Sunday, March 25, 2012

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 3/25/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
John Flowers offered praises: the shoe finally dropped this past Wednesday, and John has been let go after twenty years (!) with his contractor firm. On reflection, John and Lydia (his wife) have realized that God had been preparing him for this event over the past eight years -- first through leading him to Potomac Crest, and then through classes and significant inspiration... so John feels a weight has been lifted from him and he is freer than he has been for a long time. By Friday, he had been offered another job -- one with a lot less big-company pressure and more freedom to be creative. God is great -- all the time! We continue to pray for the family's well-being.
Praises for Veronica (Cathy Clement's daughter), visiting this week from Fairhope, AL; and travel mercies as she wends her way back home this coming Wednesday evening -- we hope for no airplane takeoff delays.
Dee gave praises for her mother, Alice Stayner. She had very serious back surgery in Minnesota this past week -- metal rods, stretching of the intervertebral spaces, etc. She went through it all very well (she is 83). Dee's nurse/sister will stay with her until she leaves the hospital for a rehabilitation facility, at which time Dee will take over care -- probably after Easter. We add prayers for continuing recovery.
Josh Wiggins has found another job -- it is 'on call' but his new boss has promised enough hours, and there seems to be a possibility of promotion. We thank the Lord.
Pastor's last sermon at Potomac Crest was this Sunday. The congregation bid him a fond, sad farewell in the true Baptist manner (lunch in the Fellowship Hall!). His sermon was on Potomac Crest moving on -- this is not Doug's church, it's Christ's church and it belongs to all of us. We are to look forward (not back), and pray to discern God's will for us. As Doug said, he knows this church family can fulfill God's will for this church.

Prayers:
Claudia McManamey asked for continuing prayers for her daughter Tara and their whole family. The diagnosis for Tara's severe headaches has come in, and Tara has shingles, with the viral infection on part of her head. The pain has continued, but Tara has been able to go back to work part-time (she's a nurse -- in isolation from patients). Claudia said the whole family is struggling (son Jaiden has hurt his back), and prayers for everyone would help; as Jud and Tara continue to prepare for mission commitments, pray for them to overcome discouragement, heal and hold firm.
Jim McManamey said his brother had had surgery for prostate cancer, and is doing very well. We pray, of course, for continuing recovery.
Dee mentioned her daughter Kristy: with Dee's departure in April to help her mother, Kristy's main mean of transportation will be leaving town (Kristy doesn't drive). Pray that she manages to get herself and her daughter around; we pray church members will step in to help.
Valerie Dinwiddie had a stress test in preparation for foot surgery on May 7 -- the little cart will be back one more time. The good news is that she passed the stress test without problems. Pray for medical discernment and good results.
Gail Jarrett mentioned her daughter Raven Ryder, now serving on active duty in the Navy; she is ashore in Newport News while her ship is out at sea, and not real happy with her temporary duties, but she's doing OK.
John Flowers mentioned the church's nomination committee, preparing to bring nominations for two pastor search committees forward to the church; also the employer handbook will come up for a vote on April 14th. Pray for the church to do the Lord's will and pray for His guidance as we struggle to grow and serve our congregation and our community..
And also keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they move to Nashville. Just remember, this is not any easier for them than it is for all of us. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Current Snack list for the class:

Sunday 3/25: Iian Fairley
Sunday 4/1: Phil and Sue Ridgway
Sunday 4/8: Claudia and Jim McManamey
Sunday 4/15: Rhonda and Dwayne Pierce
Sunday 4/22: John and Cathy Clement
Sunday 4/29: John Flowers

Sunday, March 18, 2012

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 3/18/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
Travel mercies for Cathy Clement, visiting daughter Veronica in Fairhope, Alabama this weekend. Back from travels: Dee Stayner; Jim and Claudia McManamey, Sue Ridgway Welcome, all.
Thanks to the Ridgways for hosting a great event at their home this past Saturday! Phil R.'s smoked ribs were perfect, Phil Edney contributed secret-recipe barbecue sauce... there was much food and fellowship. Group played cards afterward, and some discoveries ensued about John and Lydia Flowers' competitive natures and smack-talking abilities.
Praises for a full house in our Sunday school class this Sunday. Gary Warkentin's mother Ruth, visiting from Santa Barbara, CA. Not an exact count, but I think we had 15 or so people in the class!
Phil Ridgway offered praises -- his brother is out of jail; sounds as though he will not be charged with anything.
Iian Fairley thanked everyone for prayers -- spring is here, and work is picking up.


