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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. 30.8.10 Dear Praying Friends, Over thirty years ago when I was learning to drive someone said to me "you only begin to learn how to drive when you’ve passed your test" and looking back I know they were right. The first time I drove out on my own everything I had learnt seemed to be defied by the behaviour of other drivers and the apparent lack of road signs. Having just passed my test I pulled out to turn right at the Maids Head hotel in Norwich and narrowly missed being flattened by a bus that came tearing round the corner. After that I learnt how to drive around Norwich turning left only. That meant for a long time I avoided learning how to negotiate right turns across busy roads which consequently made me less confident than if I had tackled this issue head on. Becoming a Christian is a bit like learning to drive. The real learning starts when you’ve made a commitment to follow Jesus and then begin to look at your life through that commitment. Suddenly everything looks different and it takes a lifetime of perseverance to follow that commitment through. The difference is that as a driver you are on your own but as a Christian you always have the light of Jesus to guide you and the knowledge that God is always there and will never let you down. We are never living life alone if we put God in the driving seat. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen, since what is seen in temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” 2Cor 4:16. Pray for a Good Bank Holiday Prayer for Summer Rendevous Please pray for the Summer Rendevous which meets this Wednesday to Friday (1-3 Sept). Pray for Nanette Sanderson and David Oldale as they organise and run the event. Pray that there are no technical issues which threaten the programme of events. Pray for David and Laura Holden who are catering for the event. Pray for those attending that they find fellowship and a space to grow spiritually. Pray for all the committee members, for their time and commitment. Prayer for Rooted In Jesus Team Continue to hold the team before God as they return to their families and daily lives. Pray for Matt, Alex, Karen, Nicky and Julious. Prayer for Healing Pray for all those known to you in need of healing at this time. Pray for Comfort Lord we lift to you all those dealing with the grief of bereavement. May you be their comfort and their guide. Also those who are dealing with the aftermath of serious incidents. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 30 0930 Ps 126 Mon 30 1215 Acts 10 34-end Tues 31 0930 Ps 132 Tues 31 1215 Acts 11 1-18 Wed 01 0930 Ps 119 – 153 – end Wed 01 1215 Acts 11 19-end Thur 02 0930 Ps 143 Thur 02 1215 Acts 12 1-17 Fri 03 0930 Ps 144 Fri 03 1215 Acts 12 18-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 23.8.10 Dear Praying Friends, In everything give thanks. Not such an easy thing to do and I know when I was young it used to annoy me intensely when I was told to count my blessings as I riled against some unfairness I perceived against my self or wished my life was somehow different. I had long since forgotten about this approach to life when I came to St Thomas’ but it is an attitude of mind and soul that I have increasingly tried to practice. Again I am reminded that you get more of what you focus on. Focus on the negative in your life and you are sure to see more of it. Focus on your blessings and it is probable that you will see more of them. There are times in one’s life when life seems to be rocky and chaotic and it is hard to perceive the blessings. But it is just possible that the very thing that is the most unbearable may in hindsight proved to contain the blessing. It is Faith that allows us the ability to walk through the mire of life knowing that God is committed to working the good out of every situation however bad it seems at the time. Of course, the good will evolve in Gods time not ours and it may take generations for the good to become apparent. Prayer for the Development Project Give Thanks: -that progress is continuing in line with the anticipated programme -that we have received confirmation that ecological issues are all in order -for receiving confirmation from Chesterfield Borough Council that pre-planning conditions have been discharged Pray: -for the members of the Development Committee as they make decisions concerning the design, finish and workings of the building -keep the congregation informed of progress -consider the operation of the building once it is complete -members being: Emma Atkinson, Matthew Barnes, Paul Benson, Bernard Blanksby, Phil Johnson, Karen Riley, Phil Riley and Angela Wright -for the members of the construction team (below) who are responsible for progressing the work in line with the programme -Tony Hardie - Contract Administrator acting on behalf of St Thomas' -Steve Graham - Jaybuild Site Manager -John Butler - Jaybuild Director -that fortnightly site meetings are productive and positive - next meeting to be held on Wednesday 1st September -that the works are not held up during the period of piling and that costs do not increase due to unforeseen issues -for good relations between St Thomas' and the adjacent householders, as work progresses Prayer for the team in Uganda Please pray the following quote over the team this week Alex, Nicky, Matt, Karen and Julius as they lead at the Rooted In Jesus Conference in Namungoona, Kampala on Monday. More information here I looked at Isaiah 60:1-3 and was particularly struck by v2b. ... the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. We know that our God is sovereign and His purposes will prevail - we give no place or acknowledgement to the old enemy. Prayer for Healing Please lift to the Lord: Elaine, Keith,Sue, Bob Marion, Yvetta, Chris, Candy, Ruth, Celia, Shirley, Brenda, Bill, Annabelle Prayer for families of the Deceased Lord hold and comfort the families and friends of Arthur, Sindy, John 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 23 0930 Ps 98 Mon 23 1215 Acts 8:26-end Tues 24 0930 Ps 86 Tues 24 1215 John 1:43-end Wed 25 0930 Ps 111 Wed 25 1215 Acts 9:32-end Thur 26 0930 Ps 115 Thur 26 1215 Acts 9:32-end Fri 27 0930 Ps 139 Fri 27 1215 Acts 10:1-16 Yours In Christ Carolyn 16.8.10 Dear Praying Friends, “God is Spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Before I came to St Thomas’ worship was a word I did not understand and an activity I did not partake it in any sense. It was a word that made me cringe and created images in my mind of totem poles and wooden gods. I view things differently since becoming a Christian. I began to learn how to worship at St Thomas’ through music and song and then how to carry that out into life itself. Not by osmosis but by practice. Worship of God should be a constant in our lives – the awe of God a celebration in the heart. This is at the heart of walking with God. Eugene Patterson says “Worship is a meeting at the centre so that our lives are centred in God and not lived eccentrically. We worship so that we live in response to and from this centre, the living God”. When worship comes first God is our whole reward and what we do in worship is done for God’s sake. CS Lewis says “It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men”. In effect we are the beneficiaries of worship, not God. In all humility this has been my experience and to anyone who knows the ache of emptiness I urge you to make worship your first focus. Pray for Matt our Rector, and the Rooted in Jesus team. Pray for Pakistan Lord, in your great mercy we ask for your love and comfort for those 20 million people affected by the monsoon floods. Shelter and medicine are desperately needed and we ask that the aid agencies involved are able to provide help swiftly and efficiently. Lord protect those in need and in danger and comfort those who have lost family and friends and who have lost homes and livelihoods. The Pakistani government says up to 20 million people have now been affected by the monsoon floods. Pray for China Lord we pray for those killed in recent floods and mudslides - the death toll has risen to 1,239. We ask that the teams recovering bodies in Gansu province in the wake of the landslides in Zhouqu county and given strength and protection as they continue their grim task. Pray for Healing Lord we ask for healing for all those sick in body mind or spirit, especially those we know of. We bring before you today Bill and Margaret. