• Syria: Pastor George is leads a church in the north-east of Syria. He’s been an Open Doors partner since 2012 and continues to serve his local community through times of conflict and coronavirus.
• Iraq: Dalia tells us how a women’s group set up at her local church has strengthened the faith of the women in her town in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains.
• Nigeria: Rose is one of thousands of believers in Nigeria who are vulnerable and in need of our prayers at this time: widowed just a few months ago, she then faced life under Covid-19 lockdown with a growing family to feed.
• Worship from Operation World conference. The song is Nara Ekele Mo originally in Igbo from SE Nigeria. There’s more explanation in the ‘show more’ section underneath the pictures.

For anyone at a loss to know what to pray at this time Gill B has put together this handy seven day guide. You can read below or download a printable version.

Sunday

Pray for CBC, leaders and members. For both Church on the Green and Priory Street. Let’s focus on God and continue our fellowship. Deeper spiritual life as a result of the crisis. Outreach to our neighbours. For Gospel outreach in the UK and overseas. New and different opportunities especially as Easter approaches.

Monday

The government as they seek to respond to the crisis. Recovery for Boris J and Matt Hancock. Protection for Cabinet members and others, wisdom for the action they need to take. Increased openness to the Gospel in the govt. and a courageous testimony from Chrstian MPs at this time. Our MPs.

Tuesday

Frontline workers – NHS, carers, teachers and TAs, drivers, pharmacy, grocery industry, emergency services, etc etc. Include people that you know who are in these sectors, from family, CBC and others.

Wednesday

Those known to us who are sick or vulnerable – on cancer treatment, other major health issues, pregnant or new mums, elderly and frail.

Thursday

Families now with children at home. Parents trying to work from home and care for families. Schooling at home, keeping kids safe and in a routine while getting them out for exercise in safe places. Marriages coping with this stress.

Friday

Those who have been affected economically who are known to us. Self-employed or employed in sectors that have been closed down. Pray for their mental health and trust in God at this time. Give thanks for the govt’s efforts to provide financial support and pray that it will work efficiently.

Saturday

Our immediate and extended families. Adult children that we know, living and working in big cities such as London. New grandchildren that can’t be visited, those whose wedding plans have been wrecked. Unbelieving relatives, that they will reconsider their world view at this time and that we will be ready to share with them.

Introduction

How you can use these prayer points?

We have 8 areas for prayer, each with a blurb giving you an update on Church on the Green (COTG) and then a list of prayer points. Some areas also have a scripture or two to meditate on and aid your time of prayer.

1. Conveniently there are 8 headings, and 8 days of dedicated prayer for COTG. Perhaps you could pray for 1 area each day?
2. In your house group or with a friend pick an area or two to focus your prayers on.
3. Each prayer station at Priory Street along with visual aids will use these to provide you prayer points – please make use of the available times Priory Street is open during the week to come and pray.

Thank you so much for taking the time this week to pray for us up at Church on the Green – your prayers are deeply appreciated by us all – and please do send us feedback on your times of prayer. 

Accommodation/Building

Scripture to meditate on:

• Psalm 127:1
• Matthew 7:7-8

When Church on the Green was first planted in November 2014 we met on Sunday mornings in the Rudloe Community Centre on Leyland’s road. Then, back in July 2017 that community centre was closed by the Council and we had to move into the smaller MOD-owned community centre on Portal Avenue, where we continue to meet today.

Our accommodation has served us very well, however during the past 5 years we’ve been greatly blessed with numerical growth, especially with children, and we are now operating right at the capacity limit that the MOD community centre offers. In effect the church plant in Rudloe has become ‘pot-bound’ and needs re-potting!

We find ourselves at a significant turning point as we consider our next 5 years ahead, and with the backing of the CBC leadership we believe that this is a top priority as we pray for the church to reach Rudloe with the Gospel and grow in both numbers & spiritual maturity.

We don’t know where God is leading us regarding our building, but we do know God answers our prayers (Matt 7:7-8) and that unless God is part of our work we will labour in vain. (Psalm 127).

Some specific doors you can be praying for and pushing on are:

• The possibility of the old community centre becoming available again
• Meeting at Broadwood primary school
• Purchasing land and building a new church
• Purchasing an existing building 
• If we owned a building, how could it be used to serve the community?

Junior church

Scripture to meditate on:

• Matthew 19:14

When we first planted COTG we had just 4 children; Isaac and Esther Pillinger, joined a bit later by Eddie and Anna Durant. At the time they had a huge room to themselves and could happily run and play as well as sit and learn.

Wonderfully, over time our numbers rose as other families joined us so that now we have 4 regulars in our youngest group, 4 regulars in our middle group and 6 regulars in our oldest (Yr 5 upwards) group.

Give thanks for:

• Our increased numbers
• The enthusiasm of our youngsters to learn more about God
• Their growth in confidence to share what they’ve learned with the adults
• The exciting growth in maturity of our children as they turn from little wrigglers to happy listeners & participants, and on to develop the desire and the skills to ‘deep dive’ into God’s word

Please pray for:

• Our children – Please pray for each child’s walk with our Lord Jesus.  At the Junior church prayer station you’ll see our kids have all created their own pictures and prayer requests.
• Our accommodation. Space & seating are limited now we have so many children, which limits activities we can do. Thin doors between the kids and the main service constrain the volume of activities. No storage at the centre, so equipment is stored at Debbie’s and brought back-and-forth.
• Provision of additional Junior Church leaders and continued energy and enthusiasm for those who help!

Evangelism

Scripture to meditate on:

• Matthew 28:16-20

Church on the Green was planted 5 years ago with the specific aim to reach the Rudloe community with the Good News of Jesus Christ! We want to tell as many people in Rudloe about what Jesus has done for them and see people trust Him as their Lord and saviour.

Taking the Gospel to the Rudloe community has predominantly been done through relational evangelism, and sharing Jesus over the course of many years. We have seen real fruit in the past couple of years as the Holy Spirit has worked in people’s hearts. It has been exciting to run Christianity Explored courses and baptise new believers. 

