"Through the power of Christ, we are learning to live in simplicity, thankfulness, contentment and
generosity in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana."

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Sunday, January 18, 2015

Congregation's Prayers

JOYS:  Thanks be to God for …
Our country.
Those who serve our country.
A great church family.
How great it is to be in church today.
Seeing 6 million people standing in the rain to be with the Pope in the Philippines.
The joyful, safe arrival of Jeremy and Kendra R.’s baby boy Cameron last Wednesday.
Dave and Amber M.S.'s news that they are expecting their first baby to arrive July 29th.
The health we enjoy.
All enjoying better health, including Julie L and Carol G.
Gretchen M.’s daughter is home now.
With us in worship today, after a recent absence:  Julie L., Becky B., Norma P., and Bridgett.
Kathy S. is singing in the choir today.
Birthday blessings to Anne H. and Charline S.
Great family visits.
Homecomings.
Answered prayers.
Wonderful Bible studies throughout the week. 
All serving in various capacities for the betterment of the church. 
Safe travels.
New employment.
The congregation’s blessing of prayer shawl for Georgianna T. today.
Great Games Night at the church last Friday.
The rain we are enjoying today.  (And it’s not snowing today.)
Folks who come to our rescue when we need help.
Church family member who helped fix the worrisome plumbing problem of another church member.
Celebrations.
A sense of humor in times of adversity.
Belinda A.’s attendance at the annual meeting of The Federated United Methodist and American Baptist Church in Hamilton.  (She represented the Yellowstone Annual Conference of the UMC at this meeting.  Thanks be to God for their many ministries.)

CONCERNS:  Oh, Lord, we humbly pray for … 
Unspoken prayers.
Peace.
Those in fear this day.
The peoples of France, Belgium, Europe, Niger, etc., who are dealing with consequences of radicals’ violent actions in response to a cartoon that was run in a French newspaper.
All our military Veterans and their families, especially those who are dealing with “the loss of body, mind and/or spirit.”
Healing mercies for Georgianna T., Ed S., Dusty S., Lynne M., Bill G., Ed S., Gail F., John S., Janice B., friend Debbie, and Ben L.’s brother Bill and Bill’s family.
Travelling mercies and for those not with us today.
Those facing difficult decisions.
All needing God’s mercies.
Family and friends mourning the deaths of Lee, Mike Jennings, and Pat Rhodes.
All those who mourn.
The Federated United Methodist and American Baptist Church in Hamilton – its search committee members’ prayerful discernment about selecting their new pastor.  (The church has had interim pastors since July 1, 2014.)
The congregation’s prayers to be transformed. Pastor Charles challenged everyone to consider how we will NOT be a “Wimpy Church.”  (To understand what this means, please click on this prayer entry.) 
Pastor’s Prayer Challenges:
-       Everyone in the balcony to go into the empty classrooms upstairs in the church and pray to God for His will to be done, i.e., to pray that He will reveal to us, as His church, what we should be doing to prepare the way for the rooms to be filled with children learning about Him.  God’s will be done.
-       Everyone in the congregation to focus on a space in the church and pray for God’s will to be done in that space and in the entire church facility, as well.

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