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 16 0930 Psalm 80 Mon 16 1215 Acts 6-end Tues 17 0930 Psalm 89:1-18 Tues 17 1215 Acts 7:1-16 Wed 18 0930 Psalm 119:105-128 Wed 18 1215 Acts 7:17-43 Thurs 19 0930 Psalm 92 Thurs 19 1215 Acts 7:44-53 Fri 20 0930 Psalm 88 Fri 20 1215 Acts 7:54-8:3 Yours In Christ Carolyn 9.8.10 Dear Praying Friends, I drove out into the Peak District tonight as the sun was setting against a backdrop of hills and trees. The sky, a sea of liquid gold laced with crimson and orange spread like the furnace of Gods love before me. Dark hills rose from the ground, some menacing and immediate, others hidden behind a vale, less immediate but nonetheless there. I drove down a narrow winding road, for the main clothed in darkness, except for where openings allowed the still strong rays of the dying sun to pierce. At that moment I saw before me Gods painting of our spiritual journey and the promise of Jesus to light even the darkest paths. Lord we lift to you Steve and Gemma and their families as they prepare for Steve and Gemma’s Wedding on Saturday. Lord we lift to you those in need of healing Elaine, Keith, Sue, Bob & Marion, Yvetta, Chris, Candy, Ruth, Celia, Robert, Shirley and Brenda. Lord we lift to you the Rooted in Jesus Conferences taking place this month and in particular Alex Scott, Matt Barnes, Karen Wilkinson and Nicky Plumbley preparing to go out next week. Lord we lift to you Lucy and Oliver who were baptised at St Thomas’ today. We bring before God their parents, families and God Parents in whose loving care they have been placed. We ask for your guidance as they bring Lucy and Oliver to know and love the Lord. Lord we lift to you those affected by the floods in Pakistan, the families of those who have died and the aid agencies who are working to relieve the pain, suffering and distress of those affected. We ask that the Pakistan Authorities act with wisdom, speed and compassion to help affected communities. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 0930 Psalm 71 Mon 1215 Acts 3:11-end Tues 0930 Psalm 73 Tues 1215 Acts 4:1-12 Wed 0930 Psalm 77 Wed 1215 Acts 4:13-31 Thurs 0930 Psalm 78:1-39 Thurs 1215 Acts 4:32-5:11 Fri 0930 Psalm 55 Fri 1215 Acts 5:12-26 Yours In Christ Carolyn 2.8.10 Dear Praying Friends, We reach day 300 of our 1000 days of prayer at the end of this week. This means we are nearly one third of the way through our commitment to pray for 1000 days and for 1000 hours a year. Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on how this commitment has affected your daily life. For me I have found the discipline of prayer an enlightening process in terms of focussing my thoughts and prayers. I often find the topics or names we have been praying for returning to mind throughout the day and enabling me to pray some more for them. It also helps to keep at bay those negative thoughts that like to creep in. I also find, amid the business of life prayer creates an oasis of quiet and calmness. I came across this opening prayer last week and thought it would be good to include this prayer for you to use at 0930 and/or 1215. We are met in the presence of God, And we do not meet alone. With Angels in the highest heaven, We gather to worship the Lord. With saints of every age, We gather to worship the Lord. With the church throughout the world, We gather to worship the Lord. We are met in the presence of God, And we do not meet alone. Pray for those unable to take a holiday Pray for those unable to take a holiday. The holiday season can be a very difficult time for many, who through circumstances are not able to enjoy what so many of us take for granted. Indeed, for many, it can be a time of loneliness as friends and family are away, or normal activities stop. Pray for those who are sick and in need of healing Ruth, Elaine, Keith, Sue, Bob and Marion, Yvetta, Chris, Candy, Rita, Celia, Keith (Anne’s Dad) and Robert. Pray for Development Committee Meeting and DCC Meeting Pray for all those involved in these two meetings and that the power of the Holy Spirit will be at work amongst all who attend. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 0930 Psalm 44 Mon 1215 Acts 1:1-14 Tues 0930 Psalm 48 Tues 1215 Acts 1:14-end Wed 0930 Psalm 119:57-80 Wed 1215 Acts 2:1-21 Thurs 0930 Psalm 57 Thurs 1215 Acts 2:22-36 Fri 0930 Psalm 27 Fri 1215 1 John 3:1-3 Yours In Christ Carolyn 26.7.10 Dear Praying Friends, As friends and Church Family begin to leave for their summer vacations it is a time to reflect, in their physical absence, what they mean to us when they are around and to thank God for their presence in our lives. It is absence that makes us realise the impact of presence and is as important for those staying as well as those leaving. Just as many leave Derbyshire for a short time many others are about to flood into the area for their own summer holidays and we have the opportunity to encounter people that we wouldn’t otherwise meet. Let us ensure in whatever ways we can that visitors are welcomed and experience the beauty of Gods creation and his love through those they meet. Prayer for the Development Project Give thanks for • Contracts signed this week (Tuesday afternoon to be exact) and physical progress to be made on site. • Our neighbours, who are putting up with the site establishment works and who will have to carry out their lives whilst works are being carried out. Please pray for • Neighbours, that they are accepting of our need to build and where there is friction, that a swift resolution is found. • The physical build programme, that there are no major unforeseen works and that progress is made in line with the anticipated programme. • The Contract site team, Tony Hardie (Contract Administrator), John Butler and Steve Graham (Jaybuild) who are directly responsible for ensuring that the build is built as per our design requirements and budget. Prayer for St Thomas Church Pray that more people use the open Church facility during the summer. Pray that visitors to the area are encourage to come in to pray and just enjoy being in our beautiful church. Prayer for those on holiday Pray for all friends and church family on holiday that they have safe and peaceful days. Pray for Matt, Mel, Ellie, Jack and Amy as they enjoy a well earned break, hopefully far from the madding crowd. Pray for Peak 2010 Pray for all Scouts and Guides at Chatsworth this week. This gathering takes place once every five years. Pray that the young people have positive, life changing encounters. Prayer for Healing Ruth, Elaine, Keith, Sue, Bob and Marion, Yvette, Chris, Candy, Rita, Celia, Keith and Robert. Meditation Psalm 119 65 Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 26 0930 Psalm 30 Mon 26 1215 Luke 23:13-25 Tues 27 0930 Psalm 36 Tues 27 1215 Luke 23:26-43 Wed 28 0930 Psalm 34 Wed 28 1215 Luke 23:44-56 Thurs 29 0930 Psalm 37 Thurs 29 1215 Luke 23:56-24.12 Fri 30 0930 Psalm 31 Fri 30 1215 Luke 24:13-35 Yours In Christ Carolyn 20.7.10 Dear Praying Friends, God is with us always. As we pray let us open our hearts and minds to his love in the sure knowledge that he loves us. His love seeks to destroy rebellion and we must meet Him on His terms not ours. Prayer for Healing Lord we bring before you all those in need of prayer for healing. Encircle them with the power of your healing love. Ruth, Elaine, Keith, Sue, Bob, Marion, Yvette, Chris, Rita Celia and Keith Prayer for 3rd Brampton Scouts Lord we lift to you those going on the Peak 2010 camp at Chatsworth starting this weekend. We ask that this be a time of growth for these young people who will gather together from many different countries. Guide and protect each and every one of them. We ask that over the next few weeks the right person will emerge to become the new Scout Leader. Amen Prayer for the Development Project Pray especially for the extra funds that will need to be found to meet the true project cost of £1.05m. Pray that the ground stabilisation piling work starts today as planned and progresses well over the planned duration of 20 days. Pray for Families Pray for families everywhere at the start of the main holiday season. May they find time for rest and peace and rejuvenation. Pray for our Church Family If you have a new church address book spend time in prayer this week praying for those on pages 1-4. We will work through the book over the next few weeks. Meditation Psalm 119 57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Tue 0930 Psalm 5 Tue 1215 Luke 22:31-38 Wed 0930 Ps 119:1-32 Wed 1215 Luke 22:39-46 Thurs 0930 Ps 30 Thurs 1215 Luke 8: 1-13 Fri 0930 Ps 19 Fri 1215 Luke 22:63-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 14.7.10 Dear Praying Friends, As I looked for the contents for Prayer Thought it occurred to me that the main focus this week was about those who have reached a noticeable event in their Journey of Faith. For most of the time we take small