Prayer Update - May 2, 2012

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 give thanks for the covenant family at FPC.  We have good elders, 2 potential deacons in training, a great spirit among us, good ministries among the women, and often visitors each week.  We see God at work at FPC.

2.       Please pray for new families and individuals to become a part of FPC and that as members we would share Christ with others.

3.       Please pray for our facility needs.  Part of the building we are in will be torn down and we and all the tenants have to be out September 1.We at this point do not know where we will go.  We thought we would have to be out July 1 but have been able to stay until September 1 at only $600 a month rent with no utilities.  So, we have seen God provide for us and we give praise.  We need a 24/7 facility as this facility is sometimes used 6 days a week.  This is a serious dilemma for us.

4.       Give thanks that we have a purchase and sales agreement for our church property.  We concluded it has become to cost prohibitive to build and purchasing an existing building makes better sense.

5.       Please pray for our finances.  We have been down about $2,000 a month and our general fund balance is very low. 

6.      Please pray for God’s direction as we seek with the involvement and support of Presbytery about Ted planting a church in Hooksett, NH. 

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 in the summer ahead 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, and the Maine Christian Association.

MNA Committee work:

REDEEMER BURLINGTON

Please continue to pray for our work to establish a new PCA church in the most unchurched city in the most unchurched state in the U.S.--Burlington, Vermont! It is our joy to serve Christ's church here in this beautiful but broken city, and we desperately need your prayers. 

STATUS OF THE CHURCH PLANT

As you might expect, planting a church in Burlington is all about the LONG VIEW. We are encouraged to have six families involved in our launch team. These families have been regularly attending our weekly Wednesday night Bible study in our home for over six months now. Praise God for providing people to help us in this difficult work.

We also meet once a month together at our downtown art space once a month for singing, prayer and teaching.

Please pray for continued momentum as many families travel in the summer. We will be scaling down our events and activities during summer months as we focus on planning and preparing for a potential Fall launch date for our first worship service. 

PRAYER AND PRAISE

• We have all six families (and some singles and college students) signed up for our first church retreat on Lake George in Silver Bay, NY, just across the Vermont/New York border, June 1st-3rd. Please pray that this time would be a fruitful one as we grow together as a community and make plans for the Fall. 
• Praise God for the wedding of Anjanette Decarlo and Joel Salvador Paulino, our first ever event in our new worship space, the Burlington Greek Orthodox church. Our core group put on this wedding as a gift to Anjanette and Joel, and the party and reception afterward were held at the New City Galerie (our art space and church offices). Anjanette told me that I had just preached to the toughest crowd I'll ever preach to--most of her friends and collegues at the University of Vermont and St. Michael's College were "Jewish intellectuals, atheists and agnostics" (her words)! It was a wonderful way for our growing church community to serve and witness to the great love of our great Bridegroom, Jesus! Many of those who attended commented on a specific point I made in the sermon: that our natural tendency is to create a mental list of how our spouse has wronged us and use it to prove how they now owe us! But the gospel is different: Jesus takes the list of the ways we have wronged God and applies it to himself, absorbing the cost of it. So that's how Paul can say in 1 Corinthians 13, "love keeps no record of wrongs." It's because of Jesus that God, who is LOVE, can tear up our list and embrace us as we are. Praise God for his open-handed and costly love for sinners such as we are!
• I have been invited to speak at a regional Vermont youth conference of 200 students in New Haven, VT the weekend of June 30th. Please pray that God would be at work in the messages and the time of fellowship. 
• A team from the Presbyterian Church of Coventry (our former church during our time with RUF at UConn) will be coming up to help us put on an outreach camp to the Nepalese refugee community in Burlington the last week of June. This team is raising funds to attend and I will be working together with Dan Raut, the pastor of a church plant among the refugees to put together this five day outreach. Please pray for much fruit!
• Pray for upcoming events at the New City Galerie, our art space/offices on historic Church Street in downtown Burlington. Redeemer's own Bech Evans and his friend Erik Rehman will be presenting 'VESSELS AND SEMBLANCES: NEW WORKS IN CLAY", an exhibit of their pottery and sculpture, this Friday, May 4th, 5-10pm at 132 Church Street.  On Friday, May 11th, my friend Josh Stamper, a jazz musician based in Philadelphia, will be playing a concert with a three piece woodwind ensemble. Photography and film inspired by music from Josh's latest album will be on display from Amherst, MA artist W.R. Cooley and Ben Stamper (of the band Ben & Vesper). 
• Praise God for a four day time of rest for our family this past week on Lake George, NY. Provided for free by Silver Bay YMCA's pastor's retreat ministry. Thank God for these folks!
• Pray for time fundraising, attending RUF's church planter training, and visiting family this summer during the month of July. 

