Review of words and prayer from Friday’s Night of Prayer

(PARTS OF THE MEETING WERE RECORDED)
Many words like Faithfulness, Continued Commitment, Tenacious Tending and Trust.

Tim—Heb 5, if we still need milk it’s because we haven’t matured enough to be teaching others. (The context in Hebrews 5 is that if ears are dull and hearts hard from not listening we remain infants dependent on milk.) Mary added that it’s time for us to be not just seeds and babies on milk but mature graftings and looking around how to help others into maturity.

Larissa and others also had confirming words on tending garden, Kendra—excitement of anticipation for seed we’ve planted and been waiting for to break through the ground—this year break through. John—growing seasons vary in length but there is time in waiting for growth after planting and still more time waiting for harvest. Mary—this coming year growth and the next and the next but God will also prune after each growth stage to increase fruit. Jeffrey—as things mature we tend them differently. Robert Miller received a detailed picture of a family farm from having spent half his life on one (he will share Sunday morning).

Dennis had a word from Psalm 133 on us being blessed by properly relating to authority, from elders to deacons to servant leaders through the whole congregation. He also prayed powerfully and clearly from Hebrews 13 that we would honor and submit to and obey our leaders that they can give account with joy. Levi reminded us of Gary Cake’s word on changes in Dwight and Barbara and leadership and us not to be critical. Dwight shared details about relating to Pastor Dennis Cole now and commented on change with Barbara being home with grandkids and the effects in him from doing the St. Ignatius Prayer Retreat in Daily Life last year.

Tim McCoy gave word on Preparing the Way for the Lord: that this was to be a year of breakthrough for leadership and the congregation taking their places with strong heart and spiritual authority.

Many others also had prayers and comments. Continue to pray and fast as led and to write down the words and send them to clcweekofprayer@gmail.com.

Richard explained the financial report from 2011: $5,000 shortfall after a $3000 shortfall in 2009 (which in 2009 included the loss of Ash Gockel and Rosh Pinah’s rent). 2010 tithe was down nearly 2% producing a monthly deficit of $400 (meaning we have been using reserves). But it was also our second year in a row of making cuts to keep pace with both the loss of rental income in 2009 and the decreases in tithe. Three options are more cuts in staff salary/benefits, to find a renter or to sell the building. Regardless of how we address the financial shortfall, the answers come as we as members of Christ seek intimacy with God to see and hear his vision and become his incarnation into the world.
Dwight shared that after listening to all the words he felt an increasing and common cry and hunger for growth and outreach, building on the sound of repentance and desire from last September’s congregation meeting which produced our prayer walking the neighborhood, fall food drive, fall party and neighborhood Sunday. It is growth and obedience to God in mission which releases faith and provision.

Fifteen years ago the congregation decided to not close the church and sell the building but to call Dwight to come from Ohio to be the pastor. One confirmation was that they had just received a new roof from insurance settlement. We are about to have some repairs and improvements made to our roof also paid for by insurance. There was specific prayer to make up the $400 monthly deficit so there would be no more cuts and to increase beyond that to restore things that have been cut and to grow and go in mission.

Larissa presented a beautiful prophetic painting and Scriptures on God’s glory being on His people who seek Him and His kingdom, even as He is shaking everything that can be removed all around us in the world. Laura danced while MC’s led worship and presented a prophetic song they received Thursday. We also prayed for the sick members of our congregation and for lost people.

THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS BEGINNING