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 4/8/12
CHINA (New Day Foster Home, http://www.newdaycreations.com/foster/ ) - Give thanks to God for the
work of the staff, volunteers, and supporters of New Day Foster Home in
providing a loving home for orphans with special needs. Pray God will give the
staff and volunteers the strength and energy to care for babies and children
with acute medical conditions. • Thanks be to God that
1-year-old Maya continues to improve following surgery to treat a Wilms’ tumor,
a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. • Give thanks to God that Maya
is at New Day Foster Home where she receives love and care from the nurturing
staff at the foster home. This sweet baby girl was abandoned at the gate of a
civil affairs bureau four days after her birth, taken to a local orphanage, and
then several months later, moved to New Day Foster Home. • Give God
thanks for the life of 2-month-old James who died last week. James’ fragile body
wasn’t able to recover from the difficult surgery he had recently to repair his
heart and the lung infection he developed from being on a ventilator so long. • Pray for the staff and
volunteers at New Day Foster Home and the hospital staff and surgeons who so
lovingly cared for this little one who was abandoned at the foot of a mountain
on the day he was born.
CAMBODIA - Give God thanks for the Colombian government’s reintegration program for former child soldiers. Pray more former fighters are able to complete their education and find jobs that pay a living wage. Pray for former child soldiers who are now parents. Pray for those who struggle to raise their children by working low paying jobs. Pray for the safety and security of these fragile families.
• Keep in prayer those who have escaped from illegal rebel or paramilitary groups as they attempt to fit back into society. Pray for former fighters who struggle to find jobs in a country with unemployment at 11 percent and for those who are tempted to join criminal gangs because they can make more money. Pray for ex-fighters who are ostracized by society because of their previous involvement with rebel groups.
• Keep in prayer those who have escaped from illegal rebel or paramilitary groups as they attempt to fit back into society. Pray for former fighters who struggle to find jobs in a country with unemployment at 11 percent and for those who are tempted to join criminal gangs because they can make more money. Pray for ex-fighters who are ostracized by society because of their previous involvement with rebel groups. • Please pray for the thousands of children who have been forcibly recruited into Columbia’s paramilitary or rebel groups over the past five decades. Pray for those who joined the country’s illegal armed groups to escape grinding poverty or abusive home lives. Pray for children who are trained to use assault rifles and grenades and make explosives.
A report from the alertnet.org
KENYA ( Namoi's Village, http://naomisvillage.com/ ) -Keep
3-week-old Hannah held close in prayer as she adjusts to life at Naomi’s
Village. Give thanks to God that she was placed in this loving environment. Pray
this four pound baby girl will grow and thrive at Naomi’s Village. Pray for the
women who care for Hannah and the other four babies at this orphanage. Pray God
will provide them with the energy and stamina to care for these little ones.
UNITED STATES - Please pray for all children
returning to school soon. Pray for those who are attending school for the first
time, for those going to a new school, and for those moving from private schools
into public ones. Pray for Raymond, John, Julia, Alyssa, Camryn, and Grady as
they transition into new situations. Pray for teachers, administrators, and
school personnel who are also returning to school. • Pray
for children who have few if any friends at school. Pray they will find a group
of supportive and caring friends. Pray that a culture of hospitality,
acceptance, and welcome will prevail at all schools.
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. • Please keep Ashley, the
daughter of a Faces of Children prayer partner, close in prayer as she has been
diagnosed with the West Nile virus. Pray for her quick and complete recovery and
that her newborn son Landis won’t contract the virus (in a few rare cases, it
has been transferred through breast milk). • Pray for healing for
4-year-old Anna, the niece of a Faces of Children intercessor, who recently had
surgery to correct her club foot. Pray God will comfort Anna while her leg is in
a thigh-high cast for the next six weeks.
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
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 5, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY - On a hot Saturday evening in June, Richard Palleschi, a member of Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church, sat in a pew at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, loudly singing a gospel song he’d never heard before. Surrounded by 325 others from a variety of Christian traditions, he experienced the Holy Spirit in a way he never had before.
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 ...
Lip Dub
So, about 2 months ago I hadn't even heard of a "lip dub". Now, thanks to Sarah H. and Jerad the children at LCH have their own. And it is SO good! Click the link below and please feel free to share. CLICK HERE to read the rest of Natalie's post
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 of Confesssion
We come to you, O Christ, confessing to you the fears that twist our lives and keep us from the inner calm and peace that come from you:
The fear of ourselves, that we cannot do what is expected of us;
The fear of being found out for our littleness and pride in ourselves;
The fear of being left out when joy and richness come to others;
The fear of not being ready when opportunities present themselves for service;
The fear of death, that when it comes our time to die, we shall not have done the things we would have done,
because we were afraid to venture out.
