THANKS FOR PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY:
To submit a request for prayer, an update, or praise, send an email to mgoode@graceniagara.ca
- Pray for our Missions Weekend this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with guests Isaac & Nikki Medler (along with their children: Levi 16 months, Gracie 4, Esther 7 ) who minister to international students and newcomers in Toronto.
- Bill C-9...the "Combating Hate Act". We've been concerned about this parliamentary bill that, while aiming to protect religious freedom in our country, essentially limits it. On March 26 the House of Commons passed Bill C-9. It is now moved on to the Senate. Pray that God will keep our land, preserve His church in this country, and give wisdom as this Bill is further considered in light of other current protections in our criminal code. (REVISED EFC update here)
- Pray for believers in Nigeria as over 40 Christians were killed by Muslim terrorists on Easter weekend. Pray for God's comfort on the bereaved families and churches, and that God would bring justice for the oppressed, and strength to their testimony of the gospel. Pray for many other areas where Christian believers are persecuted for their faith.
- ALPHA - a new season of Alpha has started, and meets each Tuesday evening. Pray for those who are being invited, planning to attend, and for a fresh openness to the gospel of Jesus Christ as presentations and discussions take place. Pray for Pastor Jim and the organizing of the care team for a good start to this 10-week outreach.
- Carl Sherrett is recieving care at home, and continues to go to the hospital twice weekly for dialysis. Please pray for Carl and Marjorie in the decisions regarding his ongoing care.
- Elaine Short lives at Oakwood Lodge, and is in hospital dept due to a urinary tract infection. She will be admitted for a few days. Please pray for her care and recovery.
- PRAISE!...Mercy Azubiune has finally got the approval for her family to join her here in Canada! Although a lengthy process, the first hurdle is crossed. Which also means Mercy is also able to start on her PhD!
- Prayer needed for Hilary Daley, she goes in for a second knee surgery this Friday, the 24th of April and will be off for approx 3 months for treatment, trusting the Lord for better days ahead and God’s healing hand.
- Please pray for healing for Dianne Hughston’s sister Judy who has been in the hospital for several weeks. No clear diagnosis or treatment has been made.
- Please pray for Oscar & Mariles deOliveira who are currently on a long trip through the Amazon in Brazil, along the Purus River, meeting with various communities deep in the tributaries, bringing the message of Christ, encouraging believers, doing marriages, baptisms, and encouraging community and church leaders. Pray for safety in their travel, and a deep work of the Lord in these communities.
- Please pray for Donna Simpson as she continues to recover from her shoulder replacement surgery.
- Please pray for Lucas & Michele Souza, our missionaries in northeast Brazil. Michele continues to experience regular nausea and vomiting, however today (Tuesday March 31) they had an ultrasound, and they are grateful that everything is fine with their baby son in the womb! Little Timothy is due May 28th. They continue to ask for prayer for the Michele and Timothy, and that the delivery will be without complications.
- Please continue praying for overall church ministry, for ministry leaders, life group leaders, discipleship triads, children and youth ministry teams, outreaches, and of course, our regular Sunday morning ministries in worship services and Sunday School..., for our responsiveness to God's Word both personally and in group studies. Pray that we will be steadfast in standing on the truth and be life-giving in our witness to those who need Jesus!
- Please pray for God's wisdom, strength, and joy for each of:
- Our Elders: Jim Stuart, Phil Osborne, Jeff Korody, Norm Hill, Trevor Hartwick, and Pat Bartley, along with Pastor Martin and Pastor Bruce. ..who meet this evening.
- Our Directors: Lawrence McGinn, and John-Rock Bilodeau, along with Elders Jim, Phil, Jeff, Norm, Trevor and Pat (Pastors non-voting)
- Our Deacons: Mark Ridgway, Ian LeSurf, Hilary Daley, Irene Osborne, Anthony Maracle, Mark Daley, Patty LeSurf, Elaine Korody, and Mellanie Romita.
- Pray for God's peace for Ron Myers (Lundy Manor), Elaine Short (Oakwood Park Lodge), Alex Kaye (Chapel Heights), Tom Goode (Linhaven/Regatta House), Vera Harnden (Simcoe), Esther Rosa (Meadows), Betty Enns (Meadows of Dorchester), Bethene Fretz (Maple Park Lodge), Doreen Menard (Elgin Falls), Mary Franco (Queenston Place), Bill Howie (Bella), and Della Height (Oakwood) in their care at Senior Homes, and for others like Ellen Kerr, Edith Hodgen, and Sandy Cooper who are mostly homebound.
- Pray for our regular ministries at Cavendish Manor, Oakwood Lodge, Niagara Long-Term Care (NOTL), Bella Retirement Home, River Road Retirement Home, Willoughby Manor and now Elgin Falls. Pray for God's strength and wisdom as we bring encouragement through song and studies from God's Word to these senior residents.
- Pray for our our Missionaries: CLICK HERE for updates: Oscar & Mariles DeOliveira in Brazil; Deimerson & Alissandra Vanencia in Amazon-Brazil (see report here); Lucas & Michele Souza in Brazil; Brother “D” in Pakistan, Tony & Kornelia Schaapman in Poland; Daystar Native Christian Outreach; the MINAP Team in Peru; School Without Walls in Ukraine and Russia; as well as AGC Church Planting (Hamilton, Winnipeg), Galcom, ShareWord Global, and Tearfund Canada.
Thanks for praying! Please include these in your personal, small group, and ministry team prayer times. Also, there is a weekly women's prayer time at the church, Mondays at 1:00 PM...all women are welcome. And, you are welcome to join our pre-service prayer time each Sunday morning at 9:20 AM in the Family Room, praying specifically for God's work among us and in the lives of those not yet saved.
