But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
Ps. 40:16
Grace and peace to you in the name of God our Father!
As usual, there have been lots of comings and goings this past month. The holiday season is wrapping up as schools resume on Monday. In all seasons, though, we join David in proclaiming "Great is the Lord!"
For the Sunday Pre-Christmas message (Jan. 4), Stan preached from Matthew 1, highlighting the amazing love of the Father to send His Son to be Emmanuel, (God with Us) but also named Jesus because He saves us from our sins. (Great is the Lord!)
The service was well-attended, including a dear woman (D) and her teenaged children whom we’ve not seen in a long time due to family circumstances. It was a joy to have them worshipping with us and being able to come again the following Lord’s Day.
We also met (for those who could come) on Christmas Day, Jan 7, for an informal but lovely Christmas gathering in the morning. We sang Christmas carols, read Luke 2, shared comments on it, and then enjoyed treats including fresh-baked savory scones and sweet cinnamon rolls.
As able, Stan and Peter continue to use Sunday evenings for pastoral visits, particularly to those who cannot regularly attend services because of obligations & hindrances (often due to family members).
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Please pray for Stan as he prepares and preaches God's Word, desiring that God would open to [him] a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ... [to] make it manifest, as [he] ought to speak. (Col 4:3,4)
Please give thanks for D who has now attended three services and please continue to pray for the church to grow in number, unity, and service to one another.
Please pray fervently for God to raise up the next generation of leaders from Montenegrins, for men and women with noteworthy moral character, but particularly men able to faithfully preach the Word and lead the flock.
In late December we participated with EUS in handing out Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. We gave out approx. 450 boxes over 5 sessions. We have names and parental contact info for 11 children who may be interested in follow-up. Nothing has happened (yet) because of the holidays, so the next month will be telling.
From top clockwise: Christmas Lyrics & packages staged, children receiving shoebox, booklet, and NT, volunteers at lunch
Please pray for the 11+ children to be willing and able to attend the 12-week follow-up course. Pray as well for enough volunteers to serve in follow-up: calling, praying, preparing, teaching.
Bits & Pieces:
Our church will be hosting the monthly All-Montenegro Prayer meeting Sat. Jan. 31. Pray for God to be glorified as we meet together and look to Him to build His church in this nation.
Please pray for all the regular meetings and outreaches which are restarting in earnest post-holidays: weekly prayer meeting, local bible studies, counseling, Ladies' Brunches, and, Lord willing, the follow-up from OCC Christmas Shoeboxes.
Our calendar is filling up with potential teams and visitors in spring and summer. Please pray for wisdom on when to say "yes" and when to say "no." Pray for God's good purposes be accomplished through these short-term missions.
In closing, we want to say once again how truly blessed we are to be co-laborers with you all in seeing God establish His church here in Nikšić. We truly could not be doing what we are doing without you.
We appreciate your earnest prayers, your sacrificial support, your quick notes and cards, and the blessing of working together for God to be exalted here in Montenegro.
One with you in Christ, Stan and Vicki Surbatovich
