The Vineyard- April 24, 2016

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Jesus Followers Receive Eternal Life

-          Jesus says that eternal life is knowing the Father, and the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ. 

-          God is the source of life, so if we have a relationship with God, we will always have life. 

-          In what ways are we able to embrace and enjoy eternal life even now?

-          Passages to Consider: John 17:3

Jesus Followers are Called to be One

-          Jesus prayed twice in this prayer for his followers to be one.  What does that tell you about the importance that Jesus placed on unity among his followers?

-          As followers of Jesus, we find unity in recognizing that we all love Jesus, and want to serve him as our master. 

-          The God that we share and whom we serve, is more important than anything that might divide us.  If we share a love for and devotion to God, then we should be united as one. 

-          Passages to Consider: John 17:11, 22-23; Ephesians 4:4-6; Colossians 1:18

Jesus Followers are Called to be Holy

-          As Jesus’ followers, the church, we are holy because Jesus makes us holy, not because we are holy on our own. 

-          The word church means, “called out,” because God sets us apart, or makes us holy, for a purpose. 

-          For what purpose does God make us holy through Jesus Christ?

-          How can we maintain our difference from the world, while also serving the world?

-          Passage to Consider: John 17:14-19; Colossians 1:21-23; I Peter 2:9-10

Praise God for the ability to experience eternal life, even now!

Pray for unity among Christ’s followers, so that even when we don’t agree, we will still love one another and set an example for the world. 

Pray for our ability to fulfill our purpose in the world.    

Prayer Requests- April 24, 2016

Praise:   Hunter Dauzat was baptized Sunday.  Clyde Holloway got a good report on his knee.  Diane Yancey and Iris Lee Martin both had procedures that went well.  Philip Orr and Bridgette Golman are doing better.  Todd Mason and Emma Armour had successful surgery.    

Recent Requests:  Felix & Elaine Melder, Melanie Lucas, Melvin Lucas, Sam Gunter, Becky Lowe, Danielle Cloud, Deborah Cloud, Heather Henson, Charles Peters, Alton Johnson, Jeremy Martin, Twiggy Johnson, Ashley Bieber and her newborn, RC & Flo Conway; Otis Monroe; Kimberly Snyder; Dr. Catherin Terrell, Edna Woodard, Joe Billings; Denise Wright; Scarlett Shockley; Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Bobby Odom, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Ryland Dunnehoo, Sherry Clark, Michelle Dauzat, Keith Monroe, Keisha Anderson, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of terrorism, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders. 

Pray for our students, faculty, staff, and administration at the school. 

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson; Dale Anderson, IV; Emma Armour; Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Ruth Barbe, Conner Bouchie, Bernice Campbell, Carl Chellette, Haley Chisholm, Ronnie Chisholm, Claire Cotton, Sampson Doyle III, James Otis Dunn, Kimmy Fix, Briley Fuller, Arnold Gill; Robert Gough, Mamie Grantham, Carolyn Gray, Dan Gray, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Darlene Holt, Mary Ruth Hubbard, Mike Irwin, Aline Johnson, Candy Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dennis LeDoux, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Felix Melder, Mark Melder, Mike Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Luther Paul, Dewanna Polk, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Lacy Storey, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Randy Tucker, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston; Taylor Denegal, Kelvin Griffin, and those in the military

Cancer Patients:  Heather Ashworth, Marvin Banks, Ronnie Bedgood, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Dixie Brooks, Ashley Brown, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Billy Campbell, Mark Cary, Gleeta Chamberlain, Allen Cheek, Jerry Cole, Sally Crooks, Tyese Davis, Danny Doughy, Peppy Doughy, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Ronald Golmon, Sr., Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Steve Hawkins, Cheresa Hudson, Donnie Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Vivian Kirby, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Linda Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Warren LeBlanc, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Joy Mancil, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Laken Moreau, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Linda Nugent, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Brenda Pringle, Eleanor Rumenyak, Evelyn Sandell, Joan Schneider, Monica Sharpe, Jannie Shipp, Donny Shows, Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Carolyn Spears, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Varnell Stanley, Carol Stewart, Leann Switzer, Jackie Teasely, Ann Thompson, Cliff Thornton, Jean Valdeterio; George VanderWalker, Edward Webb, Sr.; Dalton Welch, Brenda West, Charles Whitten, Carol Willis, Britney Wilson, James Wood, Diane Yancey,  Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Eloise Babb; Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Bessy LeDoux, Doris Polk