Please pray that we will use every opportunity we have to share the Gospel message. Some areas you might pray for are:

• The Spirit to be preparing hearts to receive the Gospel
• To have deep personal relationships where we share the hope we have in Christ
• People are drawn in to events that we organise (e.g. Easter/Christmas)
• A burning fire in our hearts to share Jesus!
• Flyers delivered to doorsteps to be read rather than recycled.
• Sunday morning meetings to proclaim the Gospel through all aspects of the service

Mission

Scripture to meditate on:

• Matthew 20:30-34

At Church on the Green our dear family members Stuart, Lynne & Matthew Little have been called to serve Christ onboard the Mercy Ship currently stationed in Senegal. This ship provides medical care that is not readily available in countries like Senegal. It is an amazing ministry of a ship full of Christians providing life changing surgery and a wonderful opportunity to share Jesus.

Please pray for the Little’s and their roles. Lynne has suffered with knee problems, and with so many steps onboard it can exacerbate the pain. Also, they’re likely to be extending their current term.

• Stuart (carpenter)
• Lynne (administrator in the hospital)
• Matthew (deck hand)

Discipleship / church life

Scripture to meditate on: 

• 1 John 5:14-15
• Matt 7:15-27 

As a congregation we want to be faithful disciples to our Lord and Saviour, building one another up in our faith and spiritual walks, on Sunday mornings and through the week. In doing this we are encouraging and coming alongside each other in all areas of our lives, being held accountable with an eagerness for our hearts to be changed and to become more like Christ. 

Areas to pray for:

• Discipleship of the congregation – each producing good fruit 
• Our 3 life groups
• Leaders will be built up and given God’s wisdom and guidance to lead His people 
• That we are a community that proclaims the Gospel and shines a light into Rudloe.
• For members currently posted overseas (the Frys, the Matthews and the Littles)

Heart 4 Rudloe

COTG has partnered with Janet from Box Parish for the past 5 years at Heart 4 Rudloe. It is a messy-church service aimed at families with younger children; we are primarily reaching military housing and it runs twice a month. Each service has a Bible story as it’s theme and involves various crafts and activities e.g. puzzles/games, duplo challenge, all linked to the Bible story and what we are aiming to teach. The Bible story will be told in an interactive way with the children and a few worship songs sung. Then there is a time of prayer before we enjoy a light tea together.

Heart is a great opportunity to sit down and get to know the families a little better, to build up those relationships. We have seen fruit from our relationships and families who have then started coming along to our Sunday morning services. We are excited to see more of God at work in the future through this outreach ministry.

Areas to pray for:

• God would provide more people able to serve
• Word will spread and more people will come and hear the gospel message
• Relationships will grow deeper and more seeds will be sown in the families who attend

Sunday mornings

Scripture to meditate on:

• Ephesians 3:10-11
• 1 Corinthians 14:26

So much goes on on a Sunday morning, but we want this time to be a time of glorifying God and worshiping Him, and a time that builds one another up in our faith.

Please pray for:

• Heartfelt & Christ centred worship
• Gospel centred bible preaching that is spoken in love
• For all areas of service (e.g. Preaching, Junior church, Worship, Teas & Coffees, Intercessions)
• Great time of fellowship

Get involved

Church on the Green is a young church congregation planted by CBC 5 years ago to reach Rudloe. Taking the image of plant a little further, for it to grow it needs nurturing by being regularly fed and watered. We very much want the relationship between Priory Street congregations and COTG to be a Gospel partnership to ensure the church flourishes and grows in Rudloe. To that end we want you to pray for this partnership and how you specifically might be involved in bringing Good News to Rudloe and building us up.

Areas you could pray for:

• We’d love visitors from Priory Street – come and worship God with us and see what is happening!
• Regularly pray for Church on the Green and ask us for updates
• Come and support outreach events, Heart4Rudloe etc.
• Preaching opportunities arise from time-to-time
• Perhaps you have ideas on how you might support us?!

Welcome!

Once again, we have some prayer stations set up in the church and I have prepared some prayer points some of which are requests from those involved in the ministries and some of which are suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list, so please don’t be constrained by it but pray as the Spirit leads you. You may like to begin by reading a psalm of praise and praising God for all He is and has done for us in Christ. (Some suggestions – Psalm 8, 96, 103, 145, 146.)

Please set aside time each day to lift the ministries of our church to God in prayer whether in families, in a group or individually. If you would like to make use of the prayer stations or come into the church to pray, please see the notice sheet for times when the church will be open.

LEADERSHIP TEAM AND STAFF

Eddie L, Rob D, Dan O, Alan C, Ian H, Norman F, Adrian P, Roger H, Martin S, Mark E, Rhiannon P, Tim S, Louise dT.

Pray for them in their:

• Leadership roles
• Work life
• Home life
• Their walk with God
• Wisdom as they continue to lead a growing church
• Wisdom and discernment in decisions and sufficient attention to detail so that nothing is overlooked
• Guidance and wisdom for “passing on the baton”

WHERE NEXT? GOSPEL EXPANSION

• Praise God for the work He is doing in Corsham and Rudloe
• Where is God opening up doors to further His work?
• Pray for the courage to pursue opportunities when they arise
• Praise God for the work He is doing in Wadswick Green – pray for Norman and Pat F as they share the gospel there – that hearts would be softened and eyes opened in that community
• Pray again for Norman and Pat as they faithfully lead the prayer group that meets to pray for gospel expansion
• Pray that God would so fill our hearts with the love of Christ that it overflows to those around us

MID-WEEK SERVICE

• Praise God for His continued blessing on this congregation
• Pray for those faithfully leading and running the service e.g. Eric Seager, David Morrell, Norman Fuggle, key-board players, tea and cake makers, lift givers
• Pray for at least one more keyboard player and some more helpers for catering
• For wisdom and strength for the team of pastoral visitors as pastoral needs are endless
• That the congregation would grow both spiritually and numerically and that they would see more conversions and baptisms

9.15 CONGREGATION

• Pray for the congregational leaders – Tim S, Vicky S, Joey P, Matt G and Eddie L
• Wisdom and guidance for an additional leader
• Praise God for bringing new people
• Pray for new and existing members to bond closely as a family and support one another through the highs and lows of their daily walk
• As leaders and as a congregation that they would grow to be a “people of prayer”

