This week's Prayer Diary: China
In a recent issue of Response we told you about Living Stone Church, a community of Christians in China who are experiencing extremely severe harassment from the government. Sadly, this is the reality for many Christians and other religious minorities in China: please remember them in your prayers this week
This week, please pray:
Living Stone Church is a fast-growing church in China. Several church members have been targeted and the government has tried to force Living Stone to close: please pray for them today.
Please pray for Pastor Yang Hua (pictured), who led Living Stone Church until he was arrested in early 2016, and his lawyers have told us that he is suffering very poor health as a result of being ill treated in detention
.
Today, pray for Pastor Yang’s wife, Wang Hongwu. She’s seen her share of harassment too, and wasn’t even allowed to attend her husband’s trial.
Wang Yao, the friend of a Living Stone Church member, has been tried for illegally acquiring and disseminating state secrets in connection to the case. Pray for Wang today.
Zhang Xiuhong is a deacon at the church and the church’s accountant. She was arrested in July 2015 for ‘financial crimes’ and has been sentenced to five years in prison. She has two children, the youngest just three years old, and she also takes care of her elderly mother.
It’s not just Christians who face harassment in China: the government targets Uyghur Muslims, Falun Gong practitioners and other religious minorities, too. Remember them in your prayers today.
Father God, today we pray for everyone in China who’s at risk because of their beliefs. We particularly remember Living Stone Church: protect the church and its members, we pray. Amen.
If you have any prayer requests, please advise Heather (contact 01268 773001/07884 426711) and she will ensure that the request is prayed for and passed on to the next member of the chain Could we also remember in our prayers our housebound friends? In particular we think of HelenWillson,Sheila Webber, Ida Hearn, Sandra Hull, Mick Ellis, Win Hodges, Hugh Behag and Beryl Scoging
77 North Street, Rochford, SS4 1AD
Minister: Rev. Phil Warrey
259 Eastwood Road
Rayleigh, SS6 7LF
Telephone: 01268 770333
E-mail:
7th MAY 2017
We are all here to:
worship God and spread His love
welcome everyone into our church family
serve the community in the name of Jesus Christ
Sunday7th May 2017
This morning’s service will be led byMr. James Anderson
(Community Church)
Sunday
11.00 amMorning Service
Monday
9.45 amHappy Tots Toddler Group
2.30 pmWomen’s Fellowship now meets at Rayleigh and lifts can be arranged
Tuesday
10.00 – 12.00Coffee Break for both ladies and men ^^
3.00 – 7.30 pmHildale School of Dancing *
8.00 pmWesley Guild – No Guild now until October
8.00 pmPhotography Club (twice monthly in the Benson Room^^
Wednesday
10.00 -11.30 am Sacred Space
Thursday
9.30 – 10.30Music Dreams (for 0-2 years)
11.30 – 12.30Prayer Meeting ^^
3.45 – 7.30 pmHildale School of Dancing*
7.30 – 9.30 pmTable Tennis
7.30 pmWorship and Prayer Time (1st Thursday of each month)^^
(also in the afternoon Craft Afternoon for Rochford Hospital clients takes place)^^
Friday
9.15 amFriday Breakfast for Mums and pre-school children^^
9.45 – 10.45 amDiddi Dance (pre-school dance class for boys and girls)
1.00 – 3.00 pmOne Craft – craft afternoon open to all ladies^^
Saturday
9.00-1.45amHildale school of Dancing*
*Term time only^^Organised by Community Church Rochford
Rochford Church House Group meets each month in a different place each
time,usually on the last Wednesday of the month. Look in the weekly notices for confirmation of the dates and venues.
Next week our service will be led by theWorship Leaders
The collection for Sunday30th April 2017 amounted to £??which includes the monies paid directly into the bank
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 7thMay The christening of Joshua Harris, son of Hannah and Tom and brother of George, will take place here at 2.30pm today May. Hannah, Tom, Kathy and Robert will be very happy if as many of you as are able will join us at the service to welcome Joshua.
Wednesday May 17th 12 noon – Over 65s Lunch Club. See Margaret to sign up if you would like to come.
Sunday 21st May at 11.00am. Church Anniversary. Our preacher will be Rev Brenda Gutberlet. Please spread the news and invite anyone you can think of that would like to join us, to help celebrate 195 years of Methodism in Rochford.
Hatha Yoga Classes are starting Weds. 6-00pm -7-15pm. If interested just turn up at 6pm.
11th May 10.45-3.30pm Rochford District Council and the Community Safety Partnership are inviting older residents to a special free event aimed at helping them to “Stay Safe”.
We would like to extend a welcome to your church members who are 55+ and live in the district and want to find out more from experts in community safety and wellbeing. The day has 10 x 10 minute sharing sessions from statutory and voluntary organisations including Essex Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Essex Trading Standards, Community Agents, NHS Falls service and the Alzheimer’s Society all providing useful information whilst sitting round a table so questions can be raised in small groups. We also have stands with a range of other information from organisation like Ways to Wellness scheme, Provide, Family Mosaic, Cross Roads Care. Whether you want to learn about what’s available or have a particular concern you would like to find out about we have a wide range of people who can offer advice.
Free transport and a free lunch and refreshments are on offer on the day which takes place on 11 May from 10:45am to 3.30pm at Rochford Congregational Church, North Street, Rochford, SS4 1AB.
To book a place either ring Rochford District Council on 01702 318191 or complete a booking form and return it to the Council Offices in South Street.