2010 week 36

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NIV).

1. Please pray for ESC Core (pastoral team) Leaders and Ministry Group Leaders as we continue to work out and implement the 3- to 5- year strategies presented at the recent Leaders retreat (Saturday, April 10). Pray especially for the ESC to grow in unity and conviction of the direction we should take as the Spirit leads us. May recent discussions among many who are serving lead to renewed purpose and action.

2. Please keep praying for family members of our brothers and sisters who are ill. Lift each sufferer and their families up to God in prayer. Ask the Lord to help them deal with the illness and experience the love of Christ in their midst.
- Pray for two of James Lam's brothers, one older, one younger, both of whom are recovering from surgery for colon cancer. Pray for healing and effective ongoing treatment, and also for spiritual growth. Pray for family members as they continue to support and help.
- Please keep in prayer CS's father, who was diagnosed with lung cancer about a year ago. Pray for effectiveness of ongoing treatment. Pray also for his heart to be opened to the good news of Jesus Christ. Ask God to bless CS's family with his salvation.
- Lift up before the Lord others who need healing and care.

3. Please continue to pray for our missionaries:
- Please pray for CY in South Asia, and will soon be on home assignment this fall.
- E&B who continue with work in South Asia, and expecting their second child in the March, 2011.
- R&E on home assignment from East Asia will need to visit many supporting churches in the USA before returning to the field in September.
- Others in East Asia: R&M, C, and in Central Asia: F&E.
- Pray for the Walls in France.
- Remember the Chinese Baptist Church in Panama, and short-term workers from our church who minister there.
- JM in Mexico.
- J&A (West Africa) are on home assignment in Canada for the year, and enrolling their son in the school system here. Please pray for good adjustment, and for reconnection with churches and individuals.
- RW who is ministering to students in Germany.
- SK, brand new missionary, who is about to be commissioned to East Africa to work with national youth.

4. Please continue to pray for the church building project:
- Pray for good participation and blessings for the fund-raising walkathon on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Milliken Park.
- Pray for timely approval of the building permit - the application has been submitted to the city. The hope is to break ground this fall.
- Ask the Lord to pour out his grace and power on the Building Project Committee as they continue to work on the tasks at hand while keeping the rest of us informed of what's happening, and how we can pray.
- Please pray for God's provision of a good contractor, and for the cost of building to remain favourable even as market prices go up with the recovering economy.

5. Please pray for our students who have just returned or are returning to a new school year:
- Wisdom for elementary and secondary school students as they settle into new routines and choose their weekly activities. May the Lord bless them with a good academic year, and also with a deepened walk with the Lord Jesus.
- Adaptability and perseverance for college/university students as they deal with the stresses of new environments and increased workload. May they grow in dependance upon the Lord.
- Pray for our youth fellowship groups, and for Pastor Clarence as he leads the youth ministry: Gideon (Jr. High) which needs 2 new counselors; Gilead (Secondary School) starting a new year of ministry, discerning student leaders and planning programs; Benjamin (college/university) for fellowship plans during the academic year.