11.15 CONGREGATION

• Pray for the congregational leaders – Alan C, Joan C, Martin S, Ian H, David M, Catherine D, Wendy R and Eddie L
• That they would faithfully seek the Lord’s wisdom and guidance in all that they do in helping to lead His church
• Wisdom on how to make the service more inclusive, not just for children but for the whole congregation
• Praise and thank God for the growth and size of the congregation
• That the congregation would deepen their commitment to one another and to the Lord
• Praise and thank God for the many faithful and gifted people He has blessed them with
• Pray that they would remember to thank God for all He is doing, because it is God who builds His church
• Pray for more Junior Church teachers and helpers and more worship leaders

CHURCH ON THE GREEN

• Pray for the leaders – Rob D, Adrian P and Paul G and for their families
• Wisdom to lead and disciple the congregation well
• That COTG would be a “compelling community” within Rudloe, proclaiming the Gospel and shining a light into the community
• Pray for more fruit as they continue to share the Gospel and build relationships in Rudloe
• Thank God for the present venue and pray that He would provide a more suitable venue as they grow in numbers
• Give thanks for the new families who have been joining them
• Give thanks for the recent baptisms
• Praise God for the blessing of many children and the expanding Junior Church classes as they now cater for Year 7s
• Pray for the three Life Groups
• Their involvement in the Heart4Rudloe Messy-Church
• Pray for the Frys (posted to Northern Ireland), the Matthews (posted to Germany) and the Littles (Mercy Ships)

MEN’S MINISTRY

• Praise God for His continued blessing on this ministry
• For the men of CBC to be zealous for Christ
• For the men of CBC to step up as leaders in gospel outreach
• For the Monday Night Meeting to grow and to be a good place of fellowship for men from every walk of life
• For the men of CBC to be hungry for the fellowship and teaching provided at the Men’s Evenings
• For the men of CBC to be zealous in prayer and for overwhelming numbers to turn up for “Fight Night”

PRISON MINISTRY

• For those members of CBC working in prisons to be effective in sharing the gospel and to see many turn to Christ as their Lord and Saviour
• Prison guards and prisoners

LADIES’ MINISTRY

• Praise God for His continued blessing on this ministry
  Pray that the women of CBC would have a deepening desire to know God
  That friendships would continue to develop and deepen
  Pray for the new series of studies from Colossians called “Rooted”
• For those who will teach from the front at each of these sessions: Sharon D, Kathy L, Anne H, Vicky S, Victoria K, Esther K, Jill H and Hannah S
• Pray that as we gather around God’s Word, we would indeed become “rooted”
• Pray for those who prepare and serve refreshments, contribute to the blog etc.

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

• Thank God for the many children and young people connected to the church
• Pray that they would all come to know Jesus and gain a solid faith in the Lord
• Pray for Dan O, Rhiannon P and the many teachers and helpers involved in this ministry
  Junior Church that children would come each Sunday with open ears and hearts, that they would come to know Jesus and that God’s Word would be deeply planted in their hearts
• children would build relationships with one another and God would deepen relationships between leaders and children
• God would raise up people willing to fill the gaps in rotas across the congregations
• that the teachers, helpers and children will continue to learn about God and grow in faith and love for Him
• Friday evening groups – Encounter, Engage and Energize
• Thank God for the mix of CBC, other church and non-churched children who regularly attend and for the visible growth in relationships between the children
• Pray for the immediate need of a regular helper and in the future to grow a team and train up a leader to take over
• Pray the children would learn about God and find Him for themselves
• St. Patrick’s School Praise God for the continued enthusiasm that the children have each week as Rhiannon visits to tell Bible stories to years 1-6
  Pray that the teachers will be challenged by what they hear too
• Corsham School Praise God for the opportunities to witness in Corsham School
• Lunchtime group – that new year 7s will go along and older pupils return and hear the difference Jesus can make to their lives
• Pray that God would inspire Dan as he takes assemblies, that He would enable Dan to deliver them with clarity and faithfulness
• That the assemblies would prove fruitful for the Kingdom
  Lackham College Outreach
• Pray for Dan and Adam (vicar) at Freshers’ Fayre (September 9^th)
  That they would form a rapport with staff and students and be bold and deliberate in conversations
• Restart of Cornerstone (evangelistic youth café), bible study groups and social activities That the young people would re-connect after the summer break
• God would guide leaders in what to cover
• Young people’s lives would be challenged and re-orientated around Jesus
• Youth Weekend Away (October 25^th-27^th)
• That God would be at work prompting young people to sign up
• That God would work through other leaders by the way they conduct themselves and conversations they have with the young people
• For God’s inspiration in Dan’s talks and that God would speak powerfully to the young people
• For open ears and receptive hearts
• Beyond Soul Survivor (finished this summer) – wisdom and guidance

TODDLER GROUP

• Pray for the team – Kathy L, Heather C, Helen C, Vanessa N, Jean P, Margaret H, Zelda R, Julie K, Claire K, Roz T, Colin W, Ian R and Franchi P
• Praise God that He has continued to provide enough helpers each week for the number of children and carers who come
• Thank God for the three men who take it in turns to move the “heavy stuff” before each session. Pray for more to join them.
• Continue to ask God to provide a leader and enough helpers each week
• Team will reflect God’s love and everyone will feel welcome and cared for
• God will be at work in people’s hearts and will use the Bible verses and songs to speak to them
• The team will have wisdom and discernment when talking to the adults who attend
• The children will be safe in their play and will have fun
• People will want to go to the Ark and other Christian activities and that God will be drawing them to Himself

THE ARK

• Pray for God’s continued blessing on this ministry Thank God for all those involved in running this ministry – Heather C, the puppeteers, those providing refreshments, those involved in craft, music, sound, lighting etc.
• Thank God for all the non-church and church people who have attended and pray that they would continue to come and that God would work in their hearts drawing them to Himself
• Pray for wisdom and guidance for the team as they plan each session and advertise and invite people
• Pray that God would bind them together as a team and that they would all grow closer to God
• For the Ark-run family service
• For wisdom, guidance and strength for all involved
• Pray for spiritual fruit from all the activities
• For those children aged 8-12 years who are too old for the Ark that God would continue to draw them to Himself – perhaps to the Friday Clubs or an Ark for 8-12 year olds?

