Prayer Booklet

Congregation Focus: The First Presbyterian Church of Crookston MN continues to seek and respond to God¹s calling as a community of faith on the beautiful northern plains.

Some of our mission highlights for this past year include:

The continuation of our vibrant quilting ministry. Several of our talented quilters have sent dozens of beautiful quilts and prayer shawls to various places in our region and beyond. These are a sign of God’s love, care, and generosity. They are always greatly appreciated.
The replacement of our old boiler with new energy efficient models. Our 40+ year old boiler sent almost 40% of our heat out the chimney! This not only cost our church a lot of money, but also adversely affected the environment. Our new system is 90+ percent efficient and even with a winter that was 12 degrees colder than last year, we still burned 35 percent less gas! This new system will pay for itself in about 7 years and we will tread more gently on the earth.
Our Sunday School completed a three-year mission project in two years and we purchased an “Ark” for the Heifer project. This consists of a pair of every animal that Heifer sponsors and costs $5,000. This was a tremendous undertaking for our small church school and we are amazed by the generosity and bounty that God provided to us.
MICAH continues to grow and evolve. We had a wonderful building kick-off celebration and are excited to convene a conference on rural ministry in the Fall of 2008.

Minute for Mission

The Rev. Joan S. Gray, moderator of the 217th General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will be visiting the Presbytery of the Northern Plains June 4-6, 2008. The Rev. Joan S. Gray, a minister in Greater Atlanta Presbytery, was elected to a two-year term as moderator of the 2.3 million-member denomination on June 15, 2006.

The Rev. Gray will be traveling the eastern and central part of North Dakota during her time in the region.

On June 4, the Rev. Gray will tour Jamestown College. Jamestown College, a historic college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is in a covenant relationship with the Presbytery of the Northern Plains. The tour will focus on the college’s nursing and Character in Leadership programs. While in Jamestown, the Rev. Gray will be given a demonstration of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains video conferencing system, the first such system used by a governing body in the denomination. The Presbytery has four locations, which will have different ministry teams speaking about their programs in the life of the Northern Plains.

On June 5, the Rev Gray will start the day with a visit to the Lake Region Presbyterian Parish, which consists of four congregations, Westminster Presbyterian Church of Devils Lake, First Presbyterian Church of Minnewaukan, Webster Chapel and Bdecan Presbyterian Church in Toiko. The Bdecan Presbyterian Church, a Dakota Sioux congregation and member of the non-geographic Dakota Presbytery, will host a luncheon and show the moderator how this four-point parish is meeting the needs of a multi-ethnic faith community.

That afternoon, the moderator will meet with the Emerging Church Couching Team, which spearheads the congregational transformation efforts for the Presbytery of the Northern Plains.

First Presbyterian Church of Grand Forks will be hosting a banquet in her honor on Thursday, June 5 2008 at 6:30. This event is open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken for the meal with any extra funds going to support a mission of the Moderator’s choice. Space is limited for the dinner, please RSVP for the banquet directly to the church at 701-775-5545 or firstpres@firstpresgf.org.

June 8, 2008

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Westminster Presbyterian Church, Casselton
Chogoria congregation of Ruguta, Muthambi
Presbytery Staff
Beaver-Butler, Blackhawk, Western Kentucky, & Albany Presbyteries
Albania & Argentina

Congregation Focus: Westminster Presbyterian Church of Casselton

Another successful week of Vacation Bible School has been completed thanks to the Christian Education leadership and work of many helping hands. Our youth ministry remains vibrant with confirmation class and middle school ministry as well as church school.

We are in the process of finding a new pastor so this is a time of reflection on the past and looking toward the future of our church and how we can best carry out God's ministry.

We have been very fortunate to find pulpit supply that are willing to preach every month which makes the job much easier for those on the Worship and Ministry Committee. The Praise Band from the First Presbyterian Church of Moorhead, MN has provided music several times for us.

Members have signed up for lawn mowing or are willing to hire someone to do it. Our fellowship and service groups have reached out to assist in worship, fellowship, and special events for the church.

We have been the recipient of what it truly means to be Presbyterian. Being a connectional church has been demonstrated to us through several congregations that provided worship leaders, music, and offered assistance in other ways. We are blessed.

Minute for Mission: Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship

God delights in the working through small groups of people to accomplish great things! A mustard seed became a large plant, nd a little leaven spreads throughout a load of bread.

In Southeast Asia a lay pastor and his wife were trained with funding from the Presbyterian Frontier Mission Fund. They were assigned to a village church of fifty members. A year later there were 180 members! How did that happen? The wife felt a call to train women in embroidery so they could earn money. Then the husband reported visions in which God told him specific people with whom to share the goodness of Jesus. People believed, and the church grew – and continues to grow.

In Central Asia a young Muslim woman graduated from medical school, then took a job translating discipleship materials for a church. Then she began to follow Jesus. She went back to her home area and told others. Her brothers beat her, but she persevered. Si years later she was leading ten house churches that included her brothers. Presbyterians have come alongside her to encourage her and provide training.

