 |
|  |
|---|
|
The list can also be used to ask for special prayers or urgent prayer which can be e-mailed out at any time. Please contact Carolyn if you wish to be on the circulation list, make a contribution, have special prayers or urgent prayers at stthomasprayer@live.com or telephone Carolyn (number in the church address book). More information about prayer at St Thomas' is available here. 8.3.10 Dear Praying Friends, I was chatting to friends at the St Thomas' community evening a few weeks ago when the snow had hit us with a vengence, the days were short and the hours of dark long. It had been bitterly cold for some time but we were talking of the exquisite scenery this area has to offer at all seasons of the year. "Did you notice?", they asked "that very faint hint of spring in the air the other day?". Actually I had noticed it, just a whiff of a change, barely a perception, yet it was there. Hard to describe because it wasn't visible and in the deepest of winter, spring wasn't on anyone's mind. Perhaps it was a subtle change in the bird song, a whisper of warmth in the rays of the winter sun or small movements in the dawn light breaking just a little earlier each day. Perhaps it was the presence of fog, hinting of a gradual warming of the earth. Maybe it was a little of all these things and a bit more. Since then the awakening of Spring has continued and now it is upon us full force. Similarly there is the HOPE we have in Jesus given to us by his death and ressurrection. Through the world God created we see the wonder of his mysteries described. For me this hint of spring in the middle of winter is like the Hope Jesus has given us through his death and ressurection. There is hope, however small our faith, however blind we are. Even at the darkest moments there is HOPE through Jesus Christ. We have so much to thank GOD for and yet often we forget to thank and praise him for all the good things in our lives. Scripture Meditation I have chosen Psalm 150 for meditation this week. This was included in the Women's World Day of Prayer Service which was entitled 'Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God'. 1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Mission Partners Prayer Breakfast Give thanks for the Prayer Breakfast held on Saturday 6th March. It was a time of prayer out of which arose a communal feeling of goodwill and a time of bonding at which we moved a little closer to God and to each other. This was followed on Sunday by a day devoted to The Church on The Bus during which some moving stories were heard about homeless people who have come to know Jesus through the work of Captain Alan Park and his many volunteers. Give thanks and prayer for those who drive the two buses, make rolls and sandwiches, provide clothing, toiletries and snacks administer prayer and help to those who come to the buses. St Thomas' Church Prayer Give thanks for the work being done inside the Church and the decorating being done by volunteers. Pray for Christian Vision for Men (CVM) as they make their base at St Thomas'. Healing Prayer Lord Jesus, we bring before you those who are ill or facing operations this week. Encircle them with the power of your healing love. We pray for the surgeons, nursing staff the family as they support then at this time. Haiti and Chile Earthquakes Continue to pray for those caught up in these disasters, for the aid workers and for the restoration of lives and communities which have been destroyed. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD If you will please visit St Thomas' for prayer 0930-1230 Monday to Friday. This is a committment GOD has asked of us as a Church. Please support us in this committment. Why not schedule this in as part of your daily routine. Mon 0930 Ps 5 Mon 1215 Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Tues 0930 Ps 6 Tues 1215 Hebrews 5:11-6:12 Wed 0930 Ps 38 Wed 1215 Hebrews 6:13-end Thurs 0930 Ps. 56 Thurs 1215 Hebrews 7:1-10 Fri 0930 Ps 22; 7 Fri 1215 Hebrews 7:11-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 1.3.10 Dear Praying Friends, If you haven't yet decided what to do in place of the things you have given up for Lent then I urge you to pray more. If you have decided not to give up anything for Lent I still urge you to pray more. It becomes increasingly clear to me that prayer is not to be made when nothing else can usefully be done, but an activity that is as vital and natural as breathing. It is good to make special time for prayer but I also believe prayer is very effective when its made 'on the spot'. This week there are many things to pray for and I suggest you might like to take one section each day of the week to focus on. whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 Pray for One Voice - Global Poverty Prayer week 2010 Add your voice to the sound of Transformation - One Voice - One People - One Prayer. The ten year vision is to see 50 million people released from spiritual and material poverty through a worldwide network of Churches. Lets join them. Why not spend some time prayerfully on the Tear Fund Site, using this time to pray as you look through the site. There are many prayer suggestions for Haiti. for Chile and for the One Voice Global Poverty Week.