The Heart of Mission
March 16, 2021
Today I would like to share a couple of prayers I found in the PC(USA) Book of Common Worship (2018) from John Calvin (1509-1564) and from Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) then let that stand,
John Calvin, Save us, Lord, from being self-centered in our prayers, and teach us to remember to pray for others. May we be so caught up in love for those for whom we pray, that we may feel their needs as keenly as our own, and pray for them with imagination, sensitivity, and knowledge. We ask this in Christ’s name.” Amen.
Catherine of Siena, “Eternal God, restore health to the sick and life to the dead. Give us a voice, your own voice, to cry out to you for mercy for the world. You, light, give us light. You, wisdom, give us wisdom. You, supreme strength, strengthen u.s” Amen.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, Mission Coordinator
Matthew 25 – 2 years later! From a recent newsletter,
| The Matthew 25 vision to act boldly and compassionately serving people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned and poor is approaching its second anniversary. Even with the unprecedented challenges of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racism over the past year, the energy around this bold invitation did not waiver. You are among the 875-plus congregations, groups and mid councils who are redefining what community means. |
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| Matthew 25 Online Series |
| The first online Matthew 25 event for 2021 is scheduled for March 24 at 2 p.m. (EDT). The topic is how all three areas of the Matthew 25 focus intersects around the subject of housing. The program will include conversations with pastors on how their congregations are engaging with the issue of affordable housing in their communities. Mark your calendars and register today. |
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PC(USA) One Great Hour of Sharing
Below is the continuation of our Lenten practice from the PC(USA) One Great Hour of Sharing material. The full map and activities can be found at pcusa.org/oghsmap. You might want to have a small coin bank (Fish bank, First Pres bank) to collect small coins as you do these activities. If you cannot give coins, think about acts of service you can do for others.
Wednesday, March 17, Teaching healthy food choices and food safety can change the health of an entire community! What healthy foods do you have in your kitchen? Choose some to donate to a food pantry or soup kitchen.
Thursday, March 18, The most vulnerable are often the most impacted in emergency situations. Say a prayer for children impacted by disasters and give a gift for every flashlight in your home.
Friday, March 19, The coronavirus has made us all aware of how easily we can become sick. Say a prayer for each person in your home, for continued good health. Make a gift in honor of each.
Saturday, March 20, Communication can be incredibly difficult after a disaster, especially I the internet isn’t working! Goive a gift for every computer in your home and call, email, or text a loved one.
Sunday, March 21, Guide us through the paths that feel lonely, assured that you are always with us. Be with us in the darkness as we walk by faith and not by sight. Amen.
Prayer of the week: Dear God, Guide us through the paths that feel lonely, assured that you are always with us. Be with us in the darkness as we walk by faith and not by sight. Amen. Lectionary: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16, John 12:20-33
Monday, March 22, Using the online map, find Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. PHP helped a congregation respond to a sudden increase in need. Make a gift for everyone you know who helps support your household.
Tuesday, March 23, Social support and connection are important parts of being healthy. Say a prayer of gratitude for every home that offers welcome to you.
Restoration Urban Ministries celebrated 28 years on March 15. As they said on Facebook, “Restoration Urban Ministries Celebrates 28 years of Restoring Lives With Jesus Christ Today. Thank you Jesus and Thank you Restoration Urban Ministries .”
CU at Home invites us to pray.
Would you join us in prayer for one of our friends without an address who is in the hospital and has undergone a recent surgery? We pray for healing for both his mind and body.
Please pray for another one of our former friends on the street, who now has his own place, as he suffered a minor heart attack last week. Praise God he is doing well now and we pray for continued health and recovery for him!
Would you also pray for several of our friends who remain unmotivated to make significant changes in their lives and continue to be crippled with substance abuse and other struggles?
Praise the Lord for our new men’s shelter coordinator, Thomas, who has joined our team! We are grateful to have him on board and look forward to his leadership of our shelter team!
Thank you God for the opportunity of having some of our longtime volunteers coming back in our building and interacting with our friends!
Praise to Jesus for one of our close friends with an address who was in the hospital with COVID but is now home and continuing to recover!
Friends of PEB has invited your prayers in their most recent newsletter:
National and International Concerns
That our continuing struggle against COVID, which is morphing into more problematic forms, would come to an end
For renewed strength for all who are tired and weary, to keep taking steps to live in a responsible manner for the health and well being of all
For leadership with Biblical wisdom and true compassion for all
For a return to reemployment for the millions of unemployed
FOPEB and PEB Concerns
For God’s protection and provision for PEB’s teachers, staff, students and households
For God’s will to be done in FOPEB’s Board, Staff, and donors
That God would continue to supply all the needs and finances of FOPEB and PEB
For continued success and wisdom regarding the constant academic challenges faced by PEB
God to provide new and ingenious ideas for fundraising for PEB as visitations are still off the table
Carol Wilson(Bound Brook Pres): The annual scholarship renewal drive in Bound Brook Presbyterian Church is in progress. Pray that lack of ability to meet in person does not adversely affect whether people mail in their support
Nancy Gardner(Friends of Pasrur, Iowa): Would like prayer for the health and safety of the scholarship girls that the Friends of Pasrur support at the Pasrur Christian Girls School
Rizwana(Principal Sangla Hill): For the annual exam and a blessed new year at Sangla Hill
Farahana(Principal CGHS Martinpur): That final exams at Martinpur would go well
And, we pray for the many personal and health concerns of the staff and teachers. We give thanks that birth and life continue even in midst of these many concerns.
Faith in Place, an environmental group that supports the work of our Environmental Stewardship Committee invited us to join them in a multifaith Earth Day Sunset Vigil from 6-7:30CT on April 8 on Zoom. “The night will celebrate our “common home” through education about Earth Day, story-telling, a gallery of eco-art from our community, inspiring reflections from different faith traditions, and a candlelit vigil.” Register today to join!
Salt and Light writes, “We make it easy, fun, and safe to volunteer with us! Your time with us directly impacts the lives of our participants and the health of our mission.
You can get started by attending a new volunteer orientation. We offer them every week!”
Frontera de Cristo on their Coffee, Conversation and Compassion –
Let us keep all our mission partners in our prayers, those who are waiting to go back to their place of ministry and those who are able to work where they are. Listen for God’s call to you in their ministry.
Our PC(USA) Mission CoWorkers:
Mark Adams and Miriam Maidonado Escobar (Mexico)
Farsijanna Adeney-Risakotta (Indonesia)
Jeff and Christi Boyd (Central Africa)
Bob and Kristi Rice (South Sudan)
Our regional and global mission partners:
Kemmerer Village (and Camp Carew)
Lifeline Pilots
Marion Medical Mission
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Opportunity International
Friends of Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan Presbyterian Cuba Partnership
Special Offerings of the PC(USA)
Theological Education Fund
Young Adult Volunteers
Here in Champaign – Urbana:
CU at Home
CANAAN S.A.F.E. HOUSE
CANTEEN RUN
COURAGE CONNECTION
DREAAM
eMPTY TOMB, INC
FAITH IN ACTION
JESUS IS THE WAY PRISON MINISTRY
THE REFUGEE CENTER
RESTORATION URBAN MINISTRY
SALT & LIGHT
Here at First Presbyterian Church
FPCC Amateur Preachers
FPCC Environmental Committee working with Faith in Place
FPCC Presbyterian Women
FPCC ESL
FPCC Children, Youth and Families
FPCC Mission Possible/Go and Serve
FPCC Mission Team, World Mission and Community Mission Deacons
302 W. Church Street
Champaign, IL 61820
217-356-7238
info@firstpres.church
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