2009 Week 25

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

1. Praise God for the indescribable gift of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and died in our place, for our sin; who poured out his blood for our forgiveness; who has risen again bringing us new life! What a Saviour! May we be the fragrance of Christ to all we meet.

2. Please pray for the June adult Sunday School classes. Four missionary families affiliated with our church will be sharing over the month. Pray for our growth in missions awareness and commitment to global mission, especially by way of prayer and support of our missionaries. May our response be an encouragement to our missionaries.

3. Please pray for our church's CCSA softball teams this year. The Harbingers (Senior Team) season has already started. The Seraphs season begins the last Sunday in June, and Pi begins in July. Ask the Lord to give all team members spiritual growth through fun and fellowship. Pray for the leaders (coaches, governors) to encourage players with their sportsmanship and testimony for Christ. Ask especially for non-believing friends to be drawn to our Saviour.

4. Please pray for the Youth Short-Term Mission Team to Steubenville, Ohio in July 19-25, 2009. They will be going to help in local work projects among the needy and share the good news of Jesus with the people. The youth will be having a "purchase a student" event on Father's day (June 21) to raise money by doing spring cleaning or yard work. Pray for good results and encouragement for the team.

5. Please pray for the registration and preparation for Summer Conference 2009, coming up on August 1 to 3, 2009 at McMaster University. The theme this year is "Imitate Christ, Now!" The speaker is Jeff Smyth. Pray for a good turn-out as this is an opportunity for our community to experience accelerated spiritual growth together over a fun weekend. Please ask God to raise up ESC participants to help with all aspects of Summer Conference organization. Pray also for our Children's Pastor and brothers and sisters who will take care of the Children's part of the Summer Conference.

6. Please continue to pray for brothers and sisters among us who are looking for work and/or facing challenging situations and people in the workplace. Pray for endurance and hopefulness for those who are dealing with change, and looking for new work. May the Spirit help them to make decisions concerning their jobs, and perhaps their careers. Ask the Lord to grant guidance and peace as they depend on him.

7. Please pray for the church building project:
- Thank God for the amazing results of the May 3, 2009 fund-rasing banquet. It is expected that by mid-summer, the total raised by offerings and promissory notes will be $4 million, close to the $4.5 the bank has said we would need in order for them to extend a building loan.
- The Building Committee is planning to meet with the bank soon to discuss the situation and ask for a "letter of committment." Please pray for the committee as they negotiate with the bank. Ask the Spirit to guide the committee with wisdom to make decisions that reflect God's will for our church.
- Members from the ESC are planning a number of possible fund-raisers that will appeal to people like us. This will bring the ESC into the building project in new and exciting ways. Please lift up these initiatives before the Lord. Some ideas being worked on: golf tournament, multi-member church parking lot rummage sale, classical music concert, "under-the-stars" movie night.

8. Please pray for brothers and sisters among us who are suffering. Lift up those you know who are sick or suffering before the Lord. Ask for healing and comfort, and practical things such as help from others. Ask the Lord to move any of us to respond and be those helping hands.

9. Please pray for growth in discernment and conviction among the college/university group over this summer. Ask for trust to grow between members, (even though they have been away from each other on different campuses) and a willingness for people to respond to all that they hear from God through their prayer and discussion.

10. Please pray for Winnie and Marvin, and their 4-month old baby Anissa, who needs open-heart surgery to repair the wall of her heart. They are waiting for an appointment to see the specialist who will perform the surgery which should be done before Anissa is 6 months old. Pray for the best possible care and for God's loving care upon the family as they go through this.