Monday 8 September 2008

Peace

A few weeks ago Simon, in his sermon, remarked on all the stress so many people seem to be under through work, with so little time for themselves or anything else. He told us that in the ‘60’s it was predicted that in the future, only 22 hours would make up a working week, and speculation arose about how to fill the extra time we might have on our hands. It seems not to have worked out like that, and most people, whether in work or retired, seem as busy and stressed as ever, with little or no time to spare. Simon quoted Matthew Chap.11v28; when Jesus said;
‘Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.’


This is perhaps something that we do not always do, but, if we do go to Jesus with our worries, concerns and heavy burdens, He is there to share our load, to lighten our burden, and lead us into the quiet waters, of peace and tranquillity. We must just trust in Him. Another week, Simon read out the following revised version of the 23rd Psalm, which I find very helpful. Just to read it through is a very steadying experience and helps us remember Jesus is with us, however busy we are, or in whatever situation we may find ourselves, there is His calming and supportive presence to uplift and sustain us.

‘The Lord is my pace setter, I will not rush. He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.
He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity. He leads me through ways of efficiency, through calmness of mind, and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret for His presence is there.
His timelessness, His all importance will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquillity.
My cup of joyous energy overflows. Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours, for I shall walk in the pace of my Lord, and dwell in his house forever.

Peace be with you,
Doreen

New Beginnings

When I’m travelling I always like to read any “wayside pulpits” I pass. You know the sort of thing: What’s missing from ch—ch?
U R !
The ones outside the WEC as you approach J10 are often eye-catching. The current one reads: Free fuel here. Fill your life not your car.


The winner of a recent wayside pulpit competition was: Don’t give up – Moses was a basket case! That one, of course, needs some biblical knowledge to understand. The message, though, is clear. God can use any of us and we must keep listening for his call. It is up to us to respond when that voice comes, the niggling reminder of that person we should have phoned but didn’t, the words spoken too harshly or the encouragement we failed to give.

Next week sees the move from summer to autumn. The children return to school moving on to a new class or even a new school or college. Church activities will also be starting up again; choir, homegroups and so on. Hopefully the summer break will have given an opportunity to spend time doing non-routine things, perhaps with family or relaxing on holiday. It is always good to have a change and return refreshed with new ideas. Today we welcome Isobel and her family as they bring her for baptism. A new start for Isobel as she is welcomed into God’s family and an opportunity for others to make promises on her behalf.

Back-to-church Sunday will be in 4 weeks time. It is up to us to invite someone to come. This could lead to a real new beginning for that person.

Parent and Toddler will restart on12th September. Like the cafĂ©, this is a major outreach project. There can be up to 20 children and their mums, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers all playing together. St. Martin’s enables this to happen and help is needed to set out the toys, make drinks and chat, wash up and clear away. If you can spare a couple of hours on a Friday morning from time to time please let Emma, Louise or me know.

Liz Dunthorne

Rainy Days

I stood against the railings at the edge of the promenade and looked out across the misty North Sea. The tide was high and lapped gently against the sea wall, surprisingly calm and tranquil despite the strong breeze and dark clouds which threatened the heavy and persistent rain which would soon follow. An August weekend but few people braving the cold wet day, preferring possibly to stay safely indoors and hide away from what could be described as a dark, miserable day.
There are days when we can all feel a little like the description of the weather – too much to do, not enough time to do it in, pressure from work, pressure from home, worry about children or elderly relatives, ever increasing bills to pay, income which does not stretch as far as it used to, heartbreaking stories in every aspect of the media. No wonder people begin to feel miserable and depression is increasing at an alarming rate. Not surprising that at times we are tempted to hide away, fearing to face the day ahead because we think we may not cope and look or feel inadequate and ineffective.

But it is when we are at our weakest that God is at his strongest and stands alongside us or will send someone to be beside us.