We find ourselves shrinking back before the unknown, wanting assurance where we must have faith;
We find ourselves hesitating to follow you, O Christ, afraid the cost may be too great, and life may pass us by.
Give us the strength and peace that only you can give. Amen.
A Book of Reformed Prayers by Howard L. Rice & Lamar Williamson, Jr.
A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children
Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,
Although these words were written almost 60 years ago, they resonate with me now, especially the part about hesitating to follow Jesus because I’m fearful the cost will be too great. It’s true confession time, so here goes:
I’m happy to follow Christ
… as long as it’s convenient to do so.
… as long as it doesn’t make me uncomfortable.
… as long as I can control what happens.
… and only if that happens during work hours and I don’t have to give up a weekend.
… and only if I don’t have to make a commitment to anyone.
I’m happy to follow Christ, as long as it doesn’t cost me too much.
This baring of the soul is quite uncomfortable for me. I’m afraid you now know another fear that twists my life and keeps me from the inner calm that comes from Jesus Christ: The fear of being found out for my littleness and pride. And the purpose of this is what, you might wonder? I think confessing our weaknesses and sins before God and one another is one of the most healing parts of our life together as a community of faith, as members of the Church universal.
Another healing part of life in a faith community is prayer… praying with and for one another. You know this already or you wouldn’t be involved with Faces of Children and praying for children. So I ask you to join me in praying for each prayer partner/intercessor with this ministry, that we might experience the strength and peace that can only come through Jesus Christ. Would you pray with me that it might permeate our lives and wipe away our fears? Thank you
The Faces of Children prayer group will meet on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bride’s room at First Presbyterian Church-Midland, with lunch ($5) and fellowship to follow.
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.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 4, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF NEW JERSEY - The congregation of La Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Hispana Principe de Paz has been wandering for 23 years. In 1991, under Rev. Carmen Rosario, who shepherded the congregation from 1988 to 2005, it became a new church development in the presbytery and soon settled in Asbury Park. During this time the church was a partner in community efforts in support of primarily Puerto Rican and Cuban folks in the Asbury Park area. Principe de Paz was chartered as a full-fledged congregation in June 1993.
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.
Over a Thousand Kachin Refugees Forcibly Repatriated by China Distributed by ChinaAid, August, 2012 ... YUNAN, CHINA – In the past week, Kachin refugees who have resided in refugee camps within Yunnan province of China since fleeing the civil war in Burma (Myanmar) have been forced to return to Kachin by the Chinese government. This has caused hardship and fear for their safety for the repatriated refugees and international concerns have been raised.
ECPAT International is a global network of organisations and individuals working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. It seeks to encourage the world community to ensure that children everywhere enjoy their fundamental rights free and secure from all forms of commercial sexual exploitation.
We Need Your Help! Call your Senators September 4! Join ECPAT-USA, the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) and organizations and individuals across the country for a National Call-in Day to tell your Senators to pass the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act! On October 1, 2011, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the cornerstone of the U.S. effort to fight human trafficking, expired and Congress is at risk of failing to reauthorize the legislation by the end of this session. Congress will not act
until you do.
On September 4th starting at 9AM EST call your Senators and tell them to pass the TVPRA (S 1301). The time is now!
