Prayers of the People - October 14 - 20, 2007

Thanks and Praise

Today at 3:00 p.m., the Rev. Jean Southard and the Rev. Rob Mark will be installed as co-pastors of the Waltham Presbyterian Church. The service and reception, at 34 Alder Street (off Moody Street) in Waltham, are open to all. Praise God for this new team ministry.

On September 28, Emma Jane suffered a pulmonary embolism, and was taken to Cambridge City Hospital. After a night in intensive care and a few days of rest, she is now at Neville Center for rehabilitation. Let's thank the Lord for his mercy to Emma Jane and to us, and pray for healing and strength for her.

Friday, October 5, was the 30th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Webster Brower to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. That service took place here in this sanctuary. Let's rejoice in Web's years of faithful service, and pray for him and for Marilyn, now in Illinois, as they seek a new call.

In this new academic year, Priscilla is thankful for ministry opportunities among international scholars. She is attending three conferences this month and will be at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government with Christian campus leaders. This year the graduate and faculty groups at MIT and Harvard are being led by Christian international scholars from Chile, China, Kenya, Uganda, and the Netherlands.

The courage of thousands of Buddhist monks in the streets of Rangoon, Burma, as they protest the harsh policies of their country's military rulers, is an inspiration to all oppressed peoples. Pray for them and for Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's "democracy icon," still under house arrest for speaking out.

Needs and Concerns

The deaths of so many thousands of Iraqi civilians: men, women and children, as well as the mounting casualties among U.S. and Iraqi troops, testify to the evils of this war, and to the urgent need for measures beyond military might: negotiation, protest, and above all, fervent prayer.


Announcements

A HOUSE BLESSING will be held next Sunday, October 21, at 3:00 p.m. at the home of Wren and her husband Don, at 33 Haskell St., Fitchburg, MA 01420. All are invited; please R.S.V.P. to (978) 400-5185 (home) or wren.colle.04@post.harvard.edu Directions will be made available, and carpooling is encouraged, as parking is limited.

YOUR NAME IS . . . ? As we begin a new school year, and welcome visitors, it will help us to get better acquainted if we wear our nametags. Please pick yours up (or make a new one) at the door. Thanks!

FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S UPDATE: Thank you for your regular, committed giving; for your hard work at fundraisers, such as the yard sale; for your extra gifts to meet happy, but unexpected, expenses such as the piano movers. We are on track to meet the budget!

VISITOR'S HANDOUT: New to the church? Learn about our church and the opportunities to get involved by picking up a copy of our handout for visitors, located on the table in the back of the sanctuary.

POETRY READING -- We invite you to share in an evening of friendship, laughter, poetry, song, good food, small gifts, lovely words and the Word: everything that Bart and Priscilla Kelso, our guests of honor, will enjoy. It's a poetry reading and more! --- Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. --- Home of Alicia and Hall, 5 Ravenscroft Rd., Winchester.

WANTED: Old photos and memorabilia of our pastor's -- and church's --past 25 years. Items will be displayed at Rev. Kelso's retirement dinner Dec. 2. Beverly will organize the display of these materials for the dinner.

Image of old Harvard shield is from the Harvard GSAS Christian Fellowship's website - if it looks different to you, listen to Rev. Kelso's sermon this week for more information!