Prayers over the Past Months In this final week of our season of prayer please continue to pray for all those who: used to belong to the church, those who are on the edges looking in, those whom God is calling closer to Himself. * * * As you can see this extended time of prayer for the new life in our church is almost at a close. In these last two weeks please pray for all those who: used to belong to our church, those who are on the edges looking in, those whom God is drawing closer to himself. We will be gathering all our prayers together at our joint service on Sunday 29th November. You might want to write something on your leaf before you bring it back that day to hang on our prayer tree. * * * As the church hall is now being re-painted, please pray that we will have wisdom as to how to develop the hall so that we make the best use of it. That it will meet the needs of our community and our church. * * * At this time of remembrance, let’s pray for those who are mourning, or remembering, loved ones. * * * Our strategy group, chaired by John Saville, meets to look at the ideas generated by our Parish Day. Please pray that they will have wisdom and God's guidance as they do the ground work of helping us to answer the question "What next?" * * * In the week when Phillip Allison is licensed as a Reader, pray for him and all of the team who help carry the responsibility of leading the church. * * * This week let's pray for all those who take a special care for the vulnerable members of our church. Thanking God for their listening ears and willing hands. Pray that we would know how we can better organise ourselves so that the vulnerable are taken care of. * * * As St Martin’s Voice meet to discuss the future of the church and its building - please pray for ideas, wisdom, energy and the resources that we need to move on with the task.  * * * Music is such an important part of our worship. Please pray for those who carry this responsibility as they consider how to develop the musical life of our church. * * * It’s always easier to think of the things that we haven't got - the things that we need. So this week let’s pray: Father, With thankful hearts we remember all that you have given us................! Thank you for the work that has begun on our buildings. Thank you for all the people who pass through our doors. Thank you for the life of your Spirit active among us. Thank you for each other. Amen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So this week let’s pray together: Lord of heaven and earth as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer give us patience and courage never to lose hope, but always to bring our prayers before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen I________________________________________________________________________ -Let’s pray for the older members of our church family - particularly those with whom we have contact through Songs of Praise. Please ask God's continued blessing on that ministry and all those who plan, prepare and minister at that service. * * *

Joyce writes: Season of Prayer The church calendar has taken us into the 'great green growing season' the weeks that eventually lead us to Advent. I felt that at this time it was appropriate to mark it as a season of prayer. In the last few months we have have begun many changes in the way we do things at church as well as beginning building work on St Martins and the hall. All these new beginnings are like tiny seeds planted and they need TIME to put down roots so that they can become established and grow into all that they can be. They also need nourishing in PRAYER. Last week many people took home a green leaf - a symbol  reminding us of new growth and new life and also to remind us to pray. I suggested that the leaf was placed somewhere you would see it daily - the fridge door maybe- and that when you saw it you paused for a moment and prayed for the life of our church , the people of our parish and our mission in this community. As the weeks go by and situations arise there will be suggestions of particular things to pray for - look for the green leaf symbol in the Opps. If you didn't get a leaf and you would like one there will be some and at the  back of both churches. When this season draws to a close we will bring the leaves back to church and tie them on a branch- a tree of prayers - a tree of new life. So what about you? will you join us ? will you pray? Joyce