Prayer update - February 28, 2013

For more information about our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: Church of the Redeemer (profile), Manchester, New Hampshire (Pastor Jon Taylor)

1. We praise God that, in spite of significant conflict in 2012 and the loss of four core families, we ended 2012 with growth in both giving and attendance and are experiencing greater peace and unity than we have ever had at CTR (not to mention the Lord's provision of a physical home of our own). God is good!

2. We praise God for the commitment of the presbytery to our purity, peace, health and growth.

3. Please pray for three men who are nominated for office and two others who are taking leadership training, that out of these men the Lord would raise up more leaders to take CTR into the future.

4. We are starting a youth group in March. Please pray for our pastoral intern Brian Phillips as he leads this ministry, and for fruit both in discipleship at CTR and outreach in our city through it.

5. Pray for God's leading in reaching our new neighborhood, in part through an Explorer Camp July 22-26 in partnership with Covenant PCA in Birmingham, AL.

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: Montpelier, Vermont (profile)

1. Pray for the work of God’s Spirit among the people of Vermont’s capital city. 

2. Pray for the leaders of the Vermont government including Governor Peter Shumlin.

3. Pray for God’s blessing upon the church in northern Vermont.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: University of Maine (profile), Orono, Maine

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff at the main campus of the University of Maine as they make their way through this long spring semester; and for the town of Orono.

2. Pray for the campus ministries at the University of Maine, including Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Navigators, and the Maine Christian Association.

MNA Committee work:

RUF/University of Vermont: Continue to pray for the new RUF/UVM ministry. In particular:

1. Pray for John and Megan as they continue to build relationships with students and faculty at UVM.

2. Pray particularly for Hannah and Jesse; that God would grant them faith, and that fruit would be borne through the developing relationship.

3. Pray for the community group/Bible study that meets in the Meinen's home on Thursday night; that everyone involved would experience a deepening of love for and trust in Jesus Christ.

4. Pray that God would pave the way for RUF to meet on the campus of UVM for free in the fall.

Herb Shipman: Please continue to pray for Herb as he serves the dairy farmers of northern Vermont; that God would grant him strength and grace in the midst of his daily physical sufferings and challenges.

Prayer update - February 14, 2013

For more information about our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: Faith Presbyterian Church (profile), Lancaster, New Hampshire (Pastor Mike Kooy)

1. Praise God for a couple who has recently been attending our church and are pursing membership by attending our inquirers class. Also, praise God for another family in the process of transferring their membership to our church.
2. We thank the Lord for his financial provision for our church in 2012. We were not able to meet our budget but had enough in our reserves to cover the budget shortfall. Please pray for the Lord to provide for us again in 2013. Also, pray for those in our church who are unemployed or under-empolyed and are seeking work .
3. Please pray for the members of our church to encourage and help those in our church who have recently suffer from various health problems.
4. Pray that the Lord would strength us as body to encourage one another in the faith and to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. Pray that the Lord would continue to draw people to himself in our community and that our church would be salt and light here in northern New Hampshire.

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: seacoast of southern Maine (profile links below)

1. Pray for the people of Saco, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach, located south of Portland on the Atlantic coast. 

2. Pray for the reformation of the church in this region and for the raising up of those who would be involved in planting a PCA church in these communities.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: University of Southern Maine (profile), Portland, Maine (main campus)

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of University of Southern Maine, part of Maine public university system, as they conclude the academic year.

2. Pray for the involvement of members of Christ the Redeemer Presbyterian (PCA) on campus and for the work of Campus Crusade for Christ and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.

MNA Committee work:

RUF/University of Vermont: Continue to pray for the new RUF/UVM ministry. In particular:

1. Please pray for UVM students going back to school. Pray that God would bless them this semester. Pray that the education they are receiving, the friendships they are making, and the experiences they are experiencing would equip them to do good work both now in college and beyond.

2. Pray that students would remember UVM as a place where they heard the gospel preached and saw its truths lived out in love.

3. Pray that God would give the Meinen's new relationships with students and pray that He would strengthen the relationships they already have.

4. Pray that God would build the RUF ministry at UVM.

5. Pray that God would build his Church here in Burlington—for His glory and for the benefit of those inside and outside the Church.

6. Pray for other campus ministries at UVM. Pray that they would faithfully minister to the students whom God has entrusted to their care.

7. Pray for Megan and John, as their faith always needs strengthening; their hope, deepening; their love, incarnating.

Herb Shipman:

1. Pray for continued fruitful ministry among the dairy farmers of Northern Vermont.

2. Pray for strength and physical well-being for Herb.

Prayer Update - January 3, 2013

For more information about our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: First Presbyterian Church (profile), Concord, New Hampshire (Pastor Doug Domin)

1.  Please rejoice with us in God's provision to us of the funds to purchase our new facility at 146 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH.

2.  Please give thanks for the excitement in our congregation and their enthusiasm in being involved in the plans for the renovation.

