“Climate change represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity today” – Pope Francis

In the last number of years, we have seen so much change in our weather patterns. The earth is heating up, we have more severe storms, droughts, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and more.

Every year it seems to get worse. Currently there are fires raging across Europe, Canada, America. There is drought in England, Europe and America. The Rhine and Danube have never been so low, they are practically unnavigable. Interestingly, this has allowed various ancient ruins to be exposed in the riverbeds.

In all this, we need to remember that storms may come, circumstances may shake us, and sometimes the way forward may seem impossible, but God remains with us and is in control. read more…

 “A woman is a very special person in God’s creation, may it be a friend, a mother, a wife, a sister or partner in Christ.” (Anon)

As we celebrate Women’s Day in South Africa, we give thanks to God for the countless women whose faith, courage, compassion, and perseverance have shaped our families, churches, and communities. We remember the women of 1956 who stood with dignity and determination against injustice, reminding us that courage rooted in conviction can change history.

The Bible honours women who trusted God and served others—women such as Ruth, Esther, Mary, and Priscilla. Their lives remind us that God’s love and calling are for all people, and that each person is created in His image with unique gifts and purpose. read more…

“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.” Anon

Richard Halverson said, “Intercession is the truly universal work for the Christian. No place is closed to intercessory prayer: no continent, no nation, no city, no organization, no office. No power on earth can keep intercession out.”

The role of mediator in prayer was prevalent in the Old Testament, in the cases of Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor, and because of this, all Christian prayer becomes intercession since it is offered to God through and by Christ. Jesus closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus’ mediation, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or for the lost, asking God to grant their requests according to His will. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”  (1 Timothy 2:5). “Who is it that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us”. (Romans 8:34). read more…

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela

This week, on 18 July we will celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, when we commemorate his birth date by spending 67 minutes in service to our fellow citizens. The 67 minutes is symbolic of his 67 years in public service. It was inspired by Mandela himself on his 90^th birthday.

In our church, we have many activities that continue far beyond our 67 minutes. We remember the work of the EWA, Link, outreach programs, the loaves of bread, the knitting groups, hospital visits and many more things that go on quietly and effectively.

• Lord, we give you thanks for the members of our church who tirelessly work in the background, feeding the poor, educating the uneducated, providing warm blankets and clothes as well as covering books for Reading is Kwaai.

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Prayer Guide for the week 6 to 12 July

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
Edgar Guest, poet

James, in his letter writes that faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. In churches we see the members involved in many outreach projects into their local community, to the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the aged and the sick. Churches are setting up schools in the former townships for children whose parents cannot afford formal schooling. Ladies go into the former townships and teach sewing and knitting. In our church, we reach out with our bread donations, clothing for warmth month and more.

There are organisations (not necessarily Christian based) such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Gift of the Givers and Doctors without Borders who voluntarily give of their time to go into disaster areas to physically involve themselves in assisting in whatever way is needed.

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“A Christian’s freedom from anxiety is not due to some guaranteed freedom from trouble, but to the folly of worry and especially to the confidence that God is our Father, that even permitted suffering is within the orbit of His care.” (John Stott)

While so much in our modern life has made our life easier, there is equally much that causes us great stress and anxiety. We get anxious about aging, our children, finances and dread diseases. Sometimes these anxieties become too much, and for some, this can result in a breakdown and in the worst-case scenario, suicide. read more…