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Praying for the Fort Hood Community

November 7, 2009 in Prayers with 0 Comments

During our Saturday night worship service this evening, we shared a moment of silence prior to the message and the following prayer which was written by our Bishop, Mike Lowry. The Fort Hood area is within the boundaries of our Annual conference which consists of 320 United Methodist churches.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” In the coming days, we will certainly be praying for healing for the Fort Hood community and for comfort for the families whose loved ones were killed. Let’s also pray for peace.

Lord God, we come to you in grief and shock over the shootings at Fort Hood. We pray this day for the families who have lost loved ones, for those who are wounded and for all who suffer from this horrible violence. Pour your grace-filled love and comfort over them that they may be strengthened by your presence and upheld by your love. Receive, O Lord, our prayers of gratitude for all those who courageously responded to stop the violence and for all who have labored in treating those harmed. Enfold Fort Hood and the entire area in your care. Bless and guide this nation and all who serve. In your goodness and by your mercy Lord God, may we be instruments of healing and hope. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy SPirit we pray. AMEN.

Jonathan’s Race

October 10, 2009 in Prayers, Saturday Night with 0 Comments

I was not able to confirm these details prior to the beginning of our worship service this evening, but this note was posted on Jonathan’s carepages website today. I appreciate you remembering the Baggett family in your prayers.

I have fought the fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7

Jonathan’s Memorial Service
1:00 pm on Monday October 12th
Richland Hills United Methodist Church

“And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.”
–Khalil Gibran

Coverage of Jonathan’s Story

October 3, 2009 in Prayers, Saturday Night with 0 Comments

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I decided to consolidate the links that I’ve provide over the past few weeks related to Johathan Baggett, the brother of Mel Baggett who plays in our Saturday night worship band. In the last week, most of the news outlets have reported on the story of Jonny’s nomination as Homecoming King at Birdville High School. Last night at Homecoming, Mel and her step Dad stood at the middle of Birdville’s field and accepted Jonny’s crown after the student body honored him in that way. I appreciate you continuing to keep this family in your prayers.

Channel 8’s original story

Fort Worth Star Telegram Article

Channel 8’s report from last night [scroll down in the videos]

Channel 4’s report from last night

Channel 8’s story about Jonathan

September 29, 2009 in Prayers, Saturday Night with 1 Comment

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On Channel 8 last night during their 5:00 p.m. news segment, a story was run about Jonathan Baggett, the brother of Melissa Baggett who plays in our Saturday night band. You can read the story and see a clip of the segment by clicking here.

UPDATE: Link to Fort Worth Star Telegram Article

Another Update from Mel

September 24, 2009 in Prayers with 0 Comments

This update is from Mel Baggett, one of the members of our Saturday night band regarding the condition of her brother, Jonathan. For more info., you can check out her previous update here. I appreciate you continuing to lift up this family in your prayers.

I know there have been quite a few rumors floating around about Jonny’s condition over the past few days so I thought I would give everyone the update as best that I know it.

As we all know Jonny is an incredible fighter and his body is very strong. Stronger than many people’s. He has overcome many obstacles and numerous complications. On Friday we were given the update that the drains they were putting into his head were not working properly. Damage had already been done to the brain and swelling was occurring very rapidly due to the fluid building on his brain. We were told that if the final attempt at the drain didn’t work that they would take it out and simply sew him back up. The neurosurgeon said he would not even put his own child through anymore attempts or surgery to fix what was wrong. He did not expect Jon to make it through the weekend. We were told the pressure would build and Jon would just get very sleepy. It is a fatal condition. He was moved from the PICU to the 3rd floor and has been surrounded by family, friends, and nurses who love him so much. He said it would not be a painful way to go…just going to sleep. What occurred over the next few days has no words to describe it. Saturday was the most moving thing I have ever experienced. His brain has been damaged from the swelling and fluid but we know that in that room Jon knows what’s going on without a doubt. He can hear everyone talk to him and answer their questions…at times his energy level is just too low to even give a nod. But trust that he knows what you are saying to him.

Since Jon has remained alert and awake they decided to do another scan today to see what his brain looked like. The scan showed similar results…slightly worse than had looked on the last scan. He’s given it one more push and has been able to experience more love and support from lots of people who want to come talk to him. This plateau may last longer than expected but as painful as it is to accept…the prognosis from the doctors at this time has not changed. Jon has expressed to several people he’s close to that he is not afraid of what’s ahead of him. His angels have been with him watching over his bed. He’s told us that his body is tired and he’s ready to cross the finish line and go home. But just like Jon, he’s been worried about those of us he will leave behind….and he’s expressed that fact. He was always one to worry about others before himself. Once, when I didn’t answer my phone he drove all the way to my apartment across town and ran up the steps to my house just to see if I was okay. He would always want to hear from Holly when she would travel back to Austin to make sure she made it home alright…and he’d do the same for his mom. His concern for his friends was always apparent to me ( and now I see why he loved you all so much). Lots of people have rallied and come to together on the 3rd floor of Cooks, in the PICU, and across the state and country to stand behind him. He knows that and will be more satisfied to leave this Earth knowing he’s made a difference.

