tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post8882781609493332013..comments2023-06-18T05:05:38.446-04:00Comments on Held: A Letter For Your PastorHannah's Prayer Leadership Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02375549609701937190noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-7462148948849607382011-05-07T07:41:03.032-04:002011-05-07T07:41:03.032-04:00Forgot to share that one church we attended did so...Forgot to share that one church we attended did something really special for Mother's and Father's Day (it was my husband's idea, actually <3). He suggested that instead of giving each mom and dad a gift, that the church use the money as a donation to a couple trying to build their family through adoption, in honor of the moms and dads at the church. I thought that was awesome! I'll have to remember it a little earlier to suggest next year. :)Karonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12632132486353614024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-10013042843848413592011-05-07T00:53:48.524-04:002011-05-07T00:53:48.524-04:00Lisa, I haven't listened to your link yet, but...Lisa, I haven't listened to your link yet, but thank you for sharing. Praising the Lord for giving you an understanding and compassionate partner in life and praying that He will continue to bless your congregation as well.JenniferSaake.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00187951307787002730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-48558996008045143322011-05-07T00:51:19.494-04:002011-05-07T00:51:19.494-04:00Pastor Trevor, thank you for allowing the Lord to ...Pastor Trevor, thank you for allowing the Lord to guide you as you prepare your sermon for this Sunday.JenniferSaake.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00187951307787002730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-83708770799248015892011-05-06T22:55:37.452-04:002011-05-06T22:55:37.452-04:00Here is a link to a sermon preached by my favorite...Here is a link to a sermon preached by my favorite preacher and best friend, my husband. http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51508105460 <br />He preached it Mother's Day '08 3 years after we lost our first and at that time only child. It touched many discouraged, hurting hearts in our congregation. Through everything he has always pointed me to Christ...to love and desire Him above everything. It is a theme that has been my rock and my treasure throughout 7 years of infertility.Lisa Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02816152026981495385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-76499254168486387942011-05-05T18:46:10.019-04:002011-05-05T18:46:10.019-04:00Thanks for sharing this letter with all of us. As ...Thanks for sharing this letter with all of us. As I prepare my message I will keep it in mind and encourage those who are struggling with the pain of loss and disappointment. <br /><br />In Christ, Pastor TrevorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-69586291293729519542011-05-03T07:11:30.757-04:002011-05-03T07:11:30.757-04:00As far as specifics, I know that a church we used ...As far as specifics, I know that a church we used to attend made a horrible spectacle out of Mother's Day. There were not only flowers for all the mothers, but special gifts for the youngest mother, the oldest mother, the mother with the most children, etc., etc., etc. Definitely on the "what not to do" list. ;) Another church allowed us to place a single rose on the altar, and the pastor referred to it during the service and prayed for those for whom Mother's Day is difficult. That meant a lot to us! Another church we visited (on Father's Day) handed out a bag of popcorn to all the "pops", and briefly acknowledged Father's Day, but then left it at that. It was nice for my husband to not feel so out of place.Karonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12632132486353614024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-74255207840269355602011-05-03T01:50:45.790-04:002011-05-03T01:50:45.790-04:00@Gaby, I think that is wonderful what your husband...@Gaby, I think that is wonderful what your husband does for the women in your congregation. More churches should follow suit. I have thought about this Sunday and how difficult it would be for me to attend a sermon on motherhood (which I can't relate to) after dealing with infertility for some time and sit by and witness a baby dedication. This blog is very encouraging and I want to thank hannah's prayer ministries for starting it. God bless you all.mrs. mewiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14225040918684348153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-36722027204993343172011-05-02T22:58:17.262-04:002011-05-02T22:58:17.262-04:00My husband, who is a pastor and an adoptive father...My husband, who is a pastor and an adoptive father, never honors only the mothers in our church. He asks for all adult women to stand because he tells the congregation that all women can be spiritual mothers to a younger woman, a child, a teen, etc. We celebrate the power of women to mentor, to nurture, and to love. That's it. The sermon is not on motherhood, the service is not dedicated to mothers. It is simply a moment to honor and pray for the women in our congregation.Gabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03893654710835125604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-40952109167601488492011-05-02T22:46:27.348-04:002011-05-02T22:46:27.348-04:00Oh, Mother's Day.
