Copyright ©All Rights Reserved.
Web site designed and maintained by Digital Ark, Web Design Colchester
Deadline for submissions for the next copy of the Lighthouse Magazine is Sunday 6th November 2011
Prayer is possibly the most important aspect of our Christian life, the dictionary definition states, that it is the practice of addressing God in words or meditation as in praise, gratitude, sorrow or intercession.
Although prayer is so vital to us in our relationship with the Lord, it is not always easy to spend time either alone or corporately without being distracted by thoughts, wandering or interruptions.
This article “Try your hand at prayer” was printed in the Fellowship Focus magazine (predecessor to The Lighthouse) in October 1986, the Church’s Centenary year, and I thought it might be a useful guide to us for our prayer life 25 years on.
The Prayer Meeting is defined as an Evangelical service, especially one held on a weekday evening, in which the laity participate in praying, singing and testifying.
If you have not yet had the pleasure of joining with us on a Wednesday evening or perhaps have not been for a while, why not come along at 7.30 pm, we have some amazing meetings where we really do feel that we are in the Power House of God and in His presence.
Philippians 4 v6&7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
TRY YOUR HAND AT PRAYER
1 THE WHOLE HAND – Praise and thank God for all He has made and done.
2 THUMB – Closest to you. Pray for those nearest you; family and friends.
3 POINTER – Pray for those who try to point people to God; church leaders, clergy, evangelists, youth workers, teachers, missionaries.
4 BIGGEST – Pray for those in authority in this country and throughout the world.
5 WEAKEST – Pray for the disabled, bereaved, ill, hungry, ill-treated, needy, mentally ill, persecuted, prisoners.
6 LITTLEST – Pray for yourself.
To all who
Pay tax
Think Gift Aid
It is easy to give as you please with no fixed amount and the Church receives extra money.
See Keith Groom
Prayer Ministry
Poem by Derek South
The Mixing Bowl
I am aware that quite a few members of Stanway Evangelical Church are diabetic so thought it would be nice to have a different recipe besides the usual no sugar fruit cake. Marilyn and Graham kindly gave me a selection of diabetic recipes to choose from. I made this one for the July coffee morning and it got a favourable response from both diabetics and non diabetics.
Monica
Date and Walnut Loaf
8oz (225g) Chopped Dates
4oz (125g) Caster Sugar
A pinch of salt
1 level teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
2oz (50g) Margarine
6 fl oz (175ml) boiling water
1 beaten egg
2oz (50g) Chopped Walnuts
8 oz (225g) Self-raising Flour
1. Place dates, sugar, salt, bicarbonate and margarine in mixing bowl with
boiling water and mix until margarine has melted. Leave to cool.
2. Add egg, walnuts and flour. Mix to a batter.
3. Line and grease 2lb loaf tin
4. Bake at 160C (325F) Gas 3, for approx 1 1/4 hours or until skewer
inserted into the centre of the loaf comes out clean.
5. Turn out of tin and cool on wire rack.
Although this item was written by Derek South for our Centenary Booklet, much of it is relevant to today - 25 years on - especially the last few lines as we seek God’s guidance regarding “The Dell” and car park. “God has led us all the way”, and by His grace He will still lead us in the future. Praise his name!
Three hundred pounds it cost to build this sacred House of Prayer
In 1886 it was a sum beyond compare
But willingly the gift was given by those who loved the Lord
Whose lives had been transformed by Christ, through preaching of the word
The personal sacrifice was great, for then the times were tough,
And many a family, large in size, just didn’t have enough
To eat, and so they had to trust that God would meet the need
Such faith was theirs - but still they gave to let the work proceed
As it commenced, the blessing fell, the witness caused a stir
And soon became a talking point by people far and near
Some walked for miles on Sundays just to share in prayer and praise
To testify of what the Lord had done in recent days
To listen to the Word of God, to feel the Spirit’s power
No haste to treat the homeward step, however late the hour
The Fellowship - like as to none. The joy of God - so real
And answered prayer was commonplace, God often placed His seal
Of blessing and approval on petitions that were brought
He honoured them, and in return heard praise for what was wrought
The years have rolled on ceaselessly until our present day
And all the time this has been said, “God led us all the way”.
Give us the faith of yesteryear, the vision strong and true
Enlarge our tents, expand our coasts, press on to blessings new.
Whate’er the plans for future days, ensure that God will be
The Architect and Builder - building for eternity.
Walk the extra mile...
This is the name of the event for “Diabetes UK”, and my third year in taking part in the five mile walk at Ipswich.
You, my friends have gone the extra mile, because of your generosity I will be able to forward a cheque for £245.
I, being one of many in our church with diabetes, and others we know of, thank you for your kindness.
Graham Theobald