Please pray that our boy finds that peace that is sometimes so elusive. My brother is the most courageous person I know. He’s fought hard and has accomplished what was needed. One way or another he has won this battle with all of you standing beside him. I know this has changed me forever and I can see the same for many of you. Sometimes the miracle is something different than you expect.

To visit Jonathan’s CarePages blog, click here.

An update from Mel

September 20, 2009 in Prayers, Saturday Night with 0 Comments

During worship last night, I shared with our congregation the difficult news that Mel and her family received regarding their 17 year old son and brother, Jonathan. If you do not know Mel, she is one of the members of our Saturday night band and has served our Church faithfully in that role for around 4 years dating back to our original Saturday service we called Mosaic.

Mel’s brother, Jonathan was diagnosed with Leukemia in the spring and has been fighting infection in his body for many months.

This morning, Mel provided this update from Jonathan’s CarePages blog. I appreciate you continuing to uphold this family in your prayers.

It’s Mel back. Thank you to a dear friend for posting the update on Jonathan on Friday. Jon is still with us and still fighting, although the doctors say it will not be long before his fight will be over. In the PICU, when Jon could still talk he told my mom that he saw an angel standing at the foot of his bed and that he saw our Dad as well.

He has been moved to the 3rd floor of Cooks. Back home where he belongs with the nurses that know him. He’s spent all but about 4 weeks of this battle here so it feels a little like home. He’s had numerous visitors. I think we’ve seen about half of Birdville High School, lots of church friends, and his childhood friends from Belton drove up to see him. He was serenading by part of the Birdville High School choir and part of the Glen Lake Camp Staff led us in worship with guitars. I am absolutely humbled by the love and support coming his way. We know there are many who are not able to come see him and he knows that he can feel those prayers even if from hundreds of miles away.

Our sister Holly has an uncanny ability to see if he is in pain or not so she’s been in charge of making sure he’s resting comfortably. The staff at Cooks has asked that we reduce the number of visitors in the room so we don’t wear him out today. In addition they may add some time where Jon just needs to rest during the day without visitors. Don’t worry though, he will be able to feel everyone’s love even if you aren’t in the room with him. The balcony and elevator area is still available to anyone who wants to come up and support Jon from a short distance.

It is often asked…what is love?… I truly believe I have seen love in its most pure state. I have been witness to some incredibly beautiful things the last two days, as his friends and family have surrounded him and stood behind him as he finishes this race. He has been able to open his eyes some and every now and then we can catch a little smile as he looks into the eyes of people who love him. This has been the candle to light my dark room this weekend.

To visit Jonathan’s CarePages blog, click here.

Pray for our High School Students

June 12, 2009 in Prayers with 0 Comments

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Today, several of our High School ministry staff headed out for Clarksdale, Mississippi for our High School Mission Trip. On Sunday they will be joined by 12 vans full of High School students and adults who will spend the week working on homes throughout the Clarksdale area.

Projects for these types of trips include things like adding wheelchair ramps for the elderly, replacing rotten ceilings or floors, or adding a fresh coat of paint to the interior or exterior of a house. Supplies for these projects are paid for by the students and of course the work is offered by them for free.

Our group will be in Clarksdale through the following Saturday so I want to encourage you to remember them in your prayers over the following week. Please pray for their safe travel, safety on their work site [power tools will be present], and that their work will bear much fruit in the Clarksdale community. All of these are important to keep in our prayers, but I also want you to add this to your prayers.

Pray that God’s spirit of grace will move in the hearts of our teenagers. In the six years I worked with High School students, nothing was as transformative as this experience. No sermon, small group discussion, group game or any other activity was more life-changing than this week.

So I want to encourage you to lift up these students in the coming days, praying that God would again reveal in their heart and lives the grace and love God has for every one of them.

Trust me, it’s a message they need to hear.

Memorial Day

May 25, 2009 in Prayers with 0 Comments

I made the comment during one of our worship services yesterday that when we think of Memorial Day within the context of an American holiday we often say something along the lines of, “we remember those who gave their lives for our way of life,” or, “those who died for our freedom.” Yet, when we think of Memorial Day in a broader context, I think the conversation changes a bit. On this day, we remember those who gave their lives for the protection and safety of all humanity.

So today, I want to invite you to pray for all those who are currently in harms way, defending all those who call themselves American and so many more Moms, Dads, sons, and daughters whose lives have been protected because of the sacrifice of all the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.

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