steps, dally around, procrastinate and go down side alleys. Once in a while those small steps begin to take shape into something more concrete. I was reminded of this as I travelled across the roundabout near Sainsbury’s. The horizon there has changed considerably in the last eighteen months and continues to do so as new buildings materialise and change the scenes around us. Walking with God has a similar affect both spiritually and physically and whilst it is not always clear at the time each small step of Faith is a building block towards becoming the people God made us to be and living lives to his Glory. For one family this week it means that a germ of an idea now comes to fruition after five years of waiting and planning and praying. For an individual it means recognition by the Diocese of Derby after years of seeking, praying and studying. Two demonstrable examples of how Faith transforms lives. Pray for those leaving us Lift to the Lord this week Martin, Jill, Eleanor and Alex as they leave Britain for Nanaimo, Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It has taken 5 years for the germ of an idea to reach fruition for them. Lord we pray for your continued strength and guidance which has brought them this far. Pray for Julie Lomas Lord we lift to you Julie Lomas who has followed your call and will be licensed as a Reader this Saturday. Lord we ask for your strength and wisdom for her as a Reader in our Parish. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Wed 0930 Ps 119:153-end Wed 1215 Luke 21:20-28 Thurs 0930 Ps 143 Thurs 1215 Luke 21:29-end Fri 0930 Ps 144 Fri 1215 Luke 22:1-13 Yours In Christ Carolyn 7.7.10 Dear Praying Friends, Pray for House Group Leaders Pray for this group. They met together on Tuesday 6th July Pastoral Care Team Pray for Ruth, Catherine, Ann and Julie as they begin to develop this team and its future strategy. Prayer for CARE (Christian Action Research and Education) Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father Treat older women as you would your mother Take care of any widow who has no-one else to care for her. (1 Timothy:5 1-3) This week CARE are asking us to pray for the elderly in this country and around the world. Almost 1 in 5 of the UK's total population are of pensionable age. 1.3m people are aged 85 or over. There are 11000 centenarians. Father God, we bring before you -the elderly in our Parish, for Rendevous and Communion and Cuppa. -families faced with difficult decisions about care for ageing parents. -victims of elder abuse. -the elderly in poor nations and those struggling to bring up grandchildren from families affected by HIV/AIDs and other killer diseases. Father God, we give thanks for the experience and wisdom of the elderly and the inestimable value of their contribution to our lives. Give us the wisdom to ensure the elderly we know are valued and included in ALL that we do. Prayer for Healing Lift to the Lord all those in need of healing in body, mind or spirit. Holy Spirit, comfort and renew all those who are sick. We remember especially today: Elaine, Keith, Sue, Bob and Marion, Yvetta, Chris, Candy, Celia, Margaret and Bob. Scripture meditation Continuing the daily meditation using Psalm 119. Meditate on this stanza each day this week and focusing in particular on one verse each day. 49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 51 The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law. 52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. 53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. 54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. 55 In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law. 56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Tues 0930 Ps 106 Tues 1215 Luke 19:41-end Wed 0930 Ps 111 Wed 1215 Luke 20:1-8 Thurs 0930 Ps 115 Thurs 1215 Luke 20:9-19 Fri 0930 Ps 139 Fri 1215 Luke 20:20-26 Yours In Christ Carolyn 28.6.10 Dear Praying Friends, I was shown a poem the other day and was humming and harring about whether to include it in this weeks prayer thought. The theme of the poem ran as a thread through both the 11am service and the 6pm service today so I feel it is appropriate to include here and now. I was regretting the past And fearing the future Suddenly my Lord was speaking: 'MY NAME IS I AM'. He paused. I waited. He continued. 'WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE PAST WITH ITS MISTAKES AND REGRETS IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE. MY NAME IS NOT I WAS. WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE FUTURE WITH ITS PROBLEMS AND FEARS IT IS HARD. I AM NOT THERE. MY NAME IS NOT I WILL BE. WHEN YOU LIVE IN THIS MOMENT IT IS NOT HARD I AM HERE MY NAME IS I AM. (Helen Mallicoat) As we continue our walk with God this week let us pray that we continue to keep HIM at the centre of all that we do. Sam Wheeler Pray for Sam Wheeler this week as he takes his final two exams on Tuesday and makes the final preparations for his trip to an island off Vancouver Island, canada. Let us pray that he finds joy and challenges on this trip and that this experience will stretch him personally and spiritually and prepare him for the life of a University Student. Mark Broomhead Let us pray for Mark as he settles into life as a curate at St Thomas'. Let us pray that he finds a warm welcome amongst those he meets and the right opportunities to develop his ministry. Prayer Request from Paul and Sarah Tester Paul and Sarah have asked for the following to be included in our prayers: "As we were talking about César, the doorman at the Compassion project, I wanted to pass on to you some sad news I learnt on the phone to Teofila, the Vicar's wife last week. Cesar is recovering well but last week he was mugged and assaulted. He has still been at the project and so it cannot be that serious but it would be great to pray for him. Please could you perhaps add a prayer request to the Carolyn's Church e-mail praying for his physical and emotional recovery?" Many of us saw a photo of César when Paul and Sarah visited us a few weeks ago. Let us remember that photo as we bring him before God this week. Ruth Let us pray for Ruth this week in the lead up to her Ordination on Saturday. Development Committee Let us pray for the development committee as they meet this Monday. River Wye Trip Let us pray for those going on the River Wye Trip next weekend. Pray for their safety, for fun and enjoyment and getting to know each other better. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 0930 Ps 80 Mon 1215 Luke 17:20-end Tues 0930 Ps 71 Tues 1215 Acts 11:1-18 Wed 0930 Ps 119:105-128 Wed 1215 Luke 18:15-30 Thurs 0930 Ps 92 Thurs 1215 Luke 18:31-end Fri 0930 Ps 88 Fri 1215 Luke 19:1-10 Yours In Christ Carolyn 21.6.10 Dear Praying Friends, As you may have guessed from previous prayer emails I am a lover of God's natural creation in the world outdoors. There is something exquiste about sitting outside on a late June evening when the sky is still blue and the dusk has settled lower down. Tonight as I sat amongst the trees in a still and tranquil space I could hear the woods teeming with life despite the closing of the day. Night flies buzzed by, bats circled about and the odd leaf fell to the ground. Above the stillness of the air, wood cracked and the earth seemed to sigh as it sucked in moisture from the surface. Let us give praise and thanks for the wonderful world God has created for us to enjoy. Prayer for the Living Stones Development Project Lift to the Lord all those involved in the new building. Give thanks for the continued support and drive of the members of the development committee as fortnightly meetings are arranged throughout the build period to deal with building related issues. Pray that the eradication work undertaken to the knotweed is successful and it doesn't hold up the progress of the building work Pray that any problems encountered during the build are dealt with appropriately and swiftly. Prayer for Healing Lord we lift to you all those in need of healing. Encircle them with your healing love and comfort them in their distress. Strengthen those entrusted to care for them. Our World Let us give thanks for the beauty of the world we live in and let us remember that it is given for us to enjoy and to share with others. Let us pray for those who have not discovered the joy of the countryside and the beautiful Peak District on our doorsteps. Mission We pray this week for Samaritans Purse and for the work they do for people in desparate situations. For their livlihood programme run by local churches in Liberia. For their work in Kenya to equip farmers to survive the drought. Their emergencies and disaster work in Ethiopia. For their aids and HIV work. We ask for strength and wisdom for all those who work for this organsiation. We pray also for the Prayer and Play meeting this Saturday and the family time afterwards. Pray that those who come are inspired to pray more. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 0930 Ps 71 Mon 1215 Luke 15:1-10 Tues 0930 Ps 73 Tues 1215 Luke 15:11-end Wed 0930 Ps 77 Wed 1215 Luke 16:1-18 Thurs 0930 Ps 50 Thurs 1215 Luke 3:1-17 Fri 0930 Ps 55 Fri 1215 Luke 17:1-10 Yours In Christ Carolyn 14.6.10 Dear Praying Friends, As I reflect on the two sermons I heard yesterday I feel compelled to say that it can only be through Gods Goodness and Grace that we are so blessed to have such a rich variety of Gods word to listen to at our Church. The Rector was in fine form at the 11am Service and God's word resonated on many levels. In particular it came across to me that if we are to live our life through our Faith then that is the only way to live our life. We cannot pick and choose which bit of Gods word to us we take and which we leave, when to have Faith and when not to have Faith. Well, we can, but where does that lead us? Living a faithless life. Living in Faith means daily stepping into the unknown with the light of Jesus to guide us. Listen to the sermons here God's word can, in our human weakness, seem hard to follow and it may appear more palatable to argue for a different course of action. It is the outworking of Gods word, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel that is the lifelong journey of the Christian. God has the big picture and we must pray and trust in him. Prayer for our Church Lord, we lift to you our Church, our Rector Matt and all those who work with him to create Gods Spiritual Home at St Thomas'. we thank you for the fellowship, the guidance and the wisdom that you give to us through this Church. Amen Prayer for the New Development Lord, we lift to you the new building and all those working on- site. We ask for their safety and that progress will be made. we thank you that the Japanese Knotweed problem is largely residual and we pray that treatment will eliminate whats left. Amen Prayer for Healing Lord, we lift to you in prayer all those known to us who are in need of healing in body, mind or spirit. Amen Prayer for New Starts Lord, we lift to you Phil and Rachel Mitchell as they prepare for Phils curacy in Derbyshire. Give them strength and wisdom as they deal with the many conflicting needs of settling into a new life. Listen to Phil and Rachel being interviewed here We lift to you all those we know preparing for new jobs and new lives. Amen Prayer for this week As we pray to God this week let us seek to mould our will to his and ask for the spirit to strengthen our faith. Scripture Meditation Continuing the daily meditation using Psalm 119. Meditate on this stanza each day this week and focusing in particular on one verse each day. 33 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. 39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. 40 How I long for your precepts! Preserve my life in your righteousness. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Mon 0930 Ps 44 Mon 1215 Luke 13:1-9 Tues 0930 Ps 48 Tues 1215 Luke 13:10-21 Wed 0930 Ps 119:57-80 Wed 1215 Luke 13:22-end Thurs 0930 Ps 57 Thurs 1215 Luke 12:32-40 Fri 0930 Ps 51 Fri 1215 Luke 14:12-24 Yours In Christ Carolyn 7.6.10 Dear Praying Friends, I listened to the unfolding news of the shooting tragedy a few days ago as I was enjoying a day at the seaside in the hot sunshine. It is difficult to envisage such a horror occurring whilst others are going about the normality of life but that is the reality for all the situations we pray for and why it is vital that as praying people we remember to pray first because whatever the situation, prayer is an activity that we can do and know it will have a positive impact. Prayer for the Life of the Church Lord, We pray this week for those who lead this Church and the many responsibilities that they carry. We pray for Matt, Ruth, Gemma, Gaz, Karen and Anne. Give them the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in all they do Pray for the DCC meeting this Monday and Pray that wise decisions are made in your name. Prayer for Healing Marie Cappart asks us to pray for her after looking at our 'lovely website'.Sshe asks " please could you say a prayer for me so that maybe I will get better". God of Healing We lift to you all those we know who are in need of the healing power of your Holy Spirit. We ask that you encircle them with your love and peace Fill them up with your Holy Spirit and bring comfort to them in body mind and spirit. Lord, You know the individual needs of each one of these people we hold before you. We ask that you bring comfort and strength to the families and carers of those in need. Lord we pray also for the friends and families of Walter Bond, Derek Parsons, Vera Colby who have passed away recently. we ask for your comfort during their grief. Prayer for the New Development God of rejuvination we lift to you our building project, now into its second week. We pray that the barriers to progression can be overcome, That the Japanese Knotweed will be eliminated, That the cost of the ground grouting will be reasonable and that the project can continue to move forwards. Tear Fund Pray for those affected by Cyclone Phet and storm Agatha. Please pray that the cries of suffering children will be heard by those who believe in the Lord Jesus and that more people will help them materially and spiritually. Pray for governments to keep their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals which will help lift children out of poverty, reduce infant mortality, ensure universal primary education and reduce those affected and infected with HIV. Ask the Lord for greater protection for children from exploitation in all its forms and that offenders will swiftly be brought to justice. Pray for children living in poverty and the provision of not just their physical needs, such as food and healthcare, but their emotional and spiritual ones too. Pray for all children to be loved, valued, cared for and listened to. Scripture Meditation Continuing the daily meditation using Psalm 119. meditate on this stanza each day this week and focusing in particular on one verse each day. 25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Days 239-243 Mon 0930 Ps 30 Mon 1215 Luke 12:1-12 Tues 0930 Ps 36 Tues 1215 Luke 12:13-21 Wed 0930 Ps 34 Wed 1215 Luke 12:22-31 Thurs 0930 Ps 37 Thurs 1215 Luke 12:32-40 Fri 0930 Ps 100 Fri 1215 Acts 4:32-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 31.5.10 Dear Praying Friends, We are Living Stones. And Paul tells us: "Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). The new building Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord. Lord at the start of this very special week we give you thanks and praise for the great news that the new building work will start on Tuesday June 1st. We thank you for the power of your Holy Spirit working through so many people to raise the donations and pledges that have secured this start date. Lord we lift to you those involved in the work this week. Pray for their safety and that good progress is made this week. Half Term Lord as we travel through this half term week we ask for happiness and relaxation. Be with all those holidaying this week, either at home or away. Paul and Sarah Tester Lord we give you thanks for Paul and Sarah Tester For their vibrancy and committment to Jesus Christ. Please pray for Luis Lily ( leader at Ark project who is leading on her own for the next two weeks.) Scripture Meditation Continuing the daily meditation using Psalm 119. meditate on this stanza each day this week and focusing in particular on one verse each day. 17 Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. 21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands. 22 Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. 23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. 24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Days 231-237 Mon 0930 Ps 85 Mon 1215 Mark 3:31-end Tues 0930 Ps 5 Tues 1215 Luke 10:38-end Wed 0930 Ps 119:1-32 Wed 1215 Luke 11:1-13 Thurs 0930 Ps 147 Thurs 1215 1 Corintians 10:1-17 Fri 0930 Ps 19 Fri 1215 Luke 11:37-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 24.5.10 Dear Praying Friends, You are God's holy people Prepare. Step out of the dark. Bathe yourself in light. Let that light inside. ‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.’ Ephesians 5:3–20 For a mini meditation this week focus your thoughts on these words Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Scripture Meditation This week is week two of the meditation using Psalm 119 Take a verse each day to focus on, recite the whole stanza daily and complete the stanza in the week. As there are eight verses one day will have two verses to focus on. At the end of the week you may like to read through stanza one and two together. Psalm 119 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word Pray for the Development Project This is our Hope, Our Vision, our Destiny, our Legacy Lord we lift to you our thanks and praise: -For those members of our church who have given towards this Sundays Gift Day and whose support is very much appreciated. -For the 'unseen' progress being made by the Contractors and their team, behind the scenes, to ensure that a start on site date can be achieved as soon as possible. Lord we lift to you in hope -Those who are prayerfully still considering their contribution towards the project. Lord we pray very specifically this week that: -Chesterfield Borough Council's Engineers will acknowledge that there is no need for additional site investigation to be undertaken prior to commencement. -Chesterfield Borough Council's Planning Department will agree that pre-commencement planning conditions are met when Jaybuild issue the information that they have collated. -Sufficient funding will be available following the Gift Day to enable us to pay for the development work without relying on an overdraft or loan. Prayer for Procession of Christian Witness Please pray this week for the preparations taking place for the Act of Witness procession which takes place on Monday 31st may 2010. We ask that members of St Thomas' Church feel moved to join us in the procession. -Lift to the Lord the music bands as they practice before the day. Lift to the Lord those planning to take part and those planning to watch. -Pray that in some way the hearts of all the spectators will be moved to ask what it means to be a Christian. -Pray for those who are seeking , that they may witness the procession and be moved to visit a church. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Days 224-230 Mon 0930 Ps 126 Mon 1215 Luke 9:18-27 Tues 0930 Ps 132 Tues 1215 Luke 9:28-36 Wed 0930 Ps 119:153-end Wed 1215 Luke 9:37-50 Thurs 0930 Ps 143 Thurs 1215 Luke 9:51-end Fri 0930 Ps 142 Fri 1215 Luke 10:1-16 Yours In Christ Carolyn 17.5.10 Dear Praying Friends, This week we start a long term meditation using Psalm 119 which will take us twenty two weeks to complete. I will include a stanza each week and the practice involves taking a verse each day to focus on, reciting the whole stanza daily and completing a stanza each week. As there are eight verses one day will have two verses to focus on. Psalm 119 1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. Pray for the Development Project We thank you Lord that many obstacles that may have prevented us from working towards providing a new building for St Thomas' have been overcome. Thanks be offered to God that we are so close to seeing the building being built. Lord, we thank you for the good turn out at St Thomas' last Sunday evening, where people were able to meet and question John Butler of Jaybuild Projects Ltd, our contractor, when people left church feeling upbeat and positive about the appointment. Lord support those who are considering how they can contribute towards making the vision of building a Parish Centre a reality. May your prayers be with these people this coming week as they look to the Lord for wisdom as they identify what they can commit to the project. Lord we pray for our contractor, structural engineer and architects as they continue to meet pre-planning conditions and produce detailed drawings that will enable us to start physical building work in June. Pray for St Thomas' Youth Lord we lift to you St Thomas' Youth volunteer team. We ask that the right people will be called to volunteer and that this team will grow. Lord we ask you to increase the numbers of young people attending our church based youth groups. Lord we pray for the detached youth work sessions. We pray that the number of young people that are encountered in this way increases and that positive relationships are built and maintained. Lord we ask that the Youth Team effectively encounter, empower, engage and equip all young people that we work with. Give Thanks for Messy Church Lord we give you praise and thanks for the successful event on Saturday afternoon where many people got to talk and know each other better. Pray for Healing We pray for those who are ill, sad lonely and need a touch from God. Please bless these people and show us what we can do to help. Give Thanks for Simon Lord we thank you for Simon, for his scripture texts and his lovely prayer cards. Thank you Simon for being you. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Days 211-215 Mon 0930 Ps 93 Mon 1215 Luke 7:36-end Tues 0930 Ps 99 Tues 1215 Luke 8:1-15 Wed 0930 Ps 29 Wed 1215 Luke 8:16-25 Thurs 0930 Ps 24 Thurs 1215 Luke 8:26-39 Fri 0930 Ps 28 Fri 1215 Luke 8:40-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 10.5.10 Dear Praying Friends, Faith is Simply Prayer - Martin Luther Prayer is about developing a personal relationship with God and sometimes I talk to people who despair because they feel the absence of God and therefore feel bereft. Simon Weil, the French Writer, once remarked that friendship consists of meeting to identify with each other, and then learning to say goodbye to trust each other. We learn different things about friends and their relationship to us when they are absent and when they are present. Perhaps this is the way of our relationship with God. When we first come to know and feel the love of God we learn about his enormous love for us and come to know him through his response to our prayer. Then we begin to learn to be without his presence and in continuing to pray learn to trust him through our prayer. It is this trust in God whilst feeling his absence that deepens our life of Faith and Prayer. Living Stones Development Project -Pray for a faith driven response to the committment request launched last Sunday (9th May). -Pray for John Butler, Director of Jaybuild and his team as they work with Matt, Paul, Karen and Phil. -Pray that the few pre-commencement planning permissions that are required come through. -Pray that plans go well, achieving activity on site before the end of the month as planned. Our Government Pray for the Government of this country in the aftermath of the general election. Pray that decisions made on how to move forwards are made in the best interests of our country and its peoples. Pray for Healing Pray for those known to you who need prayer for healing in mind, body and spirit. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD The Church is open for prayer from 0930 to 1230 on weekdays and corporate 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. Days 211-215 Mon 0930 Ps 65 Mon 1215 Luke 6:27-38 Tues 0930 Ps 126 Tues 1215 Luke 6:38-end Wed 0930 Ps 132 Wed 1215 Luke 7:1-10 Thurs 0930 Ps 110 Thurs 1215 Hebrews 7:26-end Fri 0930 Ps 81 Fri 1215 Luke 7:11-17 Yours In Christ Carolyn 3.5.10 Dear Praying Friends, Prayer for Wholeness O Lord, I draw near as one sick to the healer, as one hungry and thirsty to the fountain of life, needy to the Kingdom of Heaven, a servant unto my Lord, a creature to my Creator, a desolate soul to my merciful comforter ......behold, thou comest unto me; it is thy will to be with me; thou invitest me to thy banquet. (Thomas a Kempis) Prayer for Loss of Faith Lord, It is through prayer that we connect with you. We lift before you those we know who are struggling with their faith. We ask that they will continue to pray in their disbelief and ask others to pray with them. We ask that you put in them a will to use the open doors of St Thomas' to spend time in prayer. We ask for the Holy Spirit to invigorate their lives and bring them to know your presence once more. Prayer for Miscarriage Lord, We lift up to you parents who are suffering pain and sorrow as a result of a miscarriage. Especially we bring before you those of our Church who are coming to terms with the loss experienced in this situation. In your strength may they be supported and by the power of your Holy Spirit may they find peace and healing. Strengthen those family and friends who are there to support them and will be dealing with their own sadness too. Prayer for those who have experienced a robbery Lord, We bring before you those who have been recently burgled in their own homes. We ask for your Holy Spirit to bring peace to a childs shattered security. We ask for your strength and comfort to a Church mum as she supports her child through this. We ask also that you will touch the lives of those who steal from others and shine a transforming light into their darkness. Prayer for praying Lord, We pray this week for our Church, as we seek to become known as a Praying Church. We ask that you work within us all to bring forward new ideas and intiatives for prayer. We ask that as individuals we become open to new depths of prayer, to overcome our fear of intimacy with you and to share our deepest fears and weaknesses with you. Prayer for Polling Day Lord, We bring before you all those standing for election this week and those who are being asked to vote on Thursday. We ask that through the power of your Holy Spirit your will be done on this day to bring MP's to Parliament who will best meet your needs and in doing so the needs of this nation. