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Join United Methodists throughout Western Pennsylvania in studying these Bible passages from the Revised Common Lectionary and praying for these congregations and leaders. BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER Prayer: An Essential Connection NOVEMBER 2012 WPAUMC.ORG Cross & Flame OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 4, 2012 NOVEMBER 5 - 11, 2012 NOVEMBER 12 - 18, 2012 NOVEMBER 19 - 25, 2012 CHRIST THE KING/REIGN OF CHRIST--WHITE OR RED READ: 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18), Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37 PRAY FOR: ✟ Hyndman: Bethel/Grace UMCs, Connellsville Dist., E. Robert Nagy, pastor ✟ Blackburn and Little Hill UMCs, Pittsburgh Dist., Dennis L. Bouch, pastor ✟ Noblestown/McDonald UMCs, Washington Dist., Dawn R. Hargraves, pastor ✟ Deer Creek/Reynolds UMCs, Franklin Dist., Giles L. Bailey Jr., pastor TWENTY- FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --GREEN READ: 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 or Psalm 113, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8 PRAY FOR: ✟ Hyndman Four Point Harmony Charge, Connellsville Dist., Kenneth A. Haines, pastor ✟ Centerville/Riceville/Parade Street UMCs, Erie-Meadville Dist., Barry L. Weyant, pastor ✟ Sheakleyville Charge, Franklin Dist., Timothy E. Bowser, pastor ✟ Faith Community/Ridgeville UMCs, Butler Dist., Alison M. Fisher, pastor TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --GREEN READ: Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17, Psalm 127 or Psalm 42, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 PRAY FOR: ✟ Masontown UMC, Connellsville Dist., Charles E. Prevot, pastor ✟ New Castle: Croton Avenue/Wesley UMCs, Butler Dist., Nancy K. Shute, pastor ✟ Dunlo/Sidman/Beaverdale UMCs, Johnstown Dist., Earl A. Butterfield, pastor ✟ Johnstown: Franklin Street UMC, Johnstown Dist., Terry L. Knipple, pastor TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --WHITE OR RED ALL SAINTS SUNDAY READ: Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 24, Revelation 21:1-6a, John 11:32-44 PRAY FOR: ✟ Braeburn UMC, Greensburg Dist., Forrest Hall, pastor ✟ Emporium: First UMC, Kane Dist., Joseph B. Short, pastor ✟ Lanes Mills UMC, Indiana Dist., Clair A. Lundberg, pastor NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2012 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT--PURPLE OR BLUE READ: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36 PRAY FOR: ✟ Coraopolis UMC, Pittsburgh Dist., Amy R. Wagner, pastor ✟ Wrights UMC/Edwards Chapel, Washington Dist., Thomas E. Hoeke, pastor ✟ West Side/Dravosburg UMCs, Greensburg Dist., Joong W. Koe, pastor ✟ Addison Charge, Connellsville Dist., Gregory M. Stiver, pastor How’s your prayer life? Do you call on God only when you’re really in trouble? Do you sometimes manage to say a prayer of thanks before a meal? Is your only regular time of prayer in the pew on Sunday? Are your prayers lists of what you want, or do you become aware of God’s presence, reflect on Scripture and listen for God’s voice? Because God knows everything, does prayer seem unnecessary to you? If you think you can solve any problem on your own, why get God involved? Is there simply no time in your busy schedule for prayer or do you set aside time each day to read scripture and pray? Even the most spiritually mature men and women struggle with prayer from time to time. But prayer is essential to individual lives and to the life of the church. Without it, we cannot live the abundant life God wants for us. Prayer is a means of grace – something that provides access to the power and presence of God. Prayer opens our hearts to the power of God’s love. To understand the purpose and power of prayer we must understand that faith is a relationship with God. Prayer is a way to communicate with God. If a relationship is important, we need to communicate regularly. In prayer we are not only expressing what is in us, but we are being transformed by the God who can renew our lives daily. Because we are all different, our prayer styles and patterns will not be the same. But Jesus provided a guide in the Lord’s Prayer when his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. (Luke 11: 1-13) John Wesley, a founder of the Methodist movement, emphasized the need to spend time daily with prayer and scripture. His words in a letter to John Trembath apply today: “O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not: What is tedious at first will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life: there is no other way….Do justice to your own soul: Give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer.” To learn more about prayer, visit prayer-center.upperroom.org and click on “Resources.” Try the Spiritual Type Quiz. ---Jackie Campbell