(www.tearfund.org ) Chile Earthquake Tear Fund says "Let’s pray for the government and for the local services in Chile who will be responding to this emergency. And take time to pray too for our brothers and sisters in the church in Chile and in neighbouring countries, as they seek to demonstrate the love of Christ in word and deed. Pray for God’s grace and power as they respond to this emergency. " Pray for Samaritans Purse Give Thanks for the Haiti fundraising organised by Jane Simmonds and Samaritans Purse, held at St Thomas'. Thanks to the generosity of many local businesses and those that bought tickets for the event over £1000 was raised. Pray for the continuing work that Samaritans Purse undertake in that area. Pray for St Thomas' Church Pray especially at this time for the Living Stones project as we await the extra details the committee have asked the preferred contractor to supply. We pray that these are submitted soon so that the project can move ahead. Pray for the DCC which meets this Monday. Pray for guidance and wisdom for the team as they discuss issues concerning the church and make plans for the future. Pray for Womens Day of Prayer Let everything that has breath praise GOD - Cameroon. Pray especially this Friday for Churches around the world as they join in this day of prayer and reflection. Why not take time to prayerfully browse their website(www.wwdp-natcomm.org ) Healing Prayer Request for people in the Community Pray for people you know in difficult circumstances at this time. Give Thanks For a successful school trip undertaken by Brockley Primary School and New Whittington Primary School. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD If you will please visit St Thomas' for prayer 0930-1230 Monday to Friday. This is a committment GOD has asked of us as a Church. Please support us in this committment. Why not schedule this in as part of your daily routine. Mon 0930 Ps 32 Mon 1215 Genesis 43:16-end Tues 0930 Ps 50 Tues 1215 Genesis 44:1-17 Wed 0930 Ps 35 Wed 1215 Genesis 45:1-17, 28-end Thurs 0930 Ps. 34 Thurs 1215 Genesis 44:18-end Fri 0930 Ps 41; 7 Fri 1215 Genesis 46 Yours In Christ Carolyn 22.2.10 Dear Praying Friends, Many things have happened since I embarked on my journey through Lent last year. At the time I had attended a few ALPHA sessions and as a result was curious enough to observe the traditions of the LENT experience. That meant giving something up and replacing it with reading and praying, attending the Ash Wednesday Ashing Service, reading 'Celebration of Discipline' and going to the LENT course as much as possible. As Holy week approached I knew that I wanted to attend as many of the services that week as I could. This spiritual cocktail proved to be the start of a life changing experience for me and one that continues. This year I approach LENT wanting to deepen my understanding and experience of my Faith in the Living Lord. There is a real sense of purification and cleansing that comes with the Imposition of Ashes at the Ash Wednesday Service and following a day of fasting kick starts a spring cleaning of the Soul. This week I shall be using the words said at the imposition for my mediations. "Remember that you are but dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ" I invite you to use the same. Prepare to Pray As we move into this time of prayer enter the inner room of your heart. Shut the door to the noise in your life, to the trivialities and countless cares that are grabbing for attention. In that quiet place of your heart, with faith as your guide, speak to the LORD. He will listen. Pray for Prayer Let us pray for those who have stopped praying, or pray with little fervour. In this season of LENT let us all pray with greater care and devotion, making prayer our first thought and not our last. Pray for those things holding us captive Let us bring before the Lord our acquisitive