Dear Caldwell,
Last night, our guests in the Shelter received the coats from the just-in-time coat drive that several at Caldwell organized and even more contributed to. In all 36 coats from you are now keeping our guests warm in these very chilly days. Thanks to all who extended the warmt of our church to our guests, especially Carol King and Veronica Rogers for helping organize the effort.
As we continue in this season of expectation, finding time to be still and be with God seems especially hard amid the commercial chaos of the season. Small things become large things and get in our way when we are busy. Sometimes the best way to be still and be with God is in prayer and we have several important situations that need prayer for God’s intervening grace:
1. Janet Simpson has attended Caldwell off and on and, as you maye have seen in the media, is now missing. She is the neighbor of Linda and Jim Schick and an aquaintance of others in our church family. Let us pray for her protection and her sure knowledge that her Lord is with her. she drives a gold colored 2004, GMC Envoy displaying N.C. Tag # SXM-1510. You can read more in this morning’s paper at: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/12/08/1895051/woman-last-seen-at-local-restaurant.html#ixzz17XNTDBky
2. Donna Price, another friend of Caldwell, has fought through three surgeries in the last year. Yesterday, her partner, Julie, call to say that examinations are now indicating growth of spots on Donna’s liver and spleen. More tests will reveal a more complete picture very soon. Julie and Donna need our prayers and the assurance that we as a community are nearby in these tense and difficult days.
3. Debbie Wilkinson, yet another friend of Caldwell who has been in attendance in recent months and is on staff at Presbytery. learned over the weekend that her mother in law has lung cancer. Debbie was about to leave on a Presbytery mission trip to the Gulf Coast this week. Let us keep her and her family in our thoughts as they learn more.
4. Elizabeth Hyland, who had planned to be on the mission trip that Debbie was to lead, has now taken up more responsibility on that trip. They leave tomorrow for Bayou LaBatry, Ala. (think Forrest Gump territory) where they will represent the kingdom of God to the people of the Gulf who still face such an uphill journey. Let us pray for Elizabeth as she leads and for Godspeed for the group.
5. The Martin Family, Richard Campbell, Linda Alexander and others remainin our prayers as well.
The power of prayer is a mystery. Some scientific studies have been done to ‘prove ‘ the difference it makes. Others of us don’t need scientific studies because we have seen it in our own lives. Please join me in holding up these specific circumstances to the One who has promised that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
John