Dear Prayer Partners,

September is always a busy month in the life of the church. Back to school time is also filled with activity for our families. It is a good opportunity to remind ourselves of Jesus’ words in His Sermon on the Mount: “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) We do not want to allow the hectic pace of our society to crowd out Jesus. Let’s pray for one another that, in our churches, homes and individual lives, we will keep first things first. As we endeavor to do so, let me share some other prayer concerns and victories with you:

· Let’s pray for our children and youth as they go back to school and college this week.

· Pray for Eastern Nazarene College as they receive our students and prepare for this new semester.

· Pray for Pastor Dennis and Alice Boel (retired, Birdsboro, PA). Alice’s father, Rev. John Latshaw, died yesterday morning at the age of 91. He was a retired Wesleyan pastor near Pittsburgh. Arrangements are pending. On a positive note, it appears that God has touched Alice and provided healing from a stomach ulcer.

· Rev. Tom and Rev. Verna Cahill (retired, New Holland, PA) have requested prayer for their oldest daughter, Lori. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks ago and is to have surgery next week (September 7th).

· Pray for Rev. Wenton Fyne (pastor of a large church on the Metro New York District) whose sister was murdered recently in Jamaica. He is traveling there now for the funeral and would appreciate our prayers for his family during this difficult time.

· A personal request from Newell and Anne Smith—please pray for Bill and Carol Coon, good friends of the Smiths from previous years of ministry. Bill was seriously injured in a head-on automobile accident and faces a lengthy recovery. Please pray for his healing.

· Pray for Dr. Mervyn and Robin Smith (District Superintendent, West Virginia South) whose 3-year-old granddaughter died this week. Little Sydney had experienced multiple surgeries and seemed to be doing well, but lost her battle this week. Please pray for her family in Tennessee as they celebrate her life at her funeral tomorrow.

· Pray for Rev. Bruce Ratliff (pastor, Pennsville, NJ) as he takes on the important assignment of District Secretary following the resignation of Rev. Paul Thornhill.

· Pray for Rev. Paul and Carolyn Vail (retired, Media, PA) as they need to sell their present home in the midst of this difficult economy in order to complete the transition to their retirement home in Maine.

· Pray for the brother of Rev. Brett Doninger (Associate, Cape May Seashore, NJ) who was severely injured in a diving accident. Brett’s brother is paralyzed at this time. He is the father of two small children, so please remember his family also in prayer.

· Pray for Rev. Bleemie Zoewah (pastor, Collingdale Agape Missionary, PA). Rev. Zoewah will be traveling to his homeland in Africa for an evangelistic crusade during the month of November. He is asking us to pray for the salvation of lost souls, for backsliders to return to God, for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and for the needs of the entire outreach ministry in Liberia.

· Another note of praise is for Ted Hambrick, brother of Rev. B.W. Hambrick (pastor, Ephrata, PA), who is a Nazarene pastor in South Carolina. He is making a miraculous recovery from a virus that attacked his heart and other major organs. He has actually been able to attend church and hopes to be able to return to the pulpit in a few weeks. We give God praise!

· Rev. Chuck Russ’s brother is also recovering from 2nd degree burns he suffered in a work-related accident.

· Continue to pray for Pastor Joses and Pastor Chantal St. Phard’s daughter, who is undergoing cancer treatment at this time.

· We give God praise that Rev. Jim Guertler's (former District Business Manager) dad is recovering well from his heart attack and bypass surgery.

· September is Alabaster Month. Let’s use this time to remind us to continue to pray and give to missions around the world.

As we pray for our pastors and churches across the District, let me mention four specifics to pray for:

· We have an important pastors’ meeting scheduled for September 13th where we will be casting vision for the District.

· September 18th is our District-wide training day for pastors and laity called “Momentum.”

· Pray for our churches as we endeavor to start new ministries to reach our communities.

· Lastly, pray for our parsonage families as we look forward to Pastors’ Appreciation Month in October. I trust that each church will find some generous way to express their appreciation.

In closing, we continue to seek God for a 21st Century Pentecost.

Your District pastor,

Newell Smith