natures and our pleasure - oriented way of living. Lord help us to recognise the hold many things in our lives have on us. The designer clothes, the latest toys and DVD's, the excess food and drink that we pile into the shopping trolley, the amusements that fail to deliver any lasting joy. Lord we ask that you help us to recognise what in our lives is holding us captive and give us strength to abstain. Pray for Giving Let us search our hearts to see where we can give our time, our talent, our material resources. There is need all around us, at home, at work, in the street where we live, in the world at large. Lord we ask that where we see a need that need becomes our need. Pray for Healing Lift to the Lord the following people who need our prayers for healing at this time. Pray for our Clergy , Readers and Staff Please pray for Matt and Ruth and all that they do, seen and unseen. Give thanks for their spiritual guidance through the carefully crafted services and sermons that are delivered at St Thomas'. Pray for the health of all those on the staff who work tirelessly for the Kingdom. Personal Prayer Requests Pray for a School Trip Pray for the children from Brockley Primary School and New Whittington Primary School as they journey to France for a school trip this week. Pray for their safety as they journey out this Monday and journey back on Friday. Pray for their safety and enjoyment throughout the week. Pray for Clarity A church member has asked that we pray for clarity of thought for him as he seeks guidance on looking for a new place to live. He feels that he is being drawn towards the Brampton area. Pray for the path to be open for making this move if this is GODs plan for him. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD If you will please visit St Thomas' for prayer 0930-1230 Monday to Friday. This is a committment GOD has asked of us as a Church. Please support us in this committment. Why not schedule this in as part of your daily routine. Mon 0930 Ps 10 and 11 Mon 1215 Gal 3:23-4:7 Tues 0930 Ps 44 Tues 1215 Gal 4:8-5:1 Wed 0930 Ps 6 and 17 Wed 1215 Gal 5:2-15 Thurs 0930 Ps. 42 Thurs 1215 Gal 5:16-end Fri 0930 Ps 22 Fri 1215 Gal 6 Yours In Christ Carolyn 15.2.10 Dear Praying Friends, Pray for Holidays Pray for all those on a half term break this week. Pray for famillies taking a well earned break whether it be at home or away. Pray for relaxation and fun. Pray for their teachers that they too find a space to recharge physically and spiritually. Pray for All Newly Weds Pray for all those starting their married lives together. Pray for Healing Lift to the Lord continued prayers for those who are ill. Pray for the Newborn Pray for any babies known to you that have been born recently. Give thanks for the skill and care of nursing staff and doctors who support both mother and child through labour and in the first few hours and days after birth. Pray for new parents as they get to know their child. Pray for our Church Building Pray for the internal work being undertaken this week at church. Pray for the builders health, safety and efficiency in all that they do. Pray for Christian Vision for Men (CVM) Pray for Carl Beech and his colleagues as they prepare to make their base at St Thomas' following the completion of the internal work. Pray that this partnership with our church flourishes and that positive influence will bring us closer to creating the Kingdom of the Lord in Chesterfield. Pray for Haiti Pray for continued support from the World as this country struggles to overcome the devastation to lives and livlihood. Pray for Jane Simmonds as she organises a Pudding Evening at St Thomas' (27th Feb), promoted through Samaritans Purse. Pray for a successful outcome to this initiative to raise funds for Haiti. Scripture Meditation GOD is LOVE Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; It is not self-seeking, nor easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongdoing. It does not delight in evil, But rejoices in the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, and preserves. There is nothing love cannot face; There is no limit to its faith, hope, and endurance. In a word, there are three things that last forever: Faith, hope, and love; But the greatest of them all is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD If you will please visit St Thomas' for prayer 0930-1230 Monday to Friday. This is a committment GOD has asked of us as a Church. Please support us in this committment. Why not schedule this in as part of your daily routine. Mon 0930 Ps 44 Mon 1215 Gal. Ch 1 Tues 0930 Ps 48 Tues 1215 Gal 2 1-10 Wed 0930 Ps 38 Wed 1215 1 Tim 6. 