MISSION AND THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

• AIM Tanzania – Steve and Ruth Lancaster – particularly for their residents’ permits to be issued soon
• WEC – Gill and Steve Bryant – conferences in the US (September 5th to 14th) and Spain (October 17th to 20th)
• Oasis – team in Austria, refugees, possible building team from CBC Compassion and the children sponsored by church members
• The Bible Society – Sue W and Esther K who work there
• Open Doors – persecuted Christians around the world
• The Littles – as they again settle into life on-board Mercy Ships, this time in Senegal
• Tearfund – particularly Eagles Relief and Development Programme in Malawi
• BMS – particularly for good health and protection for Benjamin Francis and his family as they labour in God’s vineyard
• Short term mission
• Praise God for the trips to Spain and to Tanzania earlier this year
• Rhiannon P and Natalie O – Spain September 11th to 14th – pray for safe travel, good health etc.
• Building Team to Sanga Sanga September 21st to October 6th – Martin S, Martin D, Tim P, Coleen F, Tony S, Clive S, Cath S and Neil F – pray for safety for them as well as safety for the nationals working with them

WELCOME AND IN-SERVICE MINISTRY

• Praise God for the many services we have
• Pray for the many people involved in serving before, during and after our services e.g.
• The Welcome Team on the door
• Those who prepare and clear away Communion
• Those involved with taking up the offering and counting it afterward
• Those who serve teas and coffee
• Those involved in prayer, leading worship, the overhead, the sound desk, preaching………..
• The duty elders and deacons

PA MINISTRY

• Pray for the sound system operators and Ben Ross who leads this ministry
• Praise God that The Gathering Weekend was a success from a technical standpoint – that the recently bought equipment has been right for the job
• Ask for wisdom to spend allocated funds wisely and to correctly prioritise various projects
• Pray for help to sort out current PA issues
• Pray that people would have the courage to step up to serve on the words’ projection and the PA desk – that people would not be stopped by their fear of failure

WORSHIP AND MUSIC MINISTRY

• Praise God for the many gifted musicians and worship leaders He has given us
• Pray that they would all grow in their walk with God as they serve in this ministry
• Ask God to raise up others gifted to serve in this way
• Pray for David M as he oversees the 11.15 worship teams and Joey Pillinger as he oversees the 9.15 worship teams
• Pray that we would all grow in worshipping God in spirit and truth

LIFE GROUPS

• Praise God that there are so many Life Groups but pray that more people would join groups and grow through the fellowship of being together
• Praise God for the many Formation Groups and ask that God would use these groups to transform us by the renewing of our minds
• Pray for the leaders of all the groups that they would grow in wisdom and strength
• Ask God to raise up more leaders
• A growing balance within the groups across all four areas in the LIFE principles i.e. Loving God, Individually known, Fellowship and Evangelism

PASTORAL MINISTRY

• Pray that God would help us all to reflect His love in caring for our brothers and sisters
• Pray for the sick and housebound and those who visit them
• For Joan C as she oversees the 11.15 congregation
• Those organising, preparing and distributing meals
• Pray that God would help us all to reflect His love in caring for our brothers and sisters
• Pray for the sick and housebound and those who visit them
• For Joan C as she oversees the 11.15 congregation
• Those organising, preparing and distributing meals

PRAYER MINISTRY

• Praise God for the many opportunities to meet together to pray
• The Prayer Chain – many answered prayers – those who administer it and those who pray
• Those who lead us in intercessory prayer and those who pray with us after services
• Pray that God would give us all the desire to draw closer to Him in prayer

CORSHAM MONEY & DEBT ADVICE CENTRE

• Praise God for the increasing number of people involved in this ministry and pray that their training needs will be met
• Pray for Alan S as he leads the ministry and for all the advisers and volunteers: Colin W, John G, Brenda N, Tom L, Lucy L, Graham S and Coleen F
• Ask God for guidance in how best to reach those in the community who need financial advice
• Pray for help to cope with the increasing amount of paperwork involved with GDPR and the Financial Conduct Authority
• Clients – their financial situations and opportunities to speak the gospel to them
• Pray that their contact with the Centre would lead them to turn to Christ
• Pray that the advisers would be bold in speaking of Jesus to the clients and in praying for them
• Keep the ministry rooted in prayer and gospel centred

COMMUNICATIONS

• For all those involved in assisting our church in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and giving God all the glory e.g. those who design and distribute flyers, those who produce banners, those who provide information about our church and our ministries
• That all our communications, whether online or by traditional media, would always bring glory to God and always point to Him, not us
• Wisdom on how best to use the website to build community and encourage one another’s spiritual development between Sundays
• Pray that the online sermons would bless people further afield

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Praise God for a good health and safety record within our congregations
• Thank God for the opportunities that have been taken to improve Health and Safety
• Tim M as he oversees this ministry
• Pray for the first aiders
• Raise up others with the necessary gifts to serve in this ministry

CRAFT GROUP

• Pray for Hazel Hammett and Pam Mitchell as they lead this group that they would be God-minded in all that they do
• Pray for any ladies attending who do not know the Lord that the fellowship and conversation will be a way of encouraging them to seek God.
• Thank God for the creative giftings He has given us all and ask that we may always seek inspiration from the Holy Spirit and always bring glory to God
• Pray for wisdom in finding ways to encourage other non-church ladies to join us

OTHER ACTIVITIES

• Christianity and Discipleship Explored groups, walking groups, one-to-ones etc.
• Pray that in all our activities we would seek to point others to Jesus, to share the gospel with unbelievers, to encourage and disciple one another and to give all the glory to God

Welcome to our Week of Prayer!

To help you get started, we have some prayer stations set up in the church and I have prepared some prayer points some of which are requests from those involved in the ministries and some of which are suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list, so please don’t be constrained by it but pray as the Spirit leads you. You may like to begin by reading a psalm of praise and praising God for all He is and has done for us in Christ. (Some suggestions – Psalm 8, 96, 103, 145, 146.)

