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PRAYER CIRCLE
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27 Nov-11 Dec 2017
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Reaching Hungarian speakers in southern Ukraine. Working for peace.
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Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
Joel 3:13 (NRSV)
God in His grace and mercy is ready to save. He is ready to forgive rather than punish and to display love rather than anger. He is calling for people to turn to Him.
Join us in praying for the people being impacted through Bible Society visits, Bible distributions, and much-needed Bible translation projects.
At this time of year, when we are looking to the coming of the Messiah and the freedom he brings, it is our prayer that many will encounter Him for the first time.
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Azerbaijan - One year of Bible Society work!
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This Children's Bible colouring book is being distributed in Azerbaijan in Azeri and in Russian.
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A little over a year ago, the Bible Society in Azerbaijan was officially registered by the government's Committee for Religious Affairs. This was the result of lots of hard work from the small local team, with the support of the United Bible Societies Fellowship.
"God is really good to us at this very important time, as we establish our young Bible Society," says Rasim Khalilov, who became General Secretary at the constitutional meeting last April. "We see how our partners are helping us make our first steps, and we really appreciate all of you, dear friends."
Azerbaijan, which is in Central Asia and was part of the USSR, is officially secular yet 96% of its population is Muslim. Christians of various denominations are a tiny minority of only a little over 2% of the 9.5 million population.
"Azerbaijan is a country that really needs the Bible," says Rasim. "Last week, we imported from Ukraine 3,000 Russian Bibles. Now we are busy distributing them among the churches that have been looking forward to receiving them! We also plan to print 1,600 Azeri Bibles to answer the need among Azeri speakers in our churches.
And we don't have any Scriptures for the youth either in Russian or in Azeri, so we will have to focus on that as well."
There are also many minorities in the country with no Bibles.
"So there is also a lot of work ahead of us with translating the Bible into those languages,"
adds Rasim.
Praise God for the result of much hard work to see the a Bible Society established in Azerbaijan. Give thanks for the opportunities that have already been opening up and pray that translation into minority languages will soon be able to begin. Ask God to bless the distribution of the Russian Bibles, may they reach people with open hearts.
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Hungary's New Testament for Peace
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Hungarian and Ukrainian New Testament text in one book. |
The Hungarian Bible Society recently launched a bilingual Ukrainian-Hungarian New Testament (NT) which will promote peace in a difficult context. Parts of Ukraine are Hungarian-speaking so new Ukrainian legislation against the use of the Hungarian language in Ukraine has cause tension.
The project to create the Ukrainian-Hungarian NT started at the end of 2015 and the two-year process came to fruition on 16th October when the NT was launched, mainly aimed at reaching the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
Although not planned, it was perfect timing. Here we see God's plans at work, even when we are unaware of it.
Indeed, only a few weeks before, on 5th September, the Ukrainian parliament had approved a bill to limit the use of foreign languages in Ukraine. The new legislation was denounced by minorities in Ukraine and nearby countries, including Hungary.
"The new publication symbolises how close Ukranian and Hungarian people can get in Christ, despite all the actual tensions generated by political or economic interests," explained Anatoliy Raychynets, Communications Director at the Ukrainian Bible Society.
Ottó Pecsuk, General Secretary of the Hungarian Bible Society says "We pray that God will use these Scriptures to show that Christians of any nationality can live in peace and harmony, and, together, praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6)" Please join Ottó in this prayer. May God's Word unite people that legislation is attempting to divide. Pray that many will see the love of God through these NTs and be deeply impacted.
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Latvian Hospital Visits
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Chaplain Marta praying with 99 year-old Rita who has lived here for 9 years.
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The Latvian Bible Society run a number of projects to reach vulnerable people with the precious Word of God. As well as providing Scripture for children who are ill and their families, they also reach older people who are in the last stages of life.
A few weeks ago, the team were able to visit the Mazsalaca hospital. They delivered the New Testament and the Psalms in large print, New Testament audio recordings and other books to the patients in the unit specialising in palliative care. The Bible Society team joined with Marta, the hospital chaplain and her volunteer in this sensitive ministry. This is a unit where around 50 elderly and sick people in the region are given the medical care they need.
The Hospital Director, Edgar Grandan, believes that the patients become much calmer with the presence and influence of chaplain Marta, and the Bible Society team could not help but notice the deep care she has for the patients. Praise God for the comfort that His love and His Word bring. Mazsalaca is just one of the Latvian district hospitals, which will receive this gift this year.
Thank God for these open doors into hospitals where people are in need of the comfort that comes from our Father. Pray that many will meet God through hospital visits. Pray that families will be impacted by God's Word and the hope that He offers.
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NEWS at HOME
Association of Mission Societies, Carol Service
All will be welcome to join us in St Anne's Cathedral for this evening of Advent carols and global stories. Bible Society NI will be taking part in the programme celebrating the birth of Christ our Saviour and the partnership of mission agencies to continue the spread of the Gospel around the world.
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 Christmas is a wonderful time to share gifts with loved ones while focusing on the Greatest Gift of all - our beautiful Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Why not consider giving a Christmas gift with a difference?
By using The Greatest Gift, you can give God's Word, on behalf of a friend, to someone still waiting around the world.
On receipt of a donation to one of our Christmas projects, we can send you a voucher to pass on to someone else, telling them you have made a donation as their gift. Have a look at our website for full details, or get in touch for a leaflet. There are lots of ways you can use this great idea.
ring on 028 9032 6577
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Daily Bible Reading Guide
The Daily Bible Reading Guide is a resource that we produce each year, simply to help people read the Bible in a structured, regular way.
This is made available
free to individuals and
churches and is always popular.
If you would like a copy, call in and pick one up, or if your group or church could make use of them, please do get in touch.
If you can't arrange for someone to collect your Reading Guides, we may ask you to cover the postage cost.
Order by phone 028 9032 6577,
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Speaking Engagements & Events
Wed 29 Nov, 6.30pm
- Catherine is at Ulster University, Coleraine, CU.
Thu 30 Nov, 8pm - Catherine is taking part in the AMS Carol service in St Anne's.
Mon 4 Dec, 2.30pm - Leah is speaking at the Knocknagoney Hall Ladies Fellowship.
Mon 4 Dec, 6.30pm - Catherine is at Queen's University CU.
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If you have any questions, give us a ring on
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