6-19 Thurs 0930 Ps. 77 Thurs 1215 Gal. 2. 11-end Fri 0930 Ps 3; 7 Fri 1215 Gal. 3. 1-14 Yours In Christ Carolyn 8.2.10 Dear Praying Friends, PRAY FIRST Living Stones Project -We give thanks for the successful day of interviews on Friday 5th February and the identification of a likely contractor. -This week pray for the routine checks that now need to take place. Pray that these checks confirm the suitability of the preferred contractor which will enable this project to move ahead quickly without delay. -Pray also for a successful outcome to this project which is vital to the life of our church. Pray for Our Church Pray this week for all the members of our Church as they go about their daily lives. Pray for wisdom, strength and guidance as they live out their Faith in their day to day living. Pray for Healing Lift to the Lord continued prayers for those who are ill. Pray for the Grieving Pray for all those who have lost a loved one recently. Pray for Marriage Lift before the Lord Ben and Gail as their wedding day approaches this Saturday (13 February). Pray for Haiti -Pray for continued support from the World as this country struggles to overcome the devastation to lives and livlihood. -Pray for Jane Simmonds as she organises a Pudding Evening at St Thomas' (27 February), promoted through Samaritans Purse. Pray for a successful outcome to this initiative to raise funds for Haiti. A vignette - sharing my thoughts with you Last week I lost my wrist watch. "Nothing interesting in that" I hear you say and that’s true enough. I missed it though, because I relied on it and I lost count of the number of times that I looked on my wrist to check the time only to see a bare wrist. I looked everywhere for it – in the bathroom where I had taken it off, on windowsills, on shelves – frustratingly it was no-where. After four days of looking I had almost stopped searching when I SAW IT. Not where I had left it and certainly not where I had expected to see it. There it was, strapped to the handle on the cooker hood in the kitchen as a cooking timer. I laughed at the absurdity of it and yet, as a time-piece, it was serving its purpose, just not in the way the manufacturer had first intended. As I retrieved the watch I reflected on how this could demonstrate to those of us who were once lost how we are still able to fulfill our GOD given purpose. We turn up in unexpected places, not where our Creator had planned, but nevertheless still able to fulfill our purpose in life albeit in unorthodox ways. The wrist watch is now back on my wrist as originally intended. As humans LIFE is not as straightforward, but whenever we choose to turn to Christ, through Faith and the Grace of God we can trust that the Lord will guide us towards his plan for us. I pondered also on the frustration I felt during the days when the watch was lost and wondered if this was a small measure of how GOD feels when we are not fulfilling the purpose he created us for and when we are not where he planned for us to be. Scripture Meditation I have chosen this passage from Ephesians as a focus for our meditations this week. Ephesians 2:4-9 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. 1000 Days of Prayer - Our commitment to GOD If you will please visit St Thomas' for prayer 0930-1230 Monday to Friday. This is a commitment GOD has asked of us as a Church. Please support us in this commitment. Why not schedule this in as part of your daily routine? Mon 0930 Ps. 30 Mon 1215 2 Timothy 4. 1-8 Tues 0930 Ps.36 Tues 1215 2 Timothy 4. 9-end Wed 0930 Ps. 34 Wed 1215 Titus Ch.1 Thurs 0930 Ps. 37 Thurs 1215 Titus Ch.2 Fri 0930 Ps. 31 Fri 1215 Titus Ch.3 Yours In Christ Carolyn 5.2.10 Dear Praying Friends, Today (Friday 5th February) is a very important milestone in the life of the Living Stones Project. The tender interviews are being held and the outcome of these interviews will direct the course of this project. Though the rains came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. (Matthew 7:25) Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit -Lift up to the Lord those contractors who have prepared their tenders ready for presentation. -Pray that that their gifts and strengths will shine through the interviews enabling the correct choice to be made. -Lift up to the Lord the Church members carrying out the interviews. Pray for Matt, Paul, Phil and the architects. -Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be their strength and stamina throughout the