This week 9/15 @HOPE for Portage

Ways to Pray & Praise this Week for our Community:

1. Prayer for our Community: Gang Members Pray that God will satisfy their deep desires for signifcance and belonging. May God break spiritual and social powers holding them bound. Pray for caring Christians to embrace them in the authentic love of God's family. Pray for blessing on the neighborhoods they claim. "I sought the LORD and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears...The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them." Ps 34:4,7

2. Church/Ministry of the Week: House of Prayer Church
This week we are praying for House of Prayer Church. We thank God for bringing them to Portage! They have a heart to reach out and are serving with a soup kitchen in Gary. Let's pray for their continued outreach and growth! Pray that they might see many come to know Christ! May they continue to show Christ's love to all they encounter. Pray for their pastor, Bishop Dave Matthews. May they continue as a shining light for the Gospel!

3. School of the Week: Willowcreek Middle School, Mrs. Stewart (Principal)

4. Pray for Ministry Needs from our Community:
ShareFest: This multi-church outreach is less than 1 month away: Saturday October 10th. Please pray for the churches to walk in amazing unity and love as a witness to our region of our Savior's great love. Many projects are done outside, so please be praying for good weather too. (more info below)
Churches searching for new Pastors:
Real Life Community Church: lead/senior pastor
Portage Church of Christ: senior pastor
Bridge Community Church: youth & family pastor
Pastors battling health issues:
Pastor Dannie Tackett, Church of God of Prophecy
Pastor Pat Persuhn, Redeemed Christian Center

5. Short-term Missions from this area:
Red Bird Mission Team: September 13-19, Pray for this team of 14 from Portage 1st United Methodist Church serving in Appalachia until Saturday 19th. They will be doing construction and ministering whatever way they can in this poverty striken area.
Bosnia Prayer Team: September 25-October 4, Pray for this team of 8 from Liberty Bible Church. They will be prayerwalking in Sarajevo and encouraging the local churches there. Team Members: Randy & Julie Hayden, Mark & Sue, Christi, Annie, Meredith & Delaney

6. Watchword for the week from Scripture:Jesus asks, "But who do you say that I am?" Mark 8:29

143 Up 2 this week! Keep praying for more to begin and grow in their relationship
with Christ! Keep sending us your reports of salvation. God is moving! 143 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:

Angel Food
Order must be received by September 12, 9:00- 10:30am
Pickup Date: August 29, 9:00-10:30am
Family Bible Church office, 3190 Lancer, Suite A Portage
You can now order online!!! You can also order specials without basic!
For more info, call 841-9864 or visit www.fbcportage.org


Movement to End Alzheimer's Memory Walk
Saturday, September 19th, 11am Register, 12 Noon walk
Hidden Lake Park, 6355 Broadway, Merrillville
Funds raised at walk help the Alzheimer's Association
You can bring help & hope to millions of Americans living with this disease.
Bring a team & participate. Go to www.alz.org/indiana for more info.


Annual Coat Drive & GospelFest
Saturday, September 19th, 1-5pm
Kmart Parking Lot, Portage
Drop off a coat! Enjoy some great music!
(Julie Hayden's singing at 1pm. Love to see you there!)


Total Money Makeover
Saturday, September 19, 12 noon -5pm
Real Life Community Church, Portage
Dave Ramsey's flagship event, The Total Money Makeover LIVE! will be available in Portage for a LIVE Simulcast event. In this 5 hour event, Dave presents the proven plan that has helped millions of people take back control of their money. If you're married, this information will get you an dyour spouse on the same page when it comes to your money. If your single, Dave will walk you through the tools you need to stay financially focused. In the Total Money Makeover LIVE, Dave shares personal experiences, stories and information not found elsewhere in this setting! It is packed with humor energy and incredible information.. and that's why it has become the country's #1 event on personal finance. Register here: http://www.daveramsey.com/hope/events/index.cfm?searchXXzipcode=46368&fuseaction=actFindHosts&submit=Find

7th Annual Gospel Family Reunion Singing Celebration
September 25, 7pm
Portage High School West Auditorium
Featuring the Rudds, Joyful Noise, The Lawrence Family & the Singing Rudds from 80's
Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the Door
Proceeds go to the Portage Food Pantry.
For more info, call 763-4915, mail to The Rudds, P.O. Box 93, Portage, IN 46368 or visit www.therudds.com

Duneland Aglow for Women
Tuesday, September 29, 6:30pm
Westchester Public Library Service Center, 100 W Indiana, Chesterton
For more info, call Elaine @ 926-1345

SHAREFEST Porter County
Saturday, October 10th
Portage Village site: Willowcreek Middle School
Registration: 8am
Dedication Service: 8:30am
Service Projects: 9am-3pm
Make plans now to attend ShareFest!!! Sites in Portage,Valpo, Chesterton and Kouts! Get involved!!! For more info or to register, www.sharefestpc.org