12/27/09 Prayer Requests and Announcements

REQUESTS:

Kevin & Christie Myers--Christie's grandmother Gail Worden, died today from complications after an extensive stroke. Kevin lost his uncle Robert Myers. Arrangements are incomplete at this time, we will post them at a later time.

Evelyn Winters--triple bypass surgery on Monday; surgery went well; she will be in ICU at Baptist for a couple of days

Ryan Fortner--former contractor for Chad Chapman; in Med from severe car accident

Sherry McClure and Ashley McEntire--pray for their family

Mason Baily--student at Harding; lost his step-father on Saturday

David & Myra Underwood--parents of Bryan; David has been diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer and has only weeks to live; please pray for Myra as she cares for him as well as Bryan and the rest of their family.

Charles Cozzens--scheduled for surgery on his leg on Jan. 20th

Kenneth Ramsey--scheduled to begin radiation on his liver on Jan. 20th

Barton Spencer--chemo is working, please pray that it continues to work to kill the cancer in his body

Linda Booth--Thankful for her family and they way they have helped during their recent struggles with car repairs and such. Pray that they will see Jesus.

Continue to Remember:

Barney and Tina Kesler--Reggie's brother in law

Sharon Cannon & Family--Susan's sister


ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Sunday, January 3rd--Begin Study on 10 Commandments

Friday, January 15th--Middle School Reach--Lock-in at Bartlett Rec. Drop Kids off at 10:00PM and pick up NO LATER THAN 6:00AM Saturday morning. Bring 2 liter drink and a snack to share.
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I wish you all a VERY blessed 2010.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Kim

Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a VERY Merry Christmas and I wish you all a very blessed and Happy New Year!!!

Love you all!!

Kim

Opportunity for blessing!

Ok, POT Class & LifeGroup,

I wanted to send a little update re Elizabeth Williams, the lady you blessed on Sunday with some funds, and also just gave her some love.

Elizabeth has 4 teenage kids at home right now: Tiasa, age 13, a 7^th grader who has the sweetest, bubbly disposition; Markel, age 13, an 8^th grader who is growing way too fast, also a kind kid who loves sports; Shenikquia, age 16, a sophomore who loves to read and sing, and Gancey, age 17 (who I have yet to meet—he was at a friend’s house when I went over).

Elizabeth moved to Memphis from Chicago in the summer, had a full-time job here until October—but was suddenly laid off when the company shut much of its operations down. Since then she has really struggled to gain employment, she has done (and is doing) odd jobs where she can get them—plus is actively looking for a full-time job. She is behind on some bills because of her unemployment, and especially getting behind on rent and car has been very stressful. But she is resourceful, has begun navigating all the assistance programs out there so she can try and keep her family fed, etc, all the while trying to find a “real” job as well. Yet she is literally living on the edge.

She has been homeless in the past, and has even lived out of a car before. And she is determined to not be in that position again. Her house, though bare, was clean, smelled good. Her kids were also clean, clothes are obviously regularly washed and nothing fancy. When I said bare re the house, I mean bare. No furniture to speak of, no beds, just a mattress in each room. No dressers, no bedside stands, no couch, no TV, no Playstation/Wii, no stereo, no computer… just a couple of tables in the living room with some chairs. Also, there is not one sign of Christmas, not out of choice—there is just no funds for Xmas. No tree, no decorations, no lights, no presents, no carols in the air. I did see a couple of Bibles, and a couple of items that had a religious connotation on a mantel. But no signs that Santa was coming here whatsoever.

Now I am genuinely not trying to manipulate or oversell on any of our heartstrings or emotions. Elizabeth has her past, has made mistakes, and is cautious about how forthcoming she is of her “story”. But I have now seen upfront and personal that she is a mom who loves her kids, is trying to trust God, is willing to work hard, and is petrified of being out in the streets again with nothing and no one. She has NO safety net if she loses her house or car; she has no family or real friends here. Survival totally depends on her.

So how would you like to do a little “Santa” stuff in the name of Jesus for Elizabeth and her family? Nothing huge, but God led her to us, and it just seems there are some things we could do to bless her family a little more, and encourage her as she gnaws and scratches her way out of this situation. Here’s what I am asking, and jump in only if you feel called, ok. I know some of you are already doing some other AMAZING things for some others right now—God bless you.

But what about just a few presents for the kids, and maybe a small amount of cash to spend on food, household items until her government check comes on Dec 31^st? Here are her kids sizes: Shenikquia size 9/10 pants, medium shirt, 8 ½ shoe; Taisia 7/8 pants, sm/med shirts, 7 ½ shoe; Markel 13/14 pants, XL shirt, 8 shoe; Gancey size 16 pants, shirt XXL, 10 shoe. (I am assuming these are all kids sizes??? The kids are all skinny.) Then maybe a couple of games, maybe Monopoly, Trouble, Sorry, Uno, plus some decks of cards. Maybe a few books (teen Christian fiction?) and a teen devo book. No video games, no DVDs, no CDs, no TVs, no sound systems. Maybe some $5 gift cards??? But beyond that, feel free to be creative. But this is NOT a call to overdo it, let’s keep it simple. In fact, as for the cash, no more than a $5-$10 from each family max. Elizabeth is not expecting anything, and is not wanting a handout.

