He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion
 

Small Groups
 
Please give thanks for

• the recently completed Growing in Faith course.
• the recently completed Christianity Explained course.
• the number of small groups we have and the way that people are discipled and cared for in so many ways.
• The leaders who so faithfully serve in this ministry.

• the people who have just finished the Growing in Faith course to be settled in the right place for each one of them.
• wisdom to see if they should continue in a group together or be split into a number of groups.
• the right follow up to be in place for the last Christianity Explained group especially for those who are new to church.
• the Thursday Bay Ignite homegroup that the people who attend will find their faith strengthened and receive the help and care they need.
• the current group members to attend regularly and see their faith be strengthened and to know they are loved and cared for.
• Martin and Anne as they continue to oversee the work and as they meet with Anthony in the near future to look at where to place people and what to study next.
• the leaders of the groups in all their preparation of the studies that God would excite and inspire them as they learn for themselves and then seek to teach others amazing truths.
• Anthony as this summer he intends to take a short retreat to look at how we ensure that our small group ministry is sustainable in the long term.
• the 30-minute meetings Anthony is hoping to have with each set of leaders prior to this retreat to be useful and to help him discern God’s leading in this area of our church’s life.
• Wisdom in knowing how we disciple and care for our Tuesday Bay Ignite congregation who do not have access to small groups at present.
• the people for whom small groups are not a useful place, for a number of legitimate reasons, for them to grow in faith, to be discipled and cared for in a manner that is appropriate for them.
• the current studies in 2 Corinthians to be encouraging and to strengthen the faith of all the members of our groups.

• the way our church family lives differently and point people to Jesus.
• the ministries which reach out with the good news of Jesus in many ways, particularly thanking God for all those who serve in these ministries.
• the way God is bringing new people to our services especially on a Sunday morning.

• the people who come to the South Room and Food Larder that they would get the help that they need.
• the people who come to the South Room and Food Larder that they would engage with other church activities and come to know the Lord Jesus.
• the team in the South room to be wise in all they say and do and be able to point people to Jesus.
• the people who come to the larder to know that God is a generous God as they receive generously from His people.
• the Baytastic event this Sunday that many will come to fill in prayer cards and engage with the team.
• the Baytastic team to be able to in a right and proper way point people to Jesus and be able to hand out many invitations.
• the people who are still joining us on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday to be welcomed well and begin to engage with God as He encourages them to meet with God’s people.
• the growing ministry to care homes and flats with warden support that in all the services people will be drawn nearer to Jesus.
• the holiday club that –
  • the children to come to or grow in their faith in the Lord Jesus.
  • the right number of children to sign up in the next weeks.
  • Simon and Denise as they lead the team and as they will be the face of the holiday club.
  • the team in their various roles including talks, drama, group leadership, craft, refreshments, care of children and team, reception and more!
  • the young leaders (aged 12-17) to find serving grows their faith.
• the sea baptisms to be observed by people who do not yet follow Jesus and that they would be drawn to find out more about Him.