Our vision is to be a “gospel-centred church”, aiming to make disciples, reach out to the local community with the love and truth of God and to play our part in taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8) With this in mind, let’s lift the ministries of our church to God in prayer!

I’ve split the notes up so there will be a daily update but if you want to get them all now click here.

TODDLER GROUP

• Team will reflect God’s love and everyone will feel welcome and cared for

• God will be at work in people’s hearts and will use the Bible verses and songs to speak to them

• The team will have wisdom and discernment when talking to the adults who attend

• The children will be safe in their play and will have fun

• People will want to go to the Ark and other Christian activities and that God will be drawing them to Himself

• Praise God that He has provided enough helpers each week for the number of children and carers

• Ask God to provide a new leader and to continue to provide enough helpers each week

• Pray for the team – Kathy L, Heather C, Helen C, Vanessa N, Jean P, Margaret H, Zelda, Julie K, Claire K, Colin W, Ian R

THE ARK

• Thank God for all those involved in running this ministry – Heather C, the puppeteers, those providing refreshments, those involved in craft, music, sound, lighting etc.

• Thank God for the increasing number of regular families attending

• For deepening relationships between church and non-church families

• Pray for God’s continued blessing on this ministry

• That the team would grow together in the unity of Christ

• That God would reveal His will for the Ark and that His Kingdom would grow through it

• Ask that God would provide everything needed for this work

• That people would continue to come and that God would work in their hearts, drawing them to Himself

• Pray for the “Ark on Sunday” starting in March – an opportunity to meet together for a family service – wisdom and guidance in running this service

MID-WEEK SERVICE

• Praise God for His continued blessing on this congregation

• Praise God for the spiritual growth that has occurred in many attendees of this congregation – for new believers and baptisms and pray for more conversions and baptisms

• Pray for those faithfully leading and running the service e.g. Eric S, David M, key-board players, tea and cake makers, lift givers

• Pray for someone to replace Lynne L on the keyboard as she leaves to serve on Mercy Ships

• Pray for the pastoral needs of the congregation

CHURCH ON THE GREEN

• Thank God for His provision over the last year

• Pray for the leaders and families – Rob D, Adrian P, Paul G – for wisdom and guidance as they seek to lead according to God’s will and for His glory

• Pray for growth in the congregation both numerically and in fellowship with Christ and one another

• Pray they would increasingly live, worship and serve for God’s glory

• Gospel opportunities and the boldness, perseverance and courage to take them

• Protection over the congregation

• Junior church teachers to teach faithfully and clearly to the mixed age group of children

• For the children and young people to have a real love for the Lord

• Praise God for the regular coffee morning group consisting of the old Mums and Tots group – pray that relationships would continue to grow and God would give opportunities to share the gospel

• Praise God for Heart4Rudloe (bi-monthly “messy church” style service run by Box parish church with COTG support) – real fruit has been seen through this opportunity to engage with the local community – pray for additional helpers

• Praise God for the two Christianity Explored courses earlier this year and pray for a further course coming up soon

• Pray for Discipleship Explored course starting later this year

• The community of Rudloe and its representatives in government and local authorities

• Pray for wisdom in reaching all three distinct communities in Rudloe

• For the new housing estates – that other Christians might come to help proclaim the gospel – for wisdom in reaching these new areas

• Pray for provision of a building to meet in as Crumpets Café is reaching capacity – future of Rudloe Community Centre is still being discussed by the council? The local school? New build? Pray for wisdom and guidance

Welcome to our Week of Prayer!

To help you get started, we have some prayer stations set up in the church and I have prepared some prayer points some of which are requests from those involved in the ministries and some of which are suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list, so please don’t be constrained by it but pray as the Spirit leads you. You may like to begin by reading a psalm of praise and praising God for all He is and has done for us in Christ. (Some suggestions – Psalm 8, 96, 103, 145, 146.)

Our vision is to be a “gospel-centred church”, aiming to make disciples, reach out to the local community with the love and truth of God and to play our part in taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8) With this in mind, let’s lift the ministries of our church to God in prayer!

I’ve split the notes up so there will be a daily update but if you want to get them all now click here.

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

• Thank God for the many children and young people connected to the church

• Pray that they would all come to know Jesus and gain a solid faith in the Lord

• Pray for Dan, Rhiannon and the many teachers and helpers involved in this ministry

• Junior Church – that the teachers, helpers and children will continue to learn about God and grow in faith and love for Him

• That God would work in people’s hearts to bring forward the right people to fill the gaps in the Junior Church rotas across the congregations, and that people will see this as an amazing opportunity to serve God by sharing Him with the children in our church

• That God would deepen relationships between leaders and children

• Friday evening groups – Encounter (ages 5-7), Engage (ages 7-10) and Energize (ages 10-12) – thank God for the number of children regularly attending – more helpers – good relationships between the children and that they would learn about God and find Him for themselves

• Opportunities in the Primary Schools:

  • Praise God that Rhiannon continues to take the Bible Society’s “Open the Book” material into St. Patrick’s School and is now teaching Bible stories to years 1-6 – pray that the children’s desire and excitement to hear Bible stories would grow

  • Pray for opportunities to witness in the other local primary schools

• The Youth vision is to REACH non-believing young people, to CONNECT them with other believers, to help them to GROW in their faith, challenging them to DISCOVER their ministry and HONOUR God with their lives – pray that all that is done in the youth work would help facilitate this vision

• Give Dan and his team wisdom to tailor programmes accordingly and courage to change and, if necessary, end any programmes that are failing to achieve their purpose

• Praise God for the opportunities to witness in Corsham School

• Christian Union in the school – that God would use this group to draw young people to Himself and encourage those who have already put their trust in Him

• The young people themselves as they stand up for Jesus in their schools

• Those young people leaving home for university and elsewhere

• Cornerstone: evangelistic youth café held in Springfield community campus – for the young people to be active in inviting their friends and that God would draw young people to it so they can hear the message of Jesus

• Impact: Sunday night youth group – that God would use this to foster deeper relationships between young people and a deeper relationship with Himself

• Corsham Youth Zone: a community youth group

  • That Dan would be intentional in witnessing in word and deed with the other leaders and young people who attend

  • That God would help Dan to make the most of every opportunity to bear witness to Jesus

• Friendship Evangelism: pray that God would give the young people a clearer understanding of the message of Jesus and the courage to share the “hope that they have” with their peers

• For all the other opportunities that the young people have to meet together, study God’s word, pray, encourage one another etc.