As I sheltered from the heavy rain and looked in the distance a ray of sunshine peeped above the horizon with a promise of better weather to come, the seagulls began to screech loudly (although not nearly so noisy as they had been at 4.00am) as if they knew the sun would soon be shining, and even in the passing rain the abundance of carefully planted flowers looked magnificent; Gods glory and restoring power is evident every where, whatever the weather or however we may feel. As I watched and waited I thought about the words of a well known hymn: - Let your living water flow over my soul, Let your Holy Spirit come and take control of every situation that has troubled my mind. All my cares and burdens on to you I roll.
Thank you great and wonderful God

Lesley

Keeping the Faith: Newsletter

As many of you are aware (and are probably very bored of hearing) I was brought up on stories from the Old Testament. I often feel that we do not take enough notice of the writings about the Prophets and Kings of the centuries before Jesus.

Therefore, I was very pleased when, at the last Deanery Eucharist, the principal speaker, Canon Dr. Peter Wilcox, Chancellor of Lichfield Cathedral, devoted his address to the story of Naaman (2Kings Ch.5 vv 1-19). His light, and often humorous, talk brought the story to life as he expounded on the four most important characters – Naaman, Elisha, the King of Israel and the King of Aram. He talked about their strengths and their position in the hierarchies of the day and how each had been well blessed up to that point. It was Naaman’s leprosy which brought an unbeliever to the presence of God’s great prophet Elisha. The story goes on to tell how Elisha used his power from God to cure him of the leprosy (and how the disease was passed onto Elisha’s greedy servant - vv19 -27).

Yet this was a time when God’s favour towards the Jews was decidedly shaky since they had, once again, broken his covenant. It was left to a young servant girl to remember God’s amazing power manifested through his prophets. The most insignificant person in the story had kept her faith, even though she was a captive, and through her Naaman was directed to Elisha and his subsequent cure.

This story, and many like it in the Old Testament, reminds me that ours is not just a faith kept by the important people of the day but that it is in each one of us.

At this time of great debate and confusion within the Anglican Communion let us remember that faith is not restricted to Archbishops, Bishops or even parish clergy, it is us, the ordinary people who are the bedrock of faith.

God bless,

John.

Wednesday 3 September 2008

Going for Gold? Newsletter 10 August

GOING FOR GOLD?
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.


I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
I Cor.9:24-25
(The Message)

Paul asked believers to give up their own rights, to think of others first, and be whole-hearted in their focus to bring others to Christ. He asked Christians to deny themselves as they looked forward to future rewards. This was compared to a race, picturing the ancient “games.” The Olympics were already operating in Paul’s time. Second in popularity only to the Olympic games, the Isthmian games were celebrated every two years at Corinth. Athletes would come from all over Greece, and the winners of the games were accorded the highest honour. To get into the games, and especially to emerge as victors, required that athletes practice strict self-control. Typically, for ten months prior to the games the athletes in-training denied themselves many ordinary pleasures. Each put forth his greatest effort during the contest, setting aside all else in order to win the prize
.
When Paul told the believers to be like those athletes, he didn’t mean that the believers were all running against each other with only one actually winning. Instead, he wanted every believer to run in such a way that they would win. In other words, we should all be putting the same amount of effort for the reward of God’s Kingdom that an athlete puts out to win a medal or wreath. Therefore, we must willingly practice self-control with a focus on bringing others to Christ because we are running towards an eternal prize. We have already “won”; the prize isn’t dependent on how we run the race. Because we are already assured of the prize, we should live for God with as much focus and enthusiasm as did the ancient runners at the games.

We must keep our eyes clearly focussed on the goal, running straight for it with purpose in every step, not allowing ourselves to be sidetracked or becoming lazy. We need to discipline ourselves in our Christian lives in order to stay in shape.

The time between a person’s acceptance of Christ as Saviour and his or her death is the only time when growth in Christ can occur.

Do you want to grow diligently and receive a reward from Christ on his return or be like the person who builds his or her life with shoddy materials, only to be saved “like someone escaping through a wall of flames?”

This week the 2008 Olympics at Beijing in China ended. Great Britain fared really well in the medals table, bringing home 19 gold, 13 silver, 15 bronze. making a total of 47, coming fourth overall. We are so proud of our team’s achievements, and look forward to the 2012 Olympics which will be hosted by London

Like all the athletes who trained hard and hoped to win gold for their country, are we prepared to put in the same effort for Christ who died for each one of us, so that we may live with him in eternity?

Love in Christ,
Penny