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD Please make a committment to join the Clergy and Staff to pray at St Thomas' during the week at these times. If you can't be in Church to pray then pray wherever you are, whenever you can. Mon 0930 Ps 145 Mon 1215 Luke 4:38-end Tues 0930 Ps 19 Tues 1215 Luke 5:1-11 Wed 0930 Ps 30 Wed 1215 Luke 5:12-26 Luke 3.1-14 Thurs 0930 Ps 57 Thurs 1215 Luke 5:27-end Fri 0930 Ps 138 Fri 1215 Luke 6:1-11 Yours In Christ Carolyn 29.4.10 Dear Praying Friends, Day 200 of our 1000 Days of Prayer I lift up my eyes to the hills- Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you The LORD is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; The LORD will watch over your coming and going Both now and forevermore. Psalm 121 Thursday 29th April marks the Two Hundredth Day of Prayer in our 1000 Days of Prayer. Please spend some time in prayer and meditation thanking and praising God for the good things he has done for us as a Church and personally. -enabling the Church to be open from 0930 - 1230 on weekdays -new families and individuals joining the Church -the breaking down of barriers to progress in the new development project -the arrival of CVM at our Church -pastoral care and friendship -raising of awareness of Prayer and the part it has to play in our daily lives -for bringing peace and healing to the lives of many for whom we have prayed I also wonder if you would prayerfully consider some or all of the following and I'd love to hear your thoughts: -how has God has answered your prayers during this time -how God would like us to develop the 1000 days of prayer initiative as a Church during the next 100 days of prayer -how prayer has changed the way you live -how your attitude to prayer has changed over time -what do you plan to do with prayer in your life during the next 100 days? Wait for the Lord; Be strong and he shall comfort your heart; Wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27.17) Thank You Yours In Christ Carolyn 26.4.10 Dear Praying Friends, There are many things to thank the Lord for this week including the AGM and APCM held this week and which were well attended. It was good to see a summary of all that was achieved last year and a taste of the year ahead which has already begun at a pace. If you were unable to attend recording are on the St T's website. We have started to see the effects of our 1000 days of prayer in a real and vital way and we need to maintain the discipline required to increase our practice of prayer. In our prayer at the end of each day we must thank and praise God for the experiences of our day, to reflect and talk to HIM about the things that went well and areas where difficulty occurred and to prayfully consider our responses to these situations. It is by honest and continual conversation with our Lord that we open ourselves to transform our ways of thinking and approaches to the situations we face daily and in doing so prayerfully effect change. During the 11am Intercessions a prayer by St Teresa of Avila was read out. I include it here for this weeks meditation prayer. May today there be peace within May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that you have been given May you be content knowing you are a child of God Let this presence settle in your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing,dance,praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you. Pray for the Church Staff Team on Retreat Lift to the Lord the Church Staff who are on retreat this week from Tuesday 27th to Thursday 29th April. Pray for a time of spiritual reflection and refreshment. Pray for time and space to see things afresh. Pray for the 'Living Stones' Parish Centre Project Pray for John Butler the Director of Jaybuild Projects and all those working with him on this project. Pray for Tuesday 1st June, the anticipated start date on site and for the anticipated completion date of December 2010. Pray for Sunday 9th May - Development Sunday Prayerfully consider the need to raise the final 275K needed to complete this project. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to show us how we as individuals can contribute sacrificially to ensure that as a Church we raise these funds. Pray for us to 'think outside the box' to achieve this. Pray for the DCC and PCC Pray for all those on the DCC and PCC as the newly elected people join these groups. Pray that they will be welcomed and bring new ideas to the groups. Pray for Healing Lift to the Lord all those known to us who need to feel the healing power of the Holy Spirit. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD Please make a committment to join the Clergy and Staff to pray at St Thomas' during the week at these times. If you can't be in Church to pray then pray wherever you are, whenever you can. Mon 0930 Ps 37:23-end Mon 1215 Acts 12:25-13.13 Tues 0930 Ps 139 Tues 1215 Luke 3:1-14 Wed 0930 Ps 135 Wed 1215 Luke 3:15-22 Luke 3.1-14 Thurs 0930 Ps 118 Thurs 1215 Luke 4:1-13 Fri 0930 Ps 33 Fri 1215 Luke 4:14-30 19.4.10 Dear Praying Friends, I was talking to a friend recently who was having trouble living with past and present sins and I was reminded of the conversations Joseph de Beaufort had with Brother Lawrence. I quote here one extract which I find helpful: "....He then said that all possible kinds of self sacrifice, if they were void of the love of GOD, could not efface a single sin. Instead, we ought without anxiety, expect the pardon of our sins from the blood of Jesus Christ, endeavouring to love him with all our heart. He noted that God seemed to have granted the greatest favors to the greatest sinners as more proof of his mercy.------ "he said he carried no guilt because " When I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to do so. I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself. If I do not fail, then I immediately give God thanks, acknowledging that it comes from him"" This also links in with The Rectors sermon on Sunday 18th April when he concurred with the idea that 'you get more of what you focus on'. I believe that this describes the relationship we, as Christians, are striving to achieve with God, and what is at the heart of the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Through this relationship we can strive to 'sing a new song', the subject of Mondays lectionary reading, Psalm 96. Let us pray this week for God to be our focus in worship, praise and prayer as we live our daily lives and use Psalm 96 for our focused meditation. sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Prayer for World Events Earthquakes Lift to the Lord those people affected by the earthquakes on a remote tibetan plateau and Qinghai province a few days ago. Pray for those who have died and their families and those who have survived. We ask that you send your Holy Spirit to comfort them and bring them peace. Volcanic Ash Lord we also pray for those people whose lives have been put into disarray by the volcanic ash which has grounded air flights to and from many countries. Lift to the Lord families kept apart for longer than expected and the distress that this brings. Work places tomorrow will be making re-arrangments as some people remain away from their desks. Let us remember those who have had holiday plans cancelled and for the disappointment and frustration this brings. Lord, we pride ourselves on our sophisticated modes of travel and our ability to travel freely as we please. Lord, let us be humbled by these acts of nature which very quickly bring us to our knees and remind us that you are our strength and our rock and it is you in whom we trust and not the frail networks of our own making in which we so often put our trust. Prayer for Healing Lift to the Lord Paula Simons, our dear sister in Christ. We pray for those who are ill. Bring healing and comfort we pray. Please give strenght to those who care for those who are ill. Prayer for AGMs Lord we lift to you this week the AGM's for St Peters and St Thomas' and the combined Annual Church Meeting next Sunday. