November 2010

Apprenticeship to Jesus November 2010

I recently came across this quote by Daniel Taylor, "Freedom is useless if we don't exercise it as characters making choices...Because we are genuine characters, and not mere puppets, we can choose our defining stories.  We can do so because we actively participate in the creation of our stories.  We are co-authors as well as characters.  Few things are as encouraging as the realization that things can be different and that we have a role in making them so" As Jesus' apprentices we are active participants in God's redeeming story.  These are exciting times for us, below are some recent highlights: Neighborhood Transformation Block Watch Established - serving the community in practical ways by addressing the current issues of crime in the neighborhood  Asset Mapping - learning the gifts and talents of those who live in our community click photo to see more photos Community Building -facilitating opportunities to buildrelationships and partnerships Prayer House Ministry "We can never expect to grow in the likeness of Jesus unless we follow His example and give more time to communion with the Father. A revival of real praying would produce a spiritual revolution." -E.M. Bounds Compline Prayer @ Prayer House Daily Prayer - come pray with us   Mornning Prayer 7:15-8:00AM Midday Prayer 12:00-12:20pm Compline Prayer 9:00-9:30pm Preparing a Place of Prayer  Remodeling Prayer House  for the city - On November 20th in conjunction with the Season of Service work project (see details below) we will be unveiling the A2J Prayer House with an open house and sharing the vision from 12:30pm-1:00pm A Place for Intimacy with God A Place to pray for the community and city A Place for Christians from different churches and traditions to come together in unity to pray Refugee Ministry Nazita, Sepideh, and Christy Christy recently helped Sepideh pick out a car and Christ Church Anglican helped Nazita get a car.  Now we are in the midst of teaching them to drive so they can get their license.  Pray for our safetey :) Kays showing us traditional Iraqi dance Kays is often cracking jokes and making us all laugh but he has been mourning since the recent murder of 58 of his fellow Iraqi Christian, including two priests, by an extremist group who stormed their church in Baghdad.  I recently heard the number of Christians remaining in Iraq are very few and that it is believed eventually every priest will be martyred.  Pray for him and our brothers and sisters in Iraq Thurman Family with Rahimi Family at the zoo  Abdul riding the zoo carousel We continue to growclose to the Rahimi family who are from Afghanistan Abdul who is an imam recently had a pacemaker put in.  He is back in the hospital this weekend.    Pray for Abdul's full recovery Season of Service Project Nov. 20th Come join many from around the city as we in partnership with the Season of Service serve the residents of downtown in the name of Jesus. There are over nine churches and organizations working together, including: Mennonites, Free Methodists, Orthodox, Anglicans, as well as various non-denominational. We will end the day sharing a meal together with the residents of Woodland Neighborhood. We will be the gospel in motion as we reflect the Goodness and Kindness of our God as we work together in unity.  Projects will vary from preparing the community garden (PLEA said yes!) to working on homes in the neighborhood, alley clean up, working on easements and other other projects.  The work projects will be from 9am-12pm and the meal from 1pm-2:30pm. Click links below for more details: Cityfest/Season of Service Link Facebook Invitation Our financial needs and the needs of Apprenticeship to Jesus come from the generous gifts of friends and partners.