West Main

PRAYER CONCERT

Saturday night some of us gathered at the church building to participate in a PRAYER CONCERT.  It was a wonderful time and I was deeply blessed in so many ways. There is great power when the people of God gather together for a time of focused, specific and intentional prayer.

We began the night with some simple worship songs to get our minds in the right place. Then we were guided through specific prayers. We had prayers for spiritual awareness, where we were to specifically pray that God help us realize that we were not in control and there were greater powers at work in the world. We were to thank Him for leading us and fighting for us in this way. We had a prayer of unity, where we prayed for the unity of ALL of God’s people. We had prayers of praise to focus on WHO GOD IS and praise Him for that greatness. We did a prayer of thanksgiving to focus on the blessings he has given us. These are just a few examples.

Each time we were to get into different groups of differing sizes.  There was incredible power in getting to pray with different people all night. It was wonderful to share something so intimate with so many brothers and sisters. Some of these are folks we would never get to pray with normally, and to hear how one another talks to our Father was a special bonding experience.
I think of one group I was in. It had five of us and three of the five were children. Throughout the night I heard some amazing prayers. I heard people I love and respect share some awesome and elegant words. But NOTHING compared to hearing those three tiny voices praying. They poured out thanks to their God. They spoke in innocence, and used words of praise that we “civilized” adults may never use. It was so beautiful and moving.  At one point I also got to pray with a person close to three times my age! Her prayer was simple, but incredibly wise and powerful.

All of these experiences were special. Each of us pray in our own ways. We have routines and even certain words and phrases we like. I learned though, that there is incredible benefit in sharing these with others. There are new perspectives and emotions that you can never gain alone.  I encourage all of you to join in the next time we host a “PRAYER CONCERT,” and until then, may we all start praying together more!

 

--  Pannell

2012 Directory

Last Chance for New Photos in the directory will be THIS SUNDAY. We are encouraging all families with children who haven’t updated their photo in a few years, to please have your photo updated this Sunday. Also, any new members to West Main who are not in the directory, please have your photo taken.  Please call Sandra Cummings to have your photo taken either before or after church services.

*Listings  – Please proof your directory listing posted in the hallway by the stairs.  Make any necessary changes or initial if all is correct.  If you would like your cell phone number or email address to be printed, please add them. *If your name is not on the printout, there is a sheet next to the listings for you to write down your info.

*Prayer Chain  – For those who would like to be added to or removed from the prayer chain, please check the listing posted by the directory.

A Financial Peace University Class will begin March 7 and continue on Wednesday evenings for thirteen weeks.  There will be a preview class on February 15, at 7:00 p.m. to give you a better understanding of what the class is about.  The cost of the class is $93.00 per family.  **We will have classes for children when the seminar begins.  Please contact Denise Beeks if your children will be attending class.

Children’s Worship Meeting  – We will have a brief meeting immediately following morning worship on Sunday, Feb. 12, in the FSR.  Parents who have children in Children’s Worship or anyone interested in helping with this ministry is encouraged to attend

The Mexico Mission Fundraiser Dinner / Auction will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Our dinner this year will be catered from a local Mexican restaurant. Please contact Valda Newton if you can help with the auction or dinner.  Mexico Mission Trip:  March 24 - April 1

The Young African Choir will be presenting a free concert on Sunday, February 26, at a local church at 6:30 p.m.  Please see the courtyard bulletin board for complete details on the concert.  They are thrilled to share what God has been doing in their lives.

Camp Staff Meeting  --  Monday, February 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the building.  See Brian with any questions.

Prayer Requests and Praises . . . Cindy Sharpe gives thanks and praise to God for Fran’s daughter, Jennie, who had a triple by-pass and is doing well.  Please continue to pray for Fran for better memory and a clear mind ... Cooper Albright is having the last of his anti - cancer treatments this week.  He and Kerry will come home Friday.  Pray that all goes well and that they have a safe trip home ... Jason Bucey’s brother, Mike, is in ICU with pancreatitis and is having complications from alcoholism ... Ed Shipley seems to be improving some.  Please pray that he will gain strength and weight ... Debra Burchett asks prayers for God’s direction in this step of relocation they are about to make.  Pray for the comfort of a heart that has always been in this valley and is now going to be separated from friends and church family by miles ...  For our President and all of our military men, women and families.