NNEP:

Herb Shipman: Please keep Herb in your prayers for physical healing, that he might soon return to his ministry to the dairy farmers of northern Vermont.

Prayer Update - April 5, 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 that Jonelle Wilson's (Pastor Wilson's wife) cancer treatments have been completed and that she is doing well.

2. Pray for a new family that is going though our membership class and two children who are going through the communicants’ class.

3. Pray that the Lord would guard us against discouragement in the face of various trials and disappointments.

4. Pray that we would make the most of every opportunity to point people in our community to Christ.

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:

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

1. Pray for upcoming outreach through the arts events at our downtown art space called the New City Galerie: JAZZ AT THE GALERIE, April 7th; BACH NACHT solo violin performance, April 12th.

2. Pray for John and Megan Meinen, who are being called to start a new RUF chapter at the University of Vermont. John will be examined at the April Presbytery meeting and Lord willing will be moving to Burlington this summer.

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 Nathan Snyder, as he finishes his internship.

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.

Prayer Update - March 21, 2012

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

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

1. Pray for leadership development, three men are completing their leadership training and going to be examined and voted on this Spring. 2 Deacons, 1 Ruling Elder.

2. Pray for the funding of the ministry; we are finishing up our financial year and have some major expenses still to come.

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 focusing on prayer, community and rest this year. Pray that these would become priorities in the hearts of CPC Members.

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. In particular:

1. Pray for upcoming outreach through the arts events at our downtown art space called the New City Galerie: AFRICA NIGHT, March 31st; JAZZ AT THE GALERIE, April 7th; BACH NACHT solo violin performance, April 12th.

2. Pray for John and Megan Meinen, who are being called to start a new RUF chapter at the University of Vermont. John is taking his ordination exams throughout March and Lord willing will be moving to Burlington this summer.

3. Pray for our morning HOW PEOPLE CHANGE CCEF counseling conference with Alasdair Groves March 31st at the New City Galerie from 10-12pm. This is being offered free to the public.

Prayer Update - March 21, 2012

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

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

1. Pray for leadership development, three men are completing their leadership training and going to be examined and voted on this Spring. 2 Deacons, 1 Ruling Elder.

2. Pray for the funding of the ministry; we are finishing up our financial year and have some major expenses still to come.

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 focusing on prayer, community and rest this year. Pray that these would become priorities in the hearts of CPC Members.

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. In particular:

1. Pray for upcoming outreach through the arts events at our downtown art space called the New City Galerie: AFRICA NIGHT, March 31st; JAZZ AT THE GALERIE, April 7th; BACH NACHT solo violin performance, April 12th.

2. Pray for John and Megan Meinen, who are being called to start a new RUF chapter at the University of Vermont. John is taking his ordination exams throughout March and Lord willing will be moving to Burlington this summer.

3. Pray for our morning HOW PEOPLE CHANGE CCEF counseling conference with Alasdair Groves March 31st at the New City Galerie from 10-12pm. This is being offered free to the public.

