Breakthrough International Ministry of Intercessory Prayer

By Mark Gunderman

The present Catherine Marshall Center was originally the Lincoln school, built in 1879. It was purchased by Catherine Marshall LeSourd and Len LeSourd in1978 to house Chosen Books, now a division of Baker Books. Today it serves as headquarters for Breakthrough International Ministry of Intercessory Prayer in Lincoln, Virginia. Breakthrough is always open to new Christian Intercessors joining this ministry. As the number of requests for prayer grows, Breakthrough seeks a greater number of Intercessors. Breakthrough believes that God chooses and calls individuals to this ministry. Please pray for His leading about entering this work. Photo courtesy/ Breakthrough Prayer Ministry.

For more information you can contact Breakthrough by:
E-mail: Breakthrough@intercessors.org
Website: www.intercessors.org

St. James UCC To Host Interfaith Tenth Anniversary Commemoration of September 11, 2001

Following the traditional ringing of the church bells by Lovettsville Mayor Elaine Walker, St. James United Church of Christ will mark the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 with a morning of interfaith remembrance, with a call to confession, compassion and commitment to renewed listening and community building. The sanctuary will remain open to all for silent prayers and meditation, beginning with the first ringing of the church bells at 8:46 a.m. All are invited to stay for fellowship and an 11:00 a.m. interfaith service following the bell ringing. … Continue Reading

Good Shepherd Alliance Elects High School Seniors to Board of Directors

Samuel Moore-Sobel (Stone Bridge) and Nicole Levinson (Loudoun County) are high school seniors elected to the 2011/2012 Good Shepherd Alliance (GSA) Board of Directors. The young adults will have full voting privileges and serve on the GSA outreach committee working shoulder to shoulder with the Board of Directors to promote GSA homeless services and programs in all twelve Loudoun County High Schools.

The seniors were selected from a group of very robust candidates based on criteria that included volunteerism in social services, proven organizational skills and a passion to plan and initiate programs that involve high school youth in serving the needs of our indigent and homeless population.

… Continue Reading

7th Annual Walk for Shelter

The Good Shepherd Alliance is hosting the 7th Annual Walk for Shelter (September 17, see Calendar), and released the following statement:

“The GSA held its first Walk for Shelter in Leesburg in October 2005. Back then, Loudoun did not have a clear awareness regarding homeless issues that existed in our communities. Most thought homelessness was a problem within Washington D.C. or in other less affluent counties. Today because of media attention, government support, local church and business participation and high school student involvement, more programs and services are available for the homeless and indigent population than ever before. In 2010, 283 people walked with GSA to include many children and teens which assisted in promoting awareness for homeless programs and services and to foster volunteerism in service. Previous walks drew 61, 35, 120, 138 and 243 registered walkers in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 respectively.

Living in Northern Virginia, it’s sometimes easy to forget that there are people living in this area who struggle without one of life’s most basic necessities: affordable housing. This September, we here in Loudoun County will have the opportunity to be part of the solution to that problem. The GSA will be sponsoring the Walk for Shelter which will take participants through the historic section of Leesburg, Virginia. All proceeds will benefit the Loudoun homeless at the GSA shelters for women, children and families located in Purcellville and North Leesburg.

Registration begins at 9 am at the Douglas Community Center pavilion with the Walk to begin at 10 am. Lunch and activities commence at 11 am. Opportunities abound to bring your friends and family. Public School and Home School groups are invited. Churches, youth pastors, Sunday school classes, civic organizations, MOMS Clubs, etc. are all invited. Bring a group from your business, school, church or neighborhood. Wear your company or church T-shirt or bring a company or church banner. We want to show our community that we care and raise support for homeless programs and services in Loudoun County.

Special family activities will take place following the walk to include an ice-pop for a donation booth, moon bounce, face-painting, balloon animals, and free grilled hot dogs, cold drinks and other family activities. Come and join us for a community event and be an advocate for those less fortunate. Registration is $20 for adults, $15 for youth 10 to 18 and children under 10 are free.
We would like to ask you to consider sponsoring our Walk this year. Now is the time! Perhaps your support for the homeless and near-homeless in our community can come through a financial sponsorship, a booth at the event or through facilitating a group to walk with us. Walkathon registration documents are available online through the GSA website. Call today for more sponsorship opportunities.

