This week 2/22 @HOPE

Ways to Pray & Praise this Week for our Community:
1. Prayers for our Community:
Unemployed~ Please lift up all who are unemployed in our community. The unemployment numbers for Northwest Indiana are rising to 2nd highest year-to-year increase in the nation. And each number is a person! They have very real physical needs. Thank the Lord for how He has provided and continue to pray for work for all those needing employment. Also, pray also for those who have had their hours cut or are underemployed.

Police~ Pray for our local law enforcement officers. Pray for their safety! Pray for wisdom for them to do their positions with excellence. Pray for our police chief, Mark Becker, and all the dedicated men and women he leads. Pray for their families who sacrifice so much. Pray for their salvation. May they walk in the peace of Christ, led by His Spirit. Thank God for them and their call to this community!

2. Church/Ministry of the Week: Campus Life Portage
We thank God for Campus Life and their impact in Portage High School and middle schools. Please pray for God's blessing & leading for this outreach. We thank God for their high school director, Gail Morris, and middle school leader, Jaymee Penrose, as well as their staff of volunteers. May their outreach and effectiveness grow in our community. May students be drawn to these opportunities to hear about Christ and grow in relationship with Him. May many come to know Christ as they faithfully love and disciple. Pray for the middle school's WInter Blitz this weekend in Wisconsin.

3. School of the Week: Fegely Middle School
Please pray for Fegely Middle School. Principal is Mrs. Rebecca Lyons. Thank God for the teachers & staff who serve our community daily. Pray for guidance and wisdom for each teacher and staff member. Pray for the students to desire to learn and grow, fulfilling their God-given destiny. Pray that all teachers, students and staff, would come to know and follow Christ as their Savior and Lord.

4. Pray for our president, nation, and state. May we honor God as a nation in our actions and laws. Pray for wisdom and Godly counselors for our new president. Pray for revival in our nation! Pray also for our state and state legislators. May they uphold righteousness in the laws that they pass! May they stand for life and for the family!

5. Community Ministry Needs:
Campus Life: Pray for this upcoming youth retreat.
Middle School: Winter Blitz, Feb 28-Mar1.
May many students come to know Christ and be emboldened to serve Him daily!

Pastor Dave McGrath: Please pray for Pastor Dave, who pastors Family Bible Church, as he recovers from brain surgery. He is home and doing well. Continue to pray for God's glory to be seen through this! For specific ways to pray, check out his blog at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidmcgrath

6. Watchword for the week from Scripture: For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5

Seek God for the City
February 25 ~ April 5
Join with believers worldwide praying prayers of hope and promise from God's word. Over these 40 days leading to Palm Sunday, you will pray for every nation in the world. Prayer Guides are now available for discount price of $2. Supplies are limited!Call Julie @763-2325 or reply to this email for more info. Great for small groups, individuals and churches!

Seek God for the City
Praise, Presence & Prayer
Each Tuesday, February 24 ~ March 31
10:30am - 12:00noon
Portage Christian Fellowship, 6450 Evergreen
Join us for a time of worship, contemplative prayer, and intercession
as we together Seek God for the City. STARTS THIS WEEK!!!!!
For more info, call Julie 763-2325 or reply to this email.

6
Keep praying for more to begin and grow in their relationship
with Christ! Keep sending us your reports of salvation. God is moving! 6 is the number of known salvations reported so far for 2009 in our community. We praise God for each one who has begun their walk of faith in Christ! Pray that they would be rooted and grounded in the faith. Let's plunder hell and populate heaven!


COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
"Fat" Tuesday Free Pancake Breakfast
February 24, 2009, 6-10 a.m.
First United Methodist Church, 2637 McCool, Portage
Traditionally, on the last day before Lent, people got rid of all the "fat" in their
homes to be able to observe this solemn season. Come to church
and allow them to serve you some pancakes and sausage as you're on
your way to school or work. (219) 762-3846

Duneland Aglow for Women
Tuesday, February 24 , 6:30pm
Westchester Library Service Center, 100 W. Indiana, Chesterton
Speaker: Mary Lahmann
Join in an evening of fellowship, worship and prayer!
For more info, call Elaine 926-1345
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
February 25, 2009 • 7:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 2637 McCool Rd., Portage
For more info, call (219) 762-3846
A service of music and reflection as we begin the season of Lent.

Angel Food
Order must be received by February 14, 11am
Pickup Date: February 28 , 9:30-11:00am
Family Bible Church office, 3190 Lancer, Suite A Portage
For more info, call 841-9864 or visit www.fbcportage.org

SHHHHH... It's a Secret Sale
Saturday, February 28th, 10am-4pm
Portage Resale Shop, corner of Rt. 6 & McCool Rd.
It's time to clear out all winter clothing.
$ .50 Clothing!!!!!! One day only!!!
Come out and support local ministries!!!

Financial Management Workshop
Saturday, February 28th, 9am-4pm
Portage Bible Church, 2748 Willowdale Rd, Portage
Tuition: $25/person or $40/couple (includes lunch and workbook)
You'll learn about 5 key areas of financial management.
Taught by James Krause, a certified financial planner.
To RSVP or for more info, call 762-8951

Grief Recovery Group
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., Beginning March 4
First United Methodist Church, 2637 McCool Rd., Portage
A 6-week journey of healing and hope in the midst of grief
Led by Cathy Ticen, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Director, Wabash Valley Outpatient Services in Rensselaer
This group is free and open to all.
For more info, (219) 762-3846

Girls Night Out with Betsy Walker in Concert
Friday, March 13th, 7pm
Liberty Bible Church, 824 N Calumet, Chesterton
Tickets: $5, and include dessert afterwards
For more info, www.LBChurch.org

The Rudds in Concert
March 28 at 7:00 P.M.
Church of God of Prophecy, 5855 Central Ave., Portage
More info can be found on their website at
http://www.portagecogop.com in the calender section.
Love offering will be collected during the concert