| Mark 5:22 (ESV) Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing Him, he fell at His feet As we continued our Sunday morning series through the book of Mark this month we came to this verse in chapter 5 and saw the example of Jairus, a man who came and fell at Jesus’ feet. We were challenged to ask ourselves how we approach Christ. Are we coming to Him with the reverence and awe that He rightly deserves? Are we throwing ourselves at His feet knowing that He is worthy? October has been a busy month for us again here at Grace Church Orkney. We attended the 20 Schemes Weekender at Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh. This was a great time of teaching, encouragement and meeting up with other 20 Schemes churches. We also got to meet new candidates who are considering coming to serve and also those who already partner with us or who are considering becoming partners. At the Women’s pre-conference on the Friday, Cee led one of the sessions speaking on the title “Called to Gentleness”. This is the first time she has spoken like this so it was a big step but all went well and the Lord was praised. . On Friday evening we gathered for a praise and worship session and at the main conference on Saturday Mez led the first session on prayer. The week leading up to the conference was a busy time for Mez with him spending the week in Edinburgh meeting those who are interested in the work of 20 Schemes and interviewing candidates. We were also able to have 4 guys from New York state come back to Orkney with us for a few days after the conference to see the work here and to experience what life is like on the island. The weekend of the Edinburgh Weekender had terrible weather with strong winds and the ferry to get on and off the island was cancelled. This gives a glimpse of one of the challenges faced. If the ferry stops then transportation for people is limited and food deliveries for the shops don’t make it over. Thankfully the planes were still able to fly so we all made it home. We have begun to meet for our Sunday services in the local community centre. Our little building is a great facility to have and we are thankful to own it and to be able to use it for future ministries. However with new people joining us for Sunday services and the addition of more children we needed more space and the community centre provides us with lots of room to seat everyone with space for more, a big separate room for the kids Sunday school and a big area for our weekly church lunch after.  Soup Group continues to run on Tuesdays. The regulars come in for their bowls of homemade soup and bread and to play games after. This is still a great time of encouragement for those who come along and some good conversations are had. We are praying the Lord moves in the lives of the non-believers and they come to saving faith through Christ. The team are still in there planning stages for new ministries and outreach. They have been meeting together to pray for this as well as our church and community. We have already seen prayers answered with our move to the community centre and in the Lord providing opportunities with those in the community we are praying for. Please pray for all these ministries that the Lord blesses them, brings new people along and we are able to share the gospel and see souls saved. Mez has been away from the end of October in America. He has been busy there travelling around, preaching and teaching at different churches and events. One of these teaching events saw him teach a 5 hour session in a women’s supermax prison where he taught at the prison seminary on the topic of abuse to women who are facing no less than 50 years inside for their crimes. Each of these women have expressed a desire to attend seminary after professing faith in Christ so that they might start their own ministries in prisons to tell people about Christ and disciple them well. Please pray that fruit comes out of this, that the women are truly saved and bring others to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. The Huffmier family are settling in well and we are so glad they are here. Andrew has taken the lead with the music as well as leading services. We are still praying for provision for a house for them so that they can feel more settled as a family. Their desire is to find a family home in Stromness town that they can use for ministry and to have locals be able to pop in and hang out easily. Housing here is expensive and scarce and mortgages are difficult when you’re not a UK citizen. Please pray with us that they see the Lord’s provision in this.  We thank you for your ongoing prayers and support Do you feel called to : PRAY GIVE COME PRAY Join us in praying the Lord blesses the work here and enables us to spread the Gospel in Stromness, Orkney and that souls are saved for His glory GIVE Join us by giving financially so that the least, the last, and the lost in the community can hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ COME Join us by coming to visit to encourage and see the work God is doing or to work on the ground serving serving Christ in the schemes of Scotland To give to the ministry as a financial offering please use ban account details :Name : 20schemes Ltd Account number : 00147370Sort code : 82-12-08Reference : Grace Church Orkney Or follow this link if you are in the USA and select Orkney :https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/20SchemesInc/churchplants.html |