| ‘Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.’ – Hebrews 12: 14 |
| One of the most downplayed Christian ideas in our day is the sheer and utter holiness of God. Thank God that, in Christ, we can approach in reverence and be in God’s presence, but do we risk becoming too familiar? Do we come to him too casually? It’s not just that God is holy, he demands that we are holy too. Our experience in this life is to be one where God refines us by his Spirit and forms in us the character of Jesus. We sometimes use our own repetitive failings as an aide to forget the call to a holy life saying, ‘it’s impossible!’ Let us not forget grace!Here at Sannox during the season leading up to Easter we are considering the theme of holiness in our daily readings in morning prayer. Rather than being beat about, we’re finding amazing grace because the same grace that saved us is the grace that sanctifies us – it’s not without power!As you walk through these days of cultural and social confusion, may the holy God draw you in to His nature so that you may walk the world in white. |
| March Prayer Gathering Our next Friends of Sannox prayer gathering is at 8.00pm on Monday 4th March. We look forward to praying and worshipping together with as many of you as possible. Prayer underpins all we seek to do for the advancement of God’s Kingdom – please join us if you can. |
| Prayer Points Give thanks for: – A successful men’s retreat in February focussing on the life and call of Elijah, and the potential to begin regular work to bring men together here on the island. – Preparatory work on site beginning to make way for the Beehive Chapel! – The new storage space that is nearly complete, as part of the ongoing work, and for those who’ve been onsite to build it. – For the safe return of Heidi after her mission trip to Cambodia. |
| Please Pray For: – Our housekeeper, Michelle, who is returning to work after her bereavement. – Continuing favour on fundraising for ongoing running costs. – Our request to the Joseph Rank Trust for an extension of time for the £50,000 grant towards the Manse renovation costs, to enable us to secure more funds. The Trustees meet mid-April to decide. – Plans and preparation for this year’s Arran Open Studios with potential work with primary schools. – Our third upcoming ‘Sannox Stitches’ retreat. – A time of blessing at Sannox over Easter. – Our ferry service and increased stabilisation, and for the businesses affected by recent challenges. |
| Sannox Saturday Our next Sannox Saturday takes place on Saturday 2nd March. 2pm start with coffee, with a time of worship, prayer and a message following. We look forward to seeing all who are able to gather with us! Our speaker this month is Andrew Clark. |
| Upcoming Events and Retreats Sannox Stitches Knitting Retreat 19th March – 22nd March This is the third of our very popular knitting retreats at Sannox. We look forward to welcoming guests for a few relaxing days of crafting, conversation, prayer and friendship. Knitters, crocheters, crafters, spinners, weavers…all welcome! Check our events pages on Facebook or our website for more details – www.sannox.org Easter at Sannox 29th – 31st March We will be joining with the ecumenical walk of witness in Brodick on Good Friday. We will have our sunrise service on Sannox beach on Easter Sunday as well as a worship celebration at 2.30pm on Easter Sunday. Do come and celebrate with the Christian community on the island and here at Sannox. |
| ‘Going Deeper’ – Creative Writing Retreat 16th April – 19th April Join us for a few days set apart to explore creativity and spirituality through creative writing. The retreat will be led by Andrea Mill, a Christian Counsellor, lay preacher and writer living in Kinghorn in Fife. Visit our Facebook events page or website for more information. Sannox Songwriting Retreat 14th May – 17th May Join our worship leader, Jim Farrell, for a few days together in collaboration on a new retreat for this year, focussed on songwriting that helps express worship, faith and scriptural truth. For more details, see our Facebook events page or our website. |
| The Sannox Prayer “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 Trustees and staff of Sannox Christian Centre |