3.  Please ask God to use this to draw us closer as a congregation and that we would be an effective witness in the greater Concord area.

4.  Please ask God to continue to provide for us financially and that we would be able to raise the necessary monies to renovate the facility.

5.  Please give thanks for the help of the Presbytery, individuals churches and individuals and our own people in helping us get this facility.

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: Lakes Region, Maine (profile links below)

1. Pray for the people of the thirteen towns that make up the lakes region of central Maine, including Casco, Bridgton, Naples, and Raymond.  Pray for good economic opportunities for the many involved in tourism-based industries.

2. Pray for the further establishment of the church in this region.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: Plymouth State University (profile), Plymouth, New Hampshire

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of Plymouth State University, part of the University System of New Hampshire.

2. Pray for the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ to the students there.

MNA Committee work:

Burlington: Continue to pray for Redeemer Burlington, the joint church planting/RUF work in Burlington, VT.

RUF/University of Vermont: Continue to pray for the new RUF/UVM ministry. In particular:

1. Praise God that RUF is now a member of the Spiritual and Religious Life Council at UVM.

2. Pray for John and Megan Meinen as they continue to build relationships with the students.

3. Pray that God would continue to provide the necessary funding and support for this new work.

Herb Shipman:

1. Pray for continued fruitful ministry among the dairy farmers of Northern Vermont.

2. Pray for strength and physical well-being for Herb.

Prayer update - November 7, 2012

For more information about our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: Grace Presbyterian Church (profile), Laconia, New Hampshire (Pastor Andy Wilson)

1. Give thanks for a family that joined the church this fall, and pray for their two sons as they take the communicants class.

2. Pray for several new families and individuals who have recently been worshiping with us, that they might be open to taking our "What Is a Reformed Church?" class.

3. Pray for safe travels, good health, and a good adjustment as a family in our church travels to China this month to adopt a one-year old girl.

4. Pray that we would be faithful in bearing one another's burdens, as a number of people in the church are dealing with health problems and relational difficulties.

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: Augusta, Maine (profile)

1. Pray for the people of Augusta, including those serving in government positions in the state’s capital, including Governor Paul Lepage. 

2. Pray for a strong evangelical witness among the existing churches in Augusta and the surrounding towns.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: University of Maine-Augusta (profile), Augusta, Maine

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of the Augusta campus of the University of Maine.

2. Pray for good job opportunities for the graduates of the career-oriented programs at UM-Augusta.

3. Pray for the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ to the students there.

MNA Committee work:

Redeemer Burlington

1. Praise the Lord that they have began public worship October 7th.

2. Praise Him that He is building His church, and that He will continue to gather and perfect the saints of Burlington.

3. Pray for Joseph and Katie Pensak, and their three children Nadine, Lucie and Maelle, that God's rich blessings would be upon them as they labor together in Burlington.

RUF/University of Vermont

1. Pray that God would continue to introduce John and Megan Meinen to new students at UVM.

2. Pray that RUF would be welcomed on the Religious and Spiritual Life Council at UVM.

3. Pray for growth in the ministry of RUF; for outward growth -  that more and more people would hear the gospel and be drawn to it; and for downward growth - for a deepening of faith for all who are involved with RUF.

Herb Shipman

1. Pray for strength for Herb as he ministers to the dairy farmers of Northern Vermont and as he preaches and teaches at the church in Belvidere.

2. Pray that God would continue to grant him good health to serve each day.

3. Pray for the necessary funds to minister to these dairy farmers through the Farmers' Bible Study.

Prayer Update - October 10, 2012

For more information on our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: Christ Presbyterian Church (profile), Nashua, New Hampshire (Pastor Jason Wakefield)

1. Pray for leadership development, the deacons are forming a diaconate committee and seeking new ways to reach out to the community.

2. Pray for the funding of the ministry; we are currently ahead, but looking forward we are concerned about the level of monthly giving.

3. Pray for us as we look for a new facility and office space.  We need to find a place that will further our ministry in Nashua.

4. Pray for new people to come and join the congregation.

5. Pray that we would continue to develop a biblical community with a global and local missions emphasis.

6.  We are studying Ephesians Sunday Morning, pray that it would strengthen the members of CPC in their faith.

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire (profile links below)

1. Pray for God’s blessing upon the people of Hanover and Lebanon, NH, and White River Junction, VT.

2. Pray for the reformation of the church in the Upper Valley region and for the Gospel witness of existing evangelical churches.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: Dartmouth College (profile), Hanover, New Hampshire

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of Dartmouth College as they have begun this new academic year.

2. Pray for God’s blessing on the campus ministries at Dartmouth, including Campus Crusade for Christ, the Navigators, and Agape Christian Fellowship. 

MNA Committee work:

RUF/University of Vermont: Pray for John and Megan Meinen as they begin this new work at the University of Vermont. Pray specifically

1. That God would give them good relationships with their neighbors; that they would meet students; and that God would build these relationship and that friendships would begin to emerge. Praise God with them that He is already beginning to answer this prayer.

