Pray for East Timor on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Lectionary Selection: Matt. 2:1-12
Prayers for East Timor:
Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer of humanity and all that is: Praise your Holy Name! What a wondrous journey life is when we have partners around the world and a sense of connection with them that runs deep. Thank you for that. Let us never take for granted the ways you bless, prod and reach out to us through these partnerships. Thank you for the people Lord. People like Moises, Amena, Ibu Meri, Duarte, Olinda just to name a few. And Lord, may your Holy Spirit infuse the places; places like Lospalos and Ililapa, Liarafa and Dili.
In Christ’s name we pray.
Amen
Mission Stewardship Moment from East Timor:
Matthew frames the story of Jesus “In the time of King Herod….” It is a reminder to us all that God comes in the midst of the common life of the world: amidst its struggles, pain and sorrow. And through Christ Jesus, God brings us hope.
This past summer, the people of East Timor elected a new president and parliament. Our partners in the Protestant Church of East Timor (IPTL) chose new Synod leadership and rotated pastors around the country. 2012 was a year of change, and a time for new opportunity and possibility.
East Timor is a rural country and ministry is a challenge. Visiting congregations in remote areas is not unlike the wise men venturing over hill and dale, following a star to reach the Christ child. Seeking medical care is also often a momentous task. Folks outside of major towns frequently make epic journeys to reach IPTL’s Clinic Imanuel in Lospalos. There they receive loving care, medicine and social connection. True to it’s name, at Clinic “Imanuel,” people realize that indeed, “God is with us.
Clinic Imanuel is a core ministry of IPTL. The staff, all members of the Protestant Church of East Timor, work daily and diligently to provide food to the hungry, care to the wounded and sick, and prayer when there is nothing more to do. May God continue to guide and strengthen the staff of Clinic Imanuel, and to bless the people of Lospalos through this ministry of loving service.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Monica and Tom Liddle)
Mission Partners in East Timor:
Protestant Churches of East Timor (IPTL),
Video Resources about East Timor:
http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/east-timor-liddle.html
More information on East Timor:
http://globalministries.org/sasia/countries/east-timor/
Global Ministries Missionaries in East Timor:
Monica and Tom Liddle, are members of Peace United Church of Christ, Duluth, Minnesota, and served with the Protestant Church of East Timor (IPTL). Tom as an English teacher and facilitator in the IPTL’s program for strengthening congregations and continuing education of pastors. Monica worked as a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in Immanuel Clinic Lospalos, which is run by the FUSONA, the relief and development wing of the IPTL. Monica’s appointment was supported by One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS).