By the Book Prayer Requests for April 29, 2012

Praises, travel mercies: Praises and travel mercies for the Ladies' Retreat, this weekend at Camp Crossroads! Writing this on Monday evening, I know there were 28 ladies participating, and much fellowship and joy ensued. Jay Clement offered praises -- he is back in a sober living setting, and his sponsor is still with him. Also, we had been praying for his friend, Manny, and his wife Jessica. She gave birth to a beautiful baby, and mother and baby seem to be doing fine. We keep praying for their health. John Flowers gave praises for his first week on the new job ... so far so good. Claudia McManamey is in Florida for a second week, assisting her older sister Christine who is going through rehab for a broken pelvis and other complications. Travel mercies and support as she organizes her sister's move up to the D.C. area on Tuesday. Jim is eager for her return. Our wonderful pair of visitors -- Lillian Warkentin's parents, Doris and Roger, visiting from Essex, England, in our class for a second week, joined by another couple, Delores and Ben Fontaine, from New Hampshire to visit their daughter Jamie Hamilton and her family. Class event: John Flowers offered that he and Lydia will host a fellowship event at their home on Saturday, June 2nd for our class and friends. Please stand by for further information, and to let John know that you will attend. Prayers: Gail Jarrett came to church and Sunday School, even though she has been suffering from vertigo caused by an ear infection, and it makes it very difficult for her to get around. We are praying for her full recovery. We are praying for Edna Cryer, a long-time friend of Cathy Clement's mom; diagnosed with lung cancer which has spread to her lymph nodes. She is having surgery to remove the lymph nodes, after which there will be chemotherapy. Pray for recovery. Cathy also mentioned her parents' pastor's grandniece named Jolee, born with a number of birth defects that will require reconstructive surgery. Also, a colleague of Cathy's, Michelle Coon, going for back surgery (removing a herniated disk) this coming Thursday. Pray for doctors' discernment, and relief from pain. The student group preparing for their mission trip to Haiti still have to raise about $1500; we are praying for their spirit to be strong and bring their help and the word of Jesus to the Haitian communities they will serve. Iian Fairley lost his case in court, and his CDL; we pray for him to trust in God, and find a way forward. We are still praying for Melinda Darby, our choir director and one of PCB's church founding heroes, goes for back surgery on May 3. We pray for surgeon's discernment and complete healing. John Flowers mentioned the class Lydia and he are planning to start teaching in a couple of weeks, "Laugh your way to a better marriage." John is hoping to teach it in the 11 o'clock hour on Sundays, during the traditional service; depending on what others want, he may teach it a second time during the week. Please let John know if you would like to participate, and what times and days of the week would be possible for you. We continue to pray for Josh Wiggins. He has temporary work, but needs a permanent job. We continue to 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.. specifically, for a successful Town Hall on April 30th. A group are gathering on Sundays at about 5 p.m. to pray for the Lord's guidance in our transition process; please join us at the church. We keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they settle down in Nashville. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church. Current Snack list for the class: We need a new snack list -- we'll circulate it this coming Sunday.

By the Book Prayer Requests for Sunday 4/22/2012

Praises, travel mercies: John Flowers starts on a new job on Monday 4/23! His retirement lasted about three weeks. He will be working on a new challenge -- helping a startup company grow. Reaching a decision has given him a lot of peace of mind; he feels God has led him all the way through this decision. We pray for his success. Claudia McManamey is in Florida, assisting her older sister Christine who is going through rehab for a broken pelvis and other complications. Travel mercies and support as she plans her sister's move up to the D.C. area. Jim is not coping well with her absence, he reports. We had a wonderful pair of visitors this Sunday -- Lillian Warkentin's parents, Doris and Roger, visiting from Essex, England. Our Bible passages sound much better when they read them. They will be here for a few weeks, and we hope they will come back to our class. We offer praises for a good business meeting last Sunday. As one class member said, things went much better than we might have expected. Class event: John Flowers offered that he and Lydia will host a fellowship event at their home on Saturday, June 2nd for our class and friends. Please stand by for further information, and to let John know that you will attend. Prayers: Charles Jarrett asked for prayers for Gail; she is battling an ear infection, and it has given her balance problems. The student group preparing for their mission trip to Haiti still have to raise about $1500; we are praying for their spirit to be strong and bring their help and the word of Jesus to the Haitian communities they will serve. Iian Fairley goes to court on Thursday; we pray that his case will be dismissed, if that is God's will. Melinda Darby, our choir director and one of PCB's church founding heroes, goes for back surgery on May 3. We pray for surgeon's discernment and complete healing. Jay Clement asks for prayers for a good friend, Manny, and his wife Jessica. She is four months pregnant, and has been to the ER twice now. Pray for a successful pregnancy and for Jessica's health. Phil Ridgway asked for prayers -- well, for him and for his family. His nephew's girlfriend has given birth to twin babies -- eleven weeks early! They are very tiny, but seem to be doing OK. We pray for their health. Their mother needs to become a responsible mother, and the nephew and girlfriend are battling a drug addiction which they need to overcome. Phil's brother is helping them, but Phil has to keep himself from yelling at all of them. Pray for patience and loving firmness for Phil and his brother, and for this new family's struggles, that they may put themselves firmly in the Lord's hands. Phil and Sue also asked for prayers for her daughter Stacy; she graduates in May and needs a job. Cathy Clement asked for prayers for her daughter Veronica; she is just a few weeks short of graduating from high school and will be coming to live in Fairfax with us, but she is really struggling with her dad's behavior. We pray she will 'hang in there' for just a little longer, after which we will welcome her to Northern Virginia. She is excited to be going to George Mason in the fall. John Flowers mentioned the class Lydia and he are planning to start teaching in a couple of weeks, "Laugh your way to a better marriage." John is hoping to teach it in the 11 o'clock hour on Sundays, during the traditional service; depending on what others want, he may teach it a second time during the week. Please let John know if you would like to participate, and what times and days of the week would be possible for you. John also asked for prayers for a ministry he has been carrying out, to a former colleague who is going through a marriage separation. We continue to pray for Josh Wiggins. He has temporary work, but needs a permanent job. The Ladies' Retreat at Camp Crossroads is this coming weekend. We pray for safe travels and a good time of prayer, fellowship and togetherness in the beautiful setting of Wytheville. There are still a few spots available for any of our ladies who want to go, and fellowships are available. Departure from the church around 1 p.m. on Friday, returning Sunday. Talk to Olthea Croom, Lillian Shank or Cathy Clement. We continue to 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.. specifically, for a successful Town Hall on April 30th. A group are gathering on Sundays at about 5 p.m. to pray for the Lord's guidance in our time of transition; please join us at the church. We keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they settle down in Nashville. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church. Current Snack list for the class: 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

