Cheltenham Minster with St Matthew and St Luke Bible Readings and Prayer Diary September 2018 2nd September - 6th October 2018 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
SEPTEMBER 2018 Welcome to the September edition of our Prayer Diary. We would encourage you to join with the whole church family in praying for the topics and reading the Bible passages, so that together we can build a praying Christian community and encourage one another in our ministries. Our Bible readings this month include: 1 John and 2 John Jesus - the good shepherd God s creation and all that he provides for us At the start of this new academic year, please pray for all aspects of education, from the needs of the youngest children in crèches, Bright Lights and St Luke s Toddlers, to those at school and further education, and our own personal lifelong learning. Remember too our churches groups for children and young people, our Small Groups, and those who preach and teach. We continue to give thanks to God for answered prayer including for the appointment of Rev Richard Coombs, joining us as our new Rector in November. Please also continue to pray for our Church Wardens, Ministry Teams, office teams and others with continuing additional responsibilities during the remaining period of our Vacancy. Ann Grüneberg - Prayer Diary Editor Please note: If you are thinking of attending an event mentioned for prayer, please check the details in case they have been updated since the publication of the Bible Readings and Prayer Diary.
Week beginning Sunday 2nd September 2018 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16a (NIV) Sunday 2nd September Read - Psalm 138:1-8 Praise God for answered prayer Pray - Give thanks for answered prayer. Remember the St Luke s Monthly Church Prayer Meeting this Tuesday 4th September and The Minster with St Matthew s taking place next Monday 10th. Monday 3rd September Read - 1 John 1:1-10 Walking in God s light Pray - For the students of our church families. Remember those going away to study and those coming here to Cheltenham. Pray that they will have good Christian friends and supportive churches. Tuesday 4th September Read - 1 John 2:1-11 Living in the light Pray - For church groups offering friendship and support including The Minster with St Matthew s Cameo, Croissant Club, Barnabas Group and Bright Lights, and St Luke s Toddlers, Walking Group and Tuesday Group. Wednesday 5th September Read - 1 John 2:12-17 Love God, not the world Pray - For Liz Williams working full-time with Wycliffe Bible Translators as Director of Language Programme Services for French-speaking countries. Pray for her support of translation teams and her encouragement of churches in using Scripture in the local language. Thursday 6th September Read - 1 John 2:28-ch3:10 Live as children of God Pray - For the youngest children in our church families. Remember those in crèches, St Luke s Toddlers restarting tomorrow, and St Matthew s Bright Lights and Pre-School Praise restarting next week. Friday 7th September Read - 1 John 3:11-24 Real love is found in Jesus Christ Pray - For Youth for Christ Gloucestershire (YFC) sharing the good news of Jesus with young people in schools. Pray too for its role in supporting and equipping churches in their work with young people. Saturday 8th September Read - Colossians 3:12-17 Being members of one body Pray - Pray for our Church Wardens, Ministry Teams, office teams and others with continuing additional responsibilities during the remaining period of our Vacancy.
Week beginning Sunday 9th September 2018 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 (NIV) Sunday 9th September Read - John 17:20-26 Jesus' prayer for unity Pray - That God will draw us together in unity. Pray that we will trust in God to lead us on to where he would have us be. Monday 10th September Read - 1 John 4:1-6 Recognising the Spirit of truth Pray - For groups meeting to share the good news of Jesus. Remember those being planned and those which already meet in homes, in our churches and at the YMCA. Tuesday 11th September Read - 1 John 4:7-21 God s love for us Pray - For those of our church families who are sick in body, mind or spirit. Pray too for those who have recently been bereaved. Wednesday 12th September Read - 1 John 5:1-12 Faith in the Son of God [Jesus Christ] Pray - That the Heritage Open Days from tomorrow to Sunday, and also the concerts and exhibitions, held in our churches will continue to be bridges between our churches and the local community. Thursday 13th September Read - 1 John 5:13-21 We know that we have eternal life Pray - For good weather and efficient working during the St Luke s roof renovations. Pray too for continued vision for the internal reordering of St Luke s. Friday 14th September Read - 2 John 1:1-13 Love one another Pray - For Rev Richard Coombs and his family. Pray that they will accomplish all that God wants them to do during their remaining time in Burford. Saturday 15th September Read - Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd Pray - For Bible Society of Egypt s literacy projects, including those run by the team at the Minya Bookshop and Resource Centre, which help people of all ages live their daily lives and enable them to read the Bible for themselves.
