Ragini Venkatasubban, Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TEXAS - The Rev. Lucian Rudd, pastor at Northwestern Baptist Church, said he has all the required teachers and facilities for Sunday school -- but no children.
Started in Midland more than 30 years ago, Northwestern at one time had a regular attendance of 200 members. But after problems with a previous pastor a few years ago, attendance dwindled. By the time Rudd took over as pastor a year and a half ago, membership was down to about 15-20 people, all of whom either had adult children or no children.
"I knew they'd lost a bunch of people, so I offered to help," Rudd said. "I wound up with them calling me as pastor."
The church is now looking for more young families with children.
• read the rest of this story
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 20, 2013
CLICK HERE to read more.
Monday, August 19, 2013
ChinaAid: "Beijing Shouwang Church Announcement on Outdoor Worship Service on August 11"
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.Beijing Shouwang Church Announcement on Outdoor Worship Service on August 11
Distributed by ChinaAid, August, 2013 ...
• more on this story from China Aid
Invitation to Prayer: Wednesday
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).Let Your Light Dawn in Our Minds
O God, let fear die and conviction be born in our lives.
Let Your light dawn in our minds as the day dawns on the earth.
Let us not be so busy hurrying into the future and
worrying about the past that we lose today—the only one we have.
God, help us do what we know we have to do today,
and leave tomorrow to You. Marian Wright Edelman
Bedside Prayers: Prayers and Poems for When You Rise and Go to Sleep
by June Cotner
A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children
Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,
I hope you can join the Faces of Children prayer group as we lift the children of our local and global communities in prayer this coming Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 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.
Grace and peace,
Chris
In the News ... "Local Burmese Chin refugees launch clothing line"
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MRT Photos
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Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND, TEXAS - Flared pants, colorful skirts and tiny onesies hung on racks Sunday evening at the First Presbyterian Church as shoppers milled around, contemplating their purchases. It looked like a regular launch party for a new children's clothing line -- with one big difference.
The clothes were all part of the Chin Collection at Scarlet Threads, a custom children's clothing line handcrafted by Burmese refugee women living in Midland. The four seamstresses who produced the collection escaped from their native Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, in the face of religious and ethnic persecution and came to the U.S. as refugees, moving to Midland because of the abundance of jobs.
• read the rest of this story
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 19, 2013
PRESBYTERY OF THE JAMES, VIRGINIA - With a renewed emphasis on youth, the Presbytery of the James welcomed Lyndsey McCall as youth ministry coordinator. Annual youth events within her responsibilities include Rally to Serve, a mission event for middle and high school youth; the confirmation retreat; the middle school retreat; the Massanetta Middle School Conference; the Montreat Youth Conference, where students are taught to actively contribute to the life of their congregations; ACTS Richmond, a program highlighting local mission opportunities; and Fall Call, an annual retreat for high school youth to share and exchange ideas.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 18, 2013
MINUTE FOR MISSION: YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP - They let down the mat [stretcher] on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:4)
The row of teenage boys in front of my husband and me at Faith in 3D, a large youth ministry event, was a whispering, fidgety hub of activity. From the front of the room, a team of young actors carried stretchers throughout the congregation and invited the youth to write down their confessions and place them on the stretcher. Many responded enthusiastically, scribbling down the broken and sinful episodes of their lives and then following the stretcher bearers, thereby creating a sort of somber, prayerful, confessional conga line.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Sparkling Mission
“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 9:2Annie 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.
Right now, Annie tells us, the greatest need at NightLight is to sell more jewelry. NightLight Design Co., Ltd. is a registered jewellery business which employs women coming out of prostitution or having been at risk of prostitution and/or trafficking.
If you are interested in hosting a jewelry party please write to NightLight, at jewelry@nightlightinternational.com , and they will assist you in setting that up. NightLight representatives are available for parties and events. If you’d like to host a jewelry party or have a representative at your event, contact Nightlight at that same e-mail link.
Remember the beautiful jewelry is also available on-line at store.nightlightinternational.com/
"God is going before us to the bars preparing the way. He is sending us to receive the women and give hope," Annie writes. "We ask you to join us in this adventure. Thank you to those of you who already do. You are saving lives!"
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 17, 2013
Area congregations have long been committed to addressing the needs of these workers and their families.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Friday, August 16, 2013
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 16, 2013
Lee County alone hosts 13 PC(USA) congregations, who have for many years kept their connections strong through shared annual worship events and periodic hymn sings. So when tornadoes ripped up homes and businesses throughout the county in April 2010, these congregations came together to help start the local long-term recovery committee that coordinated recovery resources and volunteers long after the media left the scene.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 15, 2013
PRESBYTERY OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA - In times of uncertainty, the people of the Presbytery of Charlotte continue to serve the needs of God’s children. The presbytery covers a seven-county region and includes 130 congregations and their 38,849 members. What started in 1982 as the 2-Cents-a-Meal (TCAM) offering provides food to thousands within our presbytery. The suggested offering per meal was increased to 10 cents in 2011 so that the presbytery could better meet the needs of its congregations and community by expanding programs related to hunger and to at-risk youth in addition to providing funds for food.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 14, 2013
PRESBYTERY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Discipled by Jesus Christ and enlivened by the Holy Spirit, congregations of the Presbytery of Baltimore are answering God’s call to community through an innovative program that immerses volunteers from across the country into the world of missional reconciliation in the city of Baltimore.
