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Happy May-time to you all!
Spring always seems like a huge hug from God, like a worldwide reminder that He loves us so much. Today I was planting our family garden with my oldest son and watching his excitement as we transplanted the seedlings that have been growing in our living room window. We grew those little plants from the tiniest seeds. We were so careful as we placed them in the ground, touching them gently, making sure we didn’t step on them, watering them with the lightest, gentlest spray. We really have little control over what happens next. All we can do is water, weed and fertilize . . . and pray.
I thought of Renew, how we have been here since the beginning. We have worked hard to make the soil welcoming, planted some seeds, been so gentle and careful of the seedlings that have sprouted. We really have little control over what happens next. All we can do is keep working, keep sharing the gospel, keep loving . . . and pray.
Of course, that’s where you, our Prayer Team, has and will continue to be so vital to this mission. Thank you for your continued care and support. We crave your prayers!
We praise our Creator God for
- His unfailing love
- His leadership, power, providence and grace as we launched Renew over the last three years
- such good communication and support from the MN Conference
- a new place to worship! Christ Lutheran Church in Shakopee has graciously agreed to Renew renting their church space from them. We praise God for this partnership.
We ask you to pray with us for
- understanding the next steps for Renew as we transition to one pastor and a new worship space.
- guidance as Matt and Jay transition to other jobs
- God’s Spirit to continue his work in our individual lives, in Renew, and in Shakopee
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more people from the Adventist community to be willing to support Renew
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our first worship service at our new location, Christ Lutheran Church, May 22. Please pray for this service, that many people attend, that the Holy Spirit encourages the congregation and the church has a renewed sense of mission and God’s calling. Praise for and pray for the relationship between their pastor, Pat, and Adam.
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Adam: he has accepted the invitation to include Westview SDA Church into a district with Renew. This means a new congregation for him to pastor and to facilitate a network between the two churches. This met the goals of Renew, the MN Conference and Westview and he is encouraged that it is a good arrangement. Having Renew in a district at this point ensures more stability and funding for Renew over the next several years, as well as increasing the pool of volunteers. Please pray for this partnership and Adam’s ability to pastor effectively in this context.
May you enjoy this spring and may God’s love reach you wherever you are.
Kristin
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
Dear Prayer Team,
Renew is the midst of some very large changes. These last few months have been difficult, challenging and a little foggy as we’ve waited on the Lord and prayed for His guidance. We have a clearer picture of what will happen with Renew over the next few months: Renew’s staff will be cut from three to one; Renew will be moving locations. Renew’s lease at the Shakopee Town Square Mall ends on May 31. While God has blessed Renew while at this location in many ways over the past year and a half, it is necessary financially to find a new location for worship and ministry. The pastoral staff is currently talking with some churches in Shakopee to find a new location. As things develop, we will be giving you updates, and you can always check Renew’s website for new information.
This seems like a big change! You might be wondering, what will stay the same? Here are the definites:
- Renew will stay in Shakopee.
- Renew’s mission will not change.
- Midweek Renew Time to Pray! will continue.
- The Conversation worship service will continue.
- Adult and children classes will still happen after the Conversation.
- Renew will still conduct outreach and evangelism events in Scott County.
- Renew’s office phone number and website will not change.
It is the church’s goal to find a new location by the end of April and begin worshiping at that location by the middle of May.
We ask you to praise with us for:
- God’s leadership, power, providence and grace as we launched Renew over the last three years
- such good communication and support from the MN Conference
- the Segebartts having a meaningful trip out to see Susan’s family
- answered prayers. Matt: I love that special moment when you realize that something you have been praying for for a long time is suddenly answered… or at least you are shown God’s “workin on it”.
Please pray with us:
- Renew first started from scratch when Adam Matt and Jay and their families moved to Scott County. Now that there is a good core group of believers from the community that are committed to what God is doing through Renew Community Church, we are taking this opportunity to shift to a leadership model that better fits the church at this stage. As we move from three staff to one, please pray for God to continue to grow His church and that Renew continues to be focused on Him and reaching out to people who need to renew their relationship with God!
