Click on Read More for a complete list of prayer requests and praises. Please pray for the Congregation and Session of Auburn Presbyterian in the Village of Elsberry upon the death of Ola Mae Ellis, their Clerk for the past 18 years. Please also pray for Ola Mae’s family-sons James, John and Charles and the many members and friends of Ola Mae’s family.

Thanks to God for the life and ministry of Rev. Evelyn Bedell, who passed away in Everett WA  July 7. Each Fall Missouri Union Presbytery recognizes the contributions and continued ministry of older adults with Evelyn Bedell awards.

Praise to God for Gisonga “Pastor Aaron” Ruvugwa’s successful surgery. Aaron leads Agape Fellowship, an African Immigrant Fellowship in Columbia.  May God continue to provide for the needs of Aaron’s family and this African Immigrant Fellowship.

Happy 92nd birthday to Rev. Jim Blanton July 26.  Jim was the organizing Pastor of  Trinity-Columbia in 1969. Cards and letters may be sent to: Rev. James M. Blanton, 3105 Bluff Creek Dr–Rm 510,  Columbia 65201.

Camp Director Rev. Mike Lewton (Pastor Curryville) returned to full-time work at Camp after recent back surgery and kidney stones.  He is grateful to God for healing and medical caregivers.  Thank you for your prayers!

Pastor Nominating Committees in MUP Congregations as they seek God’s guidance to identify those called to each congregation.  18 MUP congregations are currently in transition.  May all alert to God’s timing.

Rev. Murray Phillips (Pastor to North Lincoln Parish–Auburn & Whiteside PCs) is preparing for deployment to Afghanistan later this year as a Chaplain with Iowa National Guard.  Rev. Lew Kimmel has begun service with North Lincoln Parish. May God grant Murray, all those with whom he serves, and the Afghan people, God’s protection and grace in the midst of ongoing war.

Thanks be to God! MUP Treasurer Marilyn Thudium (Elder FPC Brookfield) has been released to drive following successful knee replacement surgery. Marilyn returns to work at MU August 2. Your prayers have been such a blessing! Thank you.

Elder Kyle Kittrell (FPC Jeff City) reported on a successful Mission Trip to Malawi in June.  The 6 team members and partners in Malawi are grateful for your prayers for the mary Beza Clinic and other ministires. Please continue to pray for the needs of children orphaned by HIV-AIDS  in Malawi.

Prayers for Jack Zuroweste, husband of Martha (Clerk of Session Kingdom Parish: Auxvasse & Benton City churches) for ongoing cancer treatment and improved vision are truly appreciated.  By God’s grace, Jack has tolerated both radiation and vision treatments well!

Elder Paula Presley (FPC Kirksville) had successful double knee replacement Wed, June 16.  Paula reports that rehab is slow and painful, but she has faith in God’s provision and is optimistic. She is grateful for many prayers of friends around MUP.

Rev. Tim Kiser, MUP member-at-large living in Naperville, IL, is home following surgery to remove a non-cancerous brain tumor. Tim is grateful for Gods’ mercy and healing.  He is coping well with temporary restrictions and is grateful for your prayers.

Please accept this note of gratitude for your support during 2009.  Your words of encouragement, your approach to handling some difficult issues, your love for each other and the gospel of Christ made moderating the meetings a rewarding and enjoyable experience for me.  I am proud to be part of this wonderful presbytery and I thank you for allowing me to serve as your Moderator this past year. 

I hope you will do the two items you were asked to do at our meeting October 31 in LaPlata.  The search committee for the new General Presbyter asked that you pray for the search committee and its work.  Please invite your sessions to do so at your monthly meetings.  The search committee needs to know that Missouri Union Presbytery is praying for God’s hand to lead them.

Secondly, please be sure your sessions are addressing, as they are able, your congregation’s benevolence giving to the mission of the church through the work of the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.  Ask your session to bring up to date your mission giving.  And if it is up to date, make sure they are thanked by you for supporting the full scope of our mission efforts.

Again, thank you for allowing me to serve as Moderator for 2009.  I know Julie Leverenz and Ron Roberts will do a terrific job in 2010.  Keep them in your prayers.  And may all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  “Great is our Lord, and greatly is God to be praised.”

In His Service, Dick Ramsey

Lola shared that challenges like this cause us to be more grateful. For instance Calvin’s glasses were broken in the accident and getting replacement was complicated because he could not get to the eye doctor for an exam. Now that he has glasses again, he is especially thankful to be able to see and read, despite his injuries. 

