Many of you may know about Community Missions of Niagara Frontier, but if you do not, let me briefly tell you about them.

Community Missions is located in Niagara Falls, NY. Since 1925 they have been providing emergency housing and other services for those who are in need. They are the oldest, continuous ministry in Niagara County that provides shelter for those in crisis. This year is their 90^th Anniversary!

Today, they provide crisis housing, food for the hungry and clothing for those in need. They also help those released from prison as they re-enter society and those struggling with HIV/AIDS. The also provide residential and community based services for adults living with mental illness, as well as residential and community based services for at-risk youth.

As part of their $90 for 90 Years Celebration, Community Missions has made a special request that churches celebrate with them by joining them in prayer each Sunday through the end of the year to give praise and thanks to God for having been blessed to serve God by serving those in need.  Today is our first day celebrating with them in prayer.

Prayer:
God of grace and love, we lift our prayer of thanksgiving to you for Community Missions. We rejoice with them as they celebrate 90 years of service to you. We stand in awesome wonder for the blessing of being your servants in the world. O Lord, let your blessings upon the work the Mission does grow ever greater so as to strengthen them to go where you lead. Amen.

Scripture suggestion:
Hebrews 6:10-  For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Prayer 2 - Posted November 10, 2015

Prayer:
O God, we praise you for the bounty of creation and how your plan is always to provide for all your children. As a church family, hear us as we give thanks for the opportunity use the gifts you have given us to care for those in need. We ask that you also hear the praise that Community Missions is giving to you as they celebrate their 90th anniversary of serving you and for the gift of providing a ministry where they can share the bounty of your creation with others. Bless Community Missions and our church, and strengthen us as we continue to serve where ever there is need. Amen.

Scripture suggestion:
1 Timothy 6:17-19 -  17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Prayer 3 - Posted November 17, 2015

Prayer:
Lord of all creation, we thank you for how you call us to stand with those that who too often go unseen. We know that our sisters and brothers living with mental illness are unjustly ignored and feared. With gratitude we lift up our prayers of thanks that you have called Community Missions to not just provide the love and assistance our sisters and brothers with mental illness need, but to be a voice for justice that can end the stigma those with mental illness face. Hear the Mission's prayers of thanks for the blessing you have given them to be servants who both help and speak your truth in the world. Here us too, Holy Creator, as we join them in this prayer of thanks. Amen.

Scripture suggestion:

Prayer 5 - Posted December 3, 2015 (Our apologies for the late posting. It has been a busy week at the Mission!)

Prayer:
Holy savior, we praise you today for and give thanks for filling our hearts with compassion. Thank you for teaching us that all people are worthy of your love. Here our prayer and bless us as we follow your call to provide food for those who hunger. We ask your blessing upon the work of addressing hunger and food insecurity that Community Missions does in your name. Strengthen us all so that we can continue to respond according to your will. . Amen.

Scripture suggestion:
Matthew 25:34-35a:   "Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,..."