day. -Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to bring wisdom and guidance amongst them to ask the right questions. -Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to bring discernment as they make their final decision. The agenda is below. Set your alarm to pray at the start of each session. If you can please pray throughout the day with these particular times in mind. 9.00am – 10.00am Pre contractor discussions and our own settling in. 10.00am – 12.00pm First contractor presentation 12.00pm - 1.00pm lunch break/further discussions 1.00pm – 3.00pm 3.00pm – 5.00pm "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" 1Peter 2:5 Yours In Christ Carolyn 1.2.10 Dear Praying Friends, I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you" (John 14:18) "Add your voice to the sound of transformation. One Voice. One People. One Prayer" (One Voice) Meditation Suggestion Please use this challenging photograph (Tear Fund Site) taken in Haiti as your focus for meditation this week. If you can, meditate for at least 5 mins each day. Jot down your first reactions and thoughts to this photo. At the end of the week ask yourself how you have changed as a result of your meditations.  Prayers for Haiti 200,000 dead, 1,500,000 homeless, 10's of 1000's struggling to cope without basics like water. "Right now, the Church itself is Gods instrument for change" Dr Hubert Morquette (World relief Tear Fund Partner) Give Thanks -For the generous global response to the earthquake. -Pray for the Homeless in Haiti. Many are homeless and terrified of being inside. Most are sleeping in crowded outdoor camps. Pray for safety and health in these camps. -Pray for Wisdom for those directing the response. -Pray for Tear Fund Partner Staff in Haiti. Many lost loved ones in the quake and most lost their homes. Pray for them as they deal with their own losses whilst working to help others. -Pray for the Churches in Haiti that it will find ways of bringing God's hope and love into this terrible situation. -Pray for those volunteering to Help. Please pray for Ray Verlaque (a Christian friend of Aaron) who is going to Haiti to join a medical team in Cap Hitian. Lift to the Lord of love and hope and renewal, the people of Haiti in their desperation. Prayers for Our Church, St Thomas' -Pray for the Living Stones Project. Give thanks that the barriers to this project continue to crumble as we near the day when the tender interviews are held (5th Feb). -Pray for those builders who are this week preparing their tender presentations and costings. -Pray that the costings come within the budget framework that the Church has estimated. -Pray for guidance and wisdom for Matt, Paul Benson and Philip Riley (the Tender Team) as they conduct the interviews and make the final decision. Pray for Healing -Hold before the Lord those who are ill and those praying for a miraculous healing. Encircle them Lord with the power of your healing love. Pray for ALPHA -Pray for those attending the ALPHA course. May they get to know Jesus. Pray for the DCC Meeting Monday 1st February -Pray for the DCC members as they meet to discuss plans for refurbishment within the Church. Pray for wisdom and guidance as individuals and as a group. Pray for the M.A.P.S Working Group -Pray that through prayer the Lord reveals his will in these plans. 1000 days of Prayer - our committment to God Please visit St Thomas' for prayer 0930-1230 Monday to Friday if you can or pray where ever you are. This is a committment God has asked of us as a Church. Please support us in this committment. Why not schedule this in as part of your daily routine. This Friday 5th February is especially important as it is the day of the tender interviews. Please visit the Church if at all possible. Mon 0930 Ps 57 Mon 1215 Matt. 27. 11-26 Tues 0930 Ps 48 Tues 1215 Rom 12. 1-5 Wed 0930 Ps 119 Wed 1215 Matt 27 45-56 Thurs 0930 Ps 15 Thurs 1215 Matt 27. 57-end Fri 0930 Ps 19 - Pray for the tender interviews, that the right builder will be amongst the tender bids. Fri 1215 Matt 28. 