Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church
Ministries
Prayer Ministry
Many times throughout his life and ministry, Jesus prayed. He would pray openly with his
disciples, and he would seclude himself privately with his Father. From this we understand
and recognize that prayer is an essential aspect of our Chistian life together in community.
We pray for one another in worship each week, and we pray for ourselves and others in our
personal times of devotion. Requesting prayer of others is an important element of who we
are as a people of faith. Praying for specific concerns and joys binds us closer to each other
and helps to hold us together through tough times.
We have many opportunities to be involved in the prayer life of this congregation. You are
always invited to request prayer from any of our pastors through email, phoning, or stopping
by the church. There is an intercessory prayer group that meets at the church every
Tuesday morning at 9:15 am to gather for confidential prayer. These persons are always
glad to welcome newcomers into their midst as they gather to cover our community in prayer.
We have an emergency phone tree of a dozen folks who stand at the front line of a
community crisis to offer the support and undergirding strength of their prayers. And finally,
there is an email prayer chain of 65persons that you can join or request prayer through. Any
of these prayer ministries would welcome your presence or ideas as we continue to seek to
offer to God our prayers. If you have any questions, call Jill Teske (707-1249) or Lanita
Pride (484-3473).
Many times throughout his life and ministry, Jesus prayed. He would pray openly with his
disciples, and he would seclude himself privately with his Father. From this we understand
and recognize that prayer is an essential aspect of our Chistian life together in community.
We pray for one another in worship each week, and we pray for ourselves and others in our
personal times of devotion. Requesting prayer of others is an important element of who we
are as a people of faith. Praying for specific concerns and joys binds us closer to each other
and helps to hold us together through tough times.
We have many opportunities to be involved in the prayer life of this congregation. You are
always invited to request prayer from any of our pastors through email, phoning, or stopping
by the church. There is an intercessory prayer group that meets at the church every
Tuesday morning at 9:15 am to gather for confidential prayer. These persons are always
glad to welcome newcomers into their midst as they gather to cover our community in prayer.
We have an emergency phone tree of a dozen folks who stand at the front line of a
community crisis to offer the support and undergirding strength of their prayers. And finally,
there is an email prayer chain of 65persons that you can join or request prayer through. Any
of these prayer ministries would welcome your presence or ideas as we continue to seek to
offer to God our prayers. If you have any questions, call Jill Teske (707-1249) or Lanita
Pride (484-3473).
- Let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God...will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Phillippians 4:6-7 NRSV
| Ministry Interest Surveys for 2010 The office staff has entered all the information contained on the surveys that have been returned to date. Reports are available for each of the categories. This data will assist ministry and committee chairpersons in forming their committees for the coming year. Chairpersons for 2010 can pick up these reports from their respective mailboxes. Chairpersons, please contact the individuals who have indicated an interest in your particular ministry. This is very important, since the individuals put time and thought into where they want to serve in the ministry of this church. To those who have responded to the survey, thank you for your interest and God Bless you as you serve in ministry. |
The Prayer Connection
Almost every morning and evening on the bus or train, commuters discuss people or events
they’ve heard about in news reports, the newspaper, or conversation. Standing in line at
the grocery store or waiting in a doctor’s office, we often hear people doing the same.
Many such exchanges end with someone saying something like, “There’s nothing we can do
about it,” or, “Somebody ought to do something!”
But believers can always do something: we can pray. Many times, however, we do not see
praying as doing something. With our culture’s emphasis on producing and achieving, we
can easily dismiss prayer because it does not result in a product. Perhaps finding ways to
make our praying more visible, more than “just words,” can help us to be more faithful.
Consider how your life of prayer could be enriched by trying one or more of these
strategies:
1. Establish a regular place to pray—a personal holy space. On a small table beside by
bedroom chair, I have placed a candle, a cross, and several other items that hold special
meaning for me—including a small china box that reminds me of my church, the community
of faith that formed me. When I sit in that chair, my mind and my spirit know why I am there;
pattern and familiarity make paying attention to God seem right and comfortable.
2. Keep a prayer list. Write in a notebook or journal the names of people and situations
that you want to bring before God. Refer to the list every week or so and give thanks for
how God has been at work in these matters.
3. Make your monthly calendar into a call to prayer. Write the names of those you want to
pray for on the day of each month that corresponds to their birthday. From time to time,
send a note to the ones you are praying for, letting them know you have their names before
you to remind you to bring them before God.
4. Prayer map #1: Make a “prayer map” of your neighborhood, with blocks to represent
each home. Write in the names of your neighbors and their needs. During your prayer
time, work your way around the neighborhood, praying for people by name. If you don’t
know your neighbors, ask God to help you find ways to reach out to them. Update the map
as you progress in building relationships, making friends with your neighbors to help them
become friends of Christ.