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 3, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK - On a Thursday morning in February, 35 young people and adults walked into The Bowery Mission in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. They would spend the next five hours serving and being served as they learned about homelessness in New York City. It was, all in all, a routine day in youth ministry, except that the youth and adults represented six congregations of the Presbytery of Long Island. Calling themselves Nassau (County) Joint Youth, the partnership sponsors mission projects, retreats, mission trips, and a joint confirmation class.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 2, 2012
MINUTE FOR MISSION: CHRISTIAN VOCATION - I remember the day that the fog lifted and I realized that the word "undecided" no longer needed to appear after my name and major in the school directory. It was right after a college professor tapped me on the shoulder. Figuratively, anyway. He had been paying attention to my gifts and had seen my face light up in class. He could see where my passions were, yet was also aware of a place that needed that combination.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: September 1, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK - In John 20:24, Jesus reminds us "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.'' In 2008, one of the good grains of God's field, the First Presbyterian Church of Poughkeepsie, closed its doors, merged with another congregation, and sold its beautiful building. It was a time of dying to the old and rising to the new.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 31, 2012
PRESEBYTERY OF GENEVA, NEW YORK - The Presbytery of Geneva has long been involved in disaster assistance. Several times each year, members of the presbytery travel to sites where recovery work needs to be done. One critical endeavor is in partnership with the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps, supported in part by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbytery of West Virginia.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 30, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE VALLEY, NEW YORK - Ministry is a balancing act between covenant and challenge. The mission of a theological seminary is to nurture the call people have experienced to become ministers for Christ, help them probe and test the call, and determine in the seminary community if the call is of God.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 29, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY - Nestled in the rolling hills of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Bethlehem Presbyterian Church (BPC) in Pittstown has been a fixture of the community since 1730, fully 46 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Rev. Laurie Sponaugle is the pastor of this thriving congregation that, through their love of Jesus Christ, serves by supporting such organizations as Anderson House for women recovering from alcohol/drug dependency; The Giving Tree prison ministry; the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Hunterdon County for homeless women and families; the Open Cupboard Food Pantry; and Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 28, 2012
EASTERN KOREAN PRESBYTERY - The Eastern Korean Presbytery (EKP) has assisted Asian American senior citizens by setting up a variety of programs, including free medical checkups and vaccinations. The presbytery has reached out to other Korean organizations, including the Korean Medical Center of Holy Name Hospital, the Korean Social Service Center, and the Korean Nursing Home at Bergen Regional Medical Center. All of these organizations have developed and implemented a program for Asian American senior citizens.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 27, 2012
THE PRESBYTERY OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - The story of Elmwood Presbyterian Church on Syracuse's impoverished south side is in many ways typical of other Presbyterian congregations. Formed in the late 1800s, Elmwood grew and thrived, with strong neighborhood connections and a membership that topped 1,200 in the 1960s. Forty-some years later, only 34 members remain. But Elder Jay King, a recently retired public school teacher from the City school system, is determined that Elmwood will continue to bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God - right there in the missional context God has given it today.
The Reverend Dr. Theodore Wardlaw, President of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, will be 'preaching and teaching' in the Tall City when he visits First Presbyterian Church of Midland on Sunday, September 16. First Prez is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Texas and A streets, on the west edge of downtown Midland. The public is cordially invited to come church with us, and to hear Dr. Wardlaw. Childcare is available.
Theodore J. Wardlaw became the ninth president of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in the fall of 2002, having come to the Seminary from the position of Pastor of Atlanta’s Central Presbyterian Church, a historic downtown congregation directly across the street from the Georgia Capitol. President Wardlaw has led the Seminary through its $25 million Centennial Campaign, the largest in the Seminary’s history, as well as the campaign for and construction of the first in a new generation of student housing, the Anderson House apartment building, built in 2009.
Wardlaw received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, his divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and his Master of Sacred Theology degree (American Church History) from Yale University Divinity School.
He has contributed numerous articles to such periodicals as The Christian Century, The Presbyterian Outlook, Journal for Preachers, Journal of Reformed Liturgy and Music, and Call to Worship.
For more information about Dr. Wardlaw's visit, you may contact First Prez-Midland at (432) 684-7821 or nkudsi@fpcmid.org
___________________
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 26, 2012
MINUTE FOR MISSION: SAN FRANCISCO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - Ministry is a balancing act between covenant and challenge. The mission of a theological seminary is to nurture the call people have experienced to become ministers for Christ, help them probe and test the call, and determine in the seminary community if the call is of God.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 25, 2012
PRESBYTERY OF BOSTON - For a number of years, several of the 25 churches and many of the 2,993 Presbyterians in the Presbytery of Boston have volunteered for a week in the summer to provide housing rehabilitation work with Mission at the Eastward in central Maine. This year, churches from the communities of Burlington, Natick, Needham, Newton, Somerville, Sudbury, and Waltham are participating in the program.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 24, 2012
ALBANY PRESBYTERY - In 2010, Albany Presbyteryplanted a visioning seed in a garden to be cultivated in the coming decade. Albany Presbytery's garden is quickly bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God as they transform themselves into an active, missional learning community. Money has been set aside especially for people who have never traveled on a mission trip and seen how the Holy Spirit is building up the church in other parts of the world.
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. The stories in the 2012 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the prayer of Paul for the Colossians, that these faithful brothers and sisters would bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (1:10).
Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 23, 2012
SYNOD OF THE NORTHEAST - The Synod of the Northeast affirms the centrality of the presbytery in the covenantal and connectional Presbyterian system. As a result, the synod's primary mission strategy is to support its 22 presbyteries through consulting, facilitating, and partnering in mission as the presbyteries in turn focus their energy and resources on their congregations.
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).
