Thanks to everyone who came along to our community fun day and showing of the champions league final. In the middle of what has been some lousy weather we were blessed with wonderful sunshine which was matched only by the smiling faces of those who who came along.
It’s been a busy few weeks in Portstewart Presbyterian Church.
Sophie Hogg and Anna Fell held a coffee morning fundraiser for their summer Exodus team trip raising an incredible £1354.10. Well done girls and thank you to everyone who came along and supported them. Girls, we look forward to commissioning you in church and then hearing from you when you get back home again. In the meantime we will enjoy the photos from your coffee morning.
Well done to all the GB girls who did an incredible job serving around 150 breakfasts to raise money for GB funds. The girls raised an impressive £950.45. All of this hard work will help GB funds. Well done girls, you did a fantastic job.
Sunday 4th February
Elders’ training continues today at 3pm. Please do continue to pray for Helen, Samantha and Julie as they think a little deeper about what it means to be an elder. Pray for the Kirk Session as they prepare to welcome three new members. Pray that Kirk Session will be improved by the addition of our three new elders.
Monday 5th February
Michelle and her team of helpers faithfully organise the glow club every Monday afternoon in the school. Pray for the children who come to glow club. Pray that as they play games, sing songs and listen to bible stories that they would begin to understand how much Jesus has done for them.
Tuesday 6th February
All 19 presbyteries in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland meet tonight to elect a new moderator. This year there are five candidates. Trevor Gribben, Richard Kerr, Gary McDowell, Richard Murray and Mairisine Stanfield. Pray for each of the candidates and that God’s will would be made clear through this election.
Wednesday 7th February
Little Treasures, our mums and tots’ group, meets this morning. Thank God for each family represented in this group. Pray that as Julia and her team model family worship through storytelling and singing that this would help families to worship together at home.
Thursday 8th February
Thank God for the work that being done among Asylum Seekers, teaching English. Pray for the work of Acacia Path, the Baptist and our own church as we all work together as a united witness and example of the gospel. Pray for the Asylum process, that it would be fair and timely so as people would not be kept in uncertainty.
Friday 9th February
Pray for our public services, health, transport, security, emergency and many more. Society depends on these services and so it’s not just the services that have suffered these last two years, it has been the whole of society. Pray that as a government is formed that all our services would receive direction and reform, pay and support they need to continue serving our society.
Saturday 10th January
When was the last time you prayed for yourself? Take a few moments this morning to ask God to minister to you. Ask him to speak into your life concerning things that need to be changed, areas of repentance. Pray that we would be aware of God’s presence in these moments of silence and throughout the rest of the day.
Points for Prayer
As we begin a new year why not make setting aside time for prayer part of the rhythm of 2024.
Sunday 21st January
Take time to pray for Agherton Church of Ireland this morning. Give thanks for the faithfulness of the people in Agherton. Pray for Malcom and Brian as they lead the people in worship, ask that God would speak through them and that his people would be encouraged.
Monday 22nd January
Pray for our local schools, Portstewart Primary, St Colums Primary School and Dominican College. Pray for the children and their families. Thank God for the teachers and the principals who often deal with complicated pastoral situations.
Tuesday 23rd January
Ballywillan has an appointment with the Linkage Commission today. Pray for Robert Wilson (Clerk of Session) as he leads the delegation from Kirk Session as they seek leave to call a new minister. Pray for the Linkage Commission as they make difficult decisions that affect the life and witness of every congregation in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Wednesday 24th January
Little Treasures continues to provide an important ministry to parents and carers of very young children. Pray for Julia and her team of helpers as they spend time getting to know and building relationship with all who come week by week. Thank God for all the toddler groups in the town.
Thursday 25th January
Stanley and Valarie Stewart continue to co-ordinate our work teaching English to the men in the Rambler hotel. Thank God for Stanley and Valarie along with the many other volunteers from our church. Thank God also for the partnership they are part of with the other churches in the town and Acacia Path, the organisation co-ordinating all the efforts. Pray also for the men in the hotel as well as those who have been moved into other accommodation across the province.
Friday 26th January
Our GB girls in the junior section take part in district team games competitions tonight. Thank God for the work of the GB and the impact it has not only on the girls but their families as well.
Saturday 27th January
Michelle will be working tonight because our youth clubs are back up and running. Pray for Michelle, pray that she would be encouraged in her work but also that she would have insight as to how to meet some of the needs within our community.
As we begin a new year why not make setting aside time for prayer part of the rhythm of 2024.
Sunday 14th January
It is good to remember that we are not the only church meeting this morning. Please pray for the congregation in Burnside Presbyterian today. Thank God for the ways in which they witness to their community. Pray that God would be pleased to add to their numbers because people are coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
Monday 15th January
The after-school Glow Club has so many people wanting to come that some children are on a waiting list. Thank God for the popularity of this club, pray for leaders that allow all children to come week by week. Pray also that as the children sing, play and listen to bible stores that a seed would be planted in young lives that the Lord will bring into full bloom.
Tuesday 16th January
The congregational committee meet tonight. Thank God for the work, much of it unseen, that is carried out by the committee. Pray for wisdom and direction as the committee tackle issues such as reducing the deficit in the church accounts and what modernisation is needed throughout our buildings.
Wednesday 17th January
Accia Path, who run the English classes for Asylum Seekers is holding an information day today. Thank God for the way in which the churches have been working together to help not just with English lessons but in many other ways. Pray for our country that as we develop our immigration policy that it would be based on justice, fairness and compassion for the oppressed.
Thursday 18th January
The Bible Study group meets tonight to think some more about the book of James. Thank God for the way in which people have been drawn to this and for how they have been engaging with scripture. Pray that this group would grow not just in numbers but depth of understanding and faith.
Friday 19th January
We seem to be entering a period when our public sector workers are increasingly frustrated and dissatisfied resulting in more industrial action. Pray for our public sector workers. Pray they would know the value we place on them. Pray also for fairness, justice, and a sense of what is possible to prevail as various pay and conditions negotiations take place.
Saturday 20th January
Pray for the families in our congregation and community. Pray that they would find the time to spend quality time together. Pray for relationships within families and communities. Thank God for the support networks that already exist within our community and pray that more people will make use of them.