Today is our harvest celebrations. Take time to thank God for his goodness and faithfulness. Pray for those whose harvest has failed and so face a year struggling to put food on the table. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3: 22-23)
Monday 14th October
It is over a year since the October 7th attacks on Israel and still families are waiting on news of loved ones taken hostage and the pain of those who mourn will never be taken away. Take time to pray for those who have been affected most by those attacks.
The invasion of Gazza has provoked increased rocket fire by Hezbollah from Lebanon into Israel. This in turn has provoked Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, including the pager and walkie talkie attacks as well as a new ground offensive. This expansion of the war further increases suffering and destabilises the whole region. Pray for wise counsel on both sides that enables a drawing back from a full scale war and yet more suffering for the poorest in society.
Thursday 17th October
The ripples of October 7th widened further with Iran and Israel inflicting military strikes on each other. This not only widens conflict in the region but draws western powers such as the US and the UK in as they provide assistance to Israel. Pray for a drawing back from the brink and a means of both countries saving face and so being able to draw a line under this particular tension.
Friday 18th October
Shipping in the Red Sea continues to face attack from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Pray for the merchant sailors who are defenceless against such attacks and rely on western warships being in the right place at the right time to defend them.
Saturday 19th October
It is easy to lose hope when we look at our world, the suffering endured by so many and the apparent victory of evil over good. Take time to remind yourself and to thank God that there will be a day when evil will be banished, and Christ’s rule established. Therefore God has exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
The United Appeal is the Presbyterian Church in Ireland coming together to do what we couldn’t do as individual congregations. United Appeal supports the work of global mission workers, chaplains in hospitals, the forces and prisons. It supports mission at home in local congregations and contributes towards care homes and rehabilitation centres.
Here in Portstewart we benefit from the United Appeal. Michelle Hutchinson, our youth and family worker, is part funded by a grant of £15000 a year for three years from the Council of Mission in Ireland. This has allowed us to continue with the work in the school, the community and of course our own young people. This would be much more difficult without the support of the United Appeal.
Harvest is an opportunity to contribute to the work of United Appeal. In your envelop packs you will find a United Appeal envelop for this Sunday. We are encouraging you to prayerfully consider how you might support this important work. If you don’t have an envelope and would like to contribute please speak to our Treasurer, Robin Gawne, or any of the stewards on duty on Sunday.
Some of our members along with folks in Ballywillan begin communicants’ classes today. Pray for all those who are considering full communicant membership. Pray they would know God’s leading and would feel a sense of belonging within our congregation.
Monday 7th October
Vacancies in Banagher, Ballywillan, Portrush and Second Kilrea continue to be progressed. Please pray that in each of the congregations there would be a means of providing stable ministry to the folks who faithfully attend and also an outreach into each local community.
We have a significant number of people from within our congregation who are receiving one form of treatment or another. Pray for all who are undergoing what can be harsh and difficult medical treatments and procedures. Pray for healing and a very real sense of God’s presence. Pray also for families who watch on often feeling helpless and frustrated at not being able to ease a loved one’s suffering.
Thursday 10th October
Preparations are well underway for harvest. Pray for our harvest celebrations. Pray especially for Martha, Sophie and Jodie who hope to give reports on their summer mission trips at our evening service. Thank God for our young people and pray that they would be established in their faith and in the life of the church.
Friday 11th October
Thank God for the ministry and blessing that comes through the flowers that are donated each week in the church. Thank God for the way in which they are used to remind those going through hard times that the church has noticed and that it cares. Pray that within the church we would continue to build and develop a sense of family and togetherness in Christ.
Saturday 12th October
Tomorrow the congregation will be asked if it is agreeable to Ronnie Crooks being co-opted as an elder. Pray for Ronnie as he prayerfully offers himself in service to God and his church in this way. Pray for wisdom and discernment among the congregation. Pray also for Winnie as she seeks to support and encourage Ronnie.
Portstewart Primary School are recruiting volunteers to work with our children to increase their reading skills and love of reading. The Reading Partnership programme provides one-to-one encouragement and support to help children start reading, keep reading and read more, increasing their confidence and self-esteem and raising attainment and future aspirations. (Click on the link above or any image below for more details)
With one-to-one practice with the support of an attentive adult this helps improve children’s reading fluency and is a crucial supplement to classroom teaching. We are looking for volunteers who will give of their time to help support our children to read – you’ll be making a life-changing difference to a child who needs your help.
What’s in it for you? • Using your skills in new and creative ways • Being part of a school community • Playing a part in raising reading attainment • Making a life-changing difference to children • Will receive training in supporting children to read and on safeguarding/child protection
What’s involved? Trained reading helpers: • Give informal one-to-one adult support to children with their reading • On the days and at the times within the school day to fit in with your availability and the school timetable • Ideally this literacy intervention requires only 15 minutes of support 3 times a week per child over 10 weeks. In such a short space of time, many of the children that Reading Partners have worked with have shown great improvements in their reading ages. However we are flexible and can work around volunteers availability.
What skills and experience do you need? • Enthusiasm for sharing the value and joy of reading • Ability to relate to, motivate and encourage children • Patience, flexibility, creativity, energy and a sense of humour
If you are a parent, grandparent or member of the local community who would enjoy supporting children to read please get in touch!
Simply complete the following form, or if you’re not quite ready to sign up find out more information by telephoning Mrs Taylor on 02870832194.
Please note that you need to be 18 years or over to volunteer as a reading helper due to the safer recruitment checks required for the voluntary role.
In an increasingly busy world Harvest is the opportunity to pause and take in the goodness of God.
This year in our harvest morning service we will be asking what does it mean to Taste and see that the Lord is good. We will of course be surrounded by flowers and vegetables as well as the numerous offerings for the food bank. Surely God’s goodness goes beyond the church decorations, and what is it to taste such goodness? Taste is something we experience, it is one of our 5 senses and so we will seek to experience the goodness of God. There will be a very practical way of experiencing God’s goodness as we will be having lunch together immediately after the service.
In the evening we will continue this theme of experiencing the goodness of God, but this time we will ask how can we know God’s goodness in a difficult season of life. Where is the goodness of God in illness, or bereavement, or unemployment? We will look at God’s promise to restore the lost years found in Joel 2:25. And I will restore to you the years the locust hath eaten.
Why not come along on Sunday 13th October at 10:30 am and 6:30 pm to not only celebrate but experience the goodness of God – regardless of your situation.
This morning, we are thinking about what it means to live as a Christian community. Pray for our church family. Pray for a strengthening of relationships between each of us. Pray that the way we live as a community would leave an impression on those watching.
Monday 30th September
Ballywillan Kirk Session meet tonight to discuss a way forward in filling the vacancy. Pray for the kirk session and the congregation. Pray not only for a filling of the vacancy but a renewed sense of hope after a disappointing congregational meeting earlier in the year.
GB and Little Treasures meet today. These are incredible opportunities for our church to engage with the community. Pray for all who attend both organisations asking that God would use them to draw more people unto himself.
Thursday 3rd October
The Bible study meets tonight. Thank God for all who come along to this and pray that it would be an opportunity for each of us to deepen our faith in Jesus Christ.
Friday 4th October
Cynthia faithfully produces this diary week by week, among many other administrative duties. She also provides an important ministry of friendship to all who call in to the office. Thank God for Cynthia and pray that she continues to be a blessing to so many within our congregation.
Saturday 5th October
Blaze and Chill meet tonight. Pray for our young people asking God to draw them away from everything that would be harmful and towards his goodness and love.
