Prayer Sheet February/March 2006 - The St Cuthbert's Project

The St Cuthbert's Project

• outstanding work to be completed speedily, wisely and well.
• financial needs to be met in terms of ongoing loans, honoured pledges & new gifts to bridge the gap between the estimated and actual cost.
• guidance regarding the future use of the extended premises.

Our Church

• give thanks for the wonderful series of opening events and also for the enthusiasm of so many for ministry in and through the new building.
• continued renewal of vision around our five key purposes: Prayer & Worship, Evangelism & Social action, World Mission, Fellowship & Pastoral Care and Discipleship & Teaching.
• the Alpha Course which runs from February - April. That people would open up to God & to one another and for a sense of God's presence.
• our Sunday and mid-week services, plus Lent Programme.
• the calling of more leaders & helpers across a whole range of activities.
• a replacement for Chris Betson who is moving to Cranmer Hall shortly.

Our Community

• renewed interest in the Good News & in the life of the local church.
• those working hard to serve the people of Cheadle e.g. local government officials, schools, care homes, uniformed organisations, health care workers, police & community officers etc.
• those who work locally e.g. the AA and other office workers.

Individuals

• those at College, especially those living away from home.
• for all who are sick, bereaved, housebound or troubled in any way.
• those who have drifted from the church and/ or the Christian faith.

A Prayer of Dedication

Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet, and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
take my lips, and let them be
filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect, and use
every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine:
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at Thy feet its treasure store:
take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all, for thee.

The Big Deal

The Big Deal is a year of focussed mission activity in Greater Manchester with the aim of building unity, community spirit, reducing crime and seeing the love of Jesus transform entire communities. Through invitation from a significant proportion of Stockport church leaders, Stockport is the next Borough to benefit from the Big Deal initiative. The Big Deal Stockport will officially launch in March 2006 and run through to Easter 2007.

Big Deal Weekends

In July 2005 Salford saw the very first Big Deal Weekend: packed with worship, social action, local events, a united church celebration, a free fun day and a special 'SPACE in the Park' event. A similar event is planned for the weekend 27th/28th May in Stockport.
Please pray for the ongoing plans for the Big Deal Weekends in 2006, for permission to use the parks and the many detailed arrangements.
Please pray for tremendous unity between all Christians across the borough and particularly in our local area as we seek to proclaim the gospel of love.
Pray that there may be great fruit, and that this initiative will have a lasting impact as many give their live to Jesus, and go on to grow to a mature faith.
Please pray for the opportunities that will be opened up to us at St Cuthbert's to reach out into our community in co-operation with local churches.
for more info goto http://www.bigdeal.org.uk

Sri Lanka

Fears are growing that Sri Lanka is set to return to full-scale civil war. More people have been killed by violence in the past 30 days than in any other month in the four years since a ceasefire was agreed. The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a homeland and for political powers in the north and east of the island for the Tamil minority since 1983. Please pray: -

• that the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tiger leaders will enter into negotiations very soon, and that these talks will lead to agreements.
• for strength and peace for the people in north and east Sri Lanka who have dealt with war and ostracism by the majority Sinhalese as well as with the aftermath of the tsunami.
• for Tearfund partners and all other relief organisations to have the freedom to continue their work.
• for wisdom for our partners as they work with people from across ethnic and political divides.

Asia Earthquake

Heavy snow and rain are causing misery for the survivors of the Pakistan earthquake who do not yet have adequate shelter. Night-time temperatures can plunge well below freezing and many of the tents that have been distributed are not strong enough to withstand the harsh Pakistan winter.
Tearfund's relief team has finished distributing tool kits and materials for shelters. Now the team are distributing water purification tablets and building temporary toilets and water systems.
In Barmulla district in India Tearfund partner the Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) is now building water tanks. They are also offering counselling to those suffering from trauma. Their work is being hampered by the inaccessibility of some remote villages.
Please pray for all those struggling to stay warm and dry; pray against respiratory infections such as pneumonia which are on the increase. Pray too for those offering counselling to help people deal with their loss. Barmulla is a highly sensitive and volatile region; pray for the safety of EHA.