Pray for Argentina and Paraguay on Sunday, January 20, 2013

Lectionary Selection: John 2:1 -11

Pastor Ana Ferrigno de Sargenti presides at the Easter communion.

Prayers for Argentina and Paraguay:
O God of abundant grace, who causes dry springs to swell up, and who opens our hearts to wonder and joy, this week we give thanks for the deep faith of the churches of Paraguay and Argentina. We ask you to be with them, as they face many hardships. We give thanks for the life of Pastor Dora Imfeld, who now rests with you, and we ask your presence with her family and the church in Vedia. We ask your accompaniment also with the institutions of the Disciples in Paraguay: the Comité de Iglesias, the Campamento Jack Norment, the Misión de Amistad, and the Colegio Internacional. We thank you because you grant these churches your spirit not only to walk but to dance, not only to talk but to sing, not only to survive, but to flourish. And, in this season of epiphany, we pray you will bless all of our communities with your transformative laughter. In the name of all that is Holy, Amen. 

Mission Stewardship Moment from Argentina and Paraguay:

What does it mean to celebrate church unity?

On September 29th, 2012, 450 Christians from all over Argentina and Paraguay gathered for the Day of Fellowship. There was no agenda, no list of goals, no hurry –  the point was to be together.

At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performs a miracle in the spirit of celebration. Stone water jars, designed for purification, become the means by which we arrive at a fuller sense of grace. The week-to-week activities that each of us engages in are important and sacred.  Yet there are also moments when we set it all aside for something grand.

And so, at our Day of Fellowship, we took time out from our daily challenges – and there are many here – to relax and remember who we are. We studied, prayed, ate, planted trees, and enjoyed our time together. People from the city got to know people from the campo; long-time church members became acquainted with newcomers; younger people broke bread with older people; Argentineans and Paraguayans played music together. And at the end of the day, each family took home a yucca cutting to continue the celebration of community

The Day of Fellowship was possible largely because of the commitment and generosity of DOC and UCC congregations, who do their part and more to meet God’s people and creation at the point of deepest need. For the Disciples of Paraguay and Argentina, this support comes as a blessing as they seek to learn, grow, and thrive together, and they are very grateful.

Thank you and may God grant you much joy in this New Year!

(Prayer and Mission Moment by James de Boer)

Mission Partners in Argentina and Paraguay:

• Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo
• Asociacion la Iglesia de Dios
• Colegio Ward
• Iglesia Evangelica Congregacional de Argentina
• Iglesia Evangelica de los Discipulos de Cristo en Argentina
• Isedet – Instituto Superior Evangelico de Estudios Teologicos
• Junat Unida de Misiones
• Movimento Ecumenico por los Derechos Humanos (MEDH)

Video Resources about Argentina and Paraguay:
http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/argentina-and-paraguay.html

More information on Argentina and Paraguay:
http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/argentina/
http://globalministries.org/lac/countries/paraguay/

Global Ministries Missionary(ies) in Argentina and Paraguay:
James deBoer, a member of Central Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island, served a one year term as a Long-Term Volunteer with the Round Table for Mission Development of the Disciples of Christ Church in Argentina and Paraguay. He  worked as a consultant for mission development.