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move amongst those people who would bring fresh ideas to volunteer their services for the posts that need filling this year. Pray that these meetings will be well attended and bless those who are preparing reports and presentations at these meetings. Pray for the Development Project Lift to Lord all those involved in the new building and the work that is going on apace behind the scenes. We pray for your Holy Spirit to work through those involved in the detailed planning such that the building work itself will be the icing on the cake. Prayer Thanks We give thanks and praise to you Lord for working in our lives and for your amazing and unending grace. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD Please make a committment to join the Clergy and Staff to pray at St Thomas' during the week at these times. If you can't be in Church to pray then pray wherever you are, whenever you can. Mon 0930 Ps 96 Mon 1215 Luke 1:1-25 Tues 0930 Ps 98 Tues 1215 Luke 1:26-38 Wed 0930 Ps 105 Wed 1215 Luke 1:39-56 Thurs 0930 Ps 136 Thurs 1215 Luke 1:57-end Fri 0930 Ps 5 Fri 1215 Eph 6:10-20 12.4.10 Dear Praying Friends, It's very easy in this life of ours to get bogged down by things that must be done to maintain our standard of living, our appearance to others, others expectations of us. So much so that God can be pushed to one side on the 'nice to do - when I've got time' list. Its also easy to make time for God only when we have a list of requests for which we need his response. This week I suggest we find more time for some deep and time-consuming prayer, time to rest in Gods' presence away from the noise that seems to surround us constantly in our open plan offices, shops, restaurants,homes. One such place could be St Thomas' Church which is open from 0930-1230 each weekday morning. Prayer does not bring God closer to us - he is always right there with us, closer to us than our own soul. The purpose of our prayer is for us to come into Gods presence so that he can mould our will to be at one with his. Contemplative Prayer - Guidance For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.(Hebrews 4.12) 1) Select a passage of scripture and use it to reflect on its relevance to your life. 2) Measure your behaviour by it. 3) What changes are needed to make your life personally refllect the passage. Alternatively choose a short phrase to repeat , perhaps the Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. or Be Still and know that I am God. Julian of Norwich wrote: The best prayer is to rest in the goodness of God, knowing that the goodness can reach right down to the lowest depths of our needs. I also include the Methodist Covenant Prayer this week as a contemplative prayer. I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will; Put me to doing, put me to suffering; Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or bought low for you; Let me be full, let me be empty; Let me have all things, let me have nothing; I freely and wholeheartedley yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in Heaven. Amen. 1000 Days of Prayer - A Thousand Hours of Prayer a Year - Our committment to GOD Please make a committment to join the Clergy and Staff to pray at St Thomas' during the week at these times. If you can't be in Church to pray then pray wherever you are, whenever you can. Mon 0930 Ps 19 Mon 1215 1 Cor 1:1-14 Tues 0930 Ps 8 Tues 1215 1 Cor 1:15-end Wed 0930 Ps 30 Wed 1215 1 Cor 2:1-15 Thurs 0930 Ps 28 Thurs 1215 1 Cor 2:16-3:11 Fri 0930 Ps 61 Fri 1215 1 Cor 3:12-4:1 Please continue to send me your prayer requests, ideas and suggestions, they are all welcome. Yours In Christ Carolyn 7.4.10 Dear Praying Friends, I cannot let this Prayer Thought go by without reflecting on Holy Week at St Thomas' which followed a challenging and enjoyable Lent Course. The prayer and meditation experience on Tuesday evening was as poignant as it was aesthetically pleasing. It gave those who attended a chance to inwardly reflect on the personal significance and impact of the life and crucifixion of our Lord, Jesus Christ followed by a time of sung worship which gave a richness to the prayer and meditation experience. On Thursday ,the Agape service with handwashing, a simple meal of soup and bread and followed by a celebration of the Eucharist, was enjoyed by around fifty members of our Church. I felt a real sense of Church Family as we enjoyed this time together and offered each other the sacrements of bread and wine. After the silent and moving stripping of the altar we left in silence. Friday morning gave us an all age service centering on the events of Holy week as enacted by the children who attended. Gifts representing the key messages of the Easter Story were given out. Hot Crossed Buns and drinks followed in a family atmosphere. The Furnace Team delivered a prayerful and visually direct reflection of Jesus' last hour on this earth. Accompanied by an account of the physical aspects of crucifixion we were left acutely aware of the extent of our Lords suffering as he died for our sins. As the church bell was rung at 3pm the atmosphere was sombre with grief and reflection as we individually grasped something of the true horror of that first Good Friday. On Easter Day we celebrated with 'champagne' on arrival and with a full church, the mood was joyful. For those of us who had experienced the services during Holy Week the celebration of Jesus' resurrection and the Hope it gives us, hit with full force. Likewise, the evening Songs of Praise with individual contributions was a full-on sung worship and praise extravaganza which could have gone on forever. Prayer of Thanks Let us thank God for our Church Leaders, Matt, Ruth, Karen, Gaz, the musicians and the Furnace team for the care and thought, love and planning that went into delivering Holy weeks at St Thomas'. Let us pray for a time of rest for them to recover physically and spiritually. Let us also give thanks for those who delivered the Lent Course - Matt, Ruth, David, Robin, Gemma and for spiritual journey they accompanied us on during this time. Prayer for Holidays As many of us enjoy a time of rest over this Easter period let us pray for a time of refreshment, relaxation and time to enjoy our families. Pray for those who are without their families at this time. Prayer for Healing Holy Spirit bring your power of healing on those who are sick and in recovery at this time. Prayer for Comfort Pray for comfort and strength for those families in bereavement at this time. Prayer for Mission Partners - Christian Solidarity Worldwide Sunday Father, thank You for sending Your Son to die for our sins. We rejoice that he that the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36). Monday Pray for the health of Peng Ming in China, who was unfairly sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2005. Tuesday Pray for justice to be done in the case of Pastor Fernando Kutino in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was convicted under false charges and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Wednesday Pray for protection for Dr Oscar Elias Biscet, a Cuban Roman Catholic who is serving a 25-year sentence for his activities promoting respect for human rights. Thursday Pray for the health of Father Nguyen Van Ly, a Catholic priest who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence in Vietnam and recently suffered a second stroke. Friday Pray for Pentecostal prisoner of conscience Dmitry Shestakov in Uzbekistan, and for his wife and children who are extremely worried for his safety. Saturday Pray for the 200,000 plus people in prison camps in North Korea, especially those who have been imprisoned for their faith. Scripture Meditation Please join me this week focusing on this scripture Ephesians 6:11-18 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 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 16 Mon 1215 Matt 28:8-15 Tues 0930 Ps 112 Tues 1215 1 Cor:15 12-19 Wed 0930 Ps 113 Wed 1215 1 Cor 15:20-28 Thurs 0930 Ps 114 Thurs 1215 1 Cor 15:29-34 Fri 0930 Ps 115 Fri 1215 1 Cor 15:35-50 Yours In Christ Carolyn 29.3.10 Dear Praying Friends, For those of you who were in Chesterfield on Saturday morning you may have witnessed a 'flash mob'. For those of you who weren't and didn't I'll explain. I was advised by my son that this was to take place at a secret venue in Chesterfield town centre. "Secret Venue!" "Flash Mob!" "whats that?" - my motherly instincts took over and I insisted on being there too much to my sons dismay. How were we to locate this secret venue and