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