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 4/15/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
Larry Springer, back safely from two weeks in North Carolina -- last week caring for his grandson.
John Flowers is considering a job offer! He has been at home for just three weeks -- enough time to get some gardening in. He thinks he will accept this coming week.

Prayers:
We continue to pray for Dee's mother, Alice Stayner. Her fifth surgery in three weeks was successful, and the infection she was battling seems under control. Now she has to begin rehabilitation, and she is still battling continuing pain. Pray for her to find the energy to work at her rehabilitation.

Iian Fairley is feeling much better from his back pain. He asks everyone to pray for strength to keep working. Also, he asks for prayers for his ex-girlfriend, Shayla: she has issues with her baby father's parents, also healing and needing to find work. She lives in West Virginia, and needs to return to church.

Claudia McManamey mentioned her sister Christine, currently living in Florida. She had a bad fall this past week and broke her pelvic bone, and also had some internal bleeding. She is now out of ICU and is resisting going to rehabilitation (she is 81); her son will be going to Florida for a week to help her and organize a house sale and move -- she will be coming to the DC area to live. Claudia is traveling down to Florida to keep her company this coming week. She asks for prayers for recovery and an easy move.

We continue to pray for Josh Wiggins. He has temporary work, but needs a permanent job.

We continue to 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.. specifically, for a successful business meeting and Town Hall on April 30th.

We keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they settle down in Nashville. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Current Snack list for the class:

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

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 4/8/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
Iian Fairley's back is doing much better; he is pain free, and has been able to work. He thanks everyone for prayers.
Claudia McManamey gave praises for her daughter Tara -- she is feeling better, and has been pronounced OK to go back to work.


Prayers:
We continue to pray for Dee's mother, Alice Stayner. Recovering from back surgery, she has had a post-surgical infection; there is more surgery scheduled for this week, and she is in a lot of pain.

We're also praying for Phil Ridgway's sister, Candy, and her husband Donnie. They need prayer for God's guidance in her search for a church home and for financial issues.

John Flowers asked for prayers for his mother, who is 90 and in a managed-care facility; she has dementia and has been getting weaker; also for his siter Shirley. He has some forward motion in his job search, and his garden has never looked this good.

We continue to 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..
We keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they settle down in Nashville. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Current Snack list for the class:

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

By the Book Prayer Requests Sunday 4/1/2012

Praises, travel mercies:
Josh Wiggins has found yet another job... the Lord has answered his prayers with abundance. He has some feelers out for something more permanent. Also, he recently got to spend some real quality time with his younger daughter, and it has lightened his spirit considerably.

Claudia McManamey offered praise for their grandson Ryan (Jud and Tara's son): he has felt the call to become a youth pastor, and has been very active in the youth ministry at his church. Most recently he wrote, directed and acted in a movie about bullying for an event at his school.

Also, Jim McM. was happy to see an old friend, Russ, visiting Potomac Crest earlier today. We hope they will find a welcome here.

John Clement offered praise for his son Jay -- just completed six months clean and sober. He's beginning to think about getting a small apartment on his own and working toward finishing college... Our prayers and praise surround him.


Prayers:
We ask for continuing prayer for Dee's mother, Alice Stayner. Recovering from back surgery, she now has a post-surgical infection.

Phil Ridgway asked for prayers for his sister, Candy, and her husband Donnie. With the ongoing recession they have income issues, and she has battled several bouts of depression. They also need prayer for God's guidance in their search for a church home they can both feel they can belong to.

Iian Fairley is going through a bout of severe back pain... pray for healing. He needs to keep working.

Josh also asked for prayers for guidance. He has come to realize he has some residual anger about the way he lost his former job, and he is trying to let go through prayer and praise for the Lord's continuing grace.

John Flowers asks that we keep his family in our prayers as he tries to figure out what's next for him in finding work... he has some possibilities, including one at a different part of his former employer's firm. He also asked for prayers for his son JK, who is working in crisis intervention with teenagers; this may be the hardest work he has ever had to do. We pray for strength, discernment and faith in the Lord's grace as JK does this wonderful work.

We continue to 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..
Josh offered, and we all agree: we must keep praying for Doug and Deb Duty, as they move to Nashville. Let us all find joy in their obedience to God and their service to our church.

Current Snack list for the class:

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