Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill.-Connections
It is with deep sadness for us and great joy for Sam that I tell you that Sam Lawanza went home to his Jesus on this past Monday. Sam has been struggling with health issues since mid November. When Willie saw him this past Friday, Sam said he would have a great big smile on his face when they buried him. Sam’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 11:00 in the morning.
Maddie Neuman reports that Jacob Filpala is home from serving in Iraq! Praise Father for this young man’s safe return!
Please keep Georgette and Chuck Bersani in prayer. Georgette has been ill with that gunky flu that is going around, then had a reaction to her inhaler. Chuck spent three days in the hospital after knee replacement surgery and now is in rather rigorous therapy.
On Thursday, December 7th, we have the most exciting opportunity to share in the joy of Saint Rest Baptist Church as they install their new pastor. We are invited to join them at 7:00 pm for an installation service. Our choir is singing and Willie is preaching. The address is 1550 E. Florence Ave, Fresno. The easiest way to get there is to take 41 to the Jensen Ave exit, turn right on Jensen, turn right on Elm, turn left on Florence.
Hank Michalk has recovered sufficiently for he and Pauline to leave Kettle Falls just barely ahead of the snowstorms that would have locked them up there for the winter. (This is why I love being a California girl!)
We continue to pray for: Samee Myers, Floyd Willis, my friend down at Juvenile Hall, Sylvia Eland, Tony McDonald, Sharleen Ferree, Michael Ferris, Lance Corp. Eric Hamilton, Dorothy Wajckus, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer.
Pray for our missionaries – Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel for Asia, Biana Grogg with The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Megan Dineen in Mexico, Matthew, Lisa & Nathan in Jos Nigeria, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Emmanuel, God With Us,
You are God’s love clothed in flesh. Never has Your love been demonstrated more fully than in the manger and on the cross. At Your birth centuries of God’s promises were fulfilled and continue to be fulfilled today. You are the eternal hope and life of mankind. At this busy time of the year, help us to stay focused on You.
Holy Spirit, Thank You for the assurance that Sam is safe with You. We ask that your comfort and blessings be upon his family that grieves his passing, even as they know that Sam is rejoicing. He has touched Jesus.
El Rahum, Merciful God, with joy we lift Georgette and Chuck before Your crystal throne and ask, LORD, that You quickly restore them to full health.
Holy Father, we thank You for the opportunity to share Saint Rest’s joy as they install this new young pastor. We pray Your blessings and abundance on him as He follows in Your footsteps.
Triune God, there is a sense of excitement that fills each heart at this time of the year. Even those who do not know You know of You and celebrate You at this time. God, with open hands we ask for You to help us reflect You so clearly at this time of year so that others will wonder, “What’s up with this Jesus?” and we can bring them to You. Then You can change them just as You changed the world 2,000 years ago.
Yahweh Roi, the LORD, our Shepherd, continue to guide and act in the lives of those who remain on our prayer list.
We lift up our pastors to You, Abba and ask Your mercy be new in their lives. We lift up Pastor Terrie, LORD, and thank You for the incredible energy she brings to our fellowship and for her gift of equipping the church to be all that it can be in You. Be with her LORD - if You can keep up with her - and bless her in all that she does.
Your missionaries, Light of the World, are the embodiment of the Great Commission. Be with them as they Serve You to the ends of the earth. Grant them peace.
Nothing in our lives compares with You, God. Nothing.
Bless our country and her leadership. We pray, Prince of Peace, for the peace that only You can bring to our hearts, to our country and to our world.
At the top of my lungs, I will sing HALLELUJAH because You are the One who saved us. We love You, LORD of All. We invite Your presence in our lives and surrender our will to You.