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'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself'" (Luke 10:27) |
We Invite you to our Sunday Morning Service
Starting at 10.30 am with Celebration, Praise and Worship |
WE WELCOME YOU TO THIS EDITION OF
OUR FRIDAY MAIL
AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE INCREASING NUMBER SIGNING UP TO RECIEVE THIS WEEKLY
WE HOPE IT HELPS YOU WITH THE VARIOUS UPDATES ON PRAYER NEEDS GLOBALLY AND CLOSER TO HOME
AND KEEP YOU INFORMED WITH ALL THATS COMING UP AT CHURCH
WHY NOT INVITE FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALONG TO ONE OF MANY EVENTS COMING UP THIS MONTH
Our Guest Speaker this Sunday
Pastor Rob Payne
at our 10.30 am Service
FOR PASTOR ROB'S BIO
CLICK
Pastors Terry & Juanita recently had the opportunity to be filmed as guests on a episode of
Today with J John
Don’t miss this exciting episode as Terry & Juanita share about
‘Miracles, Marriage and Generosity’.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR FELLLOWSHIP
AND ENJOY A TEA OR COFFEE AFTER OUR MEETING
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Catch up with Sermons you've missed |
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Watch Again?
All recent messages
available on the Website
Sunday 14th April
Children will continue learning how Jesus conquered the curse of sin and death by the power of His own death and resurrection.
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During term time, children will stay with parents to enjoy Worship in the main service then join Sunday Club from 11 am - noon.
Each Sunday enthusiastic children (ages 2-10) meet to worship, pray, play and learn about the Bible, the life of Jesus and how to live a Christ centered victorious life.
CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH
If you are interested in helping, subject to the usual safeguarding checks, please contact the Church Office.
THE BIBLE SAYS
Start the children off on the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22: 6
Parents/Guardians Request More Information
NEWS AND EVENTS COMING UP
WHEN YOU PRAY GOD LISTENS
WHEN YOU LISTEN GOD SPEAKS
WHEN YOU BELIEVE GOD WORKS
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS - WHY NOT JOIN US?
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POP UP SHOP TODAY
Volunteers needed to serve refreshments for customers
please contact Church Office if you would like to help.
APRIL DROP ZONE NEEDS
NEXT MEETING 2ND JUNE
DUE TO MAY BANK HOLIDAY
LOOSE CHANGE CHALLENGE
Thank you to all those who have donated their loose change to this year's appeal
DONATIONS SO FAR £36.43. Thank you
YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND
THURSDAY 2ND MAY
YOUR CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING WORK AT ROL
AS WE CELEBRATE OUR SPRING GIFT WEEK
STARTING 21ST APRIL
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Ministry News |
Why are Christian women more vulnerable during Ramadan?
Nargena*, a convert from Islam, was gathered at an underground house church in Central Asia when her son barged in and verbally abused everyone. He was furious that she was at a Christian meeting, whilst he continued to follow the Islamic customs that he’d been raised with.
He was particularly angry because it was Ramadan – a month of fasting for Muslim people, which concludes next week with Eid al-Fitr. It’s a time when converts like Nargena can be particularly vulnerable, even from their own family. “You're shaming me, your mother,” Nargena said to her son, before he grabbed her hand and took her home.
It’s one of several incidents of persecution that have happened in Central Asia during Ramadan. Believers can stand out for not engaging with rituals, exposing them to attack, whilst it is also a time when more extreme Muslims are particularly likely to show hostility towards Christians.
Please pray
• That Nargena, and others like her who’ve experienced persecution during Ramadan, will be given strength to persevere in their faith
• That their families will come to know Jesus
• That Christian women and girls in Central Asia will be given wisdom, courage and protection as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of Ramadan.
Taunted by own family
In many incidents of persecution against women and girls, the shame comes alongside other tactics, like abandonment by their own families. Given the dependency our sisters have on male relatives as breadwinners, this can in turn bring the additional challenge of financial hardship.
It’s a situation familiar for Zarina*, who lives elsewhere in Central Asia. She has been expelled from her home by her Muslim husband after she decided to follow Jesus, who said that he did not need such ‘disgrace’ in his old age. Her daughter and son-in-law have also cut her off. She is currently living with a woman from her church. As well as severely impacting her livelihood, Zarina – as a woman in this culture – is deeply affected by being tarnished and shamed by the label of ‘disgrace’.
Baria* is much younger but her experience carries similar undertones. After she became a Christian, she was expelled from home by her Muslim parents and relatives, who have verbally abused her and taunted her that she will never get married or give birth to ‘normal’ children. The experience has left her devastated.
All three of these incidents have happened during Ramadan. Believers can stand out for not engaging with rituals, exposing them to attack, whilst it is also a time when more extreme Muslims are particularly likely to show hostility towards Christians. Women stand out if they choose not to wear Islamic dress, such as the hijab – one woman in the wider region told an Open Doors partner, “We, as women, are forced to wear a veil during Ramadan, because we converted to Christianity in secret.” She shared that she feels less vulnerable during the rest of the year.
*Names changed for security reasons
Please keep the precious children who received your shoeboxes in your prayers.
May they have studied the Greatest Gift book and volunteered for The Greatest Journey course. May they have a true sense of God's love and know that we care for them.
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Prayer Ministry Prayer Ministry |
SCRIPTURE
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
PRAYER
Give us grace to humble our hearts, repent of our sins, be faithful in prayer and always seeking to know you more. Amen
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River of Life Church
2 Carr Road
Felixstowe
IP11 2FS
mail@riveroflifechurch.net
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