August 2 2002 City Reach Prayer

Introduction by Harry Skandera, Elder at the Santa Rosa Christian Church

Meeting was held at Sonoma Valley Community Church Sonoma CA.

Unfortunately there was no recording system in place for this meeting Dr. Sam Tillery opened with the theme of – What we are about? THE CHANGING SONOMA COUNTY.

Our historian Harry Skandera brought to us a deeper understanding of the history in Sonoma County. The talk was titled "Sonoma All is not what is Appears"

Sonoma was once the crown jewel of the county. It was in fact for many years the only jewel, if your referring to towns.

The mission was founded with the blessing of the secular Governor Don Luis Arguello, but not with the approval of the senior church leaders at the Mission Dolores, in San Francisco. Spanish Franciscan Father Jose Altamira (Sonoma Mission) devised a plan to found a new mission to the north; he chose the site of the mission for its "permanent springs of sweet water". He reasoned that the climate in Sonoma was much warmer and friendlier to the native converts who did the work of the missions, than thechilly confines of the Mission Dolores. The valley offered better weather, good sources of water, longer growing season, thousands of acres of grazing land and the availability of building materials. His request was denied by Father Presidente Vicente Francisco de Sarria, the chief administrator of the California Missions. Many in the diocese felt the era of the mission was coming to a close. This decision did not stop Father Altamira who secretly met with Governor Don Luis Arguello who granted permission to Father Altamira to proceed. Needless to say Presidente Vicente Francisco de Sarria and others were enraged.

The site of Mission San Francisco Solano was selected and ceremoniously consecrated by Father Jose Altamira on July 4, 1823. It was named after Father San Francisco Solano, a 17th century missionary to Peru. This mission became the last and most northerly of the 21 California missions. The first building was a temporary wooden structure plastered inside and out with whitewashed mud. Several hundred Indian neophytes from Dolores followed the Franciscans to Sonoma, but the copious gifts from sister missions which usually arrived to start a new mission on its way failed to reach Sonoma. Help came from an unexpected source. The Russian fur traders proved to be friendly, sharing their supplies and donating Russian-designed bells.

Construction began in October 1823 led by Father Altamira who planted several thousand vines and laid the foundation for the wine industry. The coast Miwok Indians came back as soon as construction began. The Indians constructed a temporary wooden chapel in the palisade style tying logs together with leather ropes to form walls and covering with a thatch roof. On April 4, 1824, the chapel was dedicated and the first baptisms performed. Adobe buildings began to take shape.

Eventually Governor Arguello convinced Father Presidente Sarria of the utility of a mission north of San Francisco to preserve their territory of Alta California. After acrimonious debate, the Church gave their approval for the new Mission San Francisco Solano, to be run by Father Altamira, but insisted that Missions Dolores and San Rafael be undisturbed.

Father Altamira proved to be a good administrator but had difficulty relating to those entrusted to his care. His constant flogging and imprisonment of the Native Americans, in his efforts to "civilize" them soon caused a revolt. A large group of angry Native Americans attacked the mission in 1826. After looting and burning buildings and supplies, they forced Father Altamira to flee to Mission San Rafael. Discouraged, Father Altamira sought transfer to another mission, but was unwelcome. Later he returned to Spain.

Two things we want to remember as we pray tonight for the city.
1) Its roots are secular not ecclesiastical.
2) Its site was chosen for its permanent springs of sweet water.
We mentioned earlier that the springs of revival first flowed near this city in the 1850's in the first tent meeting west of the Rocky Mountains. We believe that Sonoma may again play a vital role in spearheading rival in the county as before and that is how God may work again to revitalize the springs of sweet water to flow again through out the county.

Sam gave a background report on what God is doing in Russia and Latvia - using Pastor Rob Thommerson and Sam Tillery which were sent from the Sonoma County Pastor Prayer Fellowship to declare the message of pastors in fellowship and unity which has resulted in over 150 Spiritual leaders which came to the 2nd Pastor’s Prayer Summit held in Latvia. This was birthed from Sonoma County and our leader ship was being obedient to the Holy Spirit when they went there to share what we are doing here in Sonoma County.