In Ethiopia a member of a Muslim people group of ten million became a Christian. He had a dream to set up an organization to work with our partner church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, to build schools in Muslim villages. The church appoints teachers who are also evangelists. Children are educated, people are loved, and churches are planted. Now the villages, still predominantly Muslim, defend “their” school and churches against radical Muslims from outside. And all from the vision of one person!

Prayer

O God, continue to use the things that are weak and small in the eyes of the world to establish your kingdom. Use us as well in what you are doing, as we make ourselves available to you. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

June 15, 2008

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Emmanuel United Church, Rugby and the Rev. Don Andrews (UMC)
Chogoria congregation of Mpiani, Muthambi
PNP Inquirer Sandra Podoll
Boise, Boston, Transylvania, Arkansas & Baltimore Presbyteries
Carribean Region

Congregation Focus: Emmanuel United Church is a united church of Presbyterian and Methodist members in Rugby, North Dakota. We have a women’s group consisting of members from both denominations and a Sunday School that four children attend on a regular basis. We enjoy coffee and treats every Sunday before church and have recently started a monthly brunch after church. Our minister is the Rev. Don Andrews, who also serves the Towner and Willow City Presbyterian churches.

Although we are small in number, we are mighty in mission, both on a local level and beyond our town of 3,500. We collect money for Blanket Sunday, create school and health kits, donate money for local projects, work at the food pantry, visit shut-ins, and designate money for mission projects through both denominations. Our women’s group serves birthday cake and provides fellowship at the local nursing home and long term care facility in addition to many other projects. Our church works with several area churches on the Ministerial Board which facilitates projects, joint services and addresses issues relevant to our community. Last year, we served on the committee to initiate and carry out a National Day of Prayer in Rugby.

Although our affiliation with the Towner and Willow City churches is no longer formally organized, we continue to join together with those churches several times per year for picnics, Christmas services and Lenten activities.
Like all small town churches, we struggle with attracting new members and with losing long time members to death and relocation. However, we continue in faith and hope that our mission of serving God, our community and world will continue in the manner which is pleasing to God and fulfills his plan for us.

Minute for Mission: Men of the Church

By Dr. Kyung-il Ghymn, president, National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry

I would like to share a story about a Presbyterian layman who lives and works to serve others. Dr. Young Ho Lee, an elder at Tacoma Central Presbyterian Church, lives with his family and practices medicine in the Seattle area. He serves on many church committees, but his whole life seems to be centered on one mission project, Manna Medical Mission and Bakery Program for North Korea.

Dr. Lee closes his clinic in Seattle several times a year to go to North Korea to treat tuberculosis patients. When he returns form his mission trips, he works more hours at his clinic and at nearby hospital to earn more money to fund his next mission trips. He spend many Christmases with his North Korean patients. In addition to TB medication, Dr. Lee’s medical mission supplies include one egg a day for each patient, pork once a week and disposable syringes. His bakery factory makes 13,000 loaves of bread per month to feed school children. Jesus taught us that “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44). Dr Lee is an example for all of who would be part of the mission of Christ.

In an effort to be more mission-oriented, that National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry (NPMM) has a special meeting in March 2007 to renew and revitalize its national organization. Mission outreach, education and discipleship were developed as mission priorities, and of the three emphasis NPMM decided to focus more on missions. Even the name of the organization has been changed fro the National Council of Presbyterian Men (who we are) to National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry (what we do). We want to be a strong, mission-oriented organization. We hope to share many more mission stories like that of Dr. Lee in the near future.

Prayer

Dear God, we are so grateful to you for giving life. Allow us to have hearts for others and to have mercy on the sick and the poor. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

June 22, 2008

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Pembina County Larger Parish (Presbyterian Church of Bathgate; Cavalier Presbyterian Church; First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton) and the Rev. John Werth
Chogoria congregations of Ukuruni, Kamaara; Kianjagi, Murugi; and Mukui, Mugumango
Carlisle, Cascades, Cayuga-Syracuse, Central Florida Presbyteries
Covenant Synod
Brazil, Britain

Congregation Focus: Pembina County Larger Parish

The Bathgate, Cavalier and Hamilton Presbyterian churches, located in the very Northeastern corner of North Dakota, make up the Pembina County Larger Parish. They are served by the Rev. John H Werth. Each church has a governing session, and they come together quarterly as a parish council for business and planning of joint activities. Like all rural churches, they are experiencing the challenges and pain of change but continue to serve the Lord in their various ways.

The Hamilton church will be celebrating the completion of 125 years of service to the community June 1, 2008. The parish congregations and distant faithful servants and friends will be their special guests for worship, communion and fellowship. The “Spirit” that forms this church has been sharing facilities and programming with the Methodist Church for many years, and they blend together to strengthen the church’s ministry in rural North Dakota. The age range of the congregation is high school through octogenarian; disciples who have a strong base of faith and are living examples of the Christian way.

