In the News ... "A party about purity"

A party about purity
Gabriella Lopez
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Crowds of young people, glow sticks and a multicolored light show made an unusual forum to discuss purity and abstinence, but young people came from as far as Lubbock to see the performance at CrossRoads Fellowship in Odessa.

“It’s really interesting,” 15-year-old Presley Miller said. “It helps you understand the consequences (of premarital sex).”
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

Midland Group Reports Chinese House Church Raided, Shut Down

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 Chinese House Church Raided, Shut Down

Released by ChinaAid, January, 2011 ...

"ZHONGZHUANG, CHINA – A house church in coastal Jiangsu province that has been meeting for many years was raided by local religious affairs officials and forced to shut down, ChinaAid has learned."
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).

"Prayers for Work and Creativity"

""Dear God,

Before I go to work today, please lift my mind to the realm of Truth.
May I remember and not forget throughout the day that my only work is to love, for your sake, that the world might be renewed.
I think of my workplace-the people, the circumstances, the situations - and I surrender them to you.
I remember, Lord, that this is but a veil across a truer truth.
I withdraw my judgments, my interpretations, my agendas.
I ask only to be a healing force.
This business is but a front for a temple, a healing place where all shall be lifted above the insanity of a frightened world.
So may it be that I contribute to this healing, to this upliftment, with my efforts and my resources.
And that is all I ask.

Dear God,

Send your angels to every person at my workplace, to every person who will come there today and forever.
If I am tempted to judge or criticize anyone, please heal me of my limited vision.
May I see only the truth.
May I work from integrity and excellence and full force of your power within me, that I may know my true strength and contribute it to this world.
May my presence at work be a blessing on others and on myself.
Thank you, God, for showing me the way now and forever.
Thank you. Amen."
Illuminata By Marianne Williamson

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

When I read this prayer, it brought to mind my office, deep within the administrative offices of a church, and the people with whom I spend my weekdays. Even if you don't work in an office, you can make this prayer your own. Think about the work in which you are involved every day. Is it a traditional job with a paycheck every couple of weeks; or commission or hourly work? Perhaps you are retired and your "work" is more volunteer-oriented. Or maybe you are unemployed right now and your "work" is seeking work. Perhaps you are a student and work to learn a profession or vocation. Or do you work from home raising a family or a start up business or both? Maybe your "work" is recovering from surgery or illness.

Did you know that when you pray for children, you are doing some very hard work in God's Kingdom? Praying for children isn't easy, you know that. There are so many devastating issues and situations that affect and involve children that it's easy to become overwhelmed. Staying focused in prayer for hurting children requires courage and strength and patience and hard work. Thank you for taking on this challenging work day after day. You are a blessing indeed!

I hope you will be able to join us on Wednesday, Februuary 16, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland, where, together, we will tackle this challenging work of praying for children. We will have fellowship and lunch ($5) after our prayer gathering.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, those who care for them, have authority over them, or, yes, even those who harm them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of our community and world.

Thanks be to God for the gift of prayer work,

Chris

Stephen Ministry: Gifted to Care

"Are you looking for a new way to use your spiritual gifts," asks First Presbyterian Church-Midland. "Please pray about and consider Stephen Ministry, our congregation's one-to-one care-giving ministry."

A training class for new Stephen Ministers will begin Tuesday, February 15, 2011. To learn more about this ministry of caring, please contact Mary Margaret Davis, (432) 684-7821, extension 120.

In the News ... Breakfast to focus prayers on local, national, world leaders

Breakfast to focus prayers on local, national, world leaders
By Sarah Higgins
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Rev. Jim Denison, former First Baptist Church pastor, will be returning to West Texas to speak at the third annual National Prayer Breakfast - Midland, which is planned for 7 a.m. Thursday at Midland Center.

Denison, who founded the Center for Informed Faith "to provide resources for the global Christian movement," said he will be speaking about what he calls the "Fifth Great Awakening."

