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LENT WEEK Two
John 19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many
of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and
Greek.
Even though it probably means changing the law, the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. Also because of
Covid, many charities expect a severe drop in donations. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything
else, I offer the idea of giving up a few minutes of your week to be reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still
being done. Through Lent we are focussing on the needs of different peoples. Each Wednesday a different charity will be highlighted. Of
course any would be pleased to receive a donation to their work or your prayers or both.
This week the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators
We are a member of the Wycliffe Global Alliance, and partner with organisations worldwide in working towards universal access to the
Bible. The full Bible is now available in close to 700 languages, and the New Testament in over 1,500 languages. But with 1.5 billion
people still without access to the full Bible in the language that speaks to them best, our vision of universal access is far from a reality,
and the need for translation remains as great as ever.
Selections and stories are available in a further 1,160 other languages, spoken by 458 million people.
How many languages still need translation?
There are currently 3,945 languages with no Scripture. 167 million people, speaking 2,014 languages, still need translation work to begin.
1 in 5 people, speaking 6,656 languages, do not have a full Bible in their first language.
Wycliffe Bible Translators was founded in 1953. Currently we have over 360 people from the UK and Ireland serving over 470 million
people speaking over 350 languages in over 70 countries.
The very first Wycliffe members from the UK worked with people groups in South America, following the lead of Wycliffe US members.
It wasn’t long, however, before UK members started to concentrate more of their efforts on Africa and unreached people groups there.
Now, while UK members still maintain a strong focus on Africa, our member base is increasingly spread across more of the world.
Over the years, methods have shifted from British members going and translating the Bible for language communities, to our members
coming alongside language communities and working in partnership with local colleagues, assisting mother-tongue speakers to translate
the Bible themselves. Our tools and methods have also changed over the years – while paper and pencil are still useful in very early
stages for making notes on the sounds that make up a language, laptops, specialist translation software and high-speed internet that
allows for real-time communication over long distances can make all the difference in today’s Bible translation projects.
You can copy and paste the link into your browser for short videos
https://youtu.be/3L7k9JH_imo
https://youtu.be/6N_S6IpCcbo
More encouraging stories at https://www.wycliffe.org.uk
LENT WEEK ONE
Psalm 82 How long will you defend the unjust, and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
Even though it probably means changing the law, the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. Also because of
Covid, many charities expect a severe drop in donations. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything
else, I offer the idea of giving up a few minutes of your week to be reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still
being done. Through Lent focussing on the needs of different peoples. Each Wednesday a different charity will be highlighted. Of
course any would be pleased to receive a donation to their work or your prayers or both.
This week the work of Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian charity which partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries. We tackle poverty and
injustice through sustainable development, by responding to disasters and challenging injustice. We believe an end to extreme poverty
is possible.
Thousands of people needlessly suffer and die every day because of poverty. But that’s not God’s plan for the world. And God is calling
you – all of us – to reach out to people in greatest need. We partner with local churches and organisations who have a crucial role to
play in the places worst affected by poverty.
Our mission is to follow Jesus where the need is greatest. We want to see a world restored to how God intended by releasing people
trapped in poverty, through the actions of Christians and churches. So that they can fulfil their God-given potential and live life to the
full..
In more than 50 years, we’ve helped vast numbers of communities to be transformed. Between 2006 and 2016, we calculated that
Tearfund reached 32 million people through our community development projects, and 13 million people benefitted from our disaster
response work
We’ve supported people on the brink of disaster to become resilient to shocks, self-sufficient and empowered, boldly speaking up for
their rights. We know our approach works. We want to take it to the next level and we invite you to join us.
Last year...
+1m people reached through our response to disasters
2.4m people reached through community development work
+15,000 churches mobilised
If you copy and paste into your browser you will find two very short videos of their work.
https://vimeo.com/508883266/2bd0ba7717
https://vimeo.com/505742473/e0f0eb6106
Many encouraging stories found at Tearfund.org.
LENT WEEK Three
Psalm 36 How priceless is your unfailing love. Both high and low find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Even though it probably means changing the law, the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. Also because of Covid, many charities
expect a severe drop in donations. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything else, I offer the idea of giving up a few
minutes of your week to be reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still being done. Through Lent we are focussing on the needs of
different peoples. Each Wednesday a different charity will be highlighted. Of course any would be pleased to receive a donation to their work or your
prayers or both.
This week the work of Mission Aviation Fellowship
At MAF, we believe nothing should stop people from receiving the love of God and the essentials of life – no matter how remote they are. Our vision is to see
'isolated people physically and spiritually transformed in Christ's name.' We use aviation and technology, because in many places those are the only ways to
reach isolated people in need.
For 75 years, MAF has been flying light aircraft over jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts. We enable more than 2,000 aid, development and mission
organisations to bring medical care, emergency relief, long-term development and Christian hope to thousands of communities.
Every four minutes an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere in the world to help eliminate the barriers to physical and spiritual transformation.
Enabling partners is at the core of what we do and you can help make it possible.
In today's 'connected world', the irony is that never have so many people been so isolated. Many remote communities have never heard the Gospel and are
living in spiritual darkness.
If a person has a medical emergency and the nearest hospital is a few days walk or an uncomfortable drive on rough roads, their prognosis is poor.
When natural disasters, conflict or famine strike hard-to-reach places, an aircraft may be the only safe way to reach the people on the ground
You can copy and paste the link into your browser for a short video
https://youtu.be/0y2S4sX73Ug
Many encouraging stories found at https://www.maf-uk.org
LENT WEEK four
Psalm 95 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving, and extol him with music and song.