1-5 Quote for thought "Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world" (Bishop Desmond Tutu) Yours in Christ Carolyn 25.1.10 Dear Praying Friends, Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5 16-18). For me a turning point in my attitude and understanding of prayer was when I realised that prayer could be any time, any place, anywhere. Prayer wasn't something to be stored up and remembered for a prayer time. Every minute of the day is prayer time and there is fun to be had in this too. Of course there is a proper time and place for dedicated silent focused prayer with our Lord but opening up your heart to him in constant communion is not only possible but what Paul urges us to do. I enjoy arrow prayers. What better way to deflect the bad vibes from a grumpy bus-driver than to pray for him with a smile? What better way to deal with aggressive/bad mannered drivers on the roads? Send an arrow prayer with a smile. They find it disconcerting to say the least. Praying at work is challenging because focus necessarily needs to be on the job in hand. The knack, I've found, is to spiritually centre yourself before entering the office. I imagine a golden chord leading from my soul upwards and while I keep this image in the back of my mind I keep the conscious communication with God going. I call it 'spiritual pilates' and the more I practise it the more my praying 'muscles' are strengthened. Give thanks in all circumstances There is much to give thanks for. This week we saw some images of hope coming out of the destruction in Haiti. The child rejoicing with open arms as he finds his mother. The baby miraculously saved from the rubble. Give thanks to the Lord for his Graciousness. Pray for the Living Stones Project. Give thanks that the barriers to this project continue to crumble as we near the day when the tender interviews are held (5th Feb). Pray for ALPHA. Pray for those attending the ALPHA course. May they find the love of Jesus in their lives. Pray for the M.A.P.S Working Group. Pray that through prayer the Lord reveals his will in these plans. Pray for Healing Pray for the Homeless Lord we lift to you those who are out there now in the dark and cold. Many will have spent time in prison. Many will have mental health problems. Most are men and will be likely to live nearly half as long as the rest of us. We lift each and everyone out there now to you Lord. Let your love envelope them. Let your love guide them to those who can help. Father God, we lift to you the Church on the Bus, a ministry specifically for the homeless and needy community of Chesterfield, Matlock and Clay Cross. Encircle with your Love and Strength Alan Park, who pioneered this ministry. His wife and those who support the ministry, Those who drive the two buses, Those who make rolls and sandwiches, Those who provide clothing, toiletries and snacks. Lord through this vital ministry let your power transform those who seek you on the bus and through your love find a new life. Pray in Unison We celebrated 1000 Days of Prayer last Tuesday with the Church open from 0930-1230. If you can make it to St Thomas' during these times please do. Otherwise join in prayer at a distance as follows: Mon 25 0930 Ps 66 Mon 25 1215 Phil 3 1-14 Tue 26 0930 Ps 36 Tue 26 1215 Matt 26 17-35 Wed 27 0930 Ps 46 Wed 27 1215 Matt 26 36-46 Thur 25 0930 Ps 47 Thur 25 1215 Matt 26 47-56 Fri 25 0930 Ps 65 Fri 25 1215 Matt 26 57-end Listen to the 'Prayer Sunday' (24.1.10) sermon here. Every Blessing Carolyn 1000 Days of Prayer Tuesday 19th January is day 100 of our 1000 Days of Prayer. Thank the Lord for the way this 'connect' with GOD has become part of many peoples lives in this short time. The first 100 days have seen many emotions expressed - tears of despair, tears of joy, laughter, sadness, sorrow, self - realisation, heartfelt prayer and concern for others. Pray that as St Thomas' becomes known for its open doors, prayer becomes embedded into the daily lives of more and more people in the Brampton community and beyond. Pray that St Thomas' is recognised as a church that welcomes all people. Thoughts to ponder and pray about Worshipping GOD is a total immersion event. Thought, words, deeds. Offer yourself to GOD. Some may never accept the love of Jesus, but we still need to show it. Ask GOD to help you shine today. There is nothing virtual about belief in Jesus. Recline in the reality of prayer. Every Blessing Carolyn 18.01.10 Dear Praying Friends, I had many things to say this week but they will have to wait. Today I felt priviledged to be asked to assist in the full immersion re-baptism ceremony which was held at the 6pm service. There was something very real and vital about standing in a tub of ice cold water and helping Tim Wheeler to hold Tracy as we immersed her into the water. Combined with a passionate testimony it was the sheer physical nature of the immersion that cemented a heightened spirituality that had pervaded the service. Tracy quoted from Psalm 67 and for that reason I have chosen it this week for meditation. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth your salvation among all nations. May the people praise you, O God; may all the people praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the people justly and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God, may all the peoples praise you. (Psalm 67 1-5) Listen to Tracy's testimony and see pictures here Prayer for Haiti Continue to pray for the people of Haiti and their government as they reel from last weeks earthquake. Pray for the souls of those who died in the earthquake. Hold before the LORD the survivors who will have lost family,friends and homes and be left to face a life even more difficult than the one they had before. Pray for the Tear Fund Volunteers, Samaritans Purse Incident Management Team and other agencies, for their safety and courage in these circumstances as they show the compassion of Christ to survivors. for wisdom in determining the most effective response to this disaster Pray that people would get the help they need as quickly as possible Pray that we open our hearts to respond in any way we can to support the relief operation. Prayer for Healing We continue to pray for those who are ill, both people we know and those we don't. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Britain and Ireland pray for a renewed passion for Christian Unity and to see in particular the risen Christ in our midst. The unity in Christ that we seek and pray for implies that we are called to embrace something new, something that will change us and the church – from something dis-united to a Church that is one in Christ. If you would like to pray in more depth for Christian Unity please use the information here on their website. 1000 Days of Prayer - Pray in Unison Pray for the 1000 Days of Prayer that as a Church we have committed to the LORD. Pray that as the ice and snow have melted away Church Members feel moved to come to the St Thomas' Church between 0930 and 1230 for a time of prayer and quiet. Pray that more and more people see come to see this as a regular part of their routine. Pray that people in the community, attracted by the open sigh outside the Church feel moved to drop in and seek God. Pray for those who uphold this daily practice in St Thomas', for Matt, Ruth, Gemma, Gaz, Anne and Karen. Monday 0930 Psalm 146 1215 Matthew 24:1-14 Tuesday -Day 100 0930 Psalm 132 1215 Matthew 24:15-28 Wednesday 0930 Psalm 81 1215 Matthew 24:29-end Thursday 0930 Psalm 76 1215 Matthew 25:14-30 Friday 0930 Psalms 27 1215 Matthew 25:30-end Carolyn 11.01.10 Dear Friends, Two weeks ago I went to Horsey on the Norfolk Coast with my family to meet a friend. It was a bitterly cold day, with a wind that speared the thickest coat. At 2pm the day light was already beginning to fade. Our friend took us through the dunes to the edge of the beach to where seal pups, newly born, lay exposed to the elements. Scattered along the shore like massive bolders were large adult seals camoflauged against the rocks. I was struck by the wild sea with large grey, green waves thundering down yards from the seal pups and the seagulls above, screeching and fighting against the buffeting winds. And there were we also, part of the scene, observing nature in the raw. At that moment I felt very much a part of GOD'S creation. Just being a Human Being looking in awe and wonder at part of GOD'S creation. Beyond the cold, the wind and the thunder of the crashing waves there was a warmth and peace that transcended the elements. It was a magical moment. I have spent alot of time thinking about the wonder of that hour, the unexpectedness of it and the joy I have in recalling it. It sums up for me how GOD planned it to be for us. To live in the NOW. Creative Meditation Make a list of the things you enjoy doing, the things that make you feel most alive, most free, most truly yourself. Note whether they are active, focused activities of doing or more unfocused times when you flow with what comes, the product of just being. Use the list to reflect on and pray about the balance (or otherwise) in your life. Pray for Healing Pray for those who you know are ill or in need of a touch from God (specific names are in the Prayer Thought e-mail from which this is taken and can be obtained from Church Office). Pray for our Church and all that is happening in the life of our Church For the 1000 Days of Prayer initiative. We pray that more and more people will come to use this ministry as an oasis in their busy lives. For Christian Vision for Men which is moving to Chesterfield. This is an organisation which helps Churches to introduce