July-August 2012 Prayer Prompter

July 1-14, let us pray for six of our Ohio Conference congregations:

1) Oak Grove Mennonite, West Liberty, Pastor Richard (Mary) Barrett

2) Orrville Mennonite, Orrville, Pastor Bill (Allison) Seymour

3) Owl Creek Mennonite, Lucasville, Pastor Rodney (Joann) Bapst

4) Peace Mennonite, Elyria, Pastor Adam Houser

5) Pike Mennonite, Elida, Pastor Glenn (Blanche) Rader

Pray for the continued community outreach of Pike Mennonite.

Pray for the five young couples of the church as they begin to assume areas of leadership and responsibility.

6) Pine Grove Mennonite, Stryker, Pastors Gary and Sandy Stuckey

Pray that others would be drawn to Jesus as we share God’s love to them through our Clothing Giveaway and as we minister to those in an area nursing home.

Pray for Pine Grove as we consider how we can pass our faith along to the next generation within our community.

July 15-31, pray for our connections with Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) and Mennonite Mission Network (MMN):

1) Brian and Donna Miller, short-term special assignment in Mongolia from May 31, 2012, to Aug. 13, 2012. Brian and Donna are members at Martins Creek Mennonite, Millersburg.

Pray that this time of service will be meaningful and faith-building.

2) Laura Schlabach, long-term service in Mongolia. Laura is from Holmes County.

Praise God for Laura’s 18 years of service as an accountant in Mongolia. Read Laura’s story in the June 2012 issue of MMN’s magazine, Beyond Ourselves.

3) Terry Shue, Director of Leadership Development of MC USA:

Pray that the seven priorities of the Purposeful Plan continue to be engaged in our congregations, conferences and denomination.

Pray for the growth of Anabaptist Teaching Centers. May they be expressions of local congregations building a bridge between persons with gifts, wisdom and experiences, connecting with persons who want to grow in specific ways.

Pray for Ervin Stutzman, Executive Director of MC USA, and his leadership team. May our desire increase to participate in the mission of God.

August 1-18, pray for:

1) Girls’ Jamboree, at Camp Luz, Aug. 10-12

Pray for Kris Nussbaum as she shares on the topic of “Friendship.”

May this time be fun and meaningful for the girls at the Jamboree.

2) Damascus Road Antiracism Training, at Bluffton University, Aug. 13-15

Pray that the participants will learn helpful ways to dismantle racism in their home congregations.

3) Chaplain Gail Blum, Hospice of Lenawee, Hillsdale, Mich.

4) Chaplain Keith Matthews, Dorothy Love Retirement Community, Sidney, Bellefontaine

5) Chaplain Tom Michaels, Hospice, Millersburg

6) Chaplain Deb Horst, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County

Pray that I may offer a comforting, peaceful, and listening presence to individuals with terminal illnesses and their families.

7) Open Arms Hispanic Ministry, Raúl and Vanita Tadeo and Haroldo and Esmirna Nunes, Kidron

From Haroldo: Praise God for all the individuals, congregations and businesses who have given their support to Open Arms. We feel a deep gratitude for this interest.

Pray for the Perez family, whose infant daughter, Katherine, is struggling for life.

8) Brazo en Brazo Hispanic Ministry, Paul and Ann Conrad, New Carlisle

Oscar had some questions. “How do you say, ‘Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida’ (I am the way, the truth and the life) in English? This is just one of many Bible truths that are precious to him that he wants to be able to say in English. Pray for Oscar as he desires to read the Bible and understand it better.

August 19-31, pray for Ohio Conference and other ministries:

1) Sherah-Leigh Gerber, Coordinator of Volunteers for Ohio Conference

Pray for the Annual Conference Assembly 2013 planning, for willing volunteers for the many roles.

Pray for the members of the Ministry Development Team as they work on their projects to resource the Conference.

Pray for Regional Pastor Matt Hamsher, who is on sabbatical. Pray that he may have a productive time of writing his dissertation and protection in travels.

2) Jason and Heather Rissler, Church Planters at Strasburg

Praise God for providing a place to worship each Saturday night in the basement of the United Methodist Church.