GSA Executive Director Vickie Koth will provide an overview of the GSA programs: emergency and transitional housing, community outreach and the need for monetary and material donations to support the indigent and homeless population. Koth has recognized the great community support we receive as volunteers contribute food and supplies every week. However the GSA has a great need for financial sponsors; even as little as $5 per month does make a difference when many can participate.
The GSA prays that all our small steps taken today would lead to larger steps toward helping the homeless tomorrow. We believe that each walker might be a voice for those whose voices are rarely heard. Many grandparents, parents and children will walk with GSA board members and staff. Parents have previously said that the walk provided an educational experience raising awareness about homelessness. The youth especially gained appreciation for the many blessings provided by their own families.

The GSA has a goal of registering 300 men, women and children to walk the 1.2 mile route commencing from Douglass School Pavilion on the corner of Sycolin Road and East Market Street. Going west on East Market to Loudoun Street, then on to King Street, through historic Leesburg, back to East Market, past the Loudoun Times Mirror, then over to Harrison Street past the Government Building and back to the Douglass School.

GSA is proud of its cooperative relationship with Loudoun County and Leesburg Town Government. GSA is grateful to the Leesburg Town Council, Leesburg Police and Parks and Recreation for their cooperation and coordination of this event.

God bless all.”

Aglow International – Loudoun Community Lighthouse

The next Lighthouse Meeting is this Saturday, August 13 at 10:00 a.m. at King of Kings Worship Center, 221 North 21st Street, Purcellville. The guest speaker this month is Berhiri Ogbon, of Altar of Fire and Glory Ministries, Allen, TX. Berhiri believes that an Altar of Fire and Glory is where you experience true intimacy with God.

Berhiri Ogbon is a prophet, evangelist, teacher and preacher of the word. He is the founder of Altar of Fire and Glory Ministries. Altar of Fire and Glory is a ministry of prayer and intercession for all nations. It is a ministry ordained by God to establish prayer altars of revival around the world. … Continue Reading

Middleburg United Methodist Church Welcomes New Pastor

Historic Middleburg United Methodist Church, on the corner of Washington and Pendleton Streets in Middleburg’s town center, has a new pastor. Reverend Leah DeLong comes to Middleburg from the Charlottesville area and is pleased to be closer to her home in Markham.

Reverend DeLong is originally from Western Pennsylvania and Garret County, Maryland where her family were dairy farmers. She followed her keen interest in science when she majored in biology at Seton Hill University. After college she accepted a job as a naturalist at Shenandoah National Park where she met her husband, Don, who was visiting the Park. Don is now retired from the CIA. … Continue Reading

An Interfaith Youth Choir, Voices of the Valley

All western Loudoun youth grades seven – 12 are invited to join the interfaith youth Christmas choir, Voices of the Valley, once again coordinated by Bethany United Methodist Church and the Hamilton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All appropriate aged youth are welcome to join the choir, with or without any religious affiliation to a church of any denomination. Rehearsals will be held on Sunday afternoons, starting with our first rehearsal on September 11, 2011 beginning at 4:15 p.m. at the Hamilton building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (15 N. Reid St, Hamilton).

The performance will be held on Sunday evening, December 1 at Bethany United Methodist Church. Any questions can be directed to: Carri Michon at CLMichon@aol.com or call 540-338-2466 after August 22.

Round Hill United Methodist Church Offers Day Camp

Kid’s That Care Mission Camp at Round Hill United Methodist Church will be held July 18-22 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for rising first graders to rising fifth graders. The goal of this day camp is to create a community of children that uses their time and their talents to serve the Seniors and residents in need of aid and those with special needs. To register, email joblinger@yahoo.com.

Pray for Our Sheriff’s Deputies

Contributed by Mark Gunderman

The importance of prayer is much greater than most of us realize. If we can find a way to include prayer in our daily activities, we will gradually notice our entire lifestyle transitioning into a force which spreads God’s light. I am sure that there are many within Loudoun County that are praying for the Sheriff’s Office. The intent of this letter is to encourage many more to join this body of believers.

