As a Committee of our congregation, we are acting on requests made by some of our St. Andrew members to have periodic Prayer Vigils.

Keeping in mind that anything we do can only be done better and right if we ask for the Lord's help, we have plans to have a Prayer Vigil, before 2003 ends. This would be a special time set aside, when our church is open for prayer to every one of you, as well as others, to spend time in the sanctuary for personal prayer. Because our congregation also needs prayers, we would include prayers for all members, and the Lord's work that we attempt to carry out at St. Andrew. We ask each to include this special work in their prayers as well, both at home and during the Vigil.

On Thursday, December 4, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., we will have our first Prayer Vigil in the Sanctuary at St. Andrew. There will be "helps" in the narthex for your prayer time: a printed list of requests made by individuals, requests that include our personnel and the work of St. Andrew, etc. A "Prayer Box" has been placed in the narthex where all can put their prayer requests so others will include them as they pray at that time. Realizing that some do not want their personal requests made known to anyone but God, we assure you that you do not have to mention names. Your request can be as simple as asking for a marriage having problems, for someone suffering an illness, a loss to death in a family, financial problems, loss of a job, or whatever your needs are. We may not know who we are praying for, but God knows because He knows everything about every one of us, and knows who the prayers are for. Mentioning names is good if you feel comfortable with that, because someone may be able to relate with the difficulty you are facing and can share what they experienced -but the choice is yours. There is so much POWER in prayer that we expect good things to come from this.

You may want to stop on your way home from work, or return at anytime between 4 and 8 pm for quiet prayer. The length of time you pray is up to you but we encourage all of you to find some time to join us for prayer. Invite your family and Friends to join you. If you have never experienced a Prayer Vigil, you will find this a very uplifting experience in your life.

Prayers are already being made to have all of you stop to pray for yourself and others. You can help us with our praying that this will become a Godly and inspiring time for all of us.

Extra Note: Please tell us how often you would like the Prayer Vigils held, if other times and/or days would be better for you, and what you would like to have us plan for times when we meet for fellowship with one another as we attempt to unite us all into the "family" of St. Andrew. Your input will help tremendously and is needed. Our thanks to you, in advance!