men to Jesus. Please ask for the Lords blessing and guidance on the opportunities this offers St Thomas' in its outreach ministry for men. Pray for the living stones project and the presentation of tenders on 5th February. Pray for Christian Solidarity Worldwide Hold before GOD Robert Park who has been recently detained in North Korea. Pray for his safety and that his mission to bring the message of Christian love and goodwill to the brutal regime in Korea bears fruit. Pray also for Kim Jong-Il and the other North Korean leaders, pray that they would read Mr Park’s message and that their hearts would be touched; Praying in union this week during our 1000 Days of Prayer St Thomas' is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and prayer sessions are held at 0930 and 1215. If you cannot make it in person but would like to add to the power of prayer please pray in unison as below. Monday 0930 Psalm 2 1215 Matthew 21:1-17 Tuesday 0930 Psalm 9 1215 Matthew 21:18-32 Wednesday 0930 Psalm 20 1215 Matthew 21:33-end Thursday 0930 Psalm 21 1215 Matthew 22:1-14 Friday 0930 Psalms 46 1215 Matthew 22:34-end Carolyn 04.01.10 Dear Friends, I feel moved to write the following. Prayer Thought The world over people like to celebrate the New Year. Its a great reason to get together with family and friends, to reflect over the outgoing year and to welcome the New Year in and there's nothing wrong with that. There is psychologically something special for many people about the New Year. Its a chance to start afresh - a chance to resolve to change things about our lives or ourselves that we are less than happy about - a way of drawing a line between the past and the present. I have in the past bought into this and made a number of largely ineffectual promises to myself or others which at some point ended in failure. For me that’s the difference between previous New Years and that of 2010. (On a personal note 2009 was beyond my wildest imaginations. A year during which the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT was revealed to me and I gave my life to Jesus) Christianity offers a spiritual power far more special and awesome than the combination of a new calendar year and a wish to change something about our current situation. At any time we choose we can ask the Holy Spirit to come in to our lives, to speak to us, to guide us and to change us and through the forgiveness Jesus brought to us, we can draw a line between the past and the present. That for me was THE DISCOVERY of 2009. That I could ask for change - not because the calendar said 1st January and I resolved to do something different, but because if I surrendered my life to GOD, if I asked the Holy Spirit to come into my life, then inevitably change would occur. The difference being that the changes would be according to GOD’s will and pace, not my own, and, because GOD is love and he has a purpose for each one of us, then actually the changes might be very different to those that I may have envisaged for myself. Therefore at the start of 2010 let us renew ourselves by meditating on the following prayer at the start of each of our prayer sessions this week. Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. Saint Augustine of Hippo Pray for our Church Pray for everyone who belongs to our Church. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill them with a renewed vigour for the year ahead. Pray that individuals will feel moved to volunteer their gifts and skills in new and exciting ways to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives and that of the Church. Pray that new people continue to come through the doors of our Church and stay. Pray that the Living Stones Project moves ahead with vibrancy and a firm foundation. Pray for Healing Lift up to the Lord those who especially need our prayers at this for physical or mental healing. Prayer Thanks I (Carolyn) would like to offer up in prayer my thanks and praise for the spiritual and emotional healing I have received in the last few months since attending St Thomas'. Praying in union this week during our 1000 Days of Prayer St Thomas' is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and prayer sessions are held at 0930 and 1215. If you cannot make it in person but would like to add to the power of prayer please pray in unison as below. Monday 0930 Psalm 89 1215 Colossians 3:12-4:1 Tuesday 0930 Psalm 48 1215 Colossians 4:2-end Wednesday 0930 Psalm 132 1215 John 1:29-34 Thursday 0930 Psalm 99 1215 Matthew 20:1-16 Friday 0930 Psalms 46 1215 Matthew 20:16-end Carolyn
|
|