surprise event I wondered. I wandered around looking for signs that something was about to happen. At first sight it appeared to be a normal Saturday morning with lots of families and shoppers, people talking and resting, teenagers larking about. As I looked more closely I noticed a few camera's being prepared and an open space around which gradually, one by one, more people were congregating. There was no sign of any dancers although as I looked at peoples feet, I noticed dancing footwear amongst the boots and sandals and trainers. Then, at the sound of a drum roll from an invisible drum, out of the crowds emerged the dancers, full of joy and grace and beauty. We watched transfixed as they each gave their all to a medley of popular music. Then, as seamlessley as they had appeared, they diffused into the watching crowd leaving a lasting impression on those of us who were onlookers. For me this event reminded me of how we as Christians live, not apart from the world but in it, prepared and awaiting the call of our Lord. Let us pray that when the call comes we are willing emerge from the crowd and witness to our faith in this dance of life. Our Church In Holy week Pray for "Experience Easter In Church" and the evening prayer/meditation and services happening throughout Holy week. Pray for Matt, Ruth, Karen, Gaz and all those involved in the services this week. Pray for those attending these events, that they may understand a little more the HOPE we have in Jesus. Pray for Healing Those who are ill. Pray for Comfort For the relatives and friends of those who have died. Mission - Scripture Union Pray that churches will have a strong and living vision to reach children and young people and for gifted individuals called to work in this area. Pray too for events to reach those children and young people who are at present beyond the reach of the church. The Global Children’s Forum, a coming-together of some sixty international agencies (including SU), takes place from 22-26 March. At its heart is the desire to reach and disciple more of the world’s two billion children. This meeting is primarily concerned with action around four key projects in the run up to the Lausanne Congress later in the year. Pray for a real understanding of the issues and of God’s concerns. Sarah Smart, staff worker in the South East, will be working with churches in Gravesend on ‘Why Easter?’ presentations between now and the end of next week. About ten schools will have the opportunity to spend half a day at their local church to discover the true story behind Easter. Continue to pray that all such presentations at this time of year will make a significant impact on the lives of the children. Many churches will be running holiday clubs across the Easter break; many of them using Rocky’s Plaice, this year’s SU resource. Such clubs reach many children who would not normally attend other church-based activities, and provide an ideal opportunity to share the good news. But often there is very little base on which to build. Pray that those working with children may present the gospel clearly. Scripture Union has a vision for helping churches to run ‘holiday club’ type activity all year round and so build more permanent relationships with children in the community. Take Away is a resource book and DVD which continues the ideas in Rocky’s Plaice for use all year round. Pray that as it is published on 6 April it will help churches to catch this vision. Tomorrow sees three more X:site events – North Wiltshire, Keighley and Gloucester. X:site is designed to give children with a Christian faith the opportunity to invite their friends with no church background to an evening that is fun, enjoyable and cool and which, without being heavy, presents a clear Christian message. Pray that children will have the courage to invite their friends. In Namibia there are many open doors for work in schools, for which we give thanks. Pray for committed Christian teachers to run SU groups in 2010. We can also give thanks that after some time of waiting, Graeme Aldom, the National Director has been granted his work permit. Pray that a permanent solution may be found concerning the work permit. 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 41 Mon 1215 Luke 22:1-23 Tues 0930 Ps 27 Tues 1215 Luke 22:24-53 Wed 0930 Ps 102 Wed 1215 Luke 22:54-end Thurs 0930 Ps. 42 Thurs 1215 Luke 23:1-25 Fri 0930 Ps 69 Fri 1215 Hebrews 10:1-10 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message…’ (Colossians 4: 2,3) Yours In Christ Carolyn 22.3.10 Dear Praying Friends, It was a sign of hope that on a cold and wet rainy Saturday adults and children were prepared to come to St Thomas' to experience Messy Church. It was wonderful to see around fifty five adults and children enjoying the crafts, games, short service and food. I saw many new and smiling faces. Pray that those who came will be encouraged to come again and bring their friends. Give thanks for all the planning and hard work that made it a success and for all those who assisted in any way. Scripture Meditation Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish,spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by Gods power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter: 3-9 Living Stones Pray for the building project and those involved in the decision making process. Easter Cards Pray that all the Easter Cards are delivered this week in the parish. Pray that those who receive them are encouraged to try St Thomas'. Prayer for Healing Pray for those who have operations planned for this week. Pray those who are ill or have been injured. Pray for the family and friends of those who have recently died. Mission Partners - Tear Fund Tear Fund ask us to pray for the Churches at the heart of its operations in Africa, Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and the UK. West Africa: Pray for those facing food shortages across West Africa. As for the necessary resources and skills to be available to help people survive. Pray for a return of the seasonal rains. Nigeria: Violence has returned to Nigeria. Pray for wisdom and strength for the churches in Nigeria that they may be instruments of reconciliation and comfort for those bereaved, injured, homeless and jobless. Pray for the safety of Tear Fund partners and wisdom and guidance wherever they are placed in the world as they make decisions on where to respond and how to use resources wisely. 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 73 Mon 1215 Exodus 8:1-19 Tues 0930 Ps 35 Tues 1215 Exodus 8:20-end Wed 0930 Ps 55 Wed 1215 Exodus 9:1-12 Thurs 0930 Ps. 111 Thurs 1215 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Fri 0930 Ps 22 Fri 1215 Exodus 10 Yours In Christ Carolyn 15.3.10 Dear Praying Friends, When we pray this week let us ask for the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be within each and every one of us. Peace that comes from the faith and hope we have in Jesus. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27) For this weeks scripture meditation I quote a section of Psalm 85. "I will listen to what GOD the Lord says; He promises peace to his people, his faithful servants- But let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven" Prayer for the Church trip to see Rob Bell Pray for all those travelling to Stoke -on-Trent on Monday (15 March) to see Rob Bell. Pray for their safety on the journey there and back and pray for them to be inspired by the words of Rob Bell. Prayer for Healing Please continue to pray for those who are ill or in distress. Pray also for their families and friends. From Barry Thompson So I am here in the quiet of the Brecon Beacons, the snow on the hills the dark clouds over the tops and below a few yellow lights from people's houses and I think of the Lord's wish for all of us and how those who are ill comes to mind. They need our prayers as do their families and friends. Let us in the quietness pray to our God. Amen Prayer for our Mission Partners SAMS/CMS Please pray for Paul and Sarah Tester. Particularly their arrival back in the UK – for time to adjust, for good time to spend with their families and friends and for safety in travel around the country. Their time in the UK – For people to be challenged and encouraged by what they share and for God to provide for their return to Peru. 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 77 Mon 1215 Hebrews 9:1-14 Tues 0930 Ps 79 Tues 1215 Hebrews 9:15-end Wed 0930 Ps 90 Wed 1215 Hebrews 10:1-18 Thurs 0930 Ps. 86 Thurs 1215 Hebrews 10:19-25 Fri 0930 Ps 25 Fri 1215 Matthew 13:54-end Yours In Christ Carolyn 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
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