Christians Together, Lymington and Pennington have put together some collective praise and prayers from the various churches and Christian groups in our connected town and village to celebrate this week of prayer!
The “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” is an annual event that is traditionally observed from January 18th to January 25th. It is a time when Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, reflect on scripture together, participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and share fellowship.
This is annually coordinated by the World Council of Churches, with participation by its member Churches, which include the Assyrian Church of the East, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Old Catholic Church, the Moravian Church, the Lutheran Churches, the Anglican Communion, the Mennonite Churches, the Methodist Churches and the Reformed Churches, as well as the Baptist Churches and the Pentecostal Churches. The Roman Catholic Church, which is an observer in the World Council of Churches, also celebrates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Our friends at St Thomas and All Saints, Lymington are to host a special service of Evensong on Sunday 21st from 4pm to celebrate this week – and all are welcome!
Isn’t it amazing to realise how large a Christian family we’re all a part of?
Lymington Baptist Church
Praise: Our newly appointed Youth Worker; New believers and Baptisms, new people and a freshness to God’s moving among us; The impact of the work of CAP (Christians against Poverty) through the café, life skills course, job club support and debt support; The faithfulness of the people within the church who give of their time and resources to sustain the work of the church.
Prayer: An increase in new believers and baptisms; Wisdom for our leaders in being able to discern what God’s will is for us in this season;
A fresh renewing work of the Spirit within us as we seek to model our lives even more closely on Jesus; God to show us fresh ways in which we can demonstrate his love for our neighbours.
Salvation Army
Praise: For the lovely buildings that the URC allow us to share;For new and younger folk attending since Covid.
Prayer: Strength for Ruth to carry on our ministry now that Doug has gone to be with the Lord; For more attenders, especially some new musicians.
St Mark’s Church, Pennington
Praise: As we have been in vacancy (hopefully not too much longer!) we are very grateful to the various clergy who have stepped in to help us with leading our services; All of our congregation who have stepped up to help with work within our community, including the Fare Share larder.
Prayer: Our Church of England Junior school; The licensing of our new priest-in-charge, as he will be settling into a new home and parish soon.
St Thomas’ Church, Lymington
Praise: For those who have come to pray and worship at St Thomas over the Christmas period; For those who have provided hospitality, comfort and pastoral care for those in need.
Prayer: For all those new to town, or new to church, or returning to church, that they may be welcomed and know Christ’s love for them;
For all who work in and support our schools across the town and especially for the flourishing of the pupils and students.
URC
Praise: We are thankful that we are providing a welcome to the community at URC with our open door cafe, dementia group, diabetes group, dementia gardening group etc and also thankful for all our volunteers who ensure this happens.
Prayer: That God may give us the wisdom to discern the future of our church and how we may do more to serve our community with limited resources.
Anchor Church
Praise: For a very encouraging December, a real church family effort in putting on special services and reaching out, with lots of guests coming to various things and hearing the gospel.
Prayer: To hold onto a spirit of thankfulness for answered prayer and to deepen in prayerful dependence upon God; For our contacts in the community to lead to people coming to Christ! In particular, through our Thursday Tots & Tinies group.