Friday, June 26, 2020

In the News ... "Public art to promote public health"

Courtesy Photo
• Masks designed by Connection Church congregant, decorated by Connection VBS children

Staff Report
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Volunteers from Odessa Arts, Discover Odessa, and Connection Christian Church on Monday began covering the 38 Jackrabbit sculptures around Odessa to encourage the community to wear masks when out in public ...

Read the rest of this OA 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.

Contributed Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 26, 2020

COVID-19 SURVIVAL CHECKLIST - He drives up the Philadelphia Turnpike for his semi-annual appointment with the allergist, and sneezes. Not unusual for this time of year. Should he, a senior, be nervous? He’s not anxiety-prone, but with the advancing virus constantly in the news, how can he not have dying at the back of his mind?

“Am I as ready as I can be for whatever comes?” he ponders ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

FBR Report: "Kachin Rangers Help IDPs in Kachin State"

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
Kachin Rangers Help IDPs in Kachin State

24 May 2020
Kachin State, Burma

It has been 10 years since internally displaced people (IDPs) have been unable to return to their homes. It is not safe since there are military installations near villages. Abandoned villages are at risk because of the planting of landmines. The old houses are overgrown by bushes and are rickety and need repairs. The IDPs have no money and face difficulties in paying for the construction of the houses ...

CLICK HERE to read the rest of this FBR Report ...

... Thank you for praying for us and helping us stand with these people.

God bless you all!

Kachin Team Leader

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.”

In the News ... "Toiletry Drive for 'Breaking Bread' Mobile"

• Drop-off donations Monday-Friday from 1:30-6:30 pm


Breaking Bread Kitchen provides a free, hot, dinner Monday - Friday from 5:30-6:30pm. We feed anyone and everyone that comes through our doors.

Church on Wheels, Inc. is a 501c3 organization that runs Breaking Bread Kitchen. Breaking Bread is a kitchen that serves a free, hot meal Monday - Friday to the needy in Midland, Texas.

Breaking Bread Kitchen runs on volunteer support and financial support from people in the community. To help keep this vital mission alive please visit breakingbreadkitchen.org to donate.

In the News ... "Free testing coming in Odessa"

• Council approves COVID-19 mobile testing, starting next week

Michael Merlo, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - Eight COVID-19 testing events will be held at multiple city parks from June 30 to July 30 and there will be another eight testing events in the fall.

City Council approved multiple items during Tuesday’s meeting for a city led community wide COVID-19 testing program ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...

In the News ... "'In Defense of Black Lives' forum"

• Event will be live-streamed on Facebook Live and Twitter, for those unable to attend to participate remotely in the forum

By Sam Waller, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - In Defense of Black Lives, a local activist group, will conduct a community forum to address concerns and considerations about policing and criminal justice as well as education in Odessa.

“Talk of the Town: Policing, Education & Next Steps to Solutions” is scheduled at 6 p.m. Thursday at Floyd Gwin Park, 1015 N. County Road West.

The forum provides community members an opportunity to come together and discuss the next steps community should take ...

Read the rest of this OA 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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 25, 2020

COVID-19 RESPONSE FROM THE PC(USA) - Fear, exhaustion and grief came through as the primary emotions as a group of mid council leaders gathered on a Zoom call in late March. The group was brought together by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to listen to their concerns and learn how the Church might best help mid councils and congregations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

In the News ... “Singing worship from face to Facebook"

KWES Photo
• Youth Minister at First Baptist-Stanton uses his voice to reach hearts across social media platform

By Corey Mose, Reporter
KWES-TV

STANTON, TEXAS - Nowadays the world may seem bleak, but a local youth minister from Stanton is singing hope into his Facebook followers.

It all started after one of the kids from his youth ministry challenged him to sing 14 days straight on Facebook live ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KWES 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 courtesy of Kaalmo Relief and Development
Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 24, 2020

'ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING' GIFTS - Before a hunger emergency struck Somalia, Hawo Abdi and her husband were successful herders near their country’s border with Kenya.