If you’ll bring whatever you want, and get it to me and Jeannie, or put it in the resource room upstairs down the hall from the POT room, that would be nice. As for any cash, we’ll just leave an envelope up by the blackboard. And then we’ll make sure on Christmas Day they are blessed by whatever you folks bring.

Ok, jump on this for Sunday ONLY if you can, and only if you feel a call. But no matter what, thanks for all you’ve already done for Elizabeth and her family.

See you Sunday!

Brotherly,

Tom Alexander

Prayer Requests, Updates, and Announcements for 12/8/09

REQUESTS:

Marie Cooley--17 year old, who was in a very bad accident last week. She is in the Med with very serious injuries.

Teen Drivers--Please remember all of our teen drivers for their awareness and safety.

Taylor--Joyce Bellamy's nephew, also in a wreck last week.

Kristi Hartman--health issues; She is having a procedure on the 23rd.

Colton Kicklighter--was a passenger in an accident; has a cracked rib and messed up knee. He is scheduled for a MRI on Wednesday. Please pray for his patience while waiting on the doctors during this time.

Kevin Myers--knee surgery next week

Rachel Geller--due to problems between her mother and uncle, Rachel does not have tags for her car and can't drive it. She needs help getting to and from Harding. Please contact Linda Booth if you can help.

David & Myra Underwood--Bryan's parents; David is shut-in and Myra, who is the primary caretaker, has fallen and broken a rib. Please pray that they will hire someone to come in and help.

Sandy Massey--cousin of the Forsythe's, diagnosed with lieukemia

Lonnie & Linda Epperson--health issues and job search

Don Cooper--aortic anuerysm; heart is too weak for surgery

Debbie Faulkner--undergoing tests involving her optic nerve

Bob & Emma Patterson--mom and stepdad of Jamie Harford; Emma will be giving Bob a kidney Wednesday morning at 6:30. Please pray for both surgeries to go well.

UPDATE:

Thanks to everyone for helping with the need that was presented to the class on Sunday. Over $1,000 was raised to assist the family in need. What an awesome demonstration of the giving hearts in the POTS class. It’s easy for us to give when we know the situation and have a personal understanding about the circumstances, but when it just comes from the bottom of your heart, some call it the Holy Spirit, it is so obvious that God is working through each of you and your families. We pray that each of you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and remember that Jesus is the reason for every season.

God Bless!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Saturday, Dec. 19th--High School Reach 10:00AM-1:pm; meet in the gym to help decorate and with food for Boys & Girls Club. Bring money to eat out!

Sunday, Dec. 20th--PoT's Class Fellowship and Brunch! Bring your favorite Breakfast treat to share during our class time.

Monday, Dec. 21st--Carrolling at Kings Daughter's and Son's Home. Meet at KDS at 6:30. (I will send all details in an email reminder.)

From Linda Booth--please help if you can

During our trip to Texas over Thanksgiving, the oil pump on our car went out. This caused our engine to fail. Our car is still in Dallas, waiting for a new engine. The car will not be ready until late next week. I am driving my sister’s car, until ours is ready.

We also have a U-Haul trailer there, racking up $30 per day rental fees. We have now had it for almost 3 weeks – OUCH!! Kathryn & I planned to leave here Saturday afternoon to pick up the trailer, but our “loaner vehicle has fallen through”. I REALLY need to get that trailer back here to stop the charges. It is a 6’ X 12’ closed trailer, half full of furniture.

If anyone would be willing to take me to Dallas and return on Sunday, OR if I could borrow a vehicle to pull the U-Haul, PLEASE call me today. All of your gasoline & other expenses will be paid. I may not be able to answer my cell phone, but one of the girls should be near it all day. My cell number is 219-9959. IF for some reason we do not answer that phone, please call Joe @ 289-2832.

THANKS!
Linda Booth

12/6/09 Prayer Requests and Announcements

REQUESTS:

Lee Ann D.--firefighter who passed away suddenly with a heart attack leaving 3 children.

Barton Spencer--last scan was not good. he will have 2 more chemo treatments and then another scan.

Barney Kesler--seeing Dr. on Tuesday to plan treatment course

Sharon Cannon--continue to remember her and her family

John Johnson--please continue to remember him; he is having a lot of struggles right now. Satan is really attacking him!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

PoT's Class Fellowship and Brunch:
Sunday, December 20th @ 9:30 during class
Bring your favorite Breakfast treat!!

Sunday, Dec. 13th--Begin new series on the 10 commandments!
--Children's Musical @ 5:00