07/26/2020 Newsletter
- mosaicnazarene
- Jul 26, 2020
- 5 min read
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A Word from Pastor John
I have been thinking of the power of prayer quite a bit lately. Creating good prayer habits can be challenging, because prayer is often behind the scenes. However, the Christian who commits his or her life to prayer is involved in the most significant spiritual work out there.
Many of us are doers, much like Martha was in the biblical story when she encounters Jesus. Doers get tangible things accomplished and often receive recognition for their work. The prayer warrior, however, is someone who primarily works behind the scenes. Harnessing the power and direction of the Holy Spirit, they are unleashing God's power amongst the church.
Committing 30 minutes of our day specifically towards prayer can sometimes feel like time that could be spent getting something done. However, I believe it is some of the greatest and most important spiritual work that a Christian can be involved in.
May God lead us to commit a period of our day specifically to prayer. May we be prayer warriors, working behind the scenes, just us and God, as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in this spiritual practice. And may we open our eyes to see the reality of how God is working through our own personal prayer life.
Pray For One Another
To request prayer, email mosaicnazarene@gmail.com
or call/text (520) 709-0815
Our pastors and their families
The world as we all continue to navigate this Covid-19 pandemic.
Phil Hunt
Family and friend of Susie Kimbal
Lillita Watts
Tonia Fleming
Barbara Gionfriddo's dear friend's Sister
Barbara Gionfriddo's friend's Mom
Karen Springer
Phillis Bacon
Judy McGinnis
Barb Keeler's sister Frankie
Judy Baker
Brenda and Karen's brother, Wes
The many unspoken requests
Make sure you're a part of our Facebook group to get prayer requests as they come in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21109057279
Tribute to Susan Kimbel
Click Susie's picture to see the Tribute page
https://www.mosaicnazarene.org/tribute-to-susan-kimbel
Nazarene News
Montana prison ministry finds success with lay ministry courses
Sixteen years ago, the Holy Spirit prompted Larry Spicer to reach out to a local man who was in trouble with the law. Spicer initially resisted that nudge, but his first act of obedience has led to a prison ministry that has reached over 200 incarcerated men in Montana.
Spicer was serving as an associate pastor in Missoula when he saw a story on the local news about a man that was headed to prison. After ignoring God’s first prod, Spicer came across an article about the young man’s trial in the local newspaper.
“He asked the judge if there was a chance of receiving some counseling,” Spicer said. “The judge informed him that [counseling] wasn’t part of their responsibility. Then I followed up and wrote him a letter, and he was willing to meet with me.”
When Spicer went to meet with the man, another inmate asked to talk to Spicer as well.
“I thought I was going to be meeting with one inmate, then he had somebody else in his cell block that wanted to talk to a pastor, and it’s just gone on like that for 16 years,” Spicer said.
Spicer found that once he got involved, he couldn’t stop.
“There have been times where they have said, ‘Why don’t you just give up on me, everybody else has,’” Spicer recalled. “And that just resonates with me. I can’t give up.”
Spicer uses a multitude of resources, adjusting them as the inmates continue to grow in their understanding and faith. His most popular resource isThe Discipleship Place’scourse onSpiritual Formation.
“Men across the years have told me that’s been the most helpful study that they’ve done from any source,” Spicer said.
Two of the men he’s worked with have completed the entireLay Ministry Certificate with The Discipleship Place. One has even gone on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and is seeking to enroll in a master’s program.
Spicer is now an associate pastor in Great Falls, Montana. One day, a man he ministered to in Missoula contacted Spicer after being released in Great Falls.
“I was the only person he knew in the city, so he contacted me,” Spicer said. “I began picking him up and bringing him to church. I had the privilege in seeing him get baptized. He met a young lady in the congregation who was a graduate of the discipleship program at the local rescue mission, and they got married. Two years ago, he was elected to our church board.”
Though Spicer has many success stories, there are plenty that aren’t as successful. The reality of prison ministry is something he called “exhilarating and exhausting.”
“When I would pull off the prison grounds, I’d just have to stop and pray, and sometimes cry,” Spicer said. “The struggle and the hopelessness that you see there … but at the same time, the ones who have really made a commitment to the Lord and have dedicated their lives to the Lord, seeing the light in their eyes and bounce in their step, you just keep hoping to see that multiplied.”
Bible Reading Plan:
Week 31
Can you believe that we are over halfway through our Bible reading plan? If you've been keeping up with this schedule, WAY TO GO! I pray that God is blessing you.
If you haven't kept up or haven't even started, it's not too late!!
Pick up bookmark ONE in the church lobby and join at your own pace.
This year, we are reading through the Bible chronologically using The Bible Recap Plan in YouVersion.
Take a bookmark from the front lobby if you'd like to keep track that way and go through at your own pace. Bookmark EIGHT is available now!
Use bible.com OR the YouVersion app
Day 211: Isaiah 54-58
Day 212: Isaiah 59-63
Day 213: Isaiah 64-66
Day 214: 2 Kings 20-21
Day 215: 2 Chronicles 32-33
Day 216: Nahum 1-3
Day 217: 2 Kings 22-23
Before you read God’s Word today, seek His help with these 5 prayers:
1. God, give me wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. 2. God, let any knowledge I gain serve to help me love You and others more, and not puff me up. 3. God, help me see something new about You I've never seen before. 4. God, correct any lies I believe about You or anything I misunderstand. 5. God, direct my steps according to Your Word.
Humor... Kinda
Opportunities to Give and Serve
Donations are welcome!
Serve God by serving your church:
Thank you, for your continued generosity of both time and resources. Your gifts make a difference!
Information
~ Mosaic Kids page! CLICK HERE
This weeks subject is You Are God's Child
~ Remeber to check our UPDATES page (for all your Covid-19 time Mosaic news)
~ See our services on YouTube! RIGHT HERE
This Week
9:00 am Livestream on Facebook
9:00 am Children's Church
Social Distancing Guidelines
Please keep at least 6 feet apart while sitting in the sanctuary if possible
Please practice social distancing on the church property as much as possible
Sanitizer and masks are available at the front table
If you feel sick or have a temperature, please stay home
Communion elements will be available on a table as you enter the church
Offering will be taken as you exit the church after service
Surfaces will be regularly cleaned and sanitized
Thanks for respecting the guidelines and one another!
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