Monday 5th October 2026
Give thanks:
- For leadership provision: We’re thankful for our new elder, Trevor Weedon, taking up his role in an active sense in September. He’s already proving a huge support on council and as a trustee.
- For community links: We’re grateful for a better relationship with the school where we meet through the hard work of a number of church members in helping with painting and tasks around the school site.
- For growth and new paths: We’re thankful for those who have come to faith and yet moved on to pastures new, both to university or leaving university.
- For restored health: We are thankful that our pastor John Parker’s health has improved such that he’s now able to fulfil his duties fully.
Please pray:
- For financial provision: Our main challenge at the moment is financial, having lost some significant givers from the church. We have presented the financial needs to the church and are teaching on this area of our discipleship. Do pray that the Lord would provide the finances that we need in the months ahead. We have calculated that in 13 months’ time, we will need to make some tough decisions if our regular giving does not increase.
- For John’s sabbatical: Please pray for John’s sabbatical (June – August 2027) and the finance needed to cover that. Do pray for preaching provision and financial provision for this period so that John may come back fully refreshed and able to take up the reins again.
- For new believers and mature Christians: Do please pray for new mature Christians to join us and to quickly become part of the church family.
- For our autumn outreach: We are seeking to read the Bible one-to-one with those who are interested in Christian things. We also hope that this year we will be able to make the most of Christmas as an evangelistic opportunity, given that last year we were somewhat distracted by the insecurity of meeting in the school. Thankfully, that is no longer the case, so pray that we would be wise and effective as we reach out with the gospel.
- For our teaching series and students: We are having a series in John’s Gospel in the famous “I am” sayings of Jesus. Do pray also that students would join us, to whom we can be a blessing and they a blessing to us.
- For our vision and church plant partnerships: Pray for our 2026–2027 vision to deepen mutual love, reconnect regionally, and persevere in the Lord’s strength. Praise God for new AMIE church plants in Essex, and pray for healthy partnerships with them and their leaders.