"There are more people coming to Christ than at any time in Christian history," Denison said. "How can we see in America what we see happening in South Korea, China, Africa, Cuba and the rest of the world?"
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

You mean you STILL haven't Gotten Your Sweetheart Something for Valentine's Day ?!?!

There's still time to order-up flowers or sweets for your sweet ... but you have to act NOW. An added benefit ... buy your Valentine's Day gift through causes.com , and you'll also be donating $10 to your favorite charity. That includes ECPAT-USA and its mission to "End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes."

CLICK HERE for details

Traveling Mission

A TassaTag is a 4” x 6” bright, heavy, hand-woven cotton luggage tag that helps you spot your luggage more easily while reclaiming children's lives. It is practical, environmentally sensitive, fair trade, and with it you can make a difference.

With a TassaTag you support ECPAT-USA. This is a non-profit children's rights organization whose mission is to protect all children from commercial sexual exploitation, and is the US Chapter of Thailand-based ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) International, working at the community, national and international levels.

With a TassaTag you support The Regina Center in Nong Khai, Thailand, which provides education and income generating skills and opportunities for women. All proceeds from sales are returned to the producers. The project enables women to stay in their villages and keep their children in school, which are two major strategies in reducing sex trafficking.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this project
CLICK HERE to learn more about sex slavery and trafficking
CLICK HERE to order TassaTags

With a TassaTag you will be part of the ECPAT project by increasing the recognition of the TassaTag logo as a symbol against the sexual slavery and trafficking of children, raising greater awareness of this major illegal trade around the world, and being a voice positively addressing a serious children's rights issue.

Stephen Ministry: Gifted to Care

"Are you looking for a new way to use your spiritual gifts," asks First Presbyterian Church-Midland. "Please pray about and consider Stephen Ministry, our congregation's one-to-one care-giving ministry."

A training class for new Stephen Ministers will begin Tuesday, February 15, 2011. To learn more about this ministry of caring, please contact Mary Margaret Davis, (432) 684-7821, extension 120.

In the News ... "Bethlehem Baptist to install new pastor"

Bethlehem Baptist to install new pastor
Lyxan Toldanes
Staff Writer
Odessa American

ODESSA, TEXAS - Bethlehem Baptist Church members have finally found a new pastor who they hope will fill the void left after the church’s founder, the Rev. R.S. Sutton, died on Thanksgiving 2009. The Rev. Ray Hicks, who has preached at Bethlehem Baptist since November, will be installed Sunday as the church’s senior pastor.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the OA story.

A Quick Word from PC-USA

From Presbyterian Church (USA) - "God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose for us that we might belong to God and serve Christ in the world. Following Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time."

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A Quick Word ...

Seven of the Native American churches that Rev. Cook built in the late 1800s still serve Presbytery of the Grand Canyon: http://cot.ag/hjwCGB

Word from West Texas: "Duck Butts"

In August, 2008, John P. Van Dusen and his wife moved from Fort Collins, Colorado, to West Texas, to help build The Bridge,a contemporary worship service in a new space in a traditional Protestant church.

Duck Butts

John writes, "Faith is what brings me away from my apartment, down the hill, across the creek and along the trail to a pond created by a small dam. Like Adam trying to remember what Eden looked like, I come to this place seeking paradise lost. In summer the grasses are green and the cerulean pond smells of the riches of life."
CLICK HERE to read the rest of John's post at Into the West Texas Sun

A Quick Word from PC-USA

From Presbyterian Church (USA) - "God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose for us that we might belong to God and serve Christ in the world. Following Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time."

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A Quick Word ...

Food for the soul: Georgia church’s ministry feeds local families, spurs community connections - http://cot.ag/eSgSap

Stephen Ministry: Gifted to Care

"Are you looking for a new way to use your spiritual gifts," asks First Presbyterian Church-Midland. "Please pray about and consider Stephen Ministry, our congregation's one-to-one care-giving ministry."

