1. Abram’s Story Called/invited by God to be his friend & follower Scared of Egyptians & didn’t trust God’s care I will bless you.... and you will be a blessing to others. To “bless” someone is to - ask God to treat them very well & help them treat people very kindly ask God’s protection from bad things

2. Prayer Matters Our new mayor, councillors & health board Cyclone Phailin hitting east coast of India half a million evacuated Chemical weapons inspectors working in Syria Beit Immanuel’s church life and sharing good news of Messiah Jesus with Jewish people Joseph & Lois Bateson – training & selecting missionary candidates in Hamilton St Albans elders & staff & ministry leaders our fellowship, ministries & witness in the community

3. Abrahams Journey of faith Genesis chapters 12-18 Which part of Abraham’s story do you identify with the most?

4. Abram’s Call to leave his home for a land, many descendants, to be a blessing Abram’s fear of the Egyptians and failure to trust God God’s Covenant relationship with Abram a traditional and mysterious ceremony new names and a new covenant sign The Promise of a Son Abram’s plan through his servant Eliezer to adopt an heir Sarai’s plan through her servant Hagar to provide a surrogate for an heir The dilemma of trusting God versus taking initiative Visits from ‘The angel of the Lord’ The faith of Abram to remain hopeful for a son Abram believed & God counted him as righteous because of his faith. Sarah doubted her husband’s confidence.