Without the Sheriff’s Deputies and support personnel working in our communities, we would not enjoy the safe and secure lifestyles that we now enjoy. The thin blue line establishes a barrier between light and darkness, good and evil, setting boundaries that hold back crime and ensure our comfort and community safety.

We are convinced that the Lord wants to share His strategies and plans with His people and that we must position ourselves to hear His voice and be ready to pray or act as He leads.

The Bible very clearly calls us to pray for those in authority: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

The Bible has much to say about Civil Governance (governing authorities including law enforcement). Law Enforcement is unique among service providers in that Sheriff’s Deputies are a governing authority.

Our Sheriff’s Deputies provide a service; however, the Sheriff’s Office also has a mandate under legislation to enforce the laws that govern our county. In Romans 13: 1-6, support of this position is conveyed: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…”

Civil governance may be considered a ministry and therefore should be upheld according to the principles cited by Paul in I Timothy, Chapter 2. In Romans it is declared the rules (authorities) are not a weapon against good works, but to evil. Deputies have a specific mandate under God to confront and punish evil. Without that line of defense, lawlessness and violence would abound.

God takes particular interest in law enforcement to ensure they are ruling and discharging their duties justly: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). God reserves the right to intervene where necessary. This is where our prayers take action. God uses the Body of Christ to uphold the governing authorities for that very purpose. We must pray relentlessly for those who protect our families, homes and community. In this way we ensure a strong bond is established between citizen and the county employees whose foremost responsibility is to maintain our much cherished community security.

We pray O God our Father that you put a hedge around the Sheriff’s Office of this great county. Bless the bereaved family of any fallen Deputy, remembering that the earth has no sorrow that the heavens cannot heal. God please bless this county in a powerful way and keep us in Your arms and in Your grace. We promise to give Our Lord the praise and glory in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Photo: Eastern Loudoun Station dedication celebration took place on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. Photo credit Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.

National Day of Prayer May 5

The next May event will be the 60th Annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5, at the Shepherds Table at 7:00 p.m. at Prison Fellowship at 44180 Riverside Parkway, Lansdowne.

The theme this year is “Rebuilding the USA” using the entire book of Nehemiah as the rebuilding strategy. The prayers spoken by pastors and layman will be specific to this subject matter. For more information, e-mail Reverend Jack Stagman at jackstagman@comcast.net or call 703-581-4390.

The 4th Annual Bible Reading Marathon

By Odessa Criales-Smith
Loudoun Awakening | Community Prayer Watch

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. — Psalms 27:8

Come one, come all…allow the Word of God to shed light into your hearts that you might know the love of the Father for you. I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Risen Messiah. We welcome you to the 4th annual Bible Reading Marathon, held on the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds in Leesburg, Virginia. We will be reading the Bible from cover to cover, over a six-day, 90-hour period. The opening ceremony will be at noon on April 30 , concluding on May 5 at noon. This will lead into an informal gathering, in observance of the National Day of Prayer, which is Thursday, May 5 at noon. (there will also be a formal observance of the National Day of Prayer at Prison Fellowship at 7:00 p.m.). … Continue Reading

A Tale of Two Food Pantries

By Mark Gunderman

According to the Associated Press, more than one in seven American households struggled to put enough food on the table in 2008, the highest rate since the Agriculture Department began tracking food security levels in 1995.

I attended my first LINK Board Meeting in the early winter of 1999. I had heard about LINK at my Church, Community Lutheran, and was intrigued by the fact that churches from various denominations networked and shared their resources to support this independent, all volunteer, Christian non-profit. … Continue Reading

Ready, Set, Read The Bible

Come, declare the Bible as the Word of God, as recognized for over two thousand years. All churches, Christian organizations, bible study groups, choirs, prayer groups,youth groups and their families and friends are encouraged to participate in a Bible Reading Marathon from April 30 – May 5.

The Bible Reading Marathon will conclude at Noon, followed by an informal gathering, at the Bible Reading Marathon site, in observance of the National Day of Prayer.

Visit www.LoudounAwakening.org to sign up individually or as a group.

Church To Host Dinner Fundraiser

Unison United Methodist Church will be hosting its Annual Pig Roast and Turkey Dinner on April 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Call 540-554-2245 for more information.