Effective Prayer

During a recent Sunday School workers meeting, a hand out was given entitled "Ten Keys That Enable Prayer To Be Effective". 

We all know that prayer is powerful and when we pray, we want to have effective prayers.  Here is the list of biblical ways for effective prayer.

1. Praying by asking, seeking, knocking - Matthew 7:7-8,11

2.  Praying in faith - Mark 11:24

3.  Praying in secret - Matthew 6:6

4.  Praying according to God's will - I John 5:14

5.  Praying in Jesus' name - John 14:13-14

6.  Praying in agreement with other believers - Matthew 19:19-20

7.  Praying while fasting - Acts 14:23

8.  Praying from an obedient life - I John 3:21-22

9.  Praying while abiding in Christ and His Word - John 15:7

10. Praying while delighting in the Lord - Psalms 37:4

Undie Sunday

Our S.T.A.R.S. (widows ministry) is sponsoring "Undie Sunday" next week (January 26).  They are collecting new underwear, t-shirts and socks for children who are in the Guardian Ad Litem program.

 

Many of these children are uprooted in an instant from their home.  They often leave without any clothes or belongings.  Through loving donations like this, they are equipped with clean and new undergarments through their transition.

 

All sizes - newborn to 16-18 in socks, t-shirts and underwear, boys and girls are  needed.  A box to receive donations is set up in the hallway. 

Tips To Avoid Telephone Scams

One of our church families has been receiving phone calls believed to be a scam.  This is a very common occurrence in our world today.  It is wise to be alert and knowledgeable about some of these scams so we can avoid financial loss and/or identity theft.  Here is some information about what to look for:

Senior scam victims in the United States hand over at least $2.6 billion to crooks every year, according to recent newspaper reports, with as many as one in every five seniors losing money.

Although today's senior citizens may be mentally sharper than ever, they still make a prime target for con artists because they generally have more disposable income -- cash nest eggs they don't need for any specific purpose -- and because they're usually more trusting.

TELEMARKETING FRAUD
While telemarketers call people of all ages, backgrounds and incomes, they often make up to 80 percent of their calls to older consumers (according to the AARP). These telemarketers often prey upon older people who are well educated, have above-average incomes and are socially active in their community. Their sales pitches are sophisticated and include phony prizes, illegitimate sweepstakes, fake charities, and bogus investments.
STEPS TO TAKE:

• Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or Social Security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.

• If you have doubts about a telemarketer’s legitimacy, be sure to ask for their company’s name and address, along with a phone number where they can be reached at a later time.

• For elderly widows, if a caller asks for the man of the house, be sure not to say that there isn’t one or indicate that you live alone.

• Talk to family and friends or call your lawyer, accountant or banker and get their advice before you make any large purchase or investment over the phone with a stranger.

• Check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups.

• Be sure to sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s Do-Not-Call-Registry.  Telemarketers who continue to call you after you have registered are subject to penalties.  You can sign up at www.donotcall.gov or at (888) 382-1222.

• Don’t forget the power to simply hang up the phone when a stranger calls trying to sell you something you don’t want!

For more information, please see the following articles:

Tips to Prevent Senior Scams 

22 Tips for Avoiding Scams

10 Senior Scam Ploys

Christmas Parade Pictures

Antioch participated in the community Christmas parade this year.  Some of our church family designed, built and rode on a float which won 3rd place in the non-commercial division.  Here are some pictures of the float:

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

 

We apologize for neglecting to post updates recently on this blog.  Our church has a Facebook page where many of our church family participate in to keep up with activities, prayer requests and information.  Our plan is to do better to keep this blog updated also as we know that not everyone is on Facebook.

 

A few of our prayer requests include -

 Kathy F. who underwent a successful heart bypass surgery and is recovering at home. 

Wayne E. had hip replacement surgery a while back and has had his hip dislocate several times, again had it dislocate this week.  It was put back in place and he will be facing surgery soon. 

 

Many of our church family is traveling for the holidays and many are suffering from sickness.  Your prayers for each other build a bond of love that represents Christ and His love for us.