"....CNI Anti-Trafficking  Ministry...."

Iyotsna left her village for promised work in Delhi, India, to help support her family.  Unaware and employed by an actual trafficker, she was sorely abused and filled with shame, guilt, and betrayal with neither hope nor income as she returned to her village. The Church of North India came to her village ministering, counseling, and training women and girls to protect themselves from exploitation. Let us pray for Iyotsna, other village women and girls, and the CNI Ministry.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Where Two or More Are Gathered...."

Each of the 365 daily entries in the "Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study" provides focuses on how God's love emboldens even a handful of people to accomplish great things and inspire stories of witness.  We can engage in a daily ministry praying with and for specific Presbyterians around the world through daily reading, prayer, and study.  This book to use in your personal or home life may be purchased through the Mission Committee or by www.pcusa.org/missionyearbook. Typically every worship bulletin will continue to highlight one story from the  "Mission Yearbook" each week.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Igor Romanovski in Belarus...."

Because of Igor's vision and call 10 years ago, 350 men have gone through a program of rehabilitation for ex-prisoners and only 4 have returned to prison.  Igor saw the brokeness and difficulty ex-prisoners had in attempting to return to society. Beginning with prayer, Igor gathered tools and  property,  and connected with local community and world partners of which our church denomination is one. A church, a pig sty, a goat shed, and a dairy barn contribute to the rehabilitation,  healing, and self-determination of the men seeking to rebuild their lives. Let us pray for Igor and all the men he helps.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“….In The Presbytery of Newark, N. J….”

...there are Multicultural and multiethnic Presbyterian congregations throughout the Presbytery committed to spreading God’s love and good news to 800,000 residents in northern New Jersey. ~~ A new Presbyterian International Center has been built in urban Newark where diverse community-directed ministries are giving hope to young and old.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Uniting God’s Love At Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church ...."

Living out Christ’s love at this New Jersey church may include:  helping with English, calling a bank about home foreclosure, gathering furnishings for a burned out home, listening to sadness, or eating Chinese chicken or Guatemalan cookies.  An end of year banquet with native dishes from 7 countries was highlighted with the sound of laughter, mixed languages, and children from around the world playing together.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....At Geneva Presbyterian Church, New York...."

Items created by third world artisans are sold at the SERRV (Sales Exchange Refugee Rehabilitation Vocation) shop in the church. Over half of the purchase price of each item is returned to the artisan; the remainder is to support mission. Besides the annual (up to $7,200) amount to benefit mission, the stories connecting the artisan, the item, and the purchaser make warm people to people connections.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“...Pakistani American Presbyterian Fellowship…”

Albany, New York, is home to a growing number of Pakistani Americans. Albany’s religious diversity includes Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. The Christians attend various English-speaking churches. But on Sunday evenings, they like to gather at West End Presbyterian Church for a Pakistani American Presbyterian Fellowship in their native language. The Rev. Nadeem Sadiq and his family have also immigrated and now serve as pastor for this special Presbyterian Fellowship.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“….Smokey’s Gift….” 

Christ Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee established a safe house for youth next to their building.  Retired Principal Oor and dog Smokey often relate to youth on walks in a nearby park.  Recreation space, music, drama, library, etc. Oor, and Smokey help 42 African American youth experience accountability, spirituality, and cultural pride in a safe loving environment.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“….Where Two or Three Are Gathered….”

“An arch consists of two weaknesses, which leaning against one another make a strength.” (Leonardo da Vinci)  See Biblical illustrations of two or more gathered together in prayer:  (Deut. 19:2; 2 Cor. 13:1; Matt. 18:20)  Each day as we learn of and pray for mission co-workers,  their ministries and stories, may we experience greater strength and vision to become God’s presence with Presbyterians and other Christians throughout a hurting world.  Also, some 175 Presbyterian Churches share their mission ministry stories each year.  [In 2009 our own TPC mission story will be included.]

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“…In the Presbytery of Southern Kansas…”

Viola Presbyterian Church, presently with fewer than 100 members, has constructed a new church building with most of the work completed by the members. Now handicapped accessible and all on one floor, the new church faces highway 49 and is much more visible than its former site. Viola supports all four church wide special offerings, Katrina relief, and local food pantry and Backpacks for Kids. Lord of all churches, we pray for each congregation that your spirit will strengthen and lead.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“…God in Your Grace, Transform the World…”

This was the theme of the 2006 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Brazil. Brady was one of the three young adults from the Presbyterian Church (USA) to attend. The theme resounded within him, transforming his heart and opening his eyes. The continual sins of injustice expressed in acts of racism, genocide, resource deprivation, and wealth hoarding come from all parts of the globe as we commit acts of inhumanity to the humans God has created. May we, as Brady, be transformed in mind and spirit, trying to live out righteousness and justice.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

Brady Radford and other seminarians at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary are having wonderful experiences with God. Seminary is an opportunity for both educational formation and spiritual transformation, a place where one grows in mind and spirit. Hear  more about Brady in next week’s bulletin. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on us that we might be transformed in mind and spirit, embracing your love for righteousness and justice. Amen.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Immigrants in Many Nations...."

The Evangelical Church of Spain (IEE) reaches out across faith lines to serve new immigrant communities from Africa, South America, and Central Europe. Mission co-worker Dr. Ponce, teaches at the United Evangelical Seminary in Madrid. Two presbyteries from our PC(USA) also share visits and programs with a Madrid congregation. Holy God, help all above to learn from each other strengthening these partnerships and ministries. Amen.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Immigrants in Many Nations...."

The Evangelical Church of Spain (IEE) reaches out across faith lines to serve new immigrant communities from Africa, South America, and Central Europe. Mission co-worker Dr. Ponce, teaches at the United Evangelical Seminary in Madrid. Two presbyteries from our PC(USA) also share visits and programs with a Madrid congregation. Holy God, help all above to learn from each other strengthening these partnerships and ministries. Amen.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Filled with a sound like..."

The Day of Pentecost or of 6,000 teenagers at Youth Triennium....where the theme was "Hope Is In Our Midst." Today's Pentecost offering will support life-changing and church-changing events like the Youth Triennium and/or supporting youth, young adults, and children at risk. May this support enable them to be agents of your transforming love, spreading love with the speed of wind and power of fire. Amen.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“....Helping to Live a Dream....”

The Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering provided start-up funding for Eastern Kentucky's Christian Service Ministry in Transylvania Presbytery where poverty and emergency assistance are so evident. A success story of this ministry is a newly appointed county attorney who grew up with a mother on welfare. She and he were nurtured and encouraged for him to go to college, and work his way through law school. Help us, O God, to walk with children and youth who have not known long lists of success, but need God's love so much.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

"....Mongolia...."

In 1885 Presbyterian missionaries from the United States founded the Yonsei University in Korea.  Now Yonsei in Korea has established its own mission -- Yonsei Friendship Hospital in Ulaanbaatar through its evangelistic outreach in Mongolia, the capital city, after 1990.

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“....Who Are We?....”

Already knowing or caring enough to learn:

SAAI

NPAAJ

LENPA

SINNEADOI

LATHDIAN

ORAKE

JIFI

(Can you unscramble these countries/continents?)

—Mission Yearbook, 2008

“....Nation of 17,000 Islands....”

Indonesia (17,000 islands) is spread out in an area equal in size to the USA with a Muslim population larger than the whole Middle East, and a 20 million Christian minority. With few exceptions there has been a long tradition of religious tolerance. On the island of Java, the secular, Muslim, and Christian Universities have formed the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS– Yogya). A PC(USA) mission co-worker, Dr. Bernard Adeney– Risakotta, is the director.