“In the meantime we are thanking God for the miracles we have had and asking that the Lord finish the healing process. We’re keeping faith that God will see us through this, as He has many other things through the years. God is a good God, please remember Calvin in prayer.  Everyone can always use prayers. Thanks.” Lola Hesse, Clerk of Session-Kahoka Presbyterian Church.

Get well wishes may be emailed to calvinhesse@centurytel.net

or send cards to: Rt. 3 Box 9, Kahoka, MO  63445

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord,
This email is a prayer request for Iraq, the people in general and especially the city of Mosul (known also as Nineveh ) and the Christians there.  During the last 4-5 days around 25 Christians (some say 40) were killed in the streets in different parts of the city for religious and political causes, in the past people used to be kidnapped, threatened pay a ransom to be freed…well now they’re being killed without prior notice…the government haven’t done anything so far! Even the media didn’t cover it till the third day. Many Christians fled to near-by villages and cities where they’re living under severe conditions (families are actually sleeping in their cars), fear and worries fill the place…We’re Praying for the terrorists–who think that they’re doing so for God–to wake up and know who the real God. For the Christians the believers and the nominal ones to get closer to Jesus, for the many families who lost a loved one, their houses and money that they never forget that no matter what we lose, we still have the places Jesus is preparing for us in Heavens and finally for Christians who live in the safer area that they remember and do as Jesus asked.

“For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.” Mark 9:41. We are starting to fast to 3 days for Iraq and its people, like the days the people of Nineveh fasted at the time of Jonah. For that our suffering will turn the eyes towards our savior.  Let us lift our hands together asking for Peace from the King of peace in Jesus’ name.  “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son  If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14. 

Grace and peace to all of you, Pastor Haitham A. Jazrawi (Kirkuk-Iraq)

Update from Silex (Wed, Oct 15)   “Thank you so much for your concern, help, and continued prayers for the town of Silex and the Silex Presbyterian Church. It really helps knowing that so many other churches are remembering us in their prayers. We have started to make some progress. Having pumped out the church basement, washed (and washed again), checked the furnace and the air conditioner, we are now trying to sand the entrance hardwood floor to see if it can be saved. In the Presbyterian Center (our fellowship hall), we’ve finally gotten a building permit to begin work. After ripping out all the carpet and vinyl flooring the day after the flood, the hardwood floor underneath started to buckle. We have now pulled up all the hardwood flooring in the main room, and will start putting down laminate on Monday. We have washed chairs, thrown away things ruined by water, and installed new dehumidifiers in both buildings. The dehumidifiers are the best purchase we’ve made; they make a big difference. While we’re replacing floors, we decided to paint the rooms. They’ve needed it for some time. So while we’ve been very busy, there is still a lot of work to do.”

“The first two days after the flood were pretty overwhelming; it was great to get a call from the Presbytery and a visit at the church. It’s great to know we are being remembered. Thank you for the inventory and pictures of the furnishings from Perry. Session has not taken time to discuss these yet, have been busy with repairs first. I’ll report on this to the rest of the session, and get back to you. Thank you again”—Debbie Angel, Treasurer, Silex Presbyterian Church

(Sept 17, 2008) Debbie Angel, the Treasurer at Silex, reported that Silex Presbyterian Church has sustained flood damage that is worse than the last time in 1994. The basement of the church is a total loss, including the furnace. The fellowship hall next door, had about 4 inches of water covering the floors. Church members have removed the floor coverings, but are hoping to save the walls. 

At least two families, in the congregation who live near the church have also experienced significant flood damage. Please pray for the Presswood and Lovell families, as they rely upon God’s provision to rebuild their lives.

The MUP Mission Team is scheduled to work in the Winfield area and stay at Auburn Presbyterian, near Silex September 21-26. They will not be working in Silex yet, as SEMA, FEMA and insurance agencies have not yet completed necessary assessments.

Please keep the Silex community, Silex Presbyterian Church and the Lovell and Preswood Families in your prayers.

Marilyn expressed gratitude to God that doctors have an initial diagnosis and that David is responding well to medication. He has returned home to O'Fallon. Tuesday, June 10, he has an appointment with a specialist in St Louis and will continue treatment there. It's been a blessing that his wife is out of school for the summer and able to help at this time.

Please pray that effective treatments will be possible and that their family will give evidence of God's power and mercy.