A training class for new Stephen Ministers will begin Tuesday, February 15, 2011. To learn more about this ministry of caring, please contact Mary Margaret Davis, (432) 684-7821, extension 120.

A Quick Word from PC-USA

From Presbyterian Church (USA) - "God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose for us that we might belong to God and serve Christ in the world. Following Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time."

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A Quick Word ...

Survey finds one-fifth of PC(USA) churches involved in homeless ministries: http://cot.ag/hq666G

A Quick Word from PC-USA

From Presbyterian Church (USA) - "God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose for us that we might belong to God and serve Christ in the world. Following Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time."

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A Quick Word ...

Follow the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study on Twitter at @MYB4Prayer and on Facebook: http://cot.ag/i4urXb

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).

"Being Free from all Fear"

"Jesus came to us to help us overcome our fear of God. As long as we are afraid of God, we cannot love God. Love means intimacy, closeness, mutual vulnerability, and a deep sense of safety. But all of those are impossible as long as there is fear. Fear creates suspicion, distance, defensiveness, and insecurity.

The greatest block in the spiritual life is fear. Prayer, meditation, and education cannot come forth out of fear. God is perfect love, and as John the Evangelist writes, ‘Perfect love drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18). Jesus’ central message is that God loves us with an unconditional love and desires our love, free from all fear, in return."
Bread for the Journey By Henry Nouwen

A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children

Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,

I’ve said this many times before, but it bears repeating. Every intercessor or prayer partner is lifted in prayer each Wednesday at the Faces of Children prayer group that meets at First Presbyterian Church in Midland. You are an important part of this ministry and we give thanks for your gifts, your compassion, and the love you shower on the children of God through your prayers. Thank you!

I hope you will be able to join us on Wednesday, Februuary 9, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s Room at First Presbyterian Church, Midland, to lift the children of our world to God in prayer. We will have fellowship and lunch ($5) after our prayer gathering.

If you have prayer concerns or celebrations about children at risk, those who care for them, have authority over them, or, yes, even those who harm them, please send them to me at at claufer@facesofchildren.net, or give me a call. Thank you for your prayers for the children of our community and world.

Giving God thanks for your gift of love through intercession,

Chris

National Prayer Breakfast-Midland Set for February 17

2011 National Prayer Breakfast Midland
Thursday, February 17 at 7:00 am at Midland Center

Each February the people of the Permian Basin come together in prayer for our nation and it's leaders. This year in addition to music, scripture reading and prayer by area officials, pastors and citizens, our guest speaker will be Jim Denison, founder of the Center for Informed Faith.

Tickets are $7.00 each and available at Mardel, First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Methodist Church, St. Ann's Catholic Church and St. Stephens Catholic Church until February 15, 2011. They will be available at the door on February 17, 2011. For more information please call (432) 686-4300 or go to www.npbmidland.org/

A Quick Word from PC-USA

From Presbyterian Church (USA) - "God comes to us in free and undeserved favor in the person of Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose for us that we might belong to God and serve Christ in the world. Following Jesus, Presbyterians are engaged in the world and in seeking thoughtful solutions to the challenges of our time."

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A Quick Word ...

Future of the church: GA leaders invite all Presbyterians to join in conversation - www.pcusa.org/news

In the News ... Mission-minded pastor fills leadership roll at First Baptist-Midland"

Mission-minded pastor fills leadership roll at First Baptist-Midland
By Sarah Higgins
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - First Baptist pastor, the Rev. Randel Everett, sat in his new office, which was completely empty save a busy desk and a couple of chairs for visitors. The new pastor glanced at some cardboard boxes and dozens of lonely bookshelves lining the walls of the room. "In five or six years I'll have it done," he said with a smile.

But first, Everett, 61, has other things on his plate, or rather 7,000 — the number of active members at FBC. Though he accepted the call to be FBC's new pastor December 5 after filling in as interim pastor for almost six months, Everett and his wife, Sheila, just made the move to Midland January 20. His first Sunday as pastor was January 16.
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the MRT story

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/