A prayer for All-hallows Eve

All Hallows Church "Rose Window" - North Greenford, London, UK)

“God, we thank you for life. We thank you for those who have lived with us and now because of your goodness live in a new way in a new place. This is a season of grief and remembrance and sadness. But because of the victory of Jesus over death, it is not a season for fear or despair. We have hope, because of Jesus’ resurrection that we too will live forever. That fact of faith allows us to rest here and now and enjoy our moments with you here while we have them here. After all, we have forever to enjoy the rest! Remove fear of death in our lives and lead us to trust you for every moment. Thank you God for a Holy All Hallows Eve.  Amen.”

Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/prayerplainandsimple/2009/10/a-prayer-for-all-hallows-eve.html#ixzz1cO3njvQ0

A Prayer for Reformation Sunday

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
      
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic church. Fill it with all truth and peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in need, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, ELCA

World Day of Prayer for Peace 2011

"The year 2011 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened in Assisi in 1986 by Pope John Paul II. On that occasion the leaders of the great world religions testified to the fact that religion is a factor of union and peace, and not of division and conflict. The memory of that experience gives reason to hope for a future in which all believers will see themselves, and will actually be, agents of justice and peace."

John Paul II's Prayer for peace - At the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World at Assisi in 2004, John Paul II concluded the Joint Commitment to Peace with this prayer: May God hear our prayers and grant justice and peace to the world. Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In the name of God, may every religion bring upon the earth justice and peace, forgiveness and life, love!

This morning in Iraan

What a joy it was to come together this morning for our monthly breakfast fellowship, for worship and for study! God has blessed this community in so many ways. It is exciting to be a part of this faith community each week!

Joys from this morning's worship service +Homecomings. +Laughter in church. +Great visits with families and friends. +Cooler weather. +Another fantastic fourth-Sunday potluck brunch at church today. +Deer did not hit the car this morning. +Upcoming church conference (November 6th). +Colton’s good health report; bone scan was negative (It had been 60%.) +Kirke M.’s and Belinda A.’s birthdays. +Snooks C.’s improving health.

Concerns: +Continued prayer for rain and relief from the drought. +Travelling mercies. +Prayers for the peoples of Libya, Liberia, Eastern part of The Congo (Africa). +Prayers for people of Turkey dealing with today’s earthquake.

Prayers for healing: Wanda M., TommyD.K.B., Ed C., Eddy C., Jacob C., Snooks C., Jonnie D., Greg H., Kash K.,Billie M., Shane M., Kathy P., Doug S., Eva S., Sue S., Alfred L.T., Colton W., Diane S. and Tammy W.

Continued Prayers: Our church - our schools - teachers, staff & students - Our country and our leaders - our military and their families experiencing multiple deployments (stress of separation) - the unemployed - the homeless - victims of natural disasters - countries fighting for freedom.

Today in Wesley's Words

Norwich, England

Sun 23 Oct 1763:

I met the society for the first time [at Norwich], immediately after the morning preaching. Afterwards I went to church, with a considerable number of the people, several of whom I suppose had not been within those walls for many years. I was glad to hear a plain, useful sermon, and especially for the sake of those who, if they had been offended at first, would hardly have come any more.

In the evening God made bare his arm, and his word was sharp as a two-edged sword. Before I had concluded my sermon the mob made a little disturbance. But let us only get the lambs in order, and I will quickly tame the bears.

- John Wesley's Journal

Join us for breakfast

Tomorrow is a fourth Sunday and that means it is a Breakfast Potluck Sunday at the First UMC in Iraan!  Come and join the fellowship at 8:30 a.m., stay for worship at 9:30 a.m., and then continue the learning and fellowship at 10:30 with our adult class.

Iraan - McCamey football

Tonight was the big football game between Iraan & McCamey. Sadly, the Braves lost 19-6 and are now 7-2 on the season.

District Spiritual Retreat

The San Angelo District's Fall Spiritual Retreat was held today at Fort McKavett (south of Menard). Pastor Charles joined thirty others in the day-long event. There were two wonderful speakers, and Amy Moore and Gini Christian were on hand to lead the gathering. Amy led the singing, and Gini coordinated the hospitality. It was a blessed day for all in attendance.

The sermon text for October 23rd

I Thessalonians 2:4b

This week's sermon text comes from First Thessalonians 2:1-8.

"The epistle illustrates mutual support and nurture changing lives within the community of faith. As Jesus shows us, the requirements are very simple: Love God fully, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves." - from Ministry Matters

Today in Iraan

Picture-perfect weather and a wonderful community of faith are a great recipe for a Sunday!

