Philippians 4:8,9 - Part 3
Joy Through Presence
Faithful God,
we pause on this unexpected and unchosen path, somewhere between our Mizpah and Shen,
to raise our Ebenezer stone,
declaring ‘thus far has the LORD helped us.’
You have been present with us on this journey -
sometimes guiding reliably,
like pillar of cloud by day,
sometimes spectacularly illuminating,
like pillar of fire in the night;
always providing like you did daily manna in the wilderness, drawing forth faith one day at a time.
At times we have looked for you,
in earthquake, wind and fire,
but like Elijah at Horeb, mountain of God,
you have spoken in the gentlest of whispers,
and we have found it enough.
Like Samuel in the night,
or Mary in the garden,
we have known you speaking our name,
calling us to learn from you,
to follow you to places
to which we have never been before.
And you will be present with us as future days unfold.
You say,
‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’,
and we reply with fresh confidence,
‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’
God of peace,
who through the blood of the eternal covenant,
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep,
continue to equip us with everything good for doing your will, keep on working in us what is pleasing to you,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
This week we have a series of ideas for family worship which can be used with ether children or Grandchildren
3-engage-at-home_paperplanes_wed.pdf |
Leading Out Of Lockdown
Pray about the many challenges of leading out of lockdown, asking God to help those who lead in every area of life to find the right balance of progress and restraint, wisdom and courage. Pray for those who lead church life gradually out of lockdown, asking God that he will give them good judgement as they guide his people in their life together and witness to others in these days. |
Christian Unions Ireland
A Prayer diary for the month of July can be found here. https://www.cui.ie/blog/216/prayer-diary-july-2020 |
Global Mission Updates
You can read and download the July August updates from various Global Mission Workers via the link below. Each update includes relevant prayer points to help you support them in their ministry at this challenging time. https://bit.ly/3cmIDTn |
I received this update from Peter & Anna this week.
Just to let you know of our safe arrival in Athens.
We touched down in 35 degrees heat at Athens airport Friday afternoon, suitably garbed with masks and visors like a couple of space travelers arriving on a new planet.
The Lord gave a safe flight, and sensed his presence. At first we were in a row of three in the plane, but the third person was able to move away to a free seat in another row, making us feel a lot more secure about our anxiety of picking up the virus.
We were met by good friends, and now ECM colleagues, George and Luciana, who took us to the place which is temporary home for the next few weeks till we find a place to rent. It is a very comfortable haven, and we will not begin our search yet, sensing the need for a real rest and to catch up with ourselves.
In Acts it says that Paul was distressed when he arrived in Athens to see so many idols. It's obviously a different situation to day, but there are still many idols and foreign gods, and I guess on this first day or so, we are already feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the seeming impossibility of the task ahead. So, I was very encouraged by Jesus words in reading John 15 today, where he says 'You have not chosen me, I have chosen you". It seems to us that he is saying, I have chosen this path for you at this season in your lives. Go on and you will bear fruit and it will last.
Appreciate so much the prayers and support of Gods people in Burnside
In Christ
Peter and Anna
Monthly SCFS Prayer Update from Colin and Sunhwa in Cork - Rudders and bottles. Download the PDF below.
rudders_and_bottles_-_update_124_may_2020.pdf |
Jigsaw
Janice 2:28 Derek 5:51 Wilfred 6:52 Eric 8:10 Play the "Beach" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=0c743fbfaa8b |
Yesterday Wilma guessed correctly “the steps at harbour hill is picture today”. The steps leading from the Harbour up to the car park.
Where would you find this North West 200 sign.