The Commission on Ministry invites all congregations in the Presbytery of North Central Iowa to be in prayers for one another throughout the year. We hope in this way to share the spirit and power of prayer as we reflect on our oneness in Jesus Christ. The North Central Iowa Presbytery Bicentennial History – 200 Years Celebrate the Journey book will give you more understanding of each congregation as you pray. If you do not have a copy of the book, contact the Presbytery office.
| WEEK | CHURCH | PASTOR(S) |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | Presbyterian Mission Agency | deployed mission workers |
| January 8, 2023 | First, Maxwell | CRE Adrian McMullen |
| January 15, 2023 | Salem, Lincoln | Rev. Gary Catterson and Rev. Brad Braley |
| January 22, 2023 | First, Kamrar | Rev. Bob EnTin |
| January 29, 2023 | First, LeRoy, Minnesota | Rev. Dr. John Kerr |
| February 5, 2023 | Cedar Heights Community Presbyterian Church, Cedar Falls | Rev. Dr. Dave Kivett and Rev. Johnny Janssen |
| February 12, 2023 | First, Fort Dodge | Rev. Dr. Austin Hill and Rev. Sara Hill |
| February 19, 2023 | United, Goldfield | |
| February 26, 2023 | First, State Center | CRE Kelly Kopsa and Carol Tripp, Co-Pastors |
| March 5, 2023 | United, Traer | Rev. Brice Hoyt |
| March 12, 2023 | First, Conrad | |
| March 19, 2023 | First, Jesup | CRE Dawn Person |
| March 26, 2023 | United, Clarion | |
| April 2, 2023 | First, Marshalltown | Rev. Bryan Kunz |
| April 9, 2023 | First, Algona and First, Irvington | |
| April 16, 2023 | First, Waterloo | Rev. David Feltman |
| April 23, 2023 | United, Garner | CRE David Skilling |
| April 30, 2023 | Pray for the Ministers in North Central Iowa who are active in Specialized Ministry | Rev. Al Polito Rev. Dr. Linda Smith Rev. Kerin Lang Sorensen |
| May 7, 2023 | First, Toledo | Rev. Dr. Tom Bower |
| May 14, 2023 | First, Greene | Rev. Joan Thomas |
| May 21, 2023 | Unity, Waterloo | Rev. Christine Kaplunas |
| May 28, 2023 | First, Mason City | |
| June 4, 2023 | First, Cedar Falls | Rev. Julie Erkel Hagee |
| June 11, 2023 | Pray for honorably retired pastors in the Presbytery of North Central Iowa (not currently serving churches) | Rev. Bruce Baillie, Rev. John Bates, Rev. David Beckmann, Rev. Fran Beyea, Rev. Kerry Carson, Rev. Doug Darnold, Rev. Dan Emmert, Rev. Tamara EnTin, Rev. Jerry Evelsizer, Rev. Dr. Patricia Geadelmann, Rev. Denise Group, Rev. John Hanna, Rev. Wesley Harker, Rev. Jack Mauldin, Rev. Larry Mitchell, Rev. Gordon Moen, Rev. Charles E. Orr, Rev. John Osborn, Rev. Mark Pell, Rev. Mary Wilber, Rev. Dr. S. Glenn Wilson, Rev. Cathy Young |
| June 18, 2023 | Pray for the PC(USA) Special Offerings: | One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peace & Global Witness, Christmas Joy |
| June 25, 2023 | Pray for the National Staff of PC(USA) | |
| July 2, 2023 | First, Boone | Rev. John Pea |
| July 9, 2023 | First, Lakota | CRE Kent Madison |
| July 16, 2023 | Pray for other Minister members of North Central Iowa | Rev. Ben Acosta, Rev. Le Anne Clausen de Montes, Rev. Joy Ridge Edeker, Rev. Barbara Huisman, Rev. Dr. Richard King, Rev. Betsy Thompson |
| July 23, 2023 | Lakeshore Center at Okoboji | Rev. Sara Sutter, Director Serena Lynch, Program Director Steve Sutter, Office Manager Rev. John Hanna, Maintenance |
| July 30, 2023 | First, Ackley | CRE Diane Martin |
| August 6, 2023 | Northminster, Ames | Rev. Jim DuBois |
| August 13, 2023 | Westminster, Waterloo | Johnny Craig |
| August 20, 2023 | First, Albion | CRE Charlie Flick |
| August 27, 2023 | Collegiate, Ames | Rev. Dr. Brett Becker Rev. Jen Hibben Emily Sprunger |
| September 3, 2023 | Theological Institutions related to the PCUSA | |
| September 10, 2023 | Eden, Rudd | Rev. Dixie Laube |
| September 17, 2023 | Greater Greene County Presbyterian Ministries (Grand Junction, First; Jefferson, First; Payton First) | Rev. Bill Kem CRE Wendy Pittman |
| September 24, 2023 | First, Reinbeck and First, Grundy Center | Rev. Steve Tyykila |
| October 1, 2023 | Bethany, Grundy Center | Rev. Dr. Tom Wiles |