• Enable them to discover and grow in the gifts God has given them

• Thank God for the fruitfulness of their summer trip to Soul Survivor

• For wisdom in what to invest their efforts into once Soul Survivor finishes in 2019

• Pray for Dan and Adam Beaumont (Lacock vicar) going into Lackham College’s Freshers’ Fayre in September

• Re-starting a chaplaincy drop-in at Lackham from 19^th September

  • Pray for them as they seek to get alongside and support students

  • As they navigate the best way forward in being a Christian presence in that place

• Pray that all our children and young people would desire to know God and that they would continue to learn about Him and grow in faith and love for Him

Welcome to our Week of Prayer!

To help you get started, we have some prayer stations set up in the church and I have prepared some prayer points some of which are requests from those involved in the ministries and some of which are suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list, so please don’t be constrained by it but pray as the Spirit leads you. You may like to begin by reading a psalm of praise and praising God for all He is and has done for us in Christ. (Some suggestions – Psalm 8, 96, 103, 145, 146.)

Our vision is to be a “gospel-centred church”, aiming to make disciples, reach out to the local community with the love and truth of God and to play our part in taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8) With this in mind, let’s lift the ministries of our church to God in prayer!

I’ve split the notes up so there will be a daily update but if you want to get them all now click here.

MEN’S MINISTRY

• Praise God for His continued blessing on this ministry

• Pray for Renton who has faithfully shared his testimony and encouraged the men in their walk with God

• Men in our fellowship that God would increase in them the desire to know Him and to love Him more each day

• Those who lead alongside Ian H – Paul K,Tom B, Mike P and Tim H – for God’s guidance in seeking someone in his early twenties to join them

• Pray for the preparations for three focused Bible studies in September, October and November – “Jesus as King”, “Jesus as Priest”, “Jesus as Prophet”

• For Eddie as he trains ten men to help deliver these studies and for the men themselves

• For God’s guidance on a possible weekend away

PRISON MINISTRY

• Those involved in leading Christianity Explored, Discipleship Explored, preaching and leading services

• Prison guards and prisoners

LADIES’ MINISTRY

• Thank God for His blessing on this ministry

• Thank God for an amazing weekend retreat last April

• Pray for the women in our fellowship that God would increase in them the desire to know Him and to love Him more each day

• That God would help them to keep on “one anothering” and to continue to live out God’s grace in their lives

• Pray for the preparations for this year’s Bible study on Titus

• Particularly for those who will be involved in leading and teaching – Sharon, Kathy L, Anne H, Vicky S, Victoria K, Christine, Esther K, Hannah S and Jill H

• Pray for those who prepare and serve refreshments, contribute to the blog etc.

• Pray for the preparations for the Ladies’ Day in June

Welcome to our Week of Prayer!

To help you get started, we have some prayer stations set up in the church and I have prepared some prayer points some of which are requests from those involved in the ministries and some of which are suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list, so please don’t be constrained by it but pray as the Spirit leads you. You may like to begin by reading a psalm of praise and praising God for all He is and has done for us in Christ. (Some suggestions – Psalm 8, 96, 103, 145, 146.)

Our vision is to be a “gospel-centred church”, aiming to make disciples, reach out to the local community with the love and truth of God and to play our part in taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8) With this in mind, let’s lift the ministries of our church to God in prayer!

I’ve split the notes up so there will be a daily update but if you want to get them all now click here.

LEADERSHIP TEAM AND STAFF

Eddie, Rob, Dan, Alan C, Ian H, Norman, Adrian P, Roger H, Joan C, Wendy R, Martin S, Matt G, Rhiannon, Paul G, Tim S, Louise

Pray for them in their

• Leadership roles

• Work life

• Home life

• Their walk with God

• Wisdom as they continue to seek to structure the leadership team to better serve the growing congregations

WHERE NEXT? GOSPEL EXPANSION

• Praise God for the work He is doing in Corsham and Rudloe

• Where is God opening up doors to further His work?

• Pray for the courage to pursue opportunities when they arise

• Praise God for the work He is doing in Wadswick Green – pray for Norman and Pat as they share the gospel there – that hearts would be softened and eyes opened in that community

• Pray again for Norman and Pat as they faithfully lead the prayer group that meets to pray for gospel expansion

• Pray that God would so fill our hearts with the love of Christ that it overflows to those around us

Holiday Bible Club

Rhiannon Price would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who helped at the Holiday Bible Club last week.  Without your support in all the different areas, we would not be able to run these clubs where children in our community hear about the love of Jesus.

Wedding

Stuart and Lynne Little would like to thank everyone who was involved in any way, before, during and after the wedding ceremony of Zoë to Seth last Saturday and for helping to make it such a special day.

Week of Prayer

Our Week of Prayer for CBC ministries begins tonight in the church (6.00pm to 7.00pm).  We have prayer points and prayer stations to help you.  Please set aside time during the week to pray individually, in families, in Life Groups, with prayer partners, with study buddies…….The church will be open

Monday 9.30am to 11.00am; Thursday 11.30am to 1.00pm; Friday 9.30am to 11.00am; and Monday to Friday evenings 7.30pm to 9.00pm

Philippians Group

The Philippians Group (Junior Church) will restart on Sunday 9th September. We look forward to seeing those who are in school years 6-8 on this date.

11:15am BBQ

There will be a BBQ after the 11:15am service for the attenders of that congregation on Sunday 9th September 12:30-3:30pm.  Please put the date in your diary!

Soul Survivor 2019 dates!

Parents of teens, please note the following dates for Soul Survivor 2019. These differ from previous years, as we are going to a different week of Soul. The youth have told me they want to go to Week C next year as it will be the final week of Soul Survivor ever! They are ending the festival next year. The dates to get in your diary, and avoid family holidays during August, are: 23rd – 27th August 2019 (we will be returning on the 28th).  Any questions please speak to Dan Ovens.