5. Prayer map #2: Place a map of the world or a small globe where you can see it as you
pray. (If you have children in your home, you might use a world-map area rug to help them
intercede for the world’s needs as a part of bedtime prayer, directing them to stand on a
different continent each day of the week.) Hold the map or globe and picture God lovingly
reaching out to each area where there is trouble. Consider how God wants you to respond
to the needs that come to mind.
problems mentioned. Spend time sitting quietly with God, holding the list in your hands.
Offer the needs represented by the list to God, waiting to see how God may nudge you to
6. “Pray the news.” Each day as you listen to or read news reports, list the people and
respond.
7. Make a prayer more than “just words” by combining prayer with action. Here are some
possibilities:
A. Prayer walking. Walk regularly through your neighborhood or work area with the
intention to notice people and needs, praying for them as you walk. Use cues—toys
outside, pictures on desks—as clues to suggest how you might pray.
B. A prayer-shawl ministry. People in these ministries knit or crochet coverlets to be given
to those in special need. While working, the one doing needlework prays for the person
who will receive the prayer shawl. (Visit www.prayershawlministry.org for more information.)
In some churches, the prayer-shawl ministry provides these to persons grieving or
undergoing medical treatment, as a sign of the congregation’s presence with them and
prayers for them. A prayer shawl is a sort of visible hug that can comfort the one using it.
Almost every morning and evening on the bus or train, commuters discuss people or events
they’ve heard about in news reports, the newspaper, or conversation. Standing in line at
the grocery store or waiting in a doctor’s office, we often hear people doing the same.
Many such exchanges end with someone saying something like, “There’s nothing we can do
about it,” or, “Somebody ought to do something!”
But believers can always do something: we can pray. Many times, however, we do not see
praying as doing something. With our culture’s emphasis on producing and achieving, we
can easily dismiss prayer because it does not result in a product. Perhaps finding ways to
make our praying more visible, more than “just words,” can help us to be more faithful.
Consider how your life of prayer could be enriched by trying one or more of these
strategies:
1. Establish a regular place to pray—a personal holy space. On a small table beside by
bedroom chair, I have placed a candle, a cross, and several other items that hold special
meaning for me—including a small china box that reminds me of my church, the community
of faith that formed me. When I sit in that chair, my mind and my spirit know why I am there;
pattern and familiarity make paying attention to God seem right and comfortable.
2. Keep a prayer list. Write in a notebook or journal the names of people and situations
that you want to bring before God. Refer to the list every week or so and give thanks for
how God has been at work in these matters.
3. Make your monthly calendar into a call to prayer. Write the names of those you want to
pray for on the day of each month that corresponds to their birthday. From time to time,
send a note to the ones you are praying for, letting them know you have their names before
you to remind you to bring them before God.
4. Prayer map #1: Make a “prayer map” of your neighborhood, with blocks to represent
each home. Write in the names of your neighbors and their needs. During your prayer
time, work your way around the neighborhood, praying for people by name. If you don’t
know your neighbors, ask God to help you find ways to reach out to them. Update the map
as you progress in building relationships, making friends with your neighbors to help them
become friends of Christ.
5. Prayer map #2: Place a map of the world or a small globe where you can see it as you
pray. (If you have children in your home, you might use a world-map area rug to help them
intercede for the world’s needs as a part of bedtime prayer, directing them to stand on a
different continent each day of the week.) Hold the map or globe and picture God lovingly
reaching out to each area where there is trouble. Consider how God wants you to respond
to the needs that come to mind.
problems mentioned. Spend time sitting quietly with God, holding the list in your hands.
Offer the needs represented by the list to God, waiting to see how God may nudge you to
6. “Pray the news.” Each day as you listen to or read news reports, list the people and
respond.
7. Make a prayer more than “just words” by combining prayer with action. Here are some
possibilities:
A. Prayer walking. Walk regularly through your neighborhood or work area with the
intention to notice people and needs, praying for them as you walk. Use cues—toys
outside, pictures on desks—as clues to suggest how you might pray.
B. A prayer-shawl ministry. People in these ministries knit or crochet coverlets to be given
to those in special need. While working, the one doing needlework prays for the person
who will receive the prayer shawl. (Visit www.prayershawlministry.org for more information.)
In some churches, the prayer-shawl ministry provides these to persons grieving or
undergoing medical treatment, as a sign of the congregation’s presence with them and
prayers for them. A prayer shawl is a sort of visible hug that can comfort the one using it.
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