| October 8, 2023 | Lone Rock | CRE Walt Reemtsma |
| October 15, 2023 | Barclay, Waterloo | CRE Larry Fuson |
| October 22, 2023 | Central, Nevada | Rev. John Molacek |
| October 29, 2023 | McCallsburg | Rev. Tom Poppe |
| November 5, 2023 | Amity, Reinbeck | CRE Darryl Widmayer |
| November 12, 2023 | Burt | CRE Kent Madison and CRE Walt Reemtsma |
| November 19, 2023 | First, Woden | CRE Diane Wilson |
| November 26,2023 | East Friesland, Ackley and First, Steamboat Rock | CRE Lynn Arends |
| December 3, 2023 | St. Paul's, Washburn | Rev. Dr. Clemens Bartollas |
| December 10, 2023 | Grand Ji Vante (formerly The Presbyterian Village) | Diane Martin, Chaplain |
| December 17, 2023 | Pray for the Presbytery Staff | Rev. Dr. Annika Lister Stroope, Administrative Executive & Stated Clerk RE Amgad Beblawi, Mission Executive Rev. Ian McMullen, Pastor to the Presbyteries Jeannie Stolee, Office Manager |
| December 24, 2023 | Pray for The Synod of Lakes and Prairies Staff: | RE Elona Street-Stewart, Synod Executive Rev. Dr. Deb DeMeester, Leadership Development RE Jim Koon, Financial Services and Treasurer Rev. Pam Prouty, Stated Clerk Amy Hartman, Financial Services Associate Gretchen Milloy, Office Coordinator |
| December 31, 2023 | Pray for Churches Searching for Pastors |
PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH
Following are some sample Prayers from the Book of Common Worship published by Westminster/John Knox press in 1993
For the Church
Almighty and ever‑living God,
ruler of all things in heaven and earth,
hear our prayers for this congregation.
Strengthen the faithful,
arouse the careless,
and restore the penitent.
Grant us all things necessary for our common
life, and bring us all to be of one heart and
mind within your holy church; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Mission of the Church
Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ
to reconcile the world to yourself.
We praise and bless you for those
whom you have sent in the power of the Spirit
to preach the gospel to all nations.
We thank you that in all parts of the earth
a community of love has been gathered together
by their prayers and labors,
and that in every place your servants call upon
your name; for the kingdom and the power and
the glory are yours forever. Amen.
For the Proclamation of the Gospel
By your word, O God, your creation sprang
forth,
and we were given the breath of life.
By your word, eternal God, death is overcome,
Christ is raised from the tomb, and we are
given a new life in the power of your Spirit.
May we boldly proclaim this good news,
by the words of our mouths and the deeds of
our lives,
rejoicing always in your powerful presence;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
For a Meeting of the General Assembly, Synod, or Presbytery
Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you called
disciples and, by the Holy Spirit, made them
one church to serve you. Be with members of
our General Assembly/synod/presbytery. Help
them to welcome new things you are doing in
the world, and to respect old thing you keep
and use. Save them from empty slogans or
senseless controversy. In their deciding,
determine what is good for us and for all
people. As the General
Assembly/synod/presbytery meets, let your
Spirit rule, so that our church may be joined in
love and service to Jesus Christ, who, having
gone before us, is coming to meet us in the
promise of your kingdom. Amen.
For Courage in Christ’s Mission
Toyhiko Kagawa (1888‑1960) O God, show us
clearly the heart of the kingdom of God. We
do not protest even if our life is destined to lead
to the cross, or if the way leads to our losing
our lives. We will march in the face of distress
and contrary winds. Teach us how to dispense
with unnecessary thing. Let us go forward
without fear of death in order to fulfill our
mission simply, surely, and steadily. Reveal to
us our station clearly, and strengthen us to
teach and guide, by our example, all persons,
even those who are ruled by evil. We pray that
you may find us worthy to work through us.
Amen.