Joys:

+Homecomings.+Laughter in church.+Great visits with families and friends.+Cooler weather. +Pumpkin patches at area churches. +High school football team's win Friday night. +Homemade molasses cookies we enjoyed during the morning fellowship. +Someone fell, but did not break anything. +Upcoming church conference (November 6th). +Next Sunday's brunch potluck (starting at 8:30 a.m.).

Concerns:

+Continued prayer for rain and relief from the drought. +Travelling mercies.

Prayers for healing:

Tommy D.K.B., Ed C., Eddy C., Jacob C., Snooks C., Jonnie D., Greg H., Kash K., Billie M., Shane M., Kathy P., Doug S., Eva S., Sue S., Alfred L.T., Colton W., Diane S., and Tammy W.

Continued Prayers:

Our church - our schools - teachers, staff & students - Our country and our leaders - our military and their families experiencing multiple deployments (stress of separation) - the unemployed - the homeless - victims of natural disasters - countries fighting for freedom.

District Ministries Council Meeting

Pastor Charles attended the San Angelo District Ministries Council meeting this morning at Wesley UMC (in San Angelo).
Among the items to note:
+District Celebration & Workshops (Jan. 21, 2012)
+A Lay Ministries training is scheduled for Del Rio with additional offerings to come in Ozona and in San Angelo.
+UMM Spring Rally @ Mt. Wesley in Kerrville - Feb. 24-26, 2012
+Funds are available for congregations to initiate new ministries.
+District confirmation retreat, April 13-15 @ Camp Butman
+District Conference, May 19, 2012

+The district youth scholarship fund is growing! Orders are still be taken for shirts at the district office. A new fund raiser will be canvas tote bags. Cost: $20 (50% of proceeds go to the scholarship fund). To see the bags, click here. You can personalize the bags in the same way we did the denim shirts. Call the district office at 325-486-1500 for additional information.

Tonight's Ad Board Meeting



(Pumpkins from the FUMC-Crane "pumpkin patch")

The FUMC Ad Board met tonight with seven in attendence.   Following an opening prayer, James Jordan gave the financial report which offers some good news from the congregation's bottom line.  We should have 100% of our apportionment paid by the time of the November 6th Church Conference meeting.

The Trustees are monitoring a possible leak in the sanctuary and reported tending to a fan replacement  at the rental parsonage.

Pastor Charles reminded everyone of the Church Conference on November 6th (during worship) and that all reports needed to be in to him by October 23rd.  Several reports were finalized at tonight's meeting.

One area that will need attention is the membership audit.  If you know of someone who hasn't been active in our fellowship over the past year please be in contact with them.  We are set to see a decrease of 10 in our roll since last year (1 death, 9 no address).

Pastor Charles also asked for everyone to sign up for the Advent Devotional.  We had a really good response to it last year and the pastor wants to have a list of contributors finalized by the 13th of November. 

It's pumpkin time in Crane!

The First UMC in Crane invites everyone to stop by their pumpkin patch for all your gourd needs. There is a wonderful variety of pumpkins ranging from really big to really small, as well as ornamental gourds.

The pumpkin patch is open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mondays - Saturdays and after church on Sundays.

On Saturday, October 15th, there will be a Pumpkin Fest & Craft Fair at the church in Crane from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Scripture lesson from October 16th

We begin a new epistle this week, with a look at First Thessalonians 1:1-10.

Wonderful Sunday!

Thanks be to God for yesterday's wonderful worship and fellowship!!!

Joys:
+Rain. Rain. Rain.
+Fresh air (that came with the rain).
+Eddy C.'s return to full-time work.
+Homecomings.
+Laughter in church.
+Great visits with families and friends.
+Holding a smiling, giggling baby.
+Weight loss.
+High school football team's win Friday night.
+Loving fundraiser: Selling cupcakes for Colton's treatment costs.
+Upgrade to newer, more comfortable chairs at home.

Concerns: +Continued prayer for rain and relief from the drought.

Prayers for healing: Tommy D.K.B., Ed C., Eddy C., Jacob C., Snooks C., Jonnie D., Greg H., Kash K., Billie M., Shane M., Kathy P., Doug S., Eva S., Sue S., Alfred L.T., Colton W., Diane S., Tammy W and local youth involved in recent car accident.

Continued Prayers: Our church - our schools - teachers, staff & students - Our country and our leaders - our military (and their families) - the unemployed - the homeless - victims of natural disasters - countries fighting for freedom.