Tea and Commissioning Service for the Littles

On Sunday 9th September there will be a tea at 4pm at Priory Street to chat and say goodbye to Stuart, Lynne and Matthew who will shortly be leaving for the USA for Mercy Ships’ training.  The tea will be followed by a commissioning service at 6pm.  If you are coming to the tea, please would you bring a cake!

The Ark starts again on Saturday September 29th

The puppets have finished their Summer holidays (and the helpers too) and it’s time to start the Ark again.  Hooray. Do come along if you are 0-7ish (bring an adult to join in the fun too!) on Saturday September 29th at 10.00am at Priory Street.  We will be learning about Noah’s Ark with craft, songs, bible story and of course the puppets.  Finishing at 11.00am with drinks and cakes.  Invite your friends too and above all please pray for this new term.  Thank you.

… Looking ahead over the next days, weeks and months – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! …

9th September: BBQ for 11:15 congregation – 12:30-3:30pm

9th September: tea for the Littles, 4pm; commissioning service for Littles, 6pm

10th September: men’s fight night, 8pm

12th September: Midweek service, 2pm

21st September: The Littles leave for the USA for Mercy Ships’ training

24th September: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

26th September: Midweek service, 2pm

29th September: The Ark, 10:00am

30th September: 2nd open meeting to discuss leadership restructure, 4:30pm

1st October: Men’s fight night, 8pm

6th October: Craft Club, 10:00am

7th October: Harvest services

9th-17th October: Mission trip to Tanzania

10th October: Midweek service, 2pm

22nd October: Church Meeting, 8pm

24th October: Midweek service, 2pm

27th October: The Ark, 10:00am

29th October: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

31st October: Light Party, 5-7pm

Welcome to our Week of Prayer!

To help you get started, I have prepared some prayer points some of which are requests from those involved in the ministries and some of which are suggestions. This is not an exhaustive list, so please don’t be constrained by it but pray as the Spirit leads you. You may like to begin by reading a psalm of praise and praising God for all He is and has done for us in Christ. (Some suggestions – Psalm 8, 96, 103, 145, 146.)

Our vision is to be a “gospel-centred church”, aiming to make disciples, reach out to the local community with the love and truth of God and to play our part in taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth”. (Acts 1:8) With this in mind, let’s lift the ministries of our church to God in prayer!

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Eddie Larkman, Rob Durant, Dan Ovens, Alan Christie, Ian Holmes, Norman Fuggle, Adrian Pillinger, Alan Kember, Roger Hammett, Joan Cooper, Wendy Rowe, Martin Sheringham, Matt Grylls, Rhiannon Price, Paul Garcia.

Pray for them in their

• Leadership roles
• Work life
• Home life
• Their walk with God
• Wisdom as they seek to structure the leadership team to better serve the growing congregations

WHERE NEXT? GOSPEL EXPANSION

Where is God opening up doors?

• Doors to open and the courage to pursue opportunities when they arise
  Pray that God would so fill our hearts with the love of Christ that it overflows to those around us
• Praise God for the work He is doing in Wadswick Green – pray for Norman and Pat Fuggle as they share the gospel there – that hearts would be softened and eyes opened in that community
• Possibility of helping Josh and Alanna Parmar transition from youth ministry to pastoral oversight of a church. God’s wisdom as to if we should pursue this and how we should pursue this. God’s wisdom and guidance for Josh and Alanna concerning their future service

MEN’S MINISTRY

Praise God for His continued blessing on this ministry

• Men in our fellowship that God would increase in them the desire to know Him and to love Him more each day
• Those who lead alongside Ian Holmes – Paul Kelly,Tom Bailey, Mike Pillinger, Tim Hogg and Tim Mills
• Men’s weekend in September

PRISON MINISTRY

Those involved in leading Christianity Explored, Discipleship Explored, preaching and leading services
Prison guards and prisoners

LADIES’ MINISTRY

Thank God for His blessing on this ministry

• Pray for the women in our fellowship that God would increase in them the desire to know Him and to love Him more each day
• That God would help them to keep on “one anothering”
• Those who lead, teach, prepare and serve refreshments, contribute to the blog etc.
• Preparations for Ladies’ Retreat

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Thank God for the many children and young people connected to the church
Pray for Dan Ovens, Rhiannon Price and the many teachers and helpers involved in this ministry

• Junior Church – that the teachers, helpers and children will continue to learn about God and grow in faith and love for Him
• That God would work in people’s hearts to bring forward the right people to fill the gaps in the Junior Church rotas across the congregations
  Friday evening groups – Encounter (ages 5-7), Engage (ages 7-10) and Energize (ages 10-12) – more helpers – good relationships between the children and that they would learn about God and find Him for themselves
• Praise God for Rhiannon’s witness in St. Patrick’s School:
• Prayer group for parents – that more would come and pray collectively for their children, the school and the community
• Taking the Bible Society’s “Open the Book” material into the school to teach Bible stories to years 1, 3 and 4 – that the children’s desire and excitement to hear Bible stories would grow
• Praise God for the opportunities to witness in Corsham School, the good relations established and pray that this will continue to grow after some staff changes and a new head teacher
• Christian Union in the school
• The young people themselves as they stand up for Jesus in their schools
• Those young people leaving home for university and elsewhere
• Pray that God would continue to lead and use the young people as they prepare and deliver their contributions to the study groups
• Pray God would use opportunities to serve at New Wine, Noise Bristol and the time at Soul Survivor to deepen young people’s faith in Him and that as they let their light shine, those around them may see their good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven
• For Dan as he is involved in community youth work at the Hub on Fridays – possible opportunities at Lackham College
• Pray that all our children and young people would desire to know God and that they would continue to learn about Him and grow in faith and love for Him

THE ARK

Thank God for all those involved in running this ministry – Heather Chilcott, the puppeteers, those providing refreshments, those involved in craft, music, sound, lighting etc.

