PRAYER

On 1-17-23 there was a MAT (Ministry Action Team) meeting where the FCC leadership congregates to monitor the health of our Church. Much of the time was spent on the usual business, but one member brought up the need for prayer. We know from the Bible that we are to pray about virtually everything --- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "pray without ceasing". But how effective is prayer? 

In her book "Faith Still Moves Mountains" Harris Faulkner (Fox News personality) tells the story of General Patton during WW II being bogged down by unrelenting rain. He called for his chaplain and the GENERAL explained to the CHAPLAIN the need for prayer. As a result, prayer cards were distributed to the entire 3rd Army (250,000 men) which was eventually followed by a break in the weather allowing Patton to move his tanks north and repel the enemy in the Battle of the Bulge. This victory was the beginning of the end for that War in Europe. 

But does it take 250,000 men praying to get God's attention? Moses, all by himself, pleaded with God not to exterminate the nation of Israel on TWO separate occasions (Exodus 32:10 and Numbers 14:12) and God relented both times. But with only one man praying on behalf of several million people, the effect seemed to have a limited time as God made the same threat two more times (Numbers 16:21 and 16:45). James 5:16 says "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much."  

Our Church, the Church, our city, our state, our nation, and our world are all affected by sin --- the only OFFENSE* we have is prayer. Therefore, let us pray.  

*Our defense is found in Ephesians 6 --- the armor of God.

~ Art Van Eaton

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• UPDATE: the wife of Lane Magill's co-worker is out of the hospital and headed home! Thanks for all the prayers.
• Please continue to lift up the The Last Days of Jesus pageant. We still need 4 disciples and 4 guards. ~ Joyce
• Please continue to pray for my dad to gain strength and overcome falls. UPDATE FROM THURSDAY: He had a mild heart attack and is in hospital in Eugene. ~ Joyce
• Please continue praying for Jennifer to stay on top of lessons for clubs and responsibilities for LDJ pageant. ~ Joyce
• Please pray for Elaine Sargeant who fell this week and broke her hip. She had surgery on Tuesday to repair.
• PRAISE: Jim Sargeant is back home and improving. Pray for continued healing for brain & balance.
• Please pray for Helen Trautman. She has covid for the second time.
• Continue prayers for our friend John. He was released from the hospital but readmitted on Monday with fluid around his lungs making it hard to breathe. ~ Anderson's

Ready to worship? Here's a preview of Sunday morning's worship music.

Click here.

Special Guests:

David & Denise Moore

Sunday January 22nd

David Moore began serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators in 1999. While doing recruitment for Wycliffe in the US, he met Denise who was looking to join Wycliffe. They married in 2003 and went to Indonesia in 2004. While there they filled various roles related to Oral Bible Storying, Administration, and helping the local churches in Indonesia learn how to incorporate local language Scripture use into their worship practices. In 2017 they came back to the US to help their kids and Denise's parents who were needing extra care. While in the US, they left Wycliffe Bible Translators and David began a 5 year assignment with Firm Foundation In Christ Ministries as Director of Operations. After much prayer and with great excitement, David and Denise have returned to Wycliffe Bible Translators and are serving in the role of Field Coordinators in eastern Indonesian with the Global Partnerships collaboration. Building on the 13 years of experience that they have in doing ministry with Wycliffe in Indonesia previously, they are working to establish and deepen relationships and partnerships with Indonesian partners to see accelerated impact in the Bible translation movement. They are also mentoring Indonesians who are joining the Global Partnerships team and seeing work grow in new and exciting ways as the global church works in unison to see lives transformed by God, through His Word.

Indonesia spans 1/10 of the earth's equator between Australia and The Philippines. They are home to about 700 of the world's 7,000 languages. Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world, and about 85% of their residents are Muslim. Without access to the Bible in their heart language, many will have a very hard time truly understanding God's Word and learning to have a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through the prayer and financial partnership of First Christian Church The Dalles, YOU are impacting and transforming lives around the world. Thanks! 



Before the end of February David and Denise need to be up to full support in order to attend a crucial training for Field Coordinators. Would you prayerfully consider joining their team as a regular prayer partner and a monthly financial partner?

www.wycliffe.org/partner/david-denise-moore 

Baby Bottle Campaign

Sanctity of Life Sunday

January 22nd

Once again we are participating in the Baby Bottle fundraiser for Hope Medical Clinic. Here's what you do:

1. Grab a baby bottle
2. Fill it with spare change (we also accept paper money & checks!)
3. Return it on Sanctity of Life Sunday (January 22nd)



Baby Shower for Hope Medical Clinic

Saturday February 18th

12 noon

Ladies we are having a "Baby Shower" fundraiser for Hope Medical Clinic. Start looking for baby items to bring and bless this ministry. Don't want to do the shopping? Cash donations are always welcome and appreciated too!

Some of the needed items are:

• diapers and wipes - especially large size diapers (3s, 4s, and 5s)
• infant and toddler clothes
• new car seats
• pack n plays (and pack n play sheets and mattresses - some clients use it as a crib)
• formula and/or breastfeeding supplies
• baby food
• baby carriers and baby seats
• high chair
• strollers

ISRAEL 2024

We have an informational meeting coming up Sunday, January 29th at 5pm in the basement Fellowship Hall for all those interested in joining the Biblical studies trip to Israel next year. If you have questions contact Sarah Smith at 541-993-9874. 

www.fcctd.org