However, two years of intensive drought parched the land to the point that they could no longer raise the camels, cattle, sheep and goats that supported their pastoralist lifestyle. The country’s civil war added further complications to the situation ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

From PC(USA) Store ... Growing in Grace & Gratitude useful at church and home

The Presbyterian Church (USA) offers a central online store where you can find all PC(USA)-produced books, curriculum, and resources in one place. PCUSAStore.com is a comprehensive selection of PC(USA) resources that provides the information and materials necessary to support new and existing congregations, leaders, study groups, and individuals forge a deeper understanding of Presbyterian beliefs and doctrines. PCUSAStore.com is maintained by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, the publishing house of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Geneva Press curriculum publishing, and other agency partners.



Great resources to do at home or online

Growing in Grace & Gratitude helps the children of your congregation explore the stories of the Bible through the lens of grace. This curriculum is meant for children ages 3-10 and offers a permanent toddler resource, too.

Growing in Grace & Gratitude also has great resources to do at home or online ...

Learn more about Growing in Grace & Gratitude and download samples on our website ...



Please Note: We can currently only ship to customers in the United States. For our international distributors, please contact us at support@pcusastore.com.

PC(USA) Store
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(800) 533-4371
support@pcusastore.com

In the News ... "Four friends unite the community of Big Spring with a mural"

KMID/KPEJ Photo
"We don't have a specific message we're trying to send. We just want it to speak to people what they need."

By Juyeon Kim, Reporter
KMID-TV/KPEJ-TV

BIG SPRING, TEXAS - Four friends from different walks of life came together to make Big Spring a little extra special. We checked-in with Naomi Villa, Morgan Lee, Renee Thomas, and Monica Gutierrez about their recent initiative to unite the community. They say “love” was the driving force behind their project ...

 • Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ 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.

Contributed Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 23, 2020

RICHARD AVERY, PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR/SONGWRITER - For this Father’s Day Mission Yearbook entry, I decided to rely heavily on one of the National Council of Presbyterian Men’s Bible Study Guides prepared by Presbyterian men for Presbyterian men ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Monday, June 22, 2020

From @chinaaid : "Democratic dissident is held under residential surveillance"

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.

Democratic dissident is held under residential surveillance
ChinaAid Photo
Distributed by ChinaAid, May 2020 ...

CHENGDU, SICHUAN, CHINA – Chen Yunfei, a well known dissident, was held under criminal detention by police and then residential surveillance on the charge of picking quarrels and provoking trouble last year because of his online speech. Though he was verbally notified the residential surveillance was over, he was given no legal documentation supporting tha ...

More on this story from ChinaAid ...


From Outreach Foundation ... Mission Partnership Update

• Your gifts to the COVID-19 Emergency Appeal are making a difference … in Rwanda

With funds that Outreach supporters sent to the COVID-19 Emergency Appeal, we were able to send $4000 immediately to assist the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR) in caring for the poorest of those whom they are serving in providing food parcels.

Since the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Rwanda on March 14, the number of positive cases has increased to more than 110. The Government of Rwanda has applied precautionary measures to limit the outbreak of the virus among the population. These measures include limiting travels, avoiding mass gatherings including Sunday services, physical meetings, services that gather many people in offices, as well as the closure of all schools (nursery, primary, secondary, and university) until new measures are announced.

The church is experiencing how these measures will affect the activities at all levels and life in the country in general and in the church in particular, especially the life in parishes. They affect also the activities of the Church at the Head office and in the various areas of Church life.

The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR), which has about 300,000 members and is based in Kigali faces a similar situation to ours and that the Church is facing all over the world. They invite us to pray that the mighty hand of the Lord would be on all of us and on his children in this world in distress. We pray, too, that his grace may accompany those in the EPR who are giving themselves day and night to help the sick, families, and all those in difficulty. We pray for brothers and sisters with whom we share the faith and who are facing this pandemic. We pray for the whole world that the strategies taken may be accompanied by God’s hand and that they may respond effectively to the current challenges. We pray for doctors and researchers on COVID-19 that the Holy Spirit guide them in their work.