- for us to understand the next steps for Renew as we transition to one pastor and a new worship space
- for guidance as Matt and Jay transition to other jobs
- for God’s Spirit to continue his work in our individual lives, in Renew, and in Shakopee
- for more people from the Adventist community to be willing to support Renew
Thank you for your prayers during this major transition. Our little band of believers is strengthened by the Spirit through your petitions.
Grace and peace,
Kristi
We’re depending on God;
he’s everything we need.
What’s more, our hearts brim with joy
since we’ve taken for our own his holy name.
Love us, God, with all you’ve got—
that’s what we’re depending on.
Psalm 33:20-22 (The Message)
Dear Prayer Team,
Renew has had a difficult month this month. We were surprised to learn our funds were not where they should be and we are looking to move sometime in the near future to a more affordable space.
Renew has also had a month that has pulled together our tiny congregation and there has been a cohesion created that has not been present since it’s conception. We are just finishing forty days of prayer and fasting and the Holy Spirit has certainly been speaking to this church.
We ask you to praise with us
- that He is God Almighty, we can depend on Him
- for the growth of Renew
- for the dedication and faith of the members and regular attendees
- for the Thursday night Renew Time To Pray! It continues to be a powerful time of prayer, even when few people show up. God always manifests His presence in the prayers and it is such a positive and uplifting time.
- that baby Aleah Segebartt has arrived safely!
We ask you to pray with us
May God fill you with His presence in the month to come and thank you for your continued care and concern for this church!
Peace in Him,
Kristin
Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. Hebrews 13:15 (Amplified Bible)
Dear Prayer Team,
Fast. No, I am not speaking of Olympic short track speed skating or any other Olympic event for that matter, though it has been fun to watch! I am speaking of the Biblical word, fast: a period of abstention or self-denial. This is a key word around Renew right now. We are in the first week of a church-wide 40 days of prayer and fasting. The reason, to open us up individually and as a church body to what God wants to do with us, for us, through us to the greater community. We are grateful for His leading in this matter and are eager to see where He takes us in this process.
We ask you to praise with us:
- that God is a God of abounding love and renewing mercy!
- for all the children at Renew!
We ask you to pray with us:
- that we would minister effectively to our kids
- to find new and interesting ways to make God’s love visible in our families, our church, and our community.
- for more people from the Adventist community to be willing to support Renew.
- for clear conviction/creative energy to add ? (whatever God wants) to the worship service.
- that this time of fasting for our church will draw us together in unity and understanding of God’s will. Please pray that God reveals Himself to each person fasting and we as a church hear his voice very clearly, and that people’s faith grows.
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for Renew to continue to be a place where God is pleased to bring people who are seeking Him, that we continue to be a prayer-filled ministry where healing and reconciliation are continual experiences.
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for the children coming to Renew. May they each experience a heart connection with Jesus and understand God’s love and who God is for them. Pray for their families that God becomes or continues to be the central most influential power in their homes.
Thank you for your continued prayer and concern for this ministry. You are welcome to join us in our 40 day fast if the Lord is calling you to make such a step. Please contact me if you are interested. I will send you our daily devotional guide and updates of testimonies as we go along.
I pray peace for you this week.
Kristi
6[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?(B) 7Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house–when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?
8Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Isaiah 58 (Amplified Bible)
Dear Prayer Team,
It is very difficult to send out prayer requests on the heels of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. As Renew met for prayer Thursday night, the cry of every person’s heart was for the people of Haiti and the real pain and misery that was continuing there even as we met for prayer in Minnesota. So many people expressed the wish to be able to do something. We prayed. So, before I go into the praises and requests of the Renew family, let us just take a moment to remember our brothers and sisters there.
Let us praise God together that He is a compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love.
We ask for prayer that:
May God’s blessing be with you this week and may we be a blessing to those we meet and those we are touched by.
Peace be with you,
Kristin
Even in the midst of great pain, Lord,
I praise you for that which is.
I will not refuse this grief
or close myself to this anguish.
Let shallow men pray for ease:
"Comfort us; shield us from sorrow."
I pray for whatever you send me,
and I ask to receive it as your gift.
You have put a joy in my heart
greater than all the world's riches.
I lie down trusting the darkness,
for I know that even now you are here.
a translation of Psalm 4 by Stephen Mitchell
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