Even though it probably means changing the law, the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. Also because of Covid, many charities
expect a severe drop in donations. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything else, I offer the idea of giving up a few minutes
of your week to be reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still being done. Through Lent we are focussing on the needs of different
peoples. Each Wednesday a different charity will be highlighted. Of course any would be pleased to receive a donation to their work or your prayers or both.
This week the work of Prospects across Scotland
Our aims are:
To raise awareness among Christians in Scotland about the needs of people with learning disabilities.
To equip churches to be more effective in how they welcome people with learning disabilities and share the good news about Jesus in a way they can
understand.
To provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities to take part in church and develop a relationship with Jesus.
To highlight the gifts of people with learning disabilities and how they can build up the church.
Where do we work?
Prospects works with churches all over Scotland. Some churches try to make changes to their regular services to make them more accessible to people with
learning disabilities. Other churches run a group aimed at bringing a Bible message to people with learning disabilities in an understandable way.
Groups are of all shapes and sizes meeting local need. Using strong welcome, crafts, suitable space, puzzles, drama, music and singing, drinks and cake time.
Copy and paste the link into your browser for a short video
https://youtu.be/o8VLIg0LePE
Many encouraging stories found at https://www.prospectsacrossscotland.org.uk/
Lent week 5
1John 3 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Even though it probably means changing the law, the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. Also because of Covid, many
charities expect a severe drop in donations. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything else, I offer the idea of giving up a
few minutes of your week to be reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still being done. Through Lent focussing on the needs of
different peoples. Each Wednesday a different charity will be highlighted. Of course any would be pleased to receive a donation to their work or your
prayers or both.
This week the work of CrossReach - which began 150 years ago, within the Church of Scotland and continues as the Social Care Council of the Church of
Scotland, operating as CrossReach.
At CrossReach we offer loving care to people of all ages who are in need of a helping hand, supporting them to live life to the full whatever their
circumstances. We have been at the forefront of high quality social care for 150 years. During that time we have worked hard to understand the needs of the
people who turn to us for help and with them have been at the forefront of pioneering services which have literally changed thousands of lives for the better.
Today we are one of the largest care providers in Scotland, with experience across a broad range of services. CrossReach employ more than 1,800 staff and
support some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.
The Services include counselling, care for older people, help with alcoholism, drug and mental health problems and assistance for homeless people and those
with special learning needs. Residential care includes for elderly, dementia, children, young adults, mental health difficulties, learning disabilities. We are
still growing, learning and improving, thanks to the incredible people we have the privilege to support, and all those who support us. We aim to show the
practical side of our Christian faith by reflecting Christian love to those we support, through our leadership, management and working relationships.
Copy and paste the links to see the very wide nature of provided services, and encouraging stories.
https://www.crossreach.org.uk/our-locations
https://www.crossreach.org.uk/news
Lent week 6
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet, and a light for my path.
Even though it probably means changing the law, the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. Also because of Covid, many charities
expect a severe drop in donations. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything else, I offer the idea of giving up a few
minutes of your week to be reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still being done. Through Lent focussing on the needs of different
peoples. Each Wednesday a different charity will be highlighted. Of course any would be pleased to receive a donation to their work or your prayers or both.
This week the work of the Scottish Bible Society
Since 1809, we have sought, under God, to put the Bible into people’s hands and hearts. We distribute Bibles, New Testaments and other Scripture-based
materials, in a range of media, in Scotland and throughout the world.
Our Mission is To support Bible work globally through fundraising and partnering in a variety of ways with fellow Bible Societies within the United Bible
Societies fellowship.
To work with the church in Scotland to improve Biblical knowledge and understanding through meaningful engagement with the Bible and thus contributing
to the growth of people’s relationship with God.
To make wise use of opportunities to be advocates for the Bible in a variety of contexts within our culture so that those who are influencers recognise the
value of the Bible in shaping strong and caring cultures.
Copy and paste the link for a short video
https://scottishbiblesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Bible-2020-film-v9-FINAL.mp4
Copy and paste the link for encouraging stories
https://scottishbiblesociety.org/home-old/
Lent final week Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your
God?
Many charities have or expect to report a significant downturn in donations over the past year or so. Even though it probably means changing the law
the UK government is seeking to drastically cut foreign aid support. During Lent, rather than suggesting giving up chocolate or wine or anything else, I
offer the idea of being reminded and encouraged that good work in Christ’s name is still being done. Of course any would be pleased to receive a
donation to their work or your prayers or both.
This week the work of Christian Aid.
Everyone is equal in the sight of God. Yet we live in a world where poverty still persists .Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of their
dignity and lets injustice thrive. But together we have the power to transform lives. For over 70 years, we’ve been standing with the poorest of our
neighbours. We work in 37 countries, with people of all faiths and none, to stand up for dignity, equality and justice. Together we can create a world
where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. Our voices and actions are stronger together. And with your help, we can make an even bigger
difference.
We believe in life before death. We seek to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, who commanded his followers to love their neighbour and work for a
better world. We stand with the most vulnerable and excluded people of the world – both in times of crisis and for the longer term. We give people
survival essentials when they are without shelter or refuge, and help them find the strength and resources they need to flourish and protect themselves
from shocks and disasters. We support people to stand up for their rights and to build stable, secure lives they can enjoy living.
Together with our supporters and partners, we aim: to expose poverty throughout the world, to help in practical ways to end it, to highlight, challenge
and change the structures and systems that favour the rich and powerful over the poor and marginalised.
Copy and paste the links for two short videos
https://youtu.be/GT9JNpi0P44
https://youtu.be/xa4jC5AeAZo
See https://www.christianaid.org.uk for more about their work