March 9, 2009 issue
Many facets of prayer
Blooming Glen (Pa.) Mennonite Church
By T. Carroll MoyerPrayer is a many-faceted part of our congregational life. Prayer request tablets are available in each hymnal rack. Such prayer requests may be placed in the offering plate any Sunday, with elders praying for those requests after the worship service. We have a prayer phone chain throughout the week, a prayer card follow-up ministry, a Sunday pre-service prayer gathering and a monthly Saturday “Prayer and Praise” worship service.
Advent Sunday worship services and three additional Christmas programs directed our thoughts to the Christ Child’s birth. On Dec. 14 was the children’s Christmas program, “Shepherds, Kings, and Heavenly Things.” On Dec. 21, more than 60 adult and junior choir members, under the direction of Michael Bishop, offered a service of reflection, “Grant Us Peace.” Participating in that service was The Sounding Brass quartet. Our Christmas Eve candlelight service included singing carols, choir numbers and the meditation “Pondering with Mary,” by Pastor Mary Nitzsche, climaxing with the candlelighting ceremony.
Eleven youth and adult leaders worshiped in Mexico City at the LaPaz congregation and served there at Refuge Ranch, a children’s home, during the week of Jan. 11. In this group were Caleb Hochstetler, Curtis Denlinger, Jim Daughenbaugh, Ben Roth, Jess Gotwals, Erica Grasse, Amanda Yoder, Adriana Santiago, Jen Yoder, Dave Moyer and Pastor Jim Ostlund.
Our refugee family from Afghanistan, Sayed Mehdi, his wife, Suraya, and their 8-month-old daughter Ghazal, arrived on Jan. 10. BGMC provided housing and has been instrumental in helping them adjust to life in their new country and in our community.
A Christmas card bulletin board was available for exchanging seasonal wishes. Money saved through not mailing multiple cards went to our local interdenominational FISH program for people in need. In addition, 1,250 pounds of food was donated to FISH, collected as part of our Thanksgiving Eve service.
Parent/child dedication: Evelyn Mary, daughter of Brandy and Andrew Rosenberger, Dec. 14.
Births: Elyse Noelle, Dec. 11, to Emily and Matt Rittenhouse; Brielle Lauren, Dec. 16, to Andrea and Steve Bauman.
Deaths: Paul Bishop, 75, Dec. 15; Gloria Delp, 80, Jan. 4.
Comment on the article Many facets of prayer
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
