and its rationale here ...

• CLICK HERE to read more.