September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Mental illness is being experienced by more and more people in our nation. Chances are you have people in your personal sphere who are suffering with mental illness to one degree or another. As a preventable cause of death, suicide is one of the biggest public health issues we face today. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for Americans ages 10-24, and the 10th overall leading cause of death. These can be difficult and heartbreaking illnesses for the one who is ill as well as those who love and care for them. We all need to be more aware of such suffering and grow in our compassion for those who are enduring it. We perhaps could make a difference in someone's life through one conversation, asking someone how they're really doing and being ready to truly listen. Let’s pray for those who suffer from such illnesses and for those who share life with them, as well as for our own awareness and willingness to be of service.

“Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.”
-- Psalm 118:5 (ESV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” -- John 14:27 (NIV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -- Romans 15:13 (NIV)
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” -- Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
“Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.” -- Proverbs 25:20 (NLT)

WEEKLY PRAYER UPDATE – September 2, 2026

Missions:
Stephen & Sabrina Marshall – church planting in France
Capstone Church, Helena, Montana – Caleb Groteluschen, pastor; Ben Quigg, worship leader
Lauren Cartwright, Caleb Bowman – BSM staffers at UNT and TWU
Juan Pablo and Sol Herrera – Hispanic ministry in Ponder; temporarily put on hold; they
have been asked to return to the church they planted in Dallas and help them during
a pastorless period
Senator Barnes & family – East Asia Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative for World Ventures

Church:
Planning for starting Mother's Day Out beginning Sept. 14
Needing several more volunteers for the preschool area on Sundays
Staff search for worship leader
This week’s worship service, BodyBuilder groups and all Bible studies
Training and start-up for Meals on Wheels

Personal Needs:
Spiritual awakening in our community, in our nation
Salvation -- Those on your "Who's Your One?" list
Pat Potter -- diagnosed with lung cancer
Bryan Hale – doing well in recovery from surgery to remove part of colon
Glenda Brooks – recovering at home following bladder surgery
Gene & Judy Vaughan – dealing with many ongoing issues, including Gene's broken arm
Martha Wyatt
Steve Simpson's mother, Vel – recovering from surgery for a broken hip
Grief: Darrell Pope – death of his sister, just after Shelly's death
Sherry Vaughn – death from breast cancer; pray for her daughter, Shai, and Curtis Williams (Curtis is brother of Charlie W. and Debbi Stack)
Guy Stagner: at home recovering after hospitalization for pancreatitis, gallstones, breathing difficulty, and pneumonia, as well as installation of a pacemaker
Paula Haddix (former member) – was to have had kidney removal May 26, but postponed due to diagnosis of husband's cancer, for which it has been decided nothing can be done
Jill Potter's infant grandson – being monitored at home now for seizures; awaiting appointment with neurologist
Kerr Broadstreet (Kim's brother) – undergoing more treatment for tumor in shoulder
Those in assisted living/nursing homes: Barbara Nofziger, Carolyn Gillespie, Bud Smith, Mary Alice Benton
Our government leaders
First responders