Prayers:
Claudia McManamey asked for prayers for her daughter Tara and their whole family. She had to go to the ER yesterday for a truly severe headache (worse than a migraine); an MRI exam was scheduled for today. Claudia said the whole family is struggling, and prayers for everyone would help; as Jud and Tara prepare for mission commitments, pray for them to overcome discouragement, heal and hold firm.
Josh Wiggins asked for prayers; he recently lost his job, and he realized today he is dealing with a lot of anger. Listening to pastor's sermon this morning he was overwhelmed with the message seemingly directed exactly at him, not to return evil for evil. He realizes he doesn't want to be this way, and asks for prayers and guidance to change his heart.
John Flowers mentioned the church's nomination committee, preparing to bring nominations for two pastor search committees forward to the church; also the employer handbook will come up for a vote on April 14th. Pray for the church to do the Lord's will and pray for His guidance as we struggle to grow and serve our congregation and our community..
And also keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they separate from us and prepare to move to Nashville. Just remember, this is not any easier for them than it is for all of us. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Monday, March 12, 2012

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 3/11/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
Travel mercies for Jim and Claudia McManamey, visiting their son in Northern Neck; and Dee Stayner, still in Iowa. Also for Phil and Sue Ridgway.
We welcome Raven Ryder (Gail's daughter), home on leave before going to her first posting on the Eisenhower, out of Newport News. We thank her for her service!
John Clement offered praises for his son Jay, still clean and sober.

Prayers:
Cathy Clement asked for prayers for her daughter Veronica and Veronica's boyfriend Jody; Jody's best friend George died this past week in a car wreck.

Iian Fairley mentioned his stepfather, fallen into a deep depression at the loss of his wife. We are still praying for Iian -- his court appearance on a DWI was postponed for ten days; and also Josh Wiggins. Also for John Flowers, for his work situation to resolve; and for John's colleague Mark, whom John continues to counsel. John also mentioned his colleague Beau, who John says is 'recovering from a very dark place.' We pray for Valerie Dinwiddie, for health concerns; and Larry's wife Nora, still struggling with mental illness.

And now, more than ever: please keep praying for the Lord's guidance to the church as we struggle to grow and serve our congregation and our community.. And also pray for Doug and Deb Duty, as they separate from us and prepare to move to Nashville. Just remember, this is not any easier for them than it is for all of us. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Current Snack list for the class:

Sunday 3/11: John Flowers
Sunday 3/18: Gary and Lillian Warkentin
Sunday 3/25:
Sunday 4/1:

Sunday, March 4, 2012

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 3/4/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
Travel mercies for Dee Stayner, visiting family in Iowa this week. Praises for Mary Dunlap -- her ex-husband Jim moved out of Mary and Brianna's house, after several years.
We welcome Gary and Lillian Warkentin, joining us in Sunday school class for a second week.

Prayers:
Phil Ridgway asked for prayers for his brother, now in jail in Maricopa County, Arizona, and for Phil's family in trying to provide the right support to help him move forward without enabling him to avoid the consequences of his actions. Phil also mentioned his nephew Josh Ridgway and his girlfriend Crystal; she is expecting twins, is beginning her third trimester, and has just been taken to the hospital with contractions. We pray for mother and children.

Claudia McManamey asked for prayers for both her older sisters. Marjorie, who is 80 and who has fallen before; she fell again, in her shower, and was not found until the next morning. Taken to the hospital, she is anemic and has long-term esophageal erosion. She has been put in a rehabilitation facility for a month, but her daughters are worried about long-term care; she insists on going back home and needs 24-hour care that her daughters cannot provide or afford. Meanwhile Christine (the other sister) is 81 and in general good health, except that she has developed some balance problems and is going for an MRI to check on inner-ear problems. Finally, she asked for prayers for Jim, who has a very intense work situation that has had him going to work every day for the last 7 days, and he probably will have to continue this level of effort for a while. We pray for inner peace and endurance and for both Jim and Claudia's continued good health.

We are still praying for Iian Fairley; he goes to court on March 9 on a DWI, and is asking the Lord's help with work and cash flow issues; and also Josh Wiggins, who is praying for the Lord's will in his job situation, and for long-term guidance and a way forward to address his children's needs and his own search. Also for John Flowers, for his work situation to resolve; and for his colleague Mark, mourning the loss of his daughter and trying to find God and his balance in life. John will continue counseling Mark.

And now, more than ever: please keep praying for the Lord's guidance to the church as we struggle to grow and serve our congregation and our community.. And also pray for Doug and Deb Duty, as they separate from us and prepare to move to Nashville. Just remember, this is not any easier for them than it is for all of us. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Current Snack list for the class:
Sunday 2/12: Dwayne and Rhonda Pierce
Sunday 2/19: Phillip and Sue Ridgway
Sunday 2/26: Jim and Claudia McManamey
Sunday 3/4: Rhonda and Dwayne Pierce
Sunday 3/11: John Flowers
Sunday 3/18: Gary and Lillian Warkentin
Sunday 3/25:
Sunday 4/1: