Weekly Yarn - April 28th

From Our Honorary Member: Carolyn is our new member from Greer, SC who has completed several helmet liners, prayer shawls, and prayer cloths for the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

     Martha also sent me a copy of your newsletter and I want you to know that I am extremely happy to be considered as an out-of-state Honorary member of your group.  I have never enjoyed knitting as much as I enjoy making the prayer shawls.  I told my husband that it was a real pleasure to just knit and not have to worry about whether or not it would fit. 

     I just thank God that I can knit something that will hopefully bring comfort and maybe a ray of sunshine into someone's life.  It is such a joy to be able to share these prayer shawls with someone in need.  No one will ever receive the blessing from the items that I receive in making and giving them.  If my knitting is a talent, then I praise God for giving it to me.  

     You are indeed doing a wonderful service in reaching out to others and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.

                        Sincerely,

                        Carolyn

What Is A Prayer Shawl?  (From Annie’s Attic/Crochet Prayer Shawls 2 Pattern Book)

“Prayer is the practice of communicating with God, a request or a petition.  In John 17, Jesus set the example for us to pray for one another.  Now imagine a gift that is handcrafted with prayers, wrapped in love in order to bring comfort to the recipient and blessings to the donor.  Now, think prayer shawls.  When we stitch prayer shawls for those we love and care about, we are following Jesus’ example, for as we stitch, we also pray for the person for whom we are creating the shawl.  A prayer shawl can be a way to reach out to others who are hurting or simply a way to let someone know we are thinking of them.  When stitching a prayer shawl, we petition God with every stitch on behalf of the person who will receive the shawl.  The petitions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl.  Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is given.”

The final blessing is offered on each completed item at the Prayer Shawl Ministry Wednesday evening meetings.  The item is then stored in the Prayer Shawl cabinet until it is selected for delivery to the person God has chosen to receive that particular item.  When it’s delivered, it goes out with a card that includes a blessing for that individual.  God’s ministry of making Prayer Shawls blesses not only the recipient, but the person doing the stitching as well.  Give thanks that you have been blessed with the time and the talent to make a gift that will give another person such comfort and joy.

May Birthdays:  Please wish Lisa a Happy Birthday on May 6^th.  It seems she’s our only “birthday girl” this month.

Communion Sunday:  May 23^rd is the next Communion Sunday.  Please mark your calendar to arrange the Prayer Shawls at 9:15 for the 9:30 service, at 10:45 for the 11:00 service, and fold and put away at 12:15.

New Patterns:  Attached are two crochet patterns and two knit patterns for your “viewing pleasure”.  If you have any trouble opening and printing the patterns, please let me know so I can make a copy available at the next meeting.

 

Just A Note:

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”  - John 15:12

The Weekly Yarn

From Our Honorary Member: Carolyn is our new member from Greer, SC who has completed several helmet liners, prayer shawls, and prayer cloths for the Prayer Shawl Ministry.

Note from our newest member:

     Martha also sent me a copy of your newsletter and I want you to know that I am extremely happy to be considered as an out-of-state Honorary member of your group.  I have never enjoyed knitting as much as I enjoy making the prayer shawls.  I told my husband that it was a real pleasure to just knit and not have to worry about whether or not it would fit. 

     I just thank God that I can knit something that will hopefully bring comfort and maybe a ray of sunshine into someone's life.  It is such a joy to be able to share these prayer shawls with someone in need.  No one will ever receive the blessing from the items that I receive in making and giving them.  If my knitting is a talent, then I praise God for giving it to me.  

     You are indeed doing a wonderful service in reaching out to others and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.

                        Sincerely,

                        Carolyn

 

What Is A Prayer Shawl? 

(From Annie’s Attic/Crochet Prayer Shawls 2 Pattern Book)

“Prayer is the practice of communicating with God, a request or a petition.  In John 17, Jesus set the example for us to pray for one another.  Now imagine a gift that is handcrafted with prayers, wrapped in love in order to bring comfort to the recipient and blessings to the donor.  Now, think prayer shawls.  When we stitch prayer shawls for those we love and care about, we are following Jesus’ example, for as we stitch, we also pray for the person for whom we are creating the shawl.  A prayer shawl can be a way to reach out to others who are hurting or simply a way to let someone know we are thinking of them.  When stitching a prayer shawl, we petition God with every stitch on behalf of the person who will receive the shawl.  The petitions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl.  Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is given.”

The final blessing is offered on each completed item at the Prayer Shawl Ministry Wednesday evening meetings.  The item is then stored in the Prayer Shawl cabinet until it is selected for delivery to the person God has chosen to receive that particular item.  When it’s delivered, it goes out with a card that includes a blessing for that individual.  God’s ministry of making Prayer Shawls blesses not only the recipient, but the person doing the stitching as well.  Give thanks that you have been blessed with the time and the talent to make a gift that will give another person such comfort and joy.

Communion Sunday:  May 23^rd is the next Communion Sunday.  Please mark your calendar to arrange the Prayer Shawls at 9:15 for the 9:30 service, at 10:45 for the 11:00 service, and fold and put away at 12:15.

New Patterns:  Follow the link provided for the Lion Brand patterns and then do a search for the pattern number and you can then download the PDF for the pattern.

Free Crochet Pattern
Lion Brand ® Vanna's Choice®
Corner Granny Afghan
Pattern Number: 90545AD

Free Knitting Pattern
Lion Brand ® Homespun®
Heartfelt Shawl
Pattern Number: 81040AD

Azani Shawl

One Skein Summer Wrap

 

 

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”  - John 15:12

Completed Projects - 4-21-2010

   

The Weekly Yarn

Communion Sunday was April 18, and prayer shawls and cloths flew from the altar rail into
the community, as the congregation was encouraged to pray over the items and take them to those in need!  God's provision the previous week were sufficient to meet the need.  Though our cabinet echoed a bit, by Wednesday there were new shawls and cloths over which to pray, and our cabinet no longer echoes.

     

Philippians 4:6   Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

In addition to new shawls and cloths, we welcomed new yarn.  Dana brought in a number of beautiful selections.  Stop in to see what is available for your next project.

This coming Wednesday, Sheri will present shawls to graduates of the Rainbow class.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday.

Chicks With Sticks update

Just A Note:  Even though there isn’t a meeting tonight, there is always something new going on with the Prayer Shawl Ministry. 

The Thought for the Day, March 24^th in the Upper Room:  “New stages in our spiritual journey offer new chances to learn and serve.”  The corollary to that thought is that new challenges in our physical journey bring about changes, not always by choice, in our daily roles in the way we serve.  Effective Monday, April 5^th, I have resigned as the leader of this ministry due to several health issues.  The health issues are not the type that will be cured, but are chronic, and are the type that make it difficult to meet time commitments consistently, and in the manner that I know are appropriate for this group. 

However, this does not mean I will not be part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry!  I love the Prayer Shawl Ministry, all it does, and all it means to individuals in need!  My crochet hook still works!  I will still be available to deliver Prayer Shawls and share tears with the recipients.  My printer still prints the cards that go with the Prayer Shawls.  I just need to have more flexibility.

After a meeting Monday evening, several members have stepped forward as leaders and are working out their roles in this ministry of God’s.  Ellen has volunteered to answer any questions you have. The meetings are still on Wednesday evenings, in the same room, at the same time – no changes are planned except for continued growth.  God’s abundance, love, and support will carry us forward to meet the opportunities and challenges He brings us.

Thank you for your love and support over the last year.  You’ve been willing to go through uncharted waters as we tried things that had never been done before since we didn’t have a road map to follow.  Keep the same openness…God will provide and lead!

Love and blessings,

Beverly

“There is a time for everything and a season for everything…a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away.” – Ephesians

The Weekly Yarn - March 31st

Meeting Notes:  The bright, cheery faces matched the bright, sunny evening outside as the meeting went on and we prayed over beautiful Prayer Shawls and Prayer Cloths.  And, oh the stories you missed if you weren’t there!  Zena was back from vacation in Jamaica, and she still magically pulled completed items from her “Mary Poppins” bag – it had to be at least that deep.  Alida contributed beautiful lap robes and prayer cloths, just as she faithfully does even though she’s unable to attend the meetings.  Jenny’s shawl is getting longer and longer – she’ll have her first project done soon.  Barb is back from Honduras and the walk to Emmaus.  With only four more weeks left in her Disciple class, she promises to crochet like there’s no tomorrow.  Belle had the biggest skein of red yarn I’ve ever seen, and was crocheting as fast as possible.  Ellen is back to the Chemo Caps – she’s got to teach others to make those caps.  Dana has a unique basket weave shawl going out of Homespun yarn.  Robin has a beautiful shawl out of several colors of Homespun just about completed – God has a special person in mind for that one.  Robin, our spring bride, came in to say hello.  She has a pass for a few more months.

