Firstly I would like to thank you for your prayers over the past week - especially for those going through difficult times. The news from Stephen, whose wife Alison had a brain tumour removed is that she has come through the operation well and was making a good recovery. Margaret had her mastectomy but I have no news and have been unable to visit the hospital so far. Deb, who started chemo this week does not appear to have had any nasty side effects. I am sure that all these and those close to them will appreciate your continued prayers.
It is now Saturday evening so once again I am writing this later than I normally plan. This is partly because a scheduled pastoral visit to C and her family to discuss baptism was deferred from Monday evening to this morning. This is the second discussion with C (probably mid twenties) and her parents. It has provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the gospel. Today we explored who Jesus was both as a person of history but also more than an ordinary man. While it is good to be able to have three people to talk with it makes it difficult to focus on how C is responding to the gospel. Please pray as our discussions continue. [For any that have missed the background C's niece is being baptised in a Catholic church in October and the RC regulations will not allow a non-baptised person to act as a godparent. C's brothers were baptised in a CofE church but the family moved about the time that C would have been baptised and they just never got round to it.] I left C with a copy of an excellent booklet by Eric Delve.
Choir practice was also better this week, though I remain concerned about the prisoner whose behaviour was bad the week before. Some of the choir are Christians and I hope that this contact and singing Christian songs might get through to him and the other non-Christians. Again a matter for prayer, and thanks to those who prayed through with me last Tuesday.
Several days this week were given over to sorting out accounts. Not having a secretary or any administrative backup means that book keeping gets deferred and then I have a lot of catching up if I want to be reimbursed for various payments made on behalf of Sunrise, the church at Yelvertoft and others.
The week ahead if fairly busy. Here are the main activities and some prayer requests.
Sunday 4th - 10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church (I plan to speak on Christian hope and assurance). In the evening Doreen and I will attend Market Harborough Congregational Church.
Monday 5th - I need to send out the subscription renewals for the Rural Evangelism Network. Any spare time will be spent in study. Please pray as I am still trying to initiate rural mission consultations in various parts of Britain.
Tuesday 6th - I have a follow up appointment with the optician. I have been having trouble with my sight after a lot of reading or computer work. In the afternoon I am at Gartree prison. Prayer as suggested above please.
Wednesday 7th - Congregational Federation Pastoral Care Board Meeting in Nottingham. This is an important meeting and wisdom will be needed.
Thursday 8th - This is usually the day for pastoral visits but I also am behind with my study schedule.
Friday 9th - I have a scheduled meeting with my University Supervisors but I am hoping to reschedule this so that I can get more up to date with work first. Please pray that I will get some order into my life so that I can progress with the reading better than at present.
Saturday 10th - Perhaps some free time and also preparation for Sunday. Please pray for the work of Rural Mission Solutions (previously Rural Sunrise) and for the Lord's provision to enable this needy work. A recent survey on impediments to rural evangelism highlighted as most significant the issues that we have been tackling since 1988. We appear to be strategically 'on the ball' with our ministry. Please also give thanks and praise to God for his sustaining grace and unnumbered blessings.
Sunday 11th - Yelvertoft Congregational Church (expecting C to attend for the first time in many years this Sunday).
Each new day brings fresh challenges. I never know when the phone will ring or what I might be asked to do regarding meetings, writing papers or giving advice. Doreen is a great help and puts up with the fact that she doesn't get as much of my time as she deserves. She is truly a suitable help as God planned for Adam. God's plans are always the best!
I pray you will have a good week. Please pass on prayer and praise information to others. We need you as much as Moses needed Aaron and Hur (See Exodus 17).
Thank you for your fellowship.
Barry
It is now Saturday evening so once again I am writing this later than I normally plan. This is partly because a scheduled pastoral visit to C and her family to discuss baptism was deferred from Monday evening to this morning. This is the second discussion with C (probably mid twenties) and her parents. It has provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the gospel. Today we explored who Jesus was both as a person of history but also more than an ordinary man. While it is good to be able to have three people to talk with it makes it difficult to focus on how C is responding to the gospel. Please pray as our discussions continue. [For any that have missed the background C's niece is being baptised in a Catholic church in October and the RC regulations will not allow a non-baptised person to act as a godparent. C's brothers were baptised in a CofE church but the family moved about the time that C would have been baptised and they just never got round to it.] I left C with a copy of an excellent booklet by Eric Delve.
Choir practice was also better this week, though I remain concerned about the prisoner whose behaviour was bad the week before. Some of the choir are Christians and I hope that this contact and singing Christian songs might get through to him and the other non-Christians. Again a matter for prayer, and thanks to those who prayed through with me last Tuesday.
Several days this week were given over to sorting out accounts. Not having a secretary or any administrative backup means that book keeping gets deferred and then I have a lot of catching up if I want to be reimbursed for various payments made on behalf of Sunrise, the church at Yelvertoft and others.
The week ahead if fairly busy. Here are the main activities and some prayer requests.
Sunday 4th - 10.45 Yelvertoft Congregational Church (I plan to speak on Christian hope and assurance). In the evening Doreen and I will attend Market Harborough Congregational Church.
Monday 5th - I need to send out the subscription renewals for the Rural Evangelism Network. Any spare time will be spent in study. Please pray as I am still trying to initiate rural mission consultations in various parts of Britain.
Tuesday 6th - I have a follow up appointment with the optician. I have been having trouble with my sight after a lot of reading or computer work. In the afternoon I am at Gartree prison. Prayer as suggested above please.
Wednesday 7th - Congregational Federation Pastoral Care Board Meeting in Nottingham. This is an important meeting and wisdom will be needed.
Thursday 8th - This is usually the day for pastoral visits but I also am behind with my study schedule.
Friday 9th - I have a scheduled meeting with my University Supervisors but I am hoping to reschedule this so that I can get more up to date with work first. Please pray that I will get some order into my life so that I can progress with the reading better than at present.
Saturday 10th - Perhaps some free time and also preparation for Sunday. Please pray for the work of Rural Mission Solutions (previously Rural Sunrise) and for the Lord's provision to enable this needy work. A recent survey on impediments to rural evangelism highlighted as most significant the issues that we have been tackling since 1988. We appear to be strategically 'on the ball' with our ministry. Please also give thanks and praise to God for his sustaining grace and unnumbered blessings.
Sunday 11th - Yelvertoft Congregational Church (expecting C to attend for the first time in many years this Sunday).
Each new day brings fresh challenges. I never know when the phone will ring or what I might be asked to do regarding meetings, writing papers or giving advice. Doreen is a great help and puts up with the fact that she doesn't get as much of my time as she deserves. She is truly a suitable help as God planned for Adam. God's plans are always the best!
I pray you will have a good week. Please pass on prayer and praise information to others. We need you as much as Moses needed Aaron and Hur (See Exodus 17).
Thank you for your fellowship.
Barry
No comments:
Post a Comment