February ZPV Prayer letter

Dear Zion of Petroleum Valley Prayer Team,

Laser beam. Focus. Concentrate. Center. Hub. Focal point. These words describe Zion for the next few weeks. Starting March 14, our series EPIC will begin. God tells his story from Genesis to Revelation, and every person under creation has a part. We are looking beyond a single Easter service. We are telling God’s grand narrative that leads up to Easter and then beyond. If anyone is looking for an outreach push at Zion, this is it. We are putting our focus on the six weeks of EPIC. So, your specific prayers for EPIC would be appreciated!

• Pray for our clear communication. We want to be accurate and challenging story tellers. Personally, this type of presentation is outside my comfort zone, but I think it will be effective. Jesus used stories all the time. Now, we are telling the story of which he is the main character.
• We have laid out the challenge for each member of the Zion family to start praying for at least that one person who needs to hear. Pray for boldness and receptive hearts.
• Western PA is experiencing record snow fall this winter. While the start of EPIC is a month away, we are praying against excuses and reasons not to come.
• Pray that God prepares hearts. All that we do cannot change a heart; we need God to do that. We want to see his kingdom grow.

I am very excited about this! EPIC continues through Easter all the way to April 18, 2010. It stretches us on multiple levels, and we are trusting God. I look forward to writing you in April to report what God has done. Thanks for joining with us!

Pastor Joe
Zion of Petroleum Valley

Generations

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been preparing and collecting old family documents for my family reunion last month. Included in this family history is my parents’ marriage certificate. In a twist of fate, I noticed that my wedding day was only one day before my parents’ wedding day. Since my mom died when I was young, I never really thought about when my parents were married. Trish and I picked the day only because it was available at the church we attended. I wonder what my dad was thinking that day? “Strange…close to this day I was starting my adult life with a new wife. Now, my son begins his…” Dad never mentioned anything, and he’s gone now so I can’t ask. Each generation goes through its firsts and lasts of significant events. Sometimes these memories bring pain, but they often bring good thoughts.

Zion of Petroleum Valley (while still young) is having a generational moment. This weekend, our new campus, Zion of Jefferson County, will join us for church and lunch afterwards. I remember getting our team together and wondering what the future holds. We received so much support from Zion in multiple venues. But now it’s time for us to pass on what we’ve received. This is another step in our growth as we have been sent, we now get to send along with Zion of Clarion County. This is fun! After a few more campuses, I may feel like a grampa.

Pastor Joe