2. Pray that RUF will join the Spiritual and Religious Life Council at UVM, and that RUF will bless the University of Vermont, its students, and its faculty.

NNEP:

1. Pray for the committee’s work as it makes contact with men who are interested in serving in Northern New England.

2. Pray for the interns Tom Powell as he seeks the Lord’s leading; Mike Viera, as he continues his studies at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson and seeks God’s direction for him and his family; Bob Wiegers, as he juggles his studies, work and family obligations; and Nathan Snyder, as he pursues God’s call to the gospel ministry.

Herb Shipman: Pray for strong prayer and financial support for Herb’s ministry among the dairy farmers in northern Vermont. Give thanks for the spiritual fruit that God has brought about through his labors. Pray for the physical strength needed each day to carry out these tasks.

NNEP Presbytery Meeting: Pray for God’s blessing upon the upcoming Northern New England Presbytery meeting in Manchester, NH (October 13).

Prayer update - September 12, 2012

For more information on our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: Trinity Presbyterian Church (profile), St. Albans, VT (Pastor Seth Anderson)

1. Praise God for a growing amount of young children.  We have had neighborhood children come which is very encouraging and an answer to prayer.

2. Praise for the presence and work of the Holy Spirit.

3. Pray for our neighbors, that God would give us favor with them and open their hearts to His grace.  A retirement home was just completed across the street, along with several homes being built behind it, and a large apartment building is currently in process just to our north.

4. Pray for God to raise up and strengthen elders and deacons for the church.  

5. Pray that we would grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: South-central New Hampshire (profile links below)

1. Pray for the spiritual and economic prosperity of the people of Salem, Derry, and Londonderry, New Hampshire.

2. Pray for the progress of the church in south-central New Hampshire.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: University of New Hampshire (profile), Durham, New Hampshire

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of the University of New Hampshire as they begin this new academic year.

2. Pray for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship group at UNH and the reformed students group connected to Pilgrim Presbyterian (OPC) in Dover, NH.

MNA Committee work:

Continue to pray for work of church planting in Northern New England.

1. Pray that God would be raising up men who would have a heart for planting churches in the region.

2. Pray for an abundance in God’s provision for new works to begin.

3. Pray for Herb Shipman as he ministers to the farmers of Northern Vermont; that God would provide richly above all he could ask or imagine, and that a rich harvest would be seen.

RUF/University of Vermont:

1. Pray for John Meinen as he has begun his new RUF ministry at the University of Vermont.

2. Pray for their ministry among the students and faculty to be enlivened as they bring the gospel of Christ to this campus.

NNEP Presbytery Meeting: Pray for God’s peace and blessing to be upon the upcoming Northern New England Presbytery meeting in Manchester, NH (September 15).

Prayer Update - August 9, 2012

For more information on our presbytery, please visit our website.

Featured Church/Mission: Exeter Presbyterian Church (profile), Exeter, New Hampshire (Pastor Steve Magee)

1. The church is preparing to open up nominations for elders and deacons in September. Please pray that we would have the Lord's wisdom at this important time.

2. We are also considering calling Nathan Snyder as an Associate Pastor. Again, we seek the Lord's leading with much thankfulness for Nathan's year of internship with us.

3. Please pray for our teaching and preaching this fall. Nathan and I will be working on a new Sunday School class on the Wisdom books of the Old Testament. I will be teaching a course on the Bible as Literature through the town Adult Education Enrichment Program. My wife, Candy, will be leading two women's groups through a study of Hebrews. One of our deacons, Dave Herrod, will be teaching Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.

4. Ask the Lord to give us all clarity, focus, and joy as we seek to be faithful living letters of the gospel of the grace of God in our place and time (Acts 20:24). 

Featured Potential Church Planting Site: Brunswick, Maine (profile)

1. Pray for the spiritual and economic prosperity of the people of Brunswick.

2. Pray for the existing evangelical churches in Brunswick, including Merrymeeting Bay OPC, currently meeting there.

3. Pray for the expansion of the Kingdom in central Maine.

Featured Potential College Ministry Site: Bowdoin College (profile), Brunswick, Maine

1. Pray for the students, faculty, and staff of Bowdoin College as they begin to prepare for the new semester.

2. Pray for Mike and Narelle Whitney as they minister to the students of Bowdoin College through a partnership between InterVarsity and Navigators.

MNA Committee work:

Continue to pray for work of church planting in Northern New England.

1. Pray that God would be raising up men who would have a heart for planting churches in the region.

2. Pray for an abundance in God’s provision for new works to begin.

RUF/University of Vermont:

1. Praise the Lord for the ordination/installation of John Meinen as the new RUF minister at UVM on August 4^th.

2. Pray for John and Megan as they get settled in their new home in Burlington, VT.

3. Pray for John as he prepares to begin this new ministry to the students at UVM.