Presbytery mission partner The Center encourages local and out-of-town groups to do something about the injustices in our world by inviting them to spend a week, weekend, or day addressing issues of poverty, inadequate housing, or environmental pollution in the neighborhoods of Baltimore.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 13, 2013
ATLANTIC KOREAN-AMERICAN PRESBYTERY - Atlantic Korean-American Presbytery is enthusiastic about evangelism and mission. Korean American congregations are very concerned about winning souls who do not know Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Q Kim, folks call him. His given name is Kyu-Hyung Kim, and he is a man of prayer and spirituality. Because he is also a man of evangelism, his congregation is very multicultural. The Bible teaches us, through the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable.” Rev. Q Kim practices this commandment above all — not only with adults but also with children.
CLICK HERE to read more.
Monday, August 12, 2013
ChinaAid: "Two more house churches raided in Xinjiang"
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.Two more house churches raided in Xinjiang
Distributed by ChinaAid, July, 2013 ...
XINJIANG REGION, CHINA – China Aid has learned of two more police raids on house churches in Xinjiang.
The first occurred on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Brother Tan Wen, who lives on Aletai Road in the Shayibake District of Urumqi, was leading a worship service at a friend’s house with many elderly people in attendance. During the service, three men and two women broke into the house and shouted loudly: “Yours is an illegal assembly and all of you must stay still.” Because the disruptive newcomers were not wearing uniforms and did not show official identification, some of the worshippers feared initially that they were being robbed.
• more on this story from China Aid
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).Success
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden path,
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life
has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bedside Prayers: Prayers and Poems for When You Rise and Go to Sleep
by June Cotner
A message from Chris Laufer, Coordinator, Faces of Children
Greetings, Faces of Children Prayer Partner,
This coming Wednesday, August 7, 2013, the Faces of Children prayer group will meet 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.
Giving thanks for this life and this love,
Chris
In the News ... "Mission Fulfilled"
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OA Photo by Mark Sterkle
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Odessa American
ODESSA, TEXAS - Norman Stolpe and his wife made a thunderous arrival to Odessa.
“We weren’t expecting rain,” Stolpe, the new interim pastor at First Christian Church, said. “We were driving two cars loaded to the gills. There were no mishaps, but it was a dusty thunderstorm.”
Stolpe, 66, moved to Odessa with his wife in June after the retirement of the church’s previous pastor, Steve Digby.
The father of three grown sons and four grandchildren, Stolpe has a permanent home in Dallas but travels wherever he is needed as interim pastor.
• read the rest of this story
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 12, 2013
CLICK HERE to read more.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
An addition to our "Friends In Mission" list ...
Under the heading, "Work. Dignity. Beauty." Scarlet Threads describes itself as "a compassionate boutique, specializing in unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses and artisans in both rural Asia and Uganda. The perfect gift for bridal showers, holidays, or any special occasion, all Scarlet Threads products are fairly traded and created in compliance with our core vision and values. When you purchase one of our beautiful hand-crafted products, you become part of our story by providing a woman with safe and rewarding work."
"The result? Dignity, which is always beautiful and never goes out of style."
It's a mission that covers the a part of America and reaches across the oceans to Africa and Asia ... and will now have a significant West Texas connection. It is a connection VERY MUCH like one I experienced in the summer of 2008, and recalled in a summer 2011 blog post.
"Before long, I started seeing lots of Asian people working in the local grocery store. Then I met Kelli, a woman at church, who told me there were Burmese refugees living in Midland," Scarlet Threads' own blog post recalls. • CLICK HERE to read the rest of that post
... which brings us today ... and an event this weekend in the Tall City.
"Scarlet Threads is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of The Chin Collection, a whimsical custom children's clothing line produced by Burmese refugees living in our community. You can read more about the roots of the project or learn about our vision and meet our seamstresses."
"Our launch party will be Sunday, August 11, 2013, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Midland, Texas. We hope our local friends can join us for a chance to meet our seamstresses, hear our vision, preview our products, and purchase handmade items!"
I hope you can, too!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
In the News ... "Music lovers migrate to Midland"
Midland Reporter-Telegram
MIDLAND-ODESSA, TEXAS - Victor Worley wanders through the crowds of the 14th Rock the Desert music festival. He's not looking for anyone in particular. He doesn't need to be at any specific place at any specific time. Weaving his way through the audience, hour after hour, the 18-year-old proudly shoves a poster in front of him at an arm's length, declaring in big, bold letters: "Free Hugs."
• read the rest of this story
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. The stories in the 2013 Mission Yearbook were gathered around the question of Jesus to his disciples, “How many loaves have you?” from Mark 6:38. The book is filled with stories of God’s abundance in the face of overwhelming needs and a scarcity of resources.Today in the Mission Yearbook: August 4, 2013
Each year our denomination sets aside Homelessness and Affordable Housing Sunday to focus on ideas and inspiration to help. The Presbyterian Network to End Homelessness, whose mission includes education, provides a downloadable guide for this Sunday, with a litany, hymns, prayers, sermon suggestions, and action ideas.
CLICK HERE to read more.
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