Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. How fitting! Our community, state, nation and world need God’s favor and intervention. COVID-19 has the world’s attention, but there are many other things to lift before our heavenly Father. We live in a fractured, broken world. Division, antagonism, and all the “-isms”. How I pray that we can experience and share the redemption and restoration that Jesus offers us all. Let’s not only join in prayer but kneel shoulder-to-shoulder seeking the power and passion the Holy Spirit can give us to offer Christ to our community.
I’m reminded of Paul’s inspired teaching in Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” You can sense the Spirit’s urgency – His desire to assist us in the spiritual battle. Having shared a number of defensive weapons, Paul shares two weapons that can be used offensively, the sword of the Spirit (Scripture) and prayer. If we’re to witness real advances in people coming to Christ, in peace, and the meeting of a multitude of need, it will happen has we, the Body of Christ, are engaged in prayer.
Sadly, too few believers take this charge seriously enough.
Fellow servants have been busy around the church in recent days and weeks. Liz Smith did great work in removing paint from the doors to the rooms in the Annex. It was a slow, tedious job that saved us a lot of money. Vendors were offering to sell us doors starting at $604 each, not including installation! Then, there’s been activity in the courtyard as Keith, Liz, and John Headrick worked clearing bushes and other work. Thank you!
The Annex setup is coming along nicely. I’m writing Tuesday morning this week as I spent all day yesterday getting my new office in order. Furniture, file cabinets, books, and notebooks are out of the boxes, and mostly in place. By yesterday afternoon, I was able to sit at my desk and turn on my computer. I believe all of us are going to enjoy our new spaces. We still have other office furniture and all the supplies to move over. It’s good that we don’t have to be in a big hurry.
I want to give a shout out to Chris Parker as she has done yeoman’s work interfacing with various technology vendors, keeping us as staff on track, as well as seeing to the ongoing work of the office. Margie Lightle has coordinated with Carl and Mark and seen to scheduling contractors to perform other needed duties. Both have been gathering information and working to help us meet the needs of the staff at Shiprock Hospital. Canaan has been learning the “ins and outs” of recording and posting videography. It has been demanding for each of them. Thanks to them for all their attention and effort!
We’re still awaiting arrival of parts for our pump system repair / replacement. If memory serves, I think we’re going to be getting some parts and news on others this week. Our main point of contact, Carl Blackburn, had an accident over the weekend. He hurt his back in a fall. Pray for his quick recovery.
We have been blessed to receive more funds directed toward this project. Again, the estimated cost is around $26,000 – $28,000, not including the electrical work. I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you may respond to this need above and beyond your regular giving
Love you all in Jesus,
Pastor Brian
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