Prayer Encounter Sunday

PRAYER ENCOUNTER SUNDAY

'LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY'

A special event will take place on Sunday, January 14, 2001. This event is called, "Lord, Teach Me to Pray' (Luke 11:1).

Have you ever wanted to deepen your prayer life, to begin a more meaningful one, or just where to begin at all? Have you heard about speaking in tongues and want to know more about it? Do you know there are different styles of prayer? Do you know what yours is? Would you like some ideas on how to use prayer in your family setting? Well, we are inviting you to take part in a Prayer Encounter Sunday and find the answers to these questions and more! Come and join together in a Sunday of Prayer.

One worship service will be held at 9:00 a.m. The service will be a special one on prayer with the sermon by Pastor Hedding. We will be looking for ushers, acolytes and greeters to serve during the service. Special music will be provided by all the choirs of Faith. Because of the program being all morning, it may hind some people with very young children. We will have babysitting by Girl Scout Troop 23. We are also hoping to have a display of books from the Christian Book Store for people to look at and purchase if they wish.

Special highlights to the event include coffee and fellowship at 8:00 a.m., the worship service at 9:00 a.m., Session 1 from 10:15-11:00 and Session 2 from 11:15-12:00. At 12:30 will be a potluck meal, with Holy Communion as the finish of the event.

We will have 6 small and 2 large groups in each 45-minute session. The small groups will be geared to 16-20 people and the large to 30 or more. Each topic will be given twice for the small groups. The large groups will be different each session. You may attend one session in each 45-minute time frame. Sign-up sheets will be on the table for you to reserve your spot in the group you want to be in. Please sign up as soon as possible.

Session topics include: (large groups)

"Manly Ways to Pray", a group just for men. Pastor Hedding, Community Room
"Prayer for People Who Can't Sit Still", Are you an extrovert or not sure if you are? Are you one who prays best on the move? This may be for you! Pastor Hedding, Community Room
"Discovering Your Prayer Style", are you suited for prayer "on the move" or in some special quiet place? Pastor Muschinske, Upper Room
"Family Prayer", getting the whole family involved. Pastor and Mrs. Muschinske, Upper Room
"Prayer 101", How to start or recharge your prayer life. No one will be required to pray out loud during this session. There will also be an overview of resources for prayer at Faith. Karen B. and Priscilla G., Room 5
"Is God Listening? Does He Care?" Find out why it sometimes seems our prayers go unanswered. Bring your Bibles! Christine S., Room 7
"Are You Curious?" Have you heard about praying in tongues or about someone having their own prayer language? Come and hear Ron and Jeanette, Room 8
"Listening Prayer", Paul said, "Pray without ceasing," but do we pray without listening? Maybe we are too busy speaking and asking rather than listening. Tune in to what Maxine has for you. Room 10
"Contemplative Style", did you find this was your style in Pastor Peter's first group? Do you want to expand on it? This is your group. Dave & Bonnie, Room 15
A look at the connection between forgiveness and healing. Kathy, Room 16

A special program for the Sunday School children has also been planned. The teachers should also be able to attend one of the sessions.

Sign up sheets will be placed by the "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" bulletin board for you to sign up for the sessions you wish to attend.

NOTE: This prayer encounter on a Sunday morning was very well attended, much better than we had anticipated. The Sunday School brought in a puppet group from another congregation, while junior and senior high young people met with our youth worker and explored different styles of prayer during the workshop times.