• Prayer for the young lady that was let go from his employer. Prayer for her finances as well as her job search
• Pray that communication with his father improves and his mail will find its destination
• Praise for their vacation and the time to relax and refresh

*Jessiah

• Prayer for my job search. I do have an interview on Wednesday at 4pm so pray especially hard then!

*Nate

• Prayer for wisdom and guidance about a potential location change

• Let’s all pray for Dan’s new chapter in his life. Pray for God’s guidance and leading in his life
• Safety for the travel that he and his family are taking in the near future

*Bridgit & Roy

• Pray for Mark & Anna as they are currently going through an extremely difficult time. Cecilia, their baby girl who was born with multiple complication one week ago has died. Pray that they allow God to work through this tragedy and provides them with his peace.

*Jay

• His sister will be graduating from orthodontist school. Pray that God will lead her in this new time in her life.

*Chris & Kirsten

• Pray for their sister and family’s relationship with God. Pray for God’s peace and wisdom with their financial situation.

*Praises

• VBS went very well last week. Thank the Lord for leading some neighborhood children and families to the Church.

*Nate & Amanda:

• Friends had their first baby this week. Mom and baby are both doing well
• Closing on their house this week (Party at their place next week!?!?!)

*Bridget:

• Friends son who was kicked by a horse is doing well

Prayer Requests:

*Mara:

• Pray for Gods wisdom during their family meeting

*Amanda:

• Friend is going through a rough time right now

*Beth:

• Brother and his wife are trying to get pregnant

The right side of the garden contains (from the top to bottom) cucumbers, Serrano peppers, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. The left side has a long row of green beans and about four onions. The potatoes are hidden because of the enormous tomato plants.

There are many ways you can relate a garden to your personal walk with God. I read Revelation 2:4 today. John writes about the passion new believers have for Christ and it reminded me of my passion for my new garden. My excitement and desire to constantly be in, talk about, or just look at my garden is probably at its peak. Never again will I feel as excited about the idea of a garden or the physical garden itself. I am in the midst of my “first love” right now. This is it.

My mind logically asks the question, Why do we lose our “first love”? Not only for gardens, but for personal relationships, and especially for God. Fortunately for me, I am on the front side of my love for gardening and haven’t lost it. Based on feeling my “first love” for gardening, I can analyze how I have gone from having sincere passion for God, a sincere desire to serve him and love others diminishes occasionally.

So, as you read this and briefly share with me my “first love” of gardening, think of your first love as a new Christian. Think of how it felt as your soul praised God for everything in your life. Think of how that praise turned into service. Then, consciously work to get it back.

*Dan

• Grandfather, George, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Decisions about a job

*CJ

• Has to fire one of his employees within the next couple of weeks
• Continued prayer for his dad, Russell

*Scott

• Just started a new relationship and is seeking God’s guidance

*Jessiah

• Prayer as he searches for a teaching position in an extremely difficult market

• Pray that all goes well for their home inspection on Tuesday. This should be the last major obstacle on their path towards first time home-ownership! 
• Praise that Amanda had safe travels on her way home Sunday. 

*CJ 

• Praise that his mail finally found his father, albeit a few months late. 
• Lets especially focus on prayer for the softening of his Fathers heart so God can work in his heart. Sorry CJ, I don’t know his first name?

*Roy & Bridgit

• Mark & Anna, their unsaved friends are pregnant with a baby that has deep medical issues. Pray for God’s work & peace in their lives as the situation progresses.

*Imago 

• Praise for the good financial situation they are experiencing. 
• Pray for the new Pastor and his family, Donovan, Aubrey, & kids. 
• Pray for more volunteers to help with Children’s Church and the nursery. 

*Jessiah & Beth 

• Pray for Beth’s brothers wife as she is tending to some serious family matters in Florida. 

• On Monday night, the Schwalm’s put down an offer on a home in Cedar Rapids. Pray that the offer will be taken or for God to lead them elsewhere. 
• Continue to pray for Amanda’s family and her sisters wedding. 

*CJ & Jessica

• A special thank you for opening your home to all of us on Saturday. Much appreciated and we’ll all have to go back for more Guitar Hero! 

• Prayer for his new position at NPC. Be in prayer for God’s peace in regards to his work on the new structure and new Sunday School Curriculum. 
• Prayer that he stays free from stress. 
• Pray that his recently acquired head cold is cleared quickly. 

*Amanda Schwalm: 

• Praise that school is over for the semester and all went well. (from what I heard) 
• Prayer for her sisters upcoming wedding: Pray for God’s peace to rule in the situation and in the hearts of the whole family.

*Jessiah & Beth: 

• Praise for all the support given from the class and from NPC in general. Everything has been so greatly appreciated!