Pray that the Spirit will guide us in formation and outreach steps.

3) LifeSpring, a school of Christian spiritual formation,

LifeSpring Mid Ohio will meet at the Hermitage at Beaver Run in Coshocton County. Contact Judy Ringler at judyringler77@embarqmail.com for more information.

LifeSpring NW Ohio will meet at Central Mennonite Church in Archbold. Contact Dana Short at mdshort@embarqmail.com for more information.

From Dana: Pray for those persons who are feeling the call of God to LifeSpring. May they be open to hear and have courage to respond.

Pray for those in your congregation who feel a need to deepen their spiritual life and intimacy with God through worship, silence reflection and contemplative dialogue.

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An Evening Examen (ex amen): an ancient prayer to pray alone or with your group of pray-ers

At evening we pause to remember the gift of this day.

For what did I hope at daylight?

What did I fear?

How have I known God’s love and grace today?

How have I resisted God?

What do I need to confess?

How did I fulfill my call in the world today?

How did I offer love? Refuse love?

What unopened gift of promise remains with me tonight?

What do I need to offer into God’s care and keeping — for myself? For my family? For the world?

God of the night watch, as stillness descends upon the earth and day passes into darkness, hold us and all you love in tender care; protect us as we sleep; refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits so we may rise to love and serve you tomorrow.

We rest in your mercy and trust you forever. Amen.

(by Marlene Kropf — Reading #250 from Words for Worship 2, edited by Diane Zaerr Brenneman)

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Compiled by Mattie Marie Mast, mmmast@zoominternet.net

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

March-April 2012 Prayer Prompter

Prayer Prompter for March-April 2012

From Ohio Conference Minister Tom Kauffman’s blog, ohioconferenceblogspot.com: “I found myself during the week at AMBS (January’s Pastors Week at Associate Mennonite Biblical Seminary) considering what my Lenten discipline would be for this year.  Beginning with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22, I will try to spend some time each day in silence.” 

March 1-17, let us pray for the following:

1) Longenecker Mennonite, Winesburg, Transitional Pastor Dean (Janet) Miller

• Pray for the church as they seek a permanent lead pastor.

2)  Maple Grove Mennonite, Hartville, Pastor Myron (Sheryl) Weaver

• Pray as the church anticipates the transition of pastoral leadership.

3) Chaplain Charles Gautsche, Fairlawn Retirement Center, Archbold

• We have had a number of new people coming in to Fairlawn, and one of the longer-term residents is opening up on faith questions. Pray that I can relate effectively and teach constructively with eternity in mind.

4) Mongolia Mission Partnership (MMP) will have a fundraiser at Martins Creek Mennonite, Millersburg, on March 3.  MMP is a group of six Wayne and Holmes County churches that enable mission work in Mongolia. 

 

5) Annual Conference Assembly of Ohio Conference (ACA), at First Mennonite, Berne, Ind., March 9-10, pray for:

• speakers Chet Miller-Eshleman and Mauricio Chenlo
• youth and young adults
• workshop leaders
• art show and ministry fair
• business meetings and first-time delegates
• all who attend that they may leave inspired and passionate to sow generously the Gospel seeds

6) Northwest Ohio Mennonite Ministers Fellowship invited Dr. Greg Boyd to share on the theme, “Ultimate Allegiance—Stars and Stripes or By His Stripes?” at the Wauseon High School, March 16.

7) The annual Men’s Retreat, March 16-18, at Camp Luz, speaker Ralph Reinford

• Pray that it will be a time of worship and fellowship.

March 18-31, pray for:

1) Maple Grove Mennonite, New Castle, Pa., Pastor Cheryl Vanatsky

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

3) Business Leaders and Pastors as they ask, “Partners in Leadership and Ministry?” at SpringHaven, Mt. Eaton, March 24

4) Ministry Development Team of Ohio Conference Annual Retreat, Mansfield, March 23-24

u May each participant be open to the Spirit’s guidance as the team plans together goals for 2012.

