January 6, 2008 -
Pray for Paul J. Stover, Jr., pastor of the Jeter's Chapel
Church in Bedford County, who was licensed to the Gospel Ministry on December
30, 2007. Let us pray that we will embrace anew the ministry of proclamation
in word and deed wherever we are.
January 13, 2008 -
Pray for the
Virlina District Board, as it meets at the Lynchburg Church for its winter
meeting on January 19. Let us pray that the Spirit of God will grant
discernment, guide every decision and empower every undertaking.
January
20, 2008 -
Pray for Elbert Lee Naff, Sr. as he is honored for thirty-three
years of service upon the occasion of his retirement as pastor of the Stonewall
Church of the Brethren in Floyd County, Virginia. Let us express gratitude to
God for the blessings of that great cloud of witnesses which has proceeded us
and upon whose foundation we build.
January 27, 2008 -
Pray for R.
Wayne Pennington, Sr. as he is installed as pastor of the Hopewell Church of the
Brethren in Prince George County, Virginia. Let us pray for and support our
pastors and ministers.
February 3, 2008 -
Pray for Sharon B. Jenkins,
Coordinator of Financial Services at the Virlina District Resource Center in
Roanoke, Virginia, as she works to assist and support the administrative and
stewardship work of our district mission. Let us give thanks to God for the
commitment of those who serve unseen, but not unimportantly, in the ministry and
mission of the church.
February 10, 2008 -
Pray for Karen B. Cassell,
who began as assistant pastor of the Cloverdale Church in Botetourt County,
Virginia, on November 1. Let us pray that the Lord of the Harvest might send
more workers into the field of mission!
February 17, 2008 -
Pray for
the Nominating and Personnel Committee of District Conference as they pursue the
calling process for district leadership. Let us pray for the guidance and aid
of the Holy Spirit in discerning those called to leadership in the
church.
February 24, 2008 -
Pray for the General Board of the Church
of the Brethren as it meets in Elgin, Illinois on March 8-10, 2008. Let us
pray that the ministries of our congregations, district and denomination would
be enhanced and multiplied for the glory of God.
March 2, 2008 -
Pray
for Pilgrimage XII: A FaithQuest for Adults, a spiritual development retreat of
the Virlina District, to be held on March 7-9. Let us pray that God will reward
those who seek the divine will with deeper spirituality and greater
commitment.
March 9, 2008 -
Pray for Jim and Sue Hardenbrook, lead
workers for the Sudan Mission Initiative of the Church of the Brethren General
Board, as they carry out the crucial responsibilities assigned to them. Let us
give thanks to God for the work and witness which we accomplish together here
and throughout the world.
March 16, 2008 -
Pray for Dana Beth Cassell
(Roanoke, First), Brethren Volunteer Service Worker in Elgin, Illinois as she
coordinates various retreats and activities of the Ministry Office of the Church
of the Brethren General Board. Let us uphold those who sacrificially serve with
and for us in places far and near.
March 23, 2008 -
Pray for the Oak
Grove (South) Church of the Brethren in Franklin County, Virginia and pastor,
Richard Wood Thomas, Sr., as they serve together for the glory of God and the
good of their community. Let us seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower
the ministry of Christ's church.
March 30, 2008 -
Pray for Linda B.
Marshall, Food Service Director at Camp Bethel, as she works with the meal
service and hospitality ministry at Camp Bethel. Let us pray that the
ministries of Camp Bethel will be enhanced and multiplied for the glory of God.
April 6, 2008 -
Pray for the Lake Side Church in Moneta, Virginia and their pastor,
Thomas Hanks, as they are chartered as a fellowship of the Church of
the Brethren. Let us pray that the wideness and breadth of God's work
might continue to challenge us to seek wider, greater and more creative
fields of mission and ministry.
April 13, 2008 - Pray for the Una Nueva Vida En Cristo in
Willis, Virginia and their pastor, Manuel Gonzalez, as they dedicate a
new educational and office facility. Let us pray for that vision
from God which guides us into a future filled with faith, hope, life
and love.
April 20, 2008 - Pray for the Boones Chapel Church near
Penhook in Franklin County, Virginia as they enjoy their newly expanded
fellowship hall dedicated on April 6th. Let us use the facilities we
have to worship God, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and provide a
place for the Holy Spirit to change the lives of individuals and bring
positive transformation in society.
April 27, 2008 - Pray for Debbie L. Mullins, as she serves as
Administrative Secretary of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial
Leadership, a joint ministry of Bethany Theological Seminary and the
General Board of the Church of the Brethren. Let us realize that the
ministry and mission of the church is administered in an infinite
variety of ways and by various means.
May 4, 2008 -
Pray for the Virlina District Board, as it meets at the Shelton Church
in Surry County, North Carolina on May 10th. Let us pray that the
Spirit of God will grant discernment, guide every decision and enable
every undertaking.
May 11, 2008 - Pray for Bobby L. Phillips as he serves the
Masons Cove Church in Roanoke County, Virginia as interim pastor. Let
us honor the commitment, dedication and work of those who give freely
of themselves to the work of Christ and the church.