Praise God for today!

The scent of rain was still heavy in the air this morning as we assembled for fellowship and worship in Iraan. What a blessing it is to come into the House of God with such enthusiasm, as we had this morning!!!

The beautiful decorations in the fellowship hall really fit the cooler weather we are enjoying, and the delicious goodies in the kitchen were enjoyed by one and all.

Thanksgiving for the rain

Here from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer is a Thanksgiving for Rain:
______________________________________________

O God, our heavenly Father who by Thy gracious providence dost cause the former and the latter rain to descend upon the earth, that it may bring forth fruit for the use of man: We give Thee humble thanks that it hath pleased Thee, in our great necessity, to send us at the last a joyful rain upon Thine inheritance, and to refresh it when it was dry, to the great comfort of Thy unworthy servants, and to the glory of Thy holy Name; through Thy mercies in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer on Yom Kippur

Today is the observance of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement

"I pray not that you walk in my shoes - nor I yours - but that together we walk so close to Rabbi Jesus that we are covered with dust from his sandals." - Neal Rylaarsdam

What are you doing this Sunday?

There are people living in Iraan and Sheffield sitting at home on Sunday mornings because no one invited them to worship.  Let's go into the community and change some lives!

Hello from the McCamey Convalescent Center

Thursday arrived with some strange objects in the sky: We learned that they are called clouds and that they might actually contain rain! The residents of the convalescent center were in fine spirits this morning, matching the decorations around the facility! Come and share in the fun with the folks each Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Prayer from St. Francis of Assisi

(St. Francis' greeting: Peace and goodness)

Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Consider this prayer for those whose life revolved around service in the Kingdom of God:

Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our minds. Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity, so that we may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen. - St. Francis of Assisi's prayer for vocation

Sunday's sermon text

(from the Decani Monastery - Kosovo)

Sunday's sermon scripture text is Philippians 4:1-9. Come and be part of the future that is unfolding at FUMC-Iraan!

Sunday Service

What a wonderful Sunday of great worship and fellowship! Thanks be to God!!!

Joys:
+Homecomings.
+Laughter in church.
+Visits with families and friends.
+Deanna J.'s grandchild's birthday.
+Women’s Bible Studies on Tuesdays @ First Baptist Chuch are going well.
+Delicious harvest pumpkin cake during fellowship time.

Concerns: +Continued prayer for rain and relief from the drought.

Prayers for healing: Tommy D.K.B., Ed C., Eddy C., Jacob C., Snooks C., Jonnie D., Greg H., Kash K., Billie M., Shane M., Kathy P., Doug S., Eva S., Sue S., Alfred L.T., Colton W., Diane S., Tammy W and local youth involved in recent car accident.

Continued Prayers: Our church - our schools - teachers, staff & students - Our country and our leaders - our military (and their families) - the unemployed - the homeless - victims of natural disasters - countries fighting for freedom.

World Communion Sunday in Iraan

The blessings were plentiful this morning in Iraan as we gathered on World Communion Sunday. There was a tasty feature to our fellowship time as everyone enjoyed some fresh pumpkin cake. This was brought from the Sierra Vista UMC (San Angelo) Harvest Festival - they know pumpkin bread at Sierra Vista!

The Monarch Butterflies are in migration-mode here in Iraan. There were large numbers of these beautiful creatures in the pecan tree on the north side of the church this morning. What a blessing!

Pastor Charles reported that there was a group of five deer (including two fawns) grazing opposite the hospital. Good thing they were in town and not alongside the busy section of travel.

Prayer for World Communion Sunday

Prayer for World Communion Sunday

Wondrous God of Infinite Grace, today we gather as a global community around the Table you have set for us.  The bread is broken, the cup is poured, the prayers and praise are offered...and in faithful obedience we remember Jesus.  This table is his, after all.  He calls us here and by the power of the Holy Spirit, gathers us in to share in the feast.

As we join our hearts and minds and spirits together in prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of the Eucharist, remind us that in the bread and the cup, we might just glimpse your realm.  Holy One, bless us as we enter into the deep Mystery of the sacrament; that we might see all of your goodness reflected in the garnet pool of the cup, and all of our brokenness redeemed in the beautiful simplicity of the bread.

Help us to taste your compassion and live Jesus' passion for love, justice and peace.  Send us into every part of this world with hearts that have been kneaded into the softness of tolerance and care.  Send us, God.  Refreshed, nurtured, blessed and always thankful.

Amen

 

(from revgalblogpals.com)