The day I had dreaded for se...Oh, Mother's Day.<br />The day I had dreaded for seven years while I experienced infertility. Especially the idea of having to go to Sunday Service and see mothers go forward to receive their rose. All the while I would be sitting in the far, far back of church praying no one would see the sadness that covered my face, my heart. Asking again...When God, when? Even though I am now a mother of two I am still very sensitive to this topic of infertility, especially around this time of year. It is such a blessing to know that I have found HELD and will pass on this great blog to the many women I come into contact with who find themselves walking the sometimes lonely road of infertility.<br />God Bless You All - Colleen G.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-16078593704094745782011-05-02T21:29:30.554-04:002011-05-02T21:29:30.554-04:00I echo what Amy said - add those struggling to the...I echo what Amy said - add those struggling to the prayer and remeber what every Christian's highest calling is...as is also relayed in the letter above.<br /><br />I would add that sensitivity comes from understanding. The worship service doesn't need to be all about moms to honor them. And the sermon doesn't need to be about motherhood.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08696751471468284081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-78349194182585480412011-05-02T20:59:11.566-04:002011-05-02T20:59:11.566-04:00I always long to hear the pastor acknowledge in pr...I always long to hear the pastor acknowledge in prayer, "And Lord, on this day that we celebrate our mothers I pray that your would bring peace and comfort to those for whom Mother's Day is difficult - those who have lost their mother, those who long to be mothers, and those who have lost children."<br /><br />I would also avoid saying that motherhood is a woman's highest calling. I believe that loving the Lord and letting Him shape us to be more like Christ is any person's highest calling.<br /><br />As time goes on we will have specific blog posts about what to say and what not to say. Stay tuned!Amy T. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04763436797787443032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-8757321284315060912011-05-02T18:19:46.498-04:002011-05-02T18:19:46.498-04:00As a youth pastor who has led church services and ...As a youth pastor who has led church services and as a barren couple, I would have one huge recommendation for the above letter. Give specific suggestions for things to avoid and/or include in a Mother's Day or Father's Day service. Without specific suggestions, those who do not share this struggle will not know what is helpful and what is hurtful. In an effort to increase awareness and educate others on how best to sympathize, perhaps followers of this blog could post specific suggestions & ideas to include.Philip Struskahttp://www.facebook.com/philstruskanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-61719230048744599562011-05-02T11:23:32.027-04:002011-05-02T11:23:32.027-04:00David, thank you for your wonderful words of exhor...David, thank you for your wonderful words of exhortation. I know you and your family have been down a hard road. Praying for you both this week as well.JenniferSaake.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00187951307787002730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8132408164378779882.post-72306962172765022402011-05-02T05:49:18.472-04:002011-05-02T05:49:18.472-04:00Dear Held,
As a pastor, I thank you for your lett...Dear Held,<br /><br />As a pastor, I thank you for your letter compassionately written to church leaders on behalf of the brokenhearted.<br /><br />My wife and I are among those who know the heart ache of being unable to birth children, having had three miscarriages and one tubal pregnancy which almost took the life of my wife (by rupturing).<br /><br />There truly is a "Final Hope & Healing" for those of us who have experienced a broken heart from being without child. That Hope & Healing is found through the love and grace of Jesus Christ, Whose Peace goes beyond our circumstance and our pain to touch our wounds with His healing touch.<br /><br />I pray that the ministry team of "Held" will be anointed in an even greater measure for this coming year as you "comfort others with the comfort that you yourselves have received from God."<br /><br />Blessings, Hope, and Peace to each of your readers, and to each of you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com