May 18, 2008 - Pray for the Williamson Road Church in
Roanoke, Virginia and their pastor, Michael Huffaker, as the
congregation celebrates its 60th Anniversary. Let us pray for the
gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower the ministry and mission of
Christ's church.
May 25, 2008 - Pray for Wayne C. Garst, Director of Disaster
Response for the Virlina District Board, and the many disaster response
workers we send forth to minister through rebuilding and
reconstruction. Let us pray that the service ministries of our
congregations, district and denomination would be enhanced and
multiplied for the glory of God and our neighbor's good.
June 1, 2008 - Pray for the Living Faith Church in Concord,
North Carolina and their pastor, Frances S. Beam, as she is installed
today. Let us pray that every congregation ministers effectively in
its community and shares in the wider mission of Christ's work
throughout the world.
June 8, 2008 - Pray for Wakefield Chapel in Hopewell,
Virginia and their pastor, Samuel P. Ellis, who will be ordained to the
Gospel Ministry today. Let us give glory to God for the manifold gifts
of the Spirit bestowed upon Christ's church.
June 15, 2008 - Pray for the year-round staff, the summer
staff, counselors and campers, as the summer camping program commences
today at Camp Bethel. Let us pray that the camp experience will be a
laboratory for Christian living and that every camper might be drawn
closer to Christ and the church.
June 22, 2008 - Pray for Tyler Goss and Krista Gardner as
they serve as the Virlina Youth Heritage Team interpreting the 300th
Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren. Let us give thanks to God
for the goodly heritage of our denomination and trust the Lord with our
future.
June 29, 2008 - Pray for Norris and Gerry Martin, members of
the Masons Cove Church, as they anticipate recognition as the Outdoor
Ministries Association Volunteers of the Year at Annual Conference on
July 15th for their work at Camp Bethel. Let us express gratitude to
God for the many hours of volunteer time given by many persons that
makes our ministry strong and whole.
July 6, 2008 -
Pray for the moderator, officers, delegates and attendees of the 222nd
Recorded Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren meeting in
Richmond, Virginia from July 12-16th. Let us pray that our leaders,
delegates and membership be given wisdom, discernment and insight as
they serve Christ and the church.
July 13, 2008 - Pray for Carol F. H. Elmore, of the Roanoke -
Oak Grove Church, who anticipates ordination to the Gospel Ministry in
the near future. Let us pray that the Lord of the Harvest might send
more workers into the field of mission!
July 20, 2008 - Pray for Jonathan Shively, Executive Director
of Congregational Life Ministries of the General Board of the Church of
the Brethren, who began his work in Elgin, Illinois on July 1st. Let
us pray that the congregational, district and denominational ministries
of the church might be multiplied and enhanced.
July 27, 2008 - Pray for the 25th Anniversary World Hunger
Auction to be held at the Antioch Church in Franklin County, Virginia
on August 9th. Let us pray that God might multiply the efforts of his
people to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care for the imprisoned.
August 3, 2008 - Pray that the Church of the Brethren, on
the occasion of our 300th Anniversary, will live up to the goodly
heritage which we have been given. Let us give thanks to God for the
"great cloud of witnesses" whose courage, faithfulness and ministry has
preceded ours and provides the foundation upon which we build for the
future.
August 10, 2008 - Pray for the Erwin Church of the Brethren
in Erwin, Tennessee as they rebuild from the fire which destroyed their
sanctuary on June 9th. Let us pray that our resolve to be the church
of Jesus Christ might be strengthened and that we might do good to one
another as opportunity presents itself.
August 17, 2008 - Pray for Harry S. Rhodes, a member of the
Roanoke - Central Church and co-interim pastor of the Good Shepherd
Church of the Brethren in Blacksburg, Virginia, as he anticipates
licensing to the Gospel Ministry. Let us pray that we will support,
encourage and pray for our pastors, ministers and leaders.
August 24, 2008 - Pray for Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Director
of News Services for the Church of the Brethren General Board in Elgin,
Illinois. Let us pray that the wideness and breadth of God's work
will challenge us to seek wider, greater and more creative fields of
mission and ministry.
August 31, 2008 - Pray for the West Richmond Church and
their new pastor, David L. Brunk, who begins as pastor on September
1st. Let us pray that we will embrace anew the ministry of
proclamation in word and deed wherever we are.
September 7, 2008 - Pray for the Virlina District Board as
it meets on September 13th at the Mount Union Church in Roanoke County,
Virginia. Let every decision which affects the mission and ministry
of the church, from the smallest to the greatest, be the subject and
result of earnest prayer.
September 14, 2008 - Pray for the Monte Vista Church of the
Brethren in Franklin County, Virginia and Pastor Jimmy Robinson, who
began on July 1st. Let us pray that God would enable us to minister
creatively in every place and situation.
September 21, 2008 - Pray for the Eden - First Church of the
Brethren in Eden, North Carolina and their pastor, Rick Edwards. Let
us pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower the ministry and
mission of Christ's church.
September 28, 2008 - Pray for Heritage Day at Camp Bethel on
October 4th. Let us give thanks for the wonderful spiritual heritage
which we have received from those who have invested in this treasured
jewel of our church.