Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
This past month at Grace Church Orkney has been busy with lots going on. We began a new series in our Sunday services going through the book of Hebrews. It has already been a challenging and interesting few sermons as we look at chapter 1 and what it means for us all.
We have been blessed and encouraged to see two more professions of faith again this past month. One from a lady we have known for just over a year and a half now.
She came in through Soup Group but stopped attending. However, Cee and Miriam kept contact with her and she decided to start seeking the Lord a couple of months back. After meeting for some 1-2-1 sessions and hearing the Gospel fully, she repented and has made a decision to follow Jesus.
The second profession was from the husband of a member of the church. He has been coming along regularly to Sunday services and has been getting more involved. After sitting under the preaching on Sundays for many months now and with the faithful witness of his wife and prayers from the church he has repented and put his faith in Christ.
During the first week of August, Jason and Cee were able to go to Shetland for a week to help one of our new 20schemes partner churches run their annual Kids’ Soccer School. It was really good to be able to support Burra Baptist during this week. Jason and Cee were able to take part in the teaching sessions and have discussion time with the kids to tell them about Jesus as well as playing football with them.
The second week of the month was our own Kid’s holiday club. We were so grateful to have a mission team from Redeemer Bible Church, Arizona, come over for the week to help us. From the Monday to the Friday we were blessed to welcome between 16 and 20 kids daily for games, craft, stories, singing, food and fun. 7 of the children who came we have had no prior contact with. We were able to hold this week long club in the community centre in town and also to provide lunch for every child who came. During the week the kids were told the story of King David and how he points to the true and better King Jesus. We are praying for each and every child who came that they come to know Jesus as their Lord and saviour.
On the Saturday after the kids club week we were able to have a Family Fun Day for the whole community. We had lots of crafts, face painting, bouncy castle, carnival games, balloon modelling and a BBQ. We saw some of the kids from the kids club come along and also some families who were new to us. It was a good opportunity to meet people, get the name of Jesus known and to let people know about the ministries we are running.
Our regular kid’s club is changing from once a fortnight on Saturdays to weekly on Mondays. We have been wanting to go to weekly for a little while now, and after doing some research, it was decided to change to Mondays after school. We are hopeful that this will bring in more kids on a regular basis.
We were able to go away as a church for a weekend to an outdoor centre on one of the smaller Orkney Islands called Hoy. Most of the church members were able to stay at the centre for a couple of nights while some stayed nearby and others got the ferry over for the day. Andy and Tasha from Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh came and joined us to serve. Andy did 4 teaching sessions through the book of Jonah while Tasha looked after the kids during these sessions. It was a great time to come together and sit under the Lord’s word for the whole weekend while also spending time together exploring the Island and hanging out chatting. We are grateful to the Lord for letting us have this time to deepen our relationships with Him and with each other.
Mez will be away to America for most of September. He will be preaching and teaching at various churches and conferences. Miriam will be joining him for most of the time there where she will also be speaking and working. They will be missed by us all and we are praying for a fruitful time away as well some rest and relaxation.
PRAYER POINTS
Pray for us as we learn from Hebrews on Sundays that the congregation grows in their knowledge and love for Christ and that we are transformed more to His likeness
Pray for the kids who came to the holiday club and Family Fun Day that we see them at the weekly kids club. Pray that we were a good witness to their families and that they would come to church and be saved.
Pray for the 1-2-1s that we are doing. Pray that we can point to Jesus and that we can navigate some complex situations biblically and well.
Pray for the Youth BoxFit. This is a new ministry starting this month. Pray the youth come along and we can start to get to know them with the goal of sharing the Gospel.
Pray for Mez as he spends time in America preaching and teaching and for Miriam as she joins him for some conference sessions. Pray they can also get some time to rest and relax together.
If you’d like to take a next step in supporting the ministry:
PRAY | Join us in praying that 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 | Financially support this work so the least, last, and lost will hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
To give to the ministry as a financial offering from the U.K., please follow this link and select “Orkney” – 20schemes.info/orkneyukgive
Or follow this link if you are in the USA and select “Orkney” –