Rob Thommerson - Introduced new missionaries Tray & Angela Hunter who had just arrived while we were there in Latvia and caught the VISION. While you are praying here in Sonoma, God is doing what he wants to do all over the world.

Tray gave a report: It’s a GOD THING in Ekaterinburg Russia a 400 yr. old town. Founded November 1723 is the official date of the birth of Ekaterinburg, the industrial and military center of the Mining Administration, and an important stronghold set up by the government of Peter I for the colonization of the vast expanses of the Urals and Siberia. The town owes its origin to a metallurgical and metal-working plant which rose on the banks of the river Iset, and by the standards of those days was one of the best not only in Russia but also in Europe.

Modern view of Ekaterinburg reflects the fast changing tastes of peoples of different historical periods, and counts pseudo Russian architecture, modernism and so called 'back-to-classical forms'. Now the population of Ekaterinburg has increased to over 1.5 million. The city boasts more than 100 research institutes headed by the Urals Brunch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 15 higher educational establishments, 35 technical schools (colleges), 27 vocational schools, 5 theatres, a philharmonic concert hall, about 600 libraries, 15 stadiums.

People are meeting across denominational lines, praying together. Thank you for praying and sending two men to say, "This is right, this is good."

Prayer needs: Pastors to have endurance the for lost of our city there are only 3200 Christians in this city.

PRAY FOR US the people to endure and Pray for Pastors of the city, "if all pastors in our city got together, it would be less than the number in this room (28 – 30 people.) We are a very small congregation and suffer much from division.

PRAYER & LAYING ON OF HANDS was ministered to TRAY & ANGELA some 30 attendees prayed various prayer for 20 minutes asking for wisdom, protection, strength, guidance and finances.

We asked Tim & Jan Arensmeier to stand in the middle of the group so that the body could minister targeted prayer for host church: Sonoma Valley Community Church Pastor. We asked that the pastors and their wife be influential catalysts in the politics of the City of Sonoma and by divine meeting have God our Father tenderize the heart of the leaders. To remove the secular road blocks that keep the people from returning back to God. To protect the pastors and continue to bring new members weekly into the House of God in the City of Sonoma.

Church has doubled in size since Tim & Jan came one year ago.

Pray againts the "Intellectuals" - the "Jesus Seminar" that comes/gets together here, how sad for men to judge Jesus like Mars Hill, Paul speaking to Romans about always looking for something new. Very Heady area – multi degrees, but SERIOUS EMPTINESS

PPF has been a giant encouragement

Tues. A.M. Pastor Larry Moore & Tim meet (1 other pastor at times)

We are growing and coming together on heart level (Jn. 17 prayer of Jesus)

Prayer for: Begining mid week for a Bible study

Begin Sun. evening meeting Larry Moore shared how encouraged he has been in the 1 year he has gone to PPF with the Pastors. Larry’s church needs a Praise Leader and ones to work with High School age.

Larry introduced a new pastor – Pastor Mike Carr and his wife Ester– Craig Ave. Baptist Church, a Spanish ministry. 996-8011

PRAYER TIME & LAYING ON OF HANDS ON THREE PASTORS

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

PRAYER RALLEY TO 5 CITIES OF COUNTY – Aug. 25, 4 – 7 P.M.

Reaching out beyond ourselves – SANTA ROSA, HEALDSBURG, PETALUMA, SONOMA, SEBASTOPOL.

CITY MEMORIAL SERVICE ON Wed SEPT. 11 2002, 7 P.M., LUTHER BURBANK CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS. Some of the topics we want to pray over is the respect for the people we honor our leaders and appointed officials as God has set over us.

Pray for: Finances , Blessing of all Public Safety Personnel more will be disclosed as we get closer to the one year anniversary of World Trade Center attack.

VERTICAL CALL: 10 days – 24 hr. per day prayer for Northern Calif. – NON-STOP PRAYER. Tent at Sonoma County Fair Grounds will hold 3500 people. Fasting and Prayer for 40 days is being held before the meeting, if you feel called to volunteer please act.

SEPT. CITY REACH PRAYER AT SANTA ROSA CHRISTIAN CHURCH, PACIFIC AVE. S.R.

Special Thanks to Mildred Hodges for taking notes.