November-December 2010 Prayer Prompter

Weeks 1 and 2...Let’s pray for Ohio Conference:

1) One-day retreat for retired pastors and spouses, Gilead Mennonite, Chesterville, Nov. 13

• Retiring Regional Pastor Andy Stoner will lead the morning discussion focusing on ways in which we as retired pastors can be meeting our “Four Basic Emotional Needs,” and Eldon King will be leading the sharing time after lunch. Please pray for safety as we travel.

• Pray that our retired pastors and spouses may experience continued fulfillment, joy, and fruitfulness in this chapter of their lives.

2) Sherah-Leigh Gerber, Resource Team Coordinator, has these prayer requests:

• Pray for the cluster meetings. May they be times when leadership of Ohio Conference and congregational delegates meet to share information, vision, and passion for building God’s Kingdom.
• Pray for the numerous congregations who are in the pastoral search process.
• Many pastoral positions have been filled. Pray for these new pastors in Ohio Conference.

Weeks 3 and 4: Pray for Ohio Conference Chaplains and Ministries among us:

1) Charles Gautsche, Fairlawn Retirement Center, Archbold

• My work is with older people near the end of life. My goals are for each of them to be prepared for eternity as well as to find comfort and peace for each day they have here on earth. My prayer is to be sensitive to each person’s needs and to be helpful to them in developing a greater sense of faith and trust in Jesus.

2) Robert Halfhill, Majora Lane and Holmes County Home, Millersburg

• Please pray that I will continue to be used as a vessel for Him.

3) John Miller, Walnut Hills Retirement Community, Walnut Creek

4) Brazo en Brazo, Hispanic ministry: Paul and Ann Conrad, New Carlisle

• How can we sing the songs of the Lord in a strange land? — Psalm 137:4 For most immigrants, it is not their desire to be away from their homeland. They miss family, their native environment and the familiar culture. Pray for the immigrants who are missing their families and homeland.

5) Open Arms, Hispanic ministry: Raúl and Vanita Tadeo and Haroldo and Esmirna Nunes, Kidron

6) Project of Hope, directed by Sister Ellen, uses Zion Mennonite, Archbold, as her center. Project Hope offers help and hope to immigrants.

• Pray for all immigrant families who will not be united over the holidays because some members have been deported from the United States or have not been allowed to enter the United States.
• Pray that we as a nation welcome the gifts of time and talent that immigrants, especially new citizens, bring to our communities.
• Pray that immigrant college age students who have been here in the U.S. since before they are 16 years old will be given equal opportunity to attend the college of their choice.

7) Central Christian School, Kidron

• Pray for wisdom for our faculty as we develop the Heart Of Central program. This is a program that is designed to develop leaders for the church and business community. We are teaching students to lead themselves first so that they can lead others second.
• Pray for blessings as we seek funds to assist families struggling to meet tuition payments and for our teachers to be blessed for their gifts and lifestyle that provides a significant portion of the funds needed to sustain Central. Thank you for your prayers, Gene

8) Camp Luz, Kidron

• Please pray for camp leadership: the Board of Trustees and the Staff as they continue to discern the Vision for the camp ministry: “Freely proclaiming the radical hope of Jesus Christ to the next generation!”

Weeks 5 and 6: Pray for these six Ohio Conference Congregations:

1) Summit Mennonite, Barberton, Pastor Norma (Phil) Duerksen

• We want to thank God for leading us in a big decision to invite the food pantry for Barberton to operate out of our building. We have heard Jesus’ call to feed the poor. It requires taking a risk on our part. May we have the grace, energy, and funds to adjust to all the changes necessary. We pray for the food pantry as they deliberate over this invitation and make their decisions in this coming month.
• We also thank God for sending us two pianists from other churches to help us in our worship. We could use one more pianist (on the third Sunday of each month). Would someone nearby be willing to see it as their ministry? Please call.
• We are delighted to welcome two new people into our congregation. We consider each guest to be a gift from God. We know our lives have intersected for a reason. Thanks be to God.

2) Sunnyside Mennonite, Conneaut Lake, Pa., Pastor Russ (Rebecca) Richardson

3) Tedrow Mennonite, Wauseon, Pastor Doug (Paula) King

Our elder team met last evening and we discerned three specific items we’d appreciate prayer for:

• Thanks for the work of Ohio Mennonite Conference, specifically Andy Stoner, in giving leadership through the pastoral leadership transition time. We are excited and praise God that the Holy Spirit has led Doug King and Ryan Nafziger to serve as a pastoral ministry team.
• For Youth and Young Adult ministry opportunities. As this ministry begins to develop, pray for Pastor Ryan Nafziger as he and others in the congregation identify needs and build healthy relationships with youth and young adults.
• For the Missions Committee as they together with other local congregations become aware of needs in the community and make a concerted effort to reach out and share the Good News of Jesus. — Doug King, pastor

4) Toledo Mennonite, Toledo, Pastor Joel (Emiley) Shenk

• Pray that strong relationships would be formed during this time of adjustment as I get to know the congregation and the congregation gets to know me.
• Pray that as we move forward together as a congregation that we would be able to discern the movement of God’s Spirit in our midst and that we would be open and responsive to the Spirit.

5) University Euclid Christ New Testament, Cleveland, Pastor Warner (Thelma) Jackson

6) Valley View Mennonite, Spartansburg, Pa., Pastor Robb Esh

Weeks 7 and 8: Pray for our links with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA):

1) Susan Mark Landis, Denomination Minister for Peace and Justice, Mennonite Church USA

• Pray that, as people get out their crèche sets and sing Christmas carols, they take time to learn what life is like for Christians living in Bethlehem and Palestine today, and pray for them.
• Pray that people take the time to learn now and then, where the things they buy are made, and the working conditions of the people who make them.
• Pray that I, Susan, learn to sort priorities and find time for the peace and justice work God is calling Mennonite Church USA to do.
• Pray for our recent immigrant sisters and brothers of all cultures, that they may find personal and financial security where they live.

2) Mennonite Mission Network and Ministry Support Teams (MST):

• Pray for Toledo Mennonite, participants in the Ministry Support Team for Matt and Katie Lehnert, who are serving in Morocco under Eastern Mennonite Missions.

Prayer Prompter also can be found on the Ohio Conference Web site: www.ohiomennoniteconference.org. Go to “Resource Teams” and select “Prayer Ministry.”