A new year is a wonderful moment to reflect on God’s provisions and encourage each other to be in prayer for the ministry of Grace Mosaic, the flourishing of our city, and our broader denomination (the Presbyterian Church in America).  “Prayer does not fit us for greater works; prayer is the greater work (Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest).”  Our ministry exists because of prayer, and will be sustained through the prayers of the saints.  

Specifically, we ask that you would: 

• Praise the Lord that He has sustained us and our city during an administration change unlike any in recent history – resulting in job losses, National Guard deployment, and many other changes. Pray for the flourishing of our city, for wisdom and righteousness of those who lead us, and that God would attune our hearts to the needs of the city for the glory of God.  
• Praise the Lord that He provided us gifted gospel teachers to ensure the word was preached and table served each Sunday.  Praise the Lord for the provision of our interim Pastor in Rev. Irwyn Ince. Pray for Pastor Irwyn, and our sister Kim Ince, as he leads us in this season of transition.
• Praise the Lord for the work of the Pastoral Search Committee. Pray for the PSC as they work to identify our next lead pastor, and pray for our future pastor (and his family, as applicable) – that God would give a clear sense of calling toward GMo.
• Praise the Lord for the ways that you, the beloved Grace Mosaic community, have used your gifts for our church body, and pray for the ongoing ministries of music, welcome, communion, community partnerships, and all the unseen acts of service and encouragement, both large and small. 
• Praise the Lord that our community group ministry grew and deepened in the last year with two new groups. Pray for the leaders of these groups, and Haley as she leads this ministry.
• Praise the Lord for our children!  We had 8 baptisms, and served 54 kids in MoMo nights!  Pray for our covenant children and for Jahanna as she leads this ministry.
• Praise the Lord for KYM, which continues to welcome new students and deepen discipleship – with their best-attended winter retreat and new study on the book of Revelation! Pray for our youth and for Josh as he leads this ministry.   
• Praise the Lord that He has financially sustained our community, and that 6 months into the fiscal year, Tithes and Offerings are 20% above budget.  Through your generosity, GMo has provided $15,000 in scholarships to Howard University students, gift cards to feed hungry neighbors during Thanksgiving, and partnered with DC127 to serve the most vulnerable in our community.  Pray for continued financial support that would allow GMo to continue to powerfully serve our city and community. 
• Pray for the work of the elders, shepherdesses, diaconate, and staff for ongoing wisdom, patience, and discernment as we aim to work together to lead and serve this beloved community.

As you pray for our church, please pray for the denomination that we are a part of, the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA).  As we discussed at the September congregational meeting, a number of ethnic minority pastors have experienced significant and negative culture changes within the PCA in recent years, and have felt that these shifts have adversely impacted the mission to which they’re called.  Over the past few months, Pastor Duke and Pastor Irwyn have been in conversation with an informal group of minority leaders (including Pastor Russ) who’ve been processing this grief together.  This group produced an open letter titled “A Call to Prayer and Lament.”  The call does not seek to vent or condemn, but rather to sincerely call people to something more fruitful: prayer and fasting for the PCA. These prayers are fully aligned with GMo’s mission of unity in diversity.  We invite you to join this group and our leadership in praying and fasting for these items in a concerted manner between now and Easter. You will hear more about how we plan to do this through your Community Group.

Our mission remains unchanged.  We are committed to living as One Body, made of many different parts, following our One Lord here in Washington, DC, for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors – especially those in Ward 5.  While we don’t know what the year holds, we know who holds us and look forward to how God will continue to work in and through our community.  As always, if there are questions, please feel free to write to us at shepherding@gracemosaic.org.

Onward, together, by faith.

The Shepherding Team

Elders Kenny, Chris, Michael, Dolph, and Evan

Shepherdesses Ryland, Cheryl, and Katie