The Bathgate church will also be celebrating 125 years of service on August 3, 2008. This church is a close knit family and community oriented congregation with some sixth generation attendance. A strong mission purpose helps to support several missionary families and local needs of others. A strong Sunday School is attended by young families who develop lasting Christian friendships. The church shares their facility with the rural community for local, family, and community events.

The Cavalier church is located in the county seat, and the parish office is located here. Strong leadership offers Sunday School classes for all ages during the regular school months. Bible school and youth groups are shared

with other congregations. Elected deacons provide ministry to those in need. The women of the church are organized and execute special programming with emphasis on “food, fun, faith and fellowship.” They also sponsor a thrift shop that has grown to be a valued resource for the entire area.

Minute for Mission: Access Awareness

By: Elder Brad Harris, member, and the Rev. Evie Macway, former pastor, Bradstown Road Presbyterian Church, Louisville, KY

Just as Christ made great efforts to touch the people on the fringes of society, we are to welcome into our church homes those who are shunned. We can build ramps and install lefts, but hearts may also need some work to get past emotional barriers erected by preconceived notions and prejudices.

Because I have cerebral palsy, I understand how important acceptance is – acceptance by other, of yourself, and of life as it is.

Acceptance by other is important, even to a child. As a student in a typical elementary school, taking notes was a challenge to me. My teacher asked for a volunteer to take notes for me, and a girl quickly offered. I still remember the kindness and acceptance of the girl.

Self-acceptance is a challenge everyone faces. A disability can heighten self-consciousness and lead to isolation. Needing assistance to cut up food can cause embarrassment and keep a person for eating in public. I felt uncomfortable dining out. Finally a friend forced me to face my dears, and doing so allowed me the simple pleasure of going out for a meal.

One accepts life as it is. From an early perspective, being disabled seems unfair. But in the same way that what seems unjust in a child’s eyes can teach that child valuable lesions, I think God looks at our seemingly unfair situations as an opportunity to teach us. May we have the eyes to recognize what God is teaching us through our challenges and those around us.

Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you this day for the gift of life as it is. Teach us acceptance. Open our eyes and our hearts that we might see your presence in ourselves and in one another. In Jesus’ mane we pray. Amen

June 29, 2008

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Towner Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Don Andrews (UMC)
Chogoria congregation of St. Catherine’s Nturiri, Mwimbi
Committee On Ministry
Central Nebraska, Central Washington, Charleston-Atlantic Presbyteries
Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia

Congregation Focus: The Presbyterian Church of Towner has been focusing on missions since its start one hundred and fifteen year ago. Our current membership is 34. We are “a few good men and women” committed to serving the Lord. But don’t forget the children! We have eight in Sunday School and they keep all of us older ones focused, to remind us of why we do what we do in the name of the Lord!

We are privileged to have Pastor Don Andrews, UMC, from Minot preach each Sunday. Pastor Don has been with us over four years now, and gives us such strength and encouragement! Everyone looks forward to coming to church.

We recently served a successful spring dinner to raise money for our mission projects. We always had an annual bazaar and bake sale in former years. Our faithful Presbyterian Women meet eight times a year. The past four years we have served a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day for the community.

We thank the Lord for giving us many talents and abilities. May we use them to honor Him!

Minute for Mission

By Michelle E. Melton, director of communications, and the Rev. Dean K. Thompson, President, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

In response to the disciples’ question “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus tells several parables illustrating the humility of a child, accountability in leading others, compassion for even one lost soul, and righteous confrontation. Jesus concludes by assuring us, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matt. 18:1–20).

When people come together in Christ’s name, wonderful kingdom-of-heaven transformation can take place. Consider the results of the following intersections when Christ is present: A congregation, a minister, or an individual identifies someone with spiritual and practical gifts for ministry and encourages that person to develop those gifts through theological education. A seminarian offers his or her developing ministerial skills in a church setting and provides needed leadership. In the process, the seminarian is nurtured and shaped for lifelong ministry. Students take action against poverty because their classroom experiences have awakened them to an understanding of justice and reconciliation. Relying on lessons from her pastoral care course, a pastor helps a congregation member live through the death of a loved one. An elderly couple and a financial adviser plan a life gift that will support the church’s commitment to the work of Christ for years to come.

Louisville Seminary invites you to join with others in continuing the redemptive ministry of Christ. Theological education needs more kingdom-of-heaven discipleship initiated by individuals who come together in Christ’s name.

Prayer

God of transformative love and action, open us to see and seek more kingdom-of-heaven moments. Give us sight to recognize them and bear witness to them. Give us the courage to participate fully in them through word and action, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Send mail to pnpoffice@gmail.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2006 Presbytery of the Northern Plains

Send mail to pnpoffice@gmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Presbytery of the Northern Plains