One of the areas from the Vision Committee report adopted at the recent congregational meeting is to encourage our St. Andrew's family in their bible reading.

At the back of the sanctuary by both doors are copies of the ‘Log’ for those who wish one. This plan is designed to achieve reading through the bible in one year.We encourage everyone to undertake this goal and we can begin together as a church family to achieve our aim.

This reading log is provided free of charge by the Navigators but they do depend upon donations to underwrite their costs. Should you wish to donate towards the cost of the reading logs, please do so through your offering envelope and mark it under the 'Other' section and indicate for Bible Reading Log.

Thank you.

• One Year Bible OnLine Here is a great link, a One Year Bible reading plan? Visit this site and explore this great tool.
• On Line ReadingsBible readings and comments at the One Year Bible Blog!
• Bible Commentary Would you like to read some Bible commentaries? Well here’s the best Bible commentary website we can find! Don’t pass on this one!
• Bible on the Radio:Listen to our daily One Year Bible readings on your computer, iPod, or MP3 player! This is a Bible podcast at its finest!
• Small Group Resource:Want weekly "roadmaps" for a One Year Bible small group at your church? This is the link!

By Richard Speller
Oct 5, 2005

Towards the end of his life the apostle Paul wrote the following words to Timothy " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." ( 2 Timothy 3: 16-17).

I expect if we are being honest many of us probably have whole sections of the Bible which we rarely read. Yet here Paul is saying that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful. Yes that does include the second half of Exodus and the book of Leviticus!

To enable us to get the most out of God's word it is important that we read it all. If we only read the New Testament then we are missing out on seeing all God did in the Old Testament with his people Israel. There are so many great and inspiring stories in the Old Testament: Ruth loyalty to her mother-in law Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17); Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego's determination not to compromise their faith (Daniel 3)and David humbling himself before God after his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51) to name but three.

Although reading the whole Bible can seem a daunting challenge, it is relatively easy to read it all the way through in a year. If you spent 20 minutes a day reading the Scriptures you will read the whole of the Bible in a year. Most of us can find 20 minutes to spare to do this and if that seems too much, how about 10 minutes in the morning and another 10 minutes in the evening? When you think about how long we spend watching television or on the internet surely that is not too difficult to do!

There are many different readings plan available to use. I'm currently using one by Rev M'Cheyne, which you can find a link to on my website. Alternatively just go into your favourite search engine and type in " Bible Reading Plans". However, it does not really matter what plan you use the important thing is to get started and discover the benefits of reading the whole Bible!

The Navigators of Canada is an evangelical non-profit organization with a long history of working with individuals and churches to fulfil Christ's great commission to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19) by multiplying labourers for Christ across Canada and overseas.

Illustrations

Jesus used illustrations from everyday life to explain complex concepts. Parables, as they were called, are extremely effective.

Our mission is to reach, disciple and equip people to know Christ and to make Him known through successive generations.

In The Navigators, some illustrations have stood the test of time and have been helpful to many people. These are available free—for your encouragement and for use in your personal ministry.

• 7 Minutes With God
• Personal Bible Reading
• The Wheel Illustration
• The Bridge Illustration
• The Hand Illustration
• Journey With God

These illustrations can be found at http://navscanada.gospelcom.net/FreeTools/index.html

The devotional booklets for the months of June, July and August, are available at the back of the sanctuary. Mail-in forms are available for the large print version of the devotional. We encourage you to take a booklet and begin reading God's word daily.

Heavenly Father we come to thy throne of grace knowing that nothing is going to happen to us this day that we can't handle together.

Amen

One simple way to pray is to picture in your mind the people you are concerned about. Imagine Jesus looking at them with love, just as you are looking at them with your

Praying for Difficult Situations

If you have a difficult situation you are facing, and you want to pray for God’s help, think of Jesus being with you there in that situation. Tell Jesus what you are feeling and thinking. What is Jesus’ response to you? Continue your conversation with Jesus. Christians believe Jesus is the risen Christ who has overcome evil and is able to understand us and help us in our weakest moments.

Prayer is also just being with God. Sometimes you can pray by sitting in silence, especially in a place you enjoy being, and bask in God’s loving light.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds.

Joining in Prayer

The St. Andrew's family regularly joins together in  prayer. Requests for communal prayer are announced during our worship service or requested by e-mail to members of our church family.

• To request a prayer send the request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• To join our prayer chain mailing list contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks to Vivian May Ball for a good portion of this announcement.

As most of you are aware, St. Andrew's is a praying congregation and we are so grateful for this. We have a 'prayer chain' under the leadership of Joan Moore with Bill

Under Joan and Bill are team captains who have several people on their team. When a prayer request is received either directly to Joan or through the Church Office or Pastor Gary, Joan will call the various captains who in turn call their people. In Joan's absence, Bill has been doing this. He is stepping down from the position but will remain on a prayer team. We are very thankful to Bill for his many years of involvement with our prayer ministry. At this time we are looking for others to become active in on our Prayer Teams. If you feel this is an area you'd like to help with, or would like further information, please contact Joan Moore @ 389-3796