Members and Meetings: Each of us are volunteers in the Prayer Shawl Ministry; however, I believe we are each in this ministry for a reason that is between ourselves and God.  He has given us the time, the talent, and the desire to be His hands and feet for the tasks He sets before us.  He brought us together because we are all different – with different strengths and skills to share.  We’re each an essential piece of this ministry.  When we put our individual talents together, and follow God, we can do the impossible.  When you aren’t with us, we are missing a vital piece of this ministry.  It’s hard to imagine us without you – please join us on Wednesday evenings when you can.

No Meeting on April 7^th:  Next week is Spring Break for the local schools, so there will NOT be a Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting to allow those of you with children to enjoy your families.

Rainbow Ministry:  On April 21^st, Reverend Sheri needs 7 Prayer Shawls for the Rainbow Ministry – 1 in a color suitable for a man.  This is the date of their final meeting this year, during which each of the parents receive a Prayer Shawl, and each of the children will receive a fleece blanket from the Prayer Blanket Ministry.  Please keep this need in mind, so we can set the 7 shawls aside for this meeting.  If you have any questions regarding the Rainbow Ministry, please contact Sheri.

Communion Sundays:  Thanks to approval from the Pastors, the draping of Prayer Shawls on the altar rail on Communion Sundays has brought blessings to many unnamed individuals.  On February 28^th, about half of the Prayer Shawls on the altar rail were distributed to individuals who may not have come forward, or made their needs known without the shawls being available.  Seeing the shawls go out wrapped around someone with tears in their eyes, or folded carefully for a person who will receive it from that person, is the act we talk about in our meeting prayers.  God has a name for every item we make even before it is complete.  The item just needs a way to get to that person.  I’ve heard people enter the sanctuary and say when they see the shawls on the altar that it’s Communion Sunday, because the shawls are on the altar!

Thanks be to God for the opportunity to drape the shawls on the altar. 

April 25^th:  April 25th is the next Communion Sunday.  Please mark your calendar to arrange the Prayer Shawls at 9:15 for the 9:30 service, at 10:45 for the 11:00 service, and fold and put away at 12:15.

 

Prayer Cloths:  We have an ongoing project for World Communion Sunday, which is the first Sunday in October.  It is our goal to have approximately 1500 to 1600 Prayer Cloths from which attendees at the various services may select one if they wish on that day.  Please keep this project in mind as the months go by.  We need an average of 200 a month to reach our objective.

Just a Note:  It is my privilege and pleasure to be part of the hardest working, most dedicated, compassionate group of women I’ve ever worked with, in the Prayer Shawl Ministry, aka: Chicks With Sticks.  Thanks to your ongoing faithfulness to God’s Prayer Shawl Ministry, the cabinet is filling up again!  We go through times of thick and thin, overflowing and barren shelves.  God knows the ministry’s needs and is always there to meet them.

Donations of yarn keep coming in.  The selection is great right now, so if you haven’t been to the storage cabinet recently, God has so abundantly filled with a rainbow of colors, types, and styles of yarn, feast your eyes and choose your favorite color.  Turn it into an item that will wrap an individual in need with God’s love, comfort, and healing!  Dana and Meredith have put together project packages if you want something ready to go!

There are pattern books and pattern sheets for knitters and crocheters.  If you can’t find one you like, just ask for help.  Jane has pattern books available from Red Heart.  Zena designs her own patterns.  The Internet is awash with websites that offer patterns for beginners to highly advanced artists.

We have crochet hooks and knitting needles in many sizes and styles.  There are even knitting looms, if you want to try something different.  Please don’t be shy. 

This ministry makes items from Prayer Shawls, afghans, lap robes, chemo caps, preemie caps, and Prayer Cloths, to Helmet Liners for our troops, and scarves for the Grace Bags.  Make the item that you are most comfortable with and enjoy the camaraderie offered by the other members, while you become His hands and feet for those who need His help. 

Then take the next big step out of your comfort zone, and deliver a Prayer Shawl, or another item, to one in need.  Share the tears of relief or grief or joy or love!  You will be as blessed as the recipient, and you will find Agape love!  Your heart will burst with love.  Try it – you’ll like it.  

Love and blessings,

Beverly

"God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16 (NIV)

God is so cool y’all!

God’s coolness came up last night during our weekly Prayer Shawl meeting, as it usually does. In our conversation as we steadily crocheted and knitted away, Dana mentioned that when we are praying over our children, specifically our girl children that we are in fact praying over them as well as any future children they will have as each female child born is born with all the egg she will ever have at the time of her birth.

Again how cool is God in how intricately He knit’s (I’m so punny) the human body together.

Well this of course made me think if this video. I had watched this several weeks ago and it just blew me away. It is simple amazing and it is a true testament to just how amazing our God really is.

I just thought I would share it with all of you!

Blessing y’all

Robin