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Prayer Letter
March / April 2006 “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident…We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:5-7) Three cheers - spring is on its way! Not obvious
though is it? As I write it is showing 2°C on the thermometer
and there is a good inch of snow on the ground! After my recent stay in hospital I was looking forward to
recovering mobility with lots of walks in what, I had fondly imagined, would be
the milder and soothing preliminaries to spring. The anaesthetic wore off
however, to reveal a much harsher reality: biting winds, icy streets, and
chaffed lips! Yet despite all the frosty evidence to the contrary,
confirmation of the approach of spring was to be found in the frozen
landscape as I hobbled, slipped and slithered around Hartford. The bluebells are
beginning to sprout in the wood, the crocus bulbs we planted in the autumn have
burst into flower, and a lone narcissus is staring at itself in the ice on the
patio. Yes, cold it may be, icy and slippery too, but spring is on its
way and the snow is a liar, a white liar perhaps, but a liar all the same. To the onlooker the events of Easter week,
Christ’s arrest, the show trial, the public rejection and, subsequent
humiliation, the whipping, thorns, stripping and crucifixion were like the
late winter snow and ice that belie the onset of spring. The reality, that
God was at work ushering in his kingdom, was seemingly denied at every turn by
the events that were unfolding upon Jesus. Yet there were undeniable signs (John
20: 30-31). What
was true for their Lord is also true for his followers. Discouragements, losses,
hardships and failing health, are among life’s transient, bitter blizzards
that mask the glorious spring sprouting beneath. For God is at work in the midst
of it all. Relentlessly, assuredly, according to plan, moving His child toward
the glory he has promised. And discernable, even if only to His dedicated
eye, are the signs - a ripening devotion to him and a greater hardening to the
things of the world; a blossoming love for others and a wilting love for self; a
mushrooming humility and a receding pride. Three cheers friends - for despite your present bitter snows - Spring is on its way! David Christ Church Café
Light
lunches are served after the Thursday service. Give thanks …
·
For all those who help on a Thursday.
Please pray that
everyone stays fit & healthy. Please pray …
·
That we
make more impact in the local community and with people coming to the station,
for coffee during the morning and snacks & lunches from 12.30pm. Christianity
Explored (Follow-on)
A few evenings for the group to reconsider the claims of Christ & explore the Bible. Give thanks …
·
That those who
attended the course last term have continued to study God’s word through 4
sessions this year and on a personal basis. Please pray …
·
That people
will seriously consider how they want to respond to Jesus' claims. ·
That some will
choose to trust in Jesus for eternal life and follow Him. ·
That they will
choose to continue to seek God through personal Bible study, church attendance,
Growth Group or other fellowship with Christians. Tots & Co.
Every
Friday morning. Give thanks …
·
For the
popularity of this group; often full to bursting. ·
For
opportunities to teach Bible truth to adults and children. Please pray …
·
For God's
ongoing provision of helpers as we will be losing Joy soon (she's moving to
Sutton Coldfield). ·
For the Good
Friday Tots Special for all the families (including Dads!); for the gospel
message to be heard and responded to. ·
For the
premature twins born at 26 weeks, Megan and Callum; that God would show His
power to this Tots family. OnTrack
Every Friday, 6-7pm during term time for ages 7-11. Give thanks …
·
That the children have taken to the new
(and much heavier!) teaching material. ·
For Roger and Dave and Jean who’ve lead
OnTrack whilst I, (Morag) was on holiday. Please pray …
·
That God will guide the leaders as they
think about the program for next term. ·
For another enjoyable term for everyone. Friday Socials
A get-together for 11-14yr olds from the church. Give thanks …
·
For
the many youngsters who came ten pin bowling and ice skating in January &
February. ·
For helpers who
gave of their time and ‘cars’. Please pray …
·
For our meeting in March as we share our
vision for this group with the youngsters. ·
That the young people will want to meet
together regularly for bible study, prayer, topical discussions, socials and
fellowship. ·
That God will bring forward additional
male leadership support for this group. Up on The Platform
Sunday School group for year 6+. Please pray …
·
That the young people may be "transformed
by the renewing of their minds" (Rom 12:2). ·
That the youngsters will be able to stand
firm for the kingdom against peer pressure & most of all that each one of
them will fall in love with the person Jesus Christ himself. ·
For Jim & Alistair teaching a Bible
overview. God’s House
Monthly Sunday School for years 0-5. Give thanks …
·
For the children’s enthusiasm to learn
from God’s word through different media. Please pray …
·
For Danny,
Glyn, Morag & Ruth as they put together these sessions each month. ·
For years
6+ as they remain in the service, that they would take in the sermon message. Home….
As the word suggests..! Ruth Port
(North West Team Leader, UCCF)
Give thanks …
·
For God moving people to give and pledge
the funds to enable her to take up this role. Please pray …
·
That she’ll get on
well with her team when she meets them for the first time on 24th
March. ·
That she will quickly
settle into her work & be effective on the Student Team at Word Alive. ·
That God will be
central in her commissioning service on 30th April. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lydia Papworth (Member of Christ Church)
Please pray …
·
That she will continue to recover &
have wisdom about when to return to work. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ….And Away
Those from our fellowship in other places. Adam & Penny Burt (Singapore)
Give thanks …
·
For the safe arrival
of Samuel Adam Burt – “he’s a little
beauty with an enormous set of lungs!” ·
For the support received from friends in
the UK, Singapore and Australia. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Helen Greaves (Reading University)
Please pray …
·
For Helen as
she starts her 7-week teaching practice next term. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please contact Ruth Port or Morag Sutton if you’d like to contribute to the bi-monthly prayer letter. Deadline for
next contributions - 1st May 2006. |
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Last updated: October 20, 2006. We aim to update this site weekly.
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