Travelling:  Those traveling for work; Linda Sipco; Aaron Martin

Deaths: The families of Johnny Young, Carl Giles, Elmarie Swilley, Ashley Willie

Unspoken Requests

The Vineyard- April 3, 2016

The Vineyard- April 3^rd, 2016

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Jesus’ Ascension tells us he reigns in heaven

-          Jesus’ ascended to return to his rightful place, with the Father. 

-          If Jesus is reigning with his Father, sitting at his right hand in heaven, there is nothing outside of Jesus’ control. 

-          What comfort comes from knowing that everyone, even evil people who fail to acknowledge God, will one day be forced to bow before the Lord?

-          Passages to Consider: Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:1-4; 10:12-13

Jesus’ Ascension tells us he intercedes for us in heaven

-          Who is the best person you can think of to stand before God on your behalf?

-          That person, Jesus, stands in the very presence of his Father, bringing before him our petitions, and securing our forgiveness. 

-          What does it mean to you that Jesus’ is pleading your case in heaven?

-          Passages to Consider: Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; I John 2:1

Jesus’ Ascension tells us we have the Holy Spirit to empower us

-          Jesus’ first disciples were understandably upset by the notion that Jesus would be leaving them. 

-          And yet, Jesus said his departure was actually to their benefit, because once he left he would send another to comfort, strengthen, and help them- the Holy Spirit. 

-          As you try to follow Jesus each day, are you relying on your own ability and will, or are you leaning on the Holy Spirit which is promised to every believer?

-          Passages to Consider: John 16:7

Jesus’ Ascension tells us we are to be Christ’s witnesses

-          Did you know that the word martyr, which we use to describe someone who dies for their faith, is from the Greek work for “witness”?

-          Jesus said that when he ascended, it would be up to his disciples to be his witnesses.  All of us should be martyrs, or witnesses. 

-          What are you doing to bear witness to Christ to those around you?

-          Passage to Consider: John 15:26-27

Praise God for our risen Savior, who sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us!

Pray for an increased measure of the Spirit, and the desire to cultivate the Spirit in your life. 

Commit yourself to living a life that bears witness to Christ this week!

Prayer Requests- April 3, 2016

Praise:   Tyler Babb & Sara Broussard were married on Saturday.  Justin Lindsey made it home safely.  Dalton Chandler, the great-grandson of Mack and Dianne McDonald was born Tuesday.  Mother and baby are doing well.  Donnie Johnson was able to go home from the hospital.      

Recent Requests:  Charles Peters, Alton Johnson, Pat Paul, Halle Jean Melder, Jeremy Martin, Twiggy Johnson, Carol Midkiff, Lavonia Seal, Ashley Bieber and her newborn, RC & Flo Conway; Otis Monroe; Jean Valdeterio; Kimberly Snyder; Jarin Gibson, Dr. Catherin Terrell, Tammy Thomas, Edna Woodard, Sarah Martin; Joe Billings; Denise Wright; Scarlett Shockley; Todd Mason, Dorothy Browning, Elizabeth Bailey-Paul, Bobby Odom, Mya Sonnier, Ashley Stallings, Clyde Dunn, Ryland Dunnehoo, Sherry Clark, Michelle Dauzat, Keith Monroe, Keisha Anderson, Lisa King, Clyde Holloway, Johnny Stafford, Ms. Smith, Paula Fontenot, Edward & Kassie Walton, Arnaud family, Deborah Ryder, Linda Foster, Logan Blair, Chris Markle, the Stokes family, Alex Wilson, Betty Melder, Melody Fuglaar, Eunice Graves

Pray for the persecuted Christians, missionaries, victims of terrorism, and your enemies.  (Matthew 5:44)

Pray for our elected and appointed leaders, as well as world leaders. 

