South West Baptist Association

PRAYER CALENDAR FOR APRIL 2018

SUNDAY APRIL 1ST EASTER DAY

Please pray for all the churches worldwide as we celebrate the Risen Lord.

Montacute:

Montacute Baptist Church sends greetings!

We are a little congregation, thanking God for faithful, loving people, who show great care for this unique chapel, witness quietly to faith in Christ. We are thankful for those of our membership who visit those too frail to worship with us.

We give thanks for ecumenical co-operation with St Catherine’s Anglican Church and other Christians who live in this and nearby villages - our Bible Studies together in Lent will be on the theme of Hope, inspiring stories of faith from prisoners. I look forward to celebrating my first Easter here as Pastor. We will hold a community lunch on Maundy Thursday, a Tenebrae Service, and the church, I hope, will be open and welcoming over the Easter period, proclaiming our risen Lord.

A pre-school meets in our premises, so pray with us for every child, parent and staff member.

We are planning a FunScience Saturday, 5th May, as a gift to the children of the village, as a launch-pad for termly Messy Church sessions which we will host, run ecumenically, Anglicans providing the energy and we provide the premises and food! We pray this might bring new people to faith over the longer term.

We hope to offer a Quiet Day in the early summer, with some time together for reflection, and also opportunity to walk in Montacute.

We have lost one dear member, Norman Pilton, by death this year, and welcomed three friends by transfer.

Please keep this mainly elderly congregation in prayer as we seek ways to welcome and serve in this village. And if you come to National Trust Montacute House, say Hi as you pass us!

SUNDAY APRIL 8TH

Dartmouth

During 2017 the fellowship at Dartmouth experienced a difficult and testing time. Now a smaller congregation, we would ask for your prayers as we travel through our journey of reflection and reconciliation. At this glorious Easter time may we all look to our risen, conquering Saviour for guidance and love for all those we meet day by day.

Please pray for

  • A moderator to guide us in our journey with God and to help us reach out to those who are in great need ofhis amazing grace.
  • All those who come into our church for Lunch Club, Toddler group and Coffee Morning week by week, that they may experience a real touch of God’s love in their lives.
  • More workers in this part of God’s vineyard – we are in the middle of a large, mainly social housing estate. The need is great and the workers are few.

We give thanks for

  • Those who have worked alongside us in recent years that they may be used of God in their new churches.
  • Two of our fellowship, Sally and Maureen, who have recently undergone major surgery, that they will both soon be back to full health and strength.

Appledore

Please pray for the church - no report received

SUNDAY APRIL 15TH

Chudleigh

We praise God for the opening of our Community Project “The Square” in Chudleigh town centre. We are excited by the opportunities it will give us to serve the community and be a Christian presence at the heart of the town. Please join us in praying for clear direction in this ministry and that God will provide the necessary resources and people to see this work flourish and make a real difference. Particularly, we would pray for speedy & positive dealings with the local planning office to gain permission to make the adjustments we need for disabled access.

We plan to run a parenting course during April and May at The Square, inviting contacts from the toddler group and school. Please pray for people to come along and find a welcoming and supportive atmosphere in which to reflect on their family relationships.

We are currently in need of leaders (deacons) to join our small leadership team for the church – people with a passion to serve God and willing to roll their sleeves up...

(Chudleigh – continued)

We thank God for our growing Sunday morning children’s ministry. Please pray for the impact it has on our children and young people and that a sustainable team of volunteers will be established to run it and build relationships with the youngsters.

Abbotsham

Please prayfor this church - no report received

SUNDAY ARIL 22ND

Bovey Tracey

Please pray for Bovey Baptist that they would wholeheartedly seek God and his will for the future of the church.

Pray for a new team of Elders and Deacons, especially as the Minister is on sabbatical from May - July.

Pray that the Sabbatical time would be a time of encouragement and refreshment for the whole church.

Pray that the children’s and youth work would continue to flourish.

Plymouth: Ford

Please pray for this church - no report received

SUNDAY APRIL 29TH

Teignmouth:

Please pray for Glenda as she begins maternity leave and for the youth and children’s work without Glenda’s ministry for a year.

A replacement office manager as Emma leaves us.

And finally, looking ahead please pray for our involvement in this year’s Teignmouth carnival, from the carnival service, then it’s a knock out and the carnival procession itself.

Let us pray for all for the life and witness of all our churches, that God will enable us in our commitment to follow him and to make him known to those we meet in so many different places. Let us join with those of many denominations around the world who between 10th and 20th May (Ascension to Pentecost) will be praying for others to be drawn to Christ.