• Pray for the “church” children to bring their friends
• Pray for God’s continued blessing on this ministry
• That the team would grow together in the unity of Christ
• That people would continue to come and that God would work in their hearts, drawing them to Himself

TODDLER GROUP

Team will reflect God’s love and everyone will feel welcome and cared for
God will be at work in people’s hearts and will use the Bible verses and songs to speak to them

• The team will have wisdom and discernment when talking to the adults who attend
• The children will be safe in their play and will have fun
• People will want to go to the Ark and other Christian activities and that God will be drawing them to Himself
• Praise God that He has provided enough helpers each week for the number of children and carers
• Ask God to provide a new leader and to continue to provide enough helpers each week
• Pray for the team – Sue Sapiano, Kathy Larkman, Jenny Gaisford, Heather Chilcott, Helen Christie, Vanessa Naish, Jean Prosser, Ted Killingback, Margaret Hunt, Zelda Ritchie, Julie King, Claire King, Colin Whiting

MID-WEEK SERVICE

Praise God for the spiritual growth that has occurred in many attendees of this congregation – for new believers and baptisms and pray for more conversions and baptisms

• Pray for those faithfully leading and running the service e.g. Eric Seager, David Morrell, key-board players, tea and cake makers, lift givers
• Pray for the pastoral needs of the congregation

CHURCH ON THE GREEN

Thank God for His provision over the last year

• Pray for their leaders and families – Rob Durant, Adrian Pillinger, Paul Garcia
• Growth in Christian maturity within the fellowship
• Multiple opportunities to rejoice over new followers of Christ
• Protection over the congregation
• They would continue to deepen in fellowship with Christ and with one another
• Gospel opportunities and the boldness, perseverance and courage to take them
• The community of Rudloe and its representatives in government and local authorities
• The closing of Rudloe Community Centre has meant that Café on the Green and Rudloe Tots have stopped. Please pray that COTG would be able to continue to grow the relationships they have already begun through these ministries and take every opportunity to share the gospel
• Have wisdom to know what new ministry/ministries they might begin in their place to see the gospel furthered in Rudloe

WELCOME AND IN-SERVICE MINISTRY

Praise God for the many services we have

• Pray for the many people involved in serving before, during and after our services e.g.
  The Welcome Team on the door
• Those who prepare and clear away Communion
• Those involved with taking up the offering and counting it afterwards
• Those who serve teas and coffees
• Those involved in prayer, leading worship, the overhead, the sound desk, preaching………..
• The duty elders and deacons

PA MINISTRY

Pray for the sound system operators – Steve Chilcott, John Godwin, Ben Ross, Dominic Hurley, Matt Grylls, Xander Grylls, Mike Blaikley, Tim Harding, Matt Wingrave, Mark Lilley, Emily Pillinger, Tom Price, Callum Turnbull

• Pray for new volunteers to join the team
• Wisdom in maintaining and improving the system

WORSHIP AND MUSIC MINISTRY

Praise God for the many gifted musicians and worship leaders He has given us

• Pray that they would all grow in their walk with God as they serve in this ministry
  Ask God to raise up others gifted to serve in this way
• Pray for David Morrell as he oversees the 11.15 worship teams and Joey Pillinger as he oversees the 9.15 worship teams
• Pray that we would all grow in worshipping God in spirit and truth

LIFE GROUPS

Praise God that there are so many Life Groups but pray that more people would join groups and grow through the fellowship of being together

• Pray for the leaders of all the groups that they would grow in wisdom and strength: Sharon Durant, Adrian and Jo Pillinger, Jen and Mike Pillinger, Paul Garcia, Pam Mitchell, Abi Bailey, Kathy Larkman, Vicky and Tim Stephenson, Katherine Mortimer, Edna and Terry Pollard, Esther and Nigel Albon, Helen and Phil Osmond, Hannah and Reinier Spruijt, Mike and Sarah Blaikley, Sue and David Morrell
• Ask God to raise up more leaders
• Ask God to raise up someone to manage/co-ordinate the Life Groups at the 11.15 congregation
• A growing balance within the groups across all four areas in the LIFE principles i.e. Loving God, Individually known, Fellowship and Evangelism

PASTORAL MINISTRY

Pray that God would help us all to reflect His love in caring for our brothers and sisters

• Pray for the sick and housebound and those who visit them
• For Joan Cooper as she seeks to oversee and meet the growing pastoral needs of the fellowship
• Those organising, preparing and distributing meals

PRAYER MINISTRY

Praise God for the many opportunities to meet together to pray

• The Prayer Chain – many answered prayers – those who administer it and those who pray
• Those who lead us in intercessory prayer and those who pray with us after services
• Pray that God would give us all the desire to draw closer to Him in prayer

MISSION AND THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

• Steve and Ruth in Tanzania – with AIM
• Gill and Steve in UK – with WEC
• Neal and Lesley in Austria – with Oasis
• Compassion and the children sponsored by church members
• The Bible Society – Sue Wingrave and Alan Kember who work there
• Short term mission
• Persecuted Christians around the world

CORSHAM MONEY & DEBT ADVICE CENTRE

Pray for those involved in this ministry – Brenda New, John Godwin, Colin Whiting, Dave New, Roger Hammett, Alan Christie and Alan Simon as he leads the ministry

• Keep the ministry rooted in prayer and gospel centred
• Clients – their financial situations and opportunities to speak the gospel to them

COMMUNICATIONS

For all those involved in assisting our church in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ and giving God all the glory e.g. those who design and distribute flyers, those who provide information about our church and our ministries

• Pray for Louise Du Toit as she processes and uploads the Priory Street sermons and looks into doing the same for COTG
• Pray for Tim Stephenson as he co-ordinates communications and his work on the web site.
• Pray that God would be glorified and that all our communications would always point to Him, not us!

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Praise God for a good health and safety record within our congregations

• Tim Mills as he oversees this ministry
• Raise up others with the necessary gifts to serve in this ministry

CRAFT GROUP

Thank God for this opportunity for fellowship within the church and pray for more opportunities to reach out to non-church ladies

• Pray for Pam Mitchell and Hazel Hammett as they lead this group

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Christianity and Discipleship Explored groups, walking groups, one-to-ones etc.
Pray that in all our activities we would seek to point others to Jesus, to share the gospel with unbelievers, to encourage and disciple one another and to give all the glory to God