June 2021 – Prayer News

“Love and faithfulness meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.  The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.  Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”  [Psalm 85:10-13 NIV]

The National Prayer Breakfast Scotland will be streamed online from 8am-9am on Wednesday 2 June, followed by 12 hours of online prayer for the nation led in sections by over 20 churches, denominations and ministries (details at https://www.npbscotland.org.uk). The theme is ‘Restoration’ and these are the verses they are using.

‘Restoration’ is a major part of the Sannox vision – both the physical restoration of the existing buildings (plus new ones) and the spiritual restoration of an active faith community focussing on the three areas of personal devotion to God, hospitality and service to the community and mission to the wider world.  A key element of the vision is to create a house of prayer and worship seeking to answer the call to rediscover the Ancient Paths and find rest for our souls (Jeremiah  6:16), building on the Christian heritage of Sannox and continuing the ‘song’ God started in the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th Century.

Prayer is a vital key covering and underpinning the vision and everything being done to bring it into being.  We give thanks for all who faithfully pray for Sannox, and it is a joy to meet with those who can attend our online monthly prayer gatherings.  So if you can, please do join us again at our next monthly prayer gathering on 7 June (see below).

• the steady progress towards achieving the vision, despite the Covid restrictions;
• the first worship and prayer gatherings in the renovated Church, with a strong sense of God’s presence on each occasion;
• the ongoing increase in ‘one-off’ and regular gifts, and that around 2/3rds of the funds needed to meet the additional running costs have been received so far;
• the first guests arriving at Dundarroch from 1 June;
• the volunteers who have worked so hard to install the new fibre broadband cable and create the new paths;
• the ongoing building of local relationships on Arran;
• answered prayer for Maggie Lane, Director, whose healing is progressing, and who was able to visit Sannox recently.

• clear direction regarding a new home for Jim and Angie Farrell, who are currently following up a number of possible options;
• the first ‘post lockdown’ events (a) on Saturday 12 June programme, with Jim Farrell and Andy Hall, and (b) the Retreat to be led by Roy Searle 21-24 June – see below for more details;
• the successful re-opening of Dundarroch for resident guests from 1 June, and for more bookings, now that the easing of restrictions will allow more guests to stay at any one time – up to 6 people from 3 households if they are willing to share the kitchen and socially distance in the lounge;
• the completion of the paths around the church for wheelchair and emergency access – due to supply issues there has been a delay in the delivery of the remaining slabs needed;
• the continued increase in regular giving, to establish a firm financial foundation to meet all monthly running costs;
• the rest of the £270,000 needed to renovate the former Manse.

Our next Friends prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 7 June.  Login details are;

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85325057486?pwd=c3J0SzVEazBUTVNJL2tCNktnNGNsQT09

Meeting ID: 853 2505 7486
Passcode: 946222

Worship evening, Saturday 12 June, 7pm – 9pm.  Worship led by Jim Farrell, speaker Andy Hall.  Opportunity for ministry.  This event will not be livestreamed, so you are invited to join Jim and Andy at Sannox to celebrate this first post-lockdown event.  Contact Heidi at admin@sannox.org for further details.

‘Walking the Ancient Paths’ – a Retreat led by Roy Searle, 21-24 June.  There are still a few places available for this special time.  Contact Heidi at admin@sannox.org for further details, times etc. or visit www.sannox.org and click the link to this event from the Home page.

Project 200 is what we are calling the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the completion of Sannox church in 1822.  Plans are currently being drawn up and all Friends of Sannox are invited to a special online meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 17 June when the Directors will share the proposals being considered and invite your comments and feedback.

This is an exciting opportunity to mark a significant anniversary, involve the Arran community and the wider Sannox community in the vision, and advance the next phase of the restoration programme.  Please put this date in your diary now!  Login details and background information will be circulated by the weekend before the 17th.

“Today I choose to stand in this place you have called me to,
And I declare that You are a Mighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Your Kingdom shall endure and will never be shaken.
Open the windows of Heaven and pour out Your promised blessings in this generation.
Revive us, restore us and heal our land.
Thank you for going before us to open the way and remove all obstacles.
Increase our Faith, stir up Hope and keep us grounded and walking in Love.
Thank you that You are creating a dwelling place for God and man here – in Sannox, on Arran, for the nations.
Amen”

We bless you in the name of Jesus, to receive all that the Father has for you, and we thank you for your continuing support of His work at SCC.  Be blessed and protected in all you do for the Kingdom, in the mighty and beautiful name of Jesus.

The Directors of Sannox Christian Centre