Prayer Update - March 7, 2012

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

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

1. Praise God for an increase in new visitors and a growing amount of young children.

2. Pray that God would work faith in each person currently taking the inquirers class.

3. Pray for our neighbors, that God would give us favor with them and open their hearts to His grace.

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

5. Pray that our depth of humility and passion for Christ and his kingdom would increase.

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:

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

1. We are praising God that a Burlington college professor (St Michael's College) has received Christ and requested to be baptized.

2. Pray for upcoming outreach through the arts events at our downtown art space called the New City Galerie: AFRICA NIGHT, March 31st; JAZZ AT THE GALERIE, April 7th; BACH NACHT solo violin performance, April 12th.

3. Pray for John and Megan Meinen, who are being called to start a new RUF chapter at the University of Vermont. John is taking his ordination exams throughout March and Lord willing will be moving to Burlington this summer.

4. Pray for our morning HOW PEOPLE CHANGE CCEF counseling conference with Alasdair Groves March 31st at the New City Galerie from 10-12pm. This is being offered free to the public.

Prayer Update - February 21, 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. Thank the Lord for the joy that we experience in serving our great God together.

2. Pray for a course that I am teaching at Exeter Adult Ed on the book of Genesis through the eyes of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ask the Lord for good fruit from these efforts - 30, 60, 100 fold. :)

3. Pray that we would all turn away from cynicism and that we would grow in hope as a praying church.

4. Pray that we would believe in the power of godliness, (2 Timothy 3:5, Romans 13:14) and that we would see that power at work by the Holy Spirit.

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 the beginning of the school year draws near.

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:

Burlington: Continue to pray for the new church planting/RUF work in Burlington, VT at Redeemer Burlington. Pray in particular for:

1. Six families are now involved in the core group of Redeemer Burlington. We are thrilled that one of those families are new to the faith and heard the gospel for the first time through our Sunday afternoon gatherings in downtown Burlington.

2. Pray that God would continue to grow our core group in fellowship and "one-anothering," and for more opportunities to spend time together as God begins to form us into a genuine church family.

3. Praise God for the connections made through our "hospitality through the arts" initiative, the New City Galerie, located in a beautiful walk up space right on the historic Church Street marketplace in downtown Burlington. We recently hosted a documentary screening on Sacred Harp singing, followed by a concert by Tim Eriksen ("Cold Mountain" soundtrack) and a Sacred Harp "singing school" the next morning.

4. Pray that God would continue to grant us favor with the local Greek Orthodox church in Burlington that may allow us to use their sanctuary and banquet hall for Sunday worship. The priest there has graciously sent a request on our behalf to the Boston diocese, and he expects a positive response. This would be an enormous gift to us, as it is located about two minutes from the UVM campus in a highly visible location on a major Burlington street.

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 Nathan Snyder, as he does an internship this year.

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.

Prayer Update - February 9, 2012

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

Featured Church/Mission: Free Grace Presbyterian Church (profile), Lewiston, Maine (Pastor Per Almquist)

1. Praise the Lord with us for an intimate church family, one that grows closer each month, and for the different types of people he is bringing to this part of his bride. Amazing to see who he is calling and how this family warms their hearts.

2. Pray for our pastor and our new elders as they work to become a well-oiled leadership team. Pray for their weaknesses to become strengths and for God’s amazing wisdom and energy to fill them.

3. Pray for all of our counseling clients; pray especially for two families involved with legal issues, where some serious abuse is going on. Pray for the truth to come to light in court, and for justice to be done.

4. Praise God for more new members who will be welcomed into the family in the next month.

5. Pray for each person who attends Free Grace to be fully aware that the difficulties we experience in this life are but light and momentary troubles when we consider God’s glory and all that awaits us in heaven.

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 take their break next week before returning to conclude the present academic year.

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

MNA Committee work:

Burlington: Continue to pray for the new church planting/RUF work in Burlington, VT at Redeemer Burlington. Pray in particular for:

1. Church planter Joseph Pensak and his family as they continue to see this work established.

2. That God would grant wisdom to the committee as they meet in the coming weeks to help oversee this work.

3. Ongoing efforts to connect with potential prayer and financial partners for the joint work in Burlington.