Pray for our students, faculty, staff, and administration at the school. 

Continuing Requests: Brent Anderson; Dale Anderson, IV; Emma Armour; Kowyn Austin, Allan Babb, Roanne Ballio, Makenzie Bankston, Ruth Barbe, Conner Bouchie, Bernice Campbell, Carl Chellette, Haley Chisholm, Ronnie Chisholm, Claire Cotton, Sampson Doyle III, James Otis Dunn, Kimmy Fix, Briley Fuller, Arnold Gill; Robert Gough, Mamie Grantham, Carolyn Gray, Dan Gray, Grady Harper, Carl Holloway, Darlene Holt, Mary Ruth Hubbard, Mike Irwin, Aline Johnson, Candy Johnson, Sylvia Johnson, Darwin Jones, Andrew Juneau, Mascel Keith, Anita Kurtz, Dennis LeDoux, Ruby Lott, Drake Martin, Iris Lee Martin, Mattie McReynolds, Dot Melder, Felix Melder, Mark Melder, Mike Melder, Arvis Midkiff, Sue Moore, Jim Owens, Harvey Paul, Harvey Paul, Jr., Luther Paul, Dewanna Polk, Estelle Simmons, Eric Sipco, Halyn Smith, Betty St. Andrie, Aiden Stewart, Erica Gillette Stewart, Eva Stewart, Lacy Storey, C.W. Strother, Myrtle Strother, Jolee Rayne Terrell, Anna Thibadoux, Azaria Thompson, Martha Townsend, Randy Tucker, Jeanie Winegeart

Deployed Military:  Tyler Bankston; Taylor Denegal, Kelvin Griffin, and those in the military

Cancer Patients:  Heather Ashworth, Marvin Banks, Ronnie Bedgood, Sylvia Bollock, Myrtis Bond, Dixie Brooks, Ashley Brown, Hedy Butler, Shirley Cameron, Billy Campbell, Mark Cary, Gleeta Chamberlain, Allen Cheek, Jerry Cole, Sally Crooks, Tyese Davis, Danny Doughy, Peppy Doughy, Donna Dyson, Ruth Ann Fisher, Sherry Fontenot, Murray Ganson, Ronald Golmon, Sr., Jared Gordon, Stacy Gough, Steve Hawkins, Cheresa Hudson, Donnie Johnson, Mr. Kelly, Vivian Kirby, Johnny LaHay, Dot Langston, Linda Langston, Mariliyn Lavisphere, Warren LeBlanc, Kaylee Lesta, Braeden Lyberski, Neda Lyberski, Joy Mancil, Roy McDonald, Peggy Middleton, David Monroe, Laken Moreau, Bob Morrow, Joe O’Neal, Jeanie O’Rorke, Myra Page, Brenda Pringle, Eleanor Rumenyak, Evelyn Sandell, Joan Schneider, Monica Sharpe, Jannie Shipp, Donny Shows, Jeanne Simmons, Richard Simmons, Linda Sipco, Connor Smith, Carolyn Spears, Donna Spears, Walter Stagg, Varnell Stanley, Carol Stewart, Leann Switzer, Jackie Teasely, Ann Thompson, Cliff Thornton, George VanderWalker, Edward Webb, Sr.; Dalton Welch, Brenda West, Charles Whitten, Carol Willis, Britney Wilson, James Wood, Charles Young

Nursing Homes:  Eloise Babb; Mary Ann Fuller, John Kenner, Bessy LeDoux, Doris Polk

Travelling:  Those traveling for work; Linda Sipco; Aaron Martin; Tyler & Sara Babb  

Deaths: The families of Virginia Johnson, Kay Carruth, Raylee Willis, Glen Jones, Angie Roberts, Don Orr

Unspoken Requests