Rev. Dr. Pascal BATARINGAYA, President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda, sent this message on April 15. “Please do receive the best greetings from the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda. I would like to give you an update on the situation in the EPR and in Rwanda in general at this time when the world is facing the pandemic of Coronavirus.”

“I am writing this message to express my thanks and my gratitude to all brothers and sisters who have given the funds we received from you. I know that you are in the same situation and are facing the same challenges. We keep you in our prayers and we hope our Lord will end this difficult time because all situations are in his hands. As we reach out to serve the poor in our midst, we remember that Christ said when we do it for those who are suffering, we are doing it unto him.”

“So let us praise the Lord for that and for the generous hearts of those people who share with others who are struggling and suffering even if the givers are also facing the same challenge.”

“May God be with you, protect you and yours and keep his hand upon you.”


Click here to learn more about Outreach’s COVID-10 Emergency Appeal

Thank you!



Engaging followers of Christ for His work in the world, the Outreach Foundation is committed to helping the church live out its missional calling, building the capacity of the global church, especially where the church is vulnerable or growing rapidly, and transforming lives through mission involvement.

The Outreach Foundation
381 Riverside Drive, Suite 110
Franklin, TN 37064,
United States
(615) 778-8881
info@theoutreachfoundation.org

In the News ... "Apostle Peter ‘definitely different’"

Painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio 
• Denying Jesus three times was step toward maturity, ministers say

By Bob Campbell, Reporter
Odessa American


ODESSA, TEXAS - The Apostle Peter’s failings repeatedly got him into trouble, but his strengths were so pronounced that he rebounded to become one of the most important figures in the story of Christianity.

Known as “The Big Fisherman” in a bestselling book and a 1959 movie, the man who is also called Simon Peter became the most prominent of Jesus Christ’s disciples through a series of assertions and actions, ministers say ...

Read the rest of this OA 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.

Contributed Photo
Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 22, 2020

MATTHEW 25 - I recently had the opportunity to participate in a small-group Bible study with other Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission co-workers serving throughout Africa. We were invited to read closely Matthew 25:31–46, where Jesus speaks of when he comes again and is like a shepherd separating “sheep from goats” at the final judgment. We were also invited to ask the questions: “What word or phrase stands out? How does the text resonate with or challenge you? What might the text be calling you to do, be or change?” ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

In the News ... GUEST VIEW: "‘‘Black Lives Matter’ is more than a rallying cry for the dead"

MRT Photo by James Durbin
"This three-word statement is a demand, a cry and even a song of faith."

By Evan Winston, Contributor
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - I want to start this by simply saying that George Floyd was murdered. He did not sacrifice himself for a cause. He wanted to live. He wanted a better life. He just wanted to be a catalyst of change while he was living in Minneapolis. Emphasis on living! ...

Read the rest of this MRT guest view ...

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.

Today in the Mission Yearbook: June 21, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN MEN - For this Father’s Day Mission Yearbook entry, I decided to rely heavily on one of the National Council of Presbyterian Men’s Bible Study Guides prepared by Presbyterian men for Presbyterian men ...

CLICK HERE to read more.

Saturday, June 20, 2020

In the News ... "West Texans come together to celebrate Juneteenth"

KMID/KPEJ Photo
"Black history is American history."

By Feliz Romero, Reporter
KMID-TV/KPEV-TV


ODESSA, TEXAS - Juneteenth is a symbolic date that celebrates the end of slavery.

Rod Johnson, an Academic Success Coach at Odessa College said, “It’s important because Black History is Amerian history. If we lose that we lose a significant part of who we are” ...

Read/watch the rest of this KMID/KPEJ report ... 


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 ...

Read the rest of this OA report ...