5) From Dean Heisey, Mennonite Mission Network (MMN): 

• Praise God that the Mongolian church has gone from five known believers 19 years ago to an estimated 50,000 today.  Pray for two couples actively discerning a call to serve in Mongolia with Joint Christian Services through MMN and supported by Mongolia Mission Partnership (MMP).

6) Lasting Flame Marriage Seminar, Central Christian School, Kidron, March 30-31

• May the marriages be enriched as they share around the topic “Parenting Like a Pro.”

7) Brazo en Brazo, Paul and Ann Conrad walking with the Hispanics, New Carlisle, share this: 

• Veneranda recently called us.  She told of insights God has given as she reads the Bible.  She and Enriquez ask, “What do we need to do to go as missionaries?  We want to go with the Mennonite church.  That’s where we knew the Lord and were baptized (with Brazo en Brazo).”  Their vision and dedication to share the Gospel with their people in southern Mexico inspires us.  Pray as we take steps to provide study materials and contacts as their vision moves forward.

April 1-14, hold the following in prayer:

1) Martins Creek Mennonite, Millersburg, Transitional Pastor Bob (Enid) Schloneger

• Pray for the people as they transition from a long-loved pastor, to looking forward to what new thing God is calling the church to be.

2) Chaplain John Miller, Walnut Hills Retirement Community, Walnut Creek

3) From MMN:  Several congregations of Ohio Conference are exploring the potential for young adult service units to foster spiritual formation, leadership development, congregational revitalization, and enhanced community outreach.   Please pray for guidance.  Pray for young adults to readily answer “yes” to Christ’s call to participate.

4) Fear not: Gaining the Confidence and Tools for teaching in Church, Oak Grove Mennonite, Smithville, April 14, led by Norma Duerksen, Joyce Taylor, Bill Seymour and Tammy Lyons

5) Spring Day of Inspiration of Ohio Mennonite Women, Smithville Mennonite, Smithville, April 14, speaker Deb Horst

6) Ohio Mennonite Young Adults Retreat, Camp Luz, April 13-14

• Pray as the young adults share around the following theme: “How can young adults intentionally create local, faith-based communities that vulnerably discuss Scripture and authentically work together to live out the calling to follow Jesus?”

April 15-30, hold the following in prayer:

1) Martins Mennonite, Orrville, prayer requests submitted by Head Elder Dean Falb

• Pray for our congregational visioning process and purposeful plan development, for our discerning of one another to our call to ministry for each member and for Randy Murray as he returns from a four-month sabbatical, for member health concerns, those receiving treatment and care for cancer:  Amy Murray, Tina Wengerd, and JoAnn Basinger.

2) Midway Mennonite, Columbiana, Pastor Dan (Marlena) Coburn

3) Chaplain Hector Velez, Disciples of Jesus Motorcycle Club, Archbold

• This year I will be getting involved with Bikers for Christ. We have acquired a location in Desler, Ohio. We will be opening a new chapter for Bikers for Christ in this section of Ohio. We have made some contacts with some outlaw bikers and have been invited to some of their activities. Pray for God’s blessing and guidance in all we do. I will be praying for you as well.  God bless.

4) Fear not: Gaining the Confidence and Tools for teaching in Church, Zion Mennonite, Archbold, April 28, led by Norma Duerksen, Joyce Taylor, Bill Seymour and Tammy Lyons

5) Ohio Conference Annual Hispanic Retreat, Camp Luz, April 27-29

• Pray as Hispanics gather from all over Ohio that there will be good fellowship and growing in love for God.

6) John Powell, Mennonite Mission Network Advocate, will be resourcing Berean in Youngstown as it seeks to clarify its mission purposes for the future.  Please surround this process in prayer.

7) I continue to be concerned that our congregation (and conference), through the guidance of its

leadership, become more and more intentional in our walk as believers rather than be carried along in what is sometimes referred to as “drifting.”  Pray for leaders to look to the example of Jesus our redeemer for direction. — Sharon Mennonite Church, name withheld

Compiled by Mattie Marie Mast, mmmast@zoominternet.net

Prayer Prompter can be found on the Ohio Conference website: www.ohiomennoniteconference.org.

Go to “Resource Teams” and select “Prayer Ministry.”