Week beginning Sunday 16th September 2018 He [the Sovereign Lord] tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV) Sunday 16th September Read - Ezekiel 34:11-16 The Sovereign Lord will shepherd his sheep Pray - For the decisions made by our PCCs to be in line with God s will for our churches. Remember The Minster with St Matthew s PCC meeting tomorrow and St Luke s PCC meeting on Tuesday 25th. Monday 17th September Read - Psalm 1:1-6 Being in a right relationship with God Pray - For those of our church families involved with education in universities, colleges and schools. Pray too for local Open the Book teams as they tell, and act out, Bible stories in schools. Tuesday 18th September Read - Psalm 8:1-9 God s wonderful creation Pray - For the welcome we give to visitors and newcomers at events and services, and when they come to look around our buildings. Wednesday 19th September Read - Psalm 24:1-10 The earth is the Lord s Pray - For Mat (theological education and team leader), Katy (doctor), Phoebe, Jonah and Barney Linley as, following their holiday, they settle back in to their work at the Good News Hospital in Mandritsara, Madagascar. Thursday 20th September Read - Psalm 33:1-11 God spoke and it came to be Pray - For those throughout the world who are working to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and to promote lifelong learning. Friday 21st September Read - Psalm 65:1-13 God cares for the land Pray - For those who care for Cheltenham by tending the gardens and keeping the streets clean and tidy. Remember too those responsible for planning decisions. Saturday 22nd September Read - Isaiah 40:9-11 The Sovereign Lord tends his flock like a shepherd Pray - For God s wisdom for those with pastoral care and safeguarding responsibilities within our church families. Pray too that they will have good relationships with other agencies, including the NHS, so that people are given the best help possible.
Week beginning Sunday 23rd September 2018 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV) Sunday 23rd September Read - Micah 5:2-5a He [Jesus] will stand and shepherd his flock Pray - For those who, for whatever reason, are finding life difficult at this time. Remember especially those with employment or financial concerns. Monday 24th September Read - Psalm 89:1-13 God founded the world Pray - For St John s School and other local schools, colleges, universities and places of education. Pray too for local companies with apprenticeship schemes. Tuesday 25th September: Read - Psalm 95:1-7a Let us come before the Lord our Maker Pray - For The Rock working at the Centre, and in the wider community. Pray for all the young people amongst whom they work. Wednesday 26th September Read - Psalm 104:1-9 God set the earth on its foundations Pray - For our Sunday services, asking that all our worship will be honouring to God. Remember preachers, service leaders, leaders of prayers, Bible readers, and those involved with music, drama, visuals, sound, flower arranging and refreshments. Thursday 27th September Read - Psalm 104:10-23 God nourishes his creation Pray - For Jasmin and Kyle as they settle in as Interns based at St Luke s and in partnership with the YMCA. Friday 28th September Read - Psalm 104:24-30 The earth is full of God s creation Pray - Give thanks for opportunities to get to know each other better. Pray for The Minster and St Matthew s Weekend Away with Bishop Rachel from today until Sunday. Saturday 29th September Read - John 10:1-10 Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full Pray - Use the LIFE prayer on the outside back cover to pray for our Diocese, the Cheltenham Deanery and our Benefice as we seek to share the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ so that people may know life in all its fullness.
Week beginning Sunday 30th September 2018 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:2-3 (NIV) Sunday 30th September Read - John 10:11-18 Jesus said, I am the good shepherd Pray - For the preparations being made for the St Matthew s Holiday Club taking place from 22nd to 24th October. Pray that many children and young people will sign up. Monday 1st October Read - John 1:1-14 Jesus is Lord of creation Pray - That, as individuals and as churches, we will take good care of all that God has created. Tuesday 2nd October Read - Genesis 1:1-13 The beginning of God s creation Pray - Pray for a deepening of our prayer lives. Remember the St Luke s Monthly Church Prayer Meeting taking place tonight and The Minster With St Matthew s taking place next Monday 8th October. Wednesday 3rd October Read - Genesis 1:14-23 Creation continues Pray - For the Cheltenham Prayer for Schools Network, giving thanks for its prayer groups and individuals praying for local schools. Pray that every school in Cheltenham will become a prayed-for school. Remember its autumn meeting looking at School and Community on Tuesday 9th October at Cheltenham Ladies College. Thursday 4th October Read - Genesis 1:24-2:3 God creates man Pray - For Rev Richard Coombs as he prepares to leave Burford and begin his ministry here in Cheltenham. Friday 5th October Read - Psalm 100:1-5 Worship the Lord who made us Pray - For our various Small Groups meeting for Bible Study, prayer or shared activities. Pray by name for the members of your own group. Saturday 6th October Read - Hebrews 13:20-21 Jesus - the great Shepherd of the sheep Pray - Spend a few moments meditating on Hebrews 13:20-21 and then use the words as a prayer for our church families.
God of hope and transformation, who in our Lord Jesus Christ offers the gift of life in all its fullness, send your Holy Spirit and grant us joy in our following and vision in our leadership. May we be rich in imagination, confident in faith, and courageous in our engagement with the people and places of this diocese. As we share your life with the world, keep us rooted and grounded in love as we bear witness to your glory and pray for your Kingdom to come. Amen. (Diocese of Gloucester LIFE Prayer) Benefice of Cheltenham Minster with St Matthew and St Luke Rector: Vacancy Associate Vicar: Rev Patrick Wheaton Prayer Diary Editor: Ann Grüneberg office@stmstm.org.uk