Dear Friends
It is nearly
half a century since A.W. Tozer wrote the words: “Modern civilisation is so
complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible.” Since then, we have welcomed the mobile phone, the internet,
email, mobile broadband, 500-channel TV and all the other “time-saving”
technologies that rob us of so much time!
In the midst of our busy lives, there are two things we are quick to
skip: prayer and thanksgiving. In
the Lay Witness Movement in Ireland, God has been teaching us to “...pray
continually” and to “...give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess.
5:16-17).
Pray
continually
“...we
decided on the week leading up to the Mission to spend at least an hour each
day in prayer and preparation.”
Bill and Gwen Patterson, team members, Lurgan
“The
Tuesday night Bible Study was replaced by a Prayer time for the weekend and
the church was left open for a day of prayer on a Saturday two weeks before
the event.”
Peter Mercer, minister, Magheragall
Give thanks
“...a
total stranger... came in thinking it was a coffee shop... and went on his way
praising the Lord.”
Ken Wilson, minister, Gorey
“It
was clear from the start that God had prepared and planned this weekend.” Stephen
Woods, team member, Doagh
You will find
reports on all four weekends in this edition of our newsletter.
We continue to pray for those involved in the mission in Derrygonnelly
(April 15-17).
Prayer and
thanksgiving will be on the agenda when we gather in Edgehill on Saturday 9th
April. Whether you have been on a
team, have received a team at your church, or simply have an interest in Lay
Witness, please do come along. In
the meantime, let us be encouraged to shut out the complex world when possible
and open our hearts to the joy that comes from devoting ourselves to the Lord
in prayer and thanksgiving.
And now, let the
weak say, “I am strong”,
Let the poor
say, “I am rich”
Because of what
the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks.
Allen
David
Heather Shirley
Tom
Website
The Lay Witness Movement website
keeps our members and supporters up to date with details of coming events, and
reports and photographs of missions and past events. It also spreads news of what is happening
in Lay Witness to a wider readership and provides an easy means of contacting
the Movement for those who are computer literate.
You’ll find it at: www.laywitnessireland.org
We would like
to have your email address for ease of contact and sending this annual
Newsletter. Please email us with
your details at : contact.us
AT laywitnessireland.org
We
are very grateful to webmaster Alan Hutchinson, Glengormley who has set up the
site for us. Contact him at:
webmaster AT
laywitnessireland.org
Our Records
We keep a note of your name,
address, email address and telephone number together with the mission teams
you have been on, if any. Please
notify us if you wish to have any details updated or deleted.
If there are others you think would like to receive this Newsletter,
please ask them to contact us c/o:
contact.us AT laywitnessireland.org
