O God Who is Experienced as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
We pray for the family of Austin Box who will be laid to rest today. May they know Your love and find comfort in You in the midst of this tragedy. We also pray for those victims of recent storms. Lives and property have been torn apart. Only You, O God, can heal the brokenness. This is our prayer in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
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Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
After the scripture you will find information from the Christian Church in Oklahoma about the tornado damage in our region and in Joplin.
The scripture reading for today is 1 Kings 19:1-15:
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.”Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.”He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.”He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”Then the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram.
Christian Church In Oklahoma
Respond with Gifts to Week of Compassion
100% of your designated gift to the Week of Compassion will be used to support clean up and recovery efforts. Be sure to note "Joplin Tornado" or "Oklahoma Tornado" or some other effort that Week of Compassion is responding to in the short or long term. Visit their website to see how and to whom WOC has responded in 2011.
Remembering In Prayer
We lift up these persons and situations known to us and claim, "Lord, hear our prayer."
May 24 Tornado Update
by Gary Mitchell
Associate Regional Pastor
It has been two days since the tornado outbreak that damaged or destroyed lives and homes here in Oklalhoma. Local news media are reporting on the widespread damage, but I wanted to bring you an update on how Disciples have been effected and are responding to neighbors near and far away. Information shared is based on conversations with local pastors and or individuals I spoke to about the damage they sustained.
Guthrie: Several members sustained damage.
Wagoner: At least two members of First Christian had significant to minor damage to their homes.
Chickasha: Reports of damage at an apartment complex affected a member of Shepherd Street Christian Church, and Michael Oberlender, pastor of First Christian, sustained damage to his backyard.
Calumet: Christine Bell, pastor at FCC Chandler was visiting her parents in Calumet. Her car was damaged, and their house was destroyed. Her brothers house, across the road, also received some damage. Christine reports that volunteers with chainsaws may be needed in the area in the near future. We await her call.
El Reno: Some members have damage, including the loss of at least one home.
Fairview: Pastor Ronnie Hopkins of Central Christian Church reports some damage outside of town and that some damage happened in surrounding towns.
As of now, we do not have specific requests for physical assistance. Most pastors inform us that their affected members are waiting for insurance adjusters and are well.
We continue to lift all of those affected in prayer as they continue the process of clean up, repair or rebuilding.
To help immediately, contibute to Week of Compassion! They are in contact with our Regional Church and stand ready to help thanks to your previous and continuing generosity. Just click the WOC logo to the left for more info!
Joplin Tornado Clean Up Continues
Reaching Out to "Each as Any Had Need": Deadly Twisters Devastate Joplin Disciples
May 25, 2011 | Brandon Gilvin, WOC Associate Director
The numbers coming out of Joplin, MO, are overwhelming. According to news reports as of this morning, 123 people were killed by the tornado that ripped through Southwest Missouri this past Sunday, making it one of the deadliest tornados in the state’s history. Property damage is estimated in the millions, and the loss of life and livelihood will inevitably have a catastrophic impact on this close-knit community. We have been in touch with South Joplin Christian Church and Joplin’s First Christian Church. Many, many families from those congregations have lost their homes. Others have sustained extensive damage. Each and every member has a neighbor or friend or relative who is suffering unbelievable loss. The situation can only be described as devastating—with so many of our own Disciples families gravely affected. With the needs mounting, we need your help and hope. [Click the title to read more]
Grace and peace,
John McLemore
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