No Excuse Sunday

To make it possible for everyone to attend worship next Sunday we are having a ‘No Excuse Sunday’.

Beds will be placed in the aisles for people who say ‘Sunday is my only day to have a long lie in’

Eye lotion will be provided for those who watched TV too late the previous night.

We will have steel helmets for those who say ‘The roof will cave in if ever I came to church’.

Blankets will be available for those who say church is too cold - and fans for those who think it is too hot.

We will have hearing aids for those who say ‘The minister speaks too softly and cotton wool for those who feel he preaches too long, or that the organist plays too loudly.

Score cards will be available for those wishing to list all the hypocrites present.

There will also be T.V. dinners for those who can’t go to church and cook on the same day.

One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to see God in nature.

Finally, the church will be decked out with Christmas decorations and Easter flowers for those who have never seen the place without them.

So there is no excuse for staying away.

Origin Unknown

The Fallen

A LITANY FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

This Sunday we remember those who have died serving our country in both World wars, but let’s not forget those who have given their lives since. We MUST not forget. . . . . . .

Bruised and black clouds shed heavy tears on the fields of Flanders
fields become graveyards
in which were buried the flower of a generation.

AND GOD WEPT
FOR THESE WERE HIS CHILDREN.

m

Bruised and black clouds
shed heavy tears on the cities of Europe
of Japan,
cities shrouded in the dust of desolation
camps wreathed in the smoke of human cremations
people in confusion whispering - "Please God, never again".

AND GOD WEPT
FOR THESE WERE HIS CHILDREN.

m

Bruised and black clouds shroud cities
shopping streets
business centres
refugee camps
and people gaze on devastation
wrought by evil on innocence.

AND GOD WEEPS
FOR THESE ARE HIS CHILDREN.

m

Bruised and black clouds
shed tears over a whole world
bowed – bloodied by battle
cowed and weary of war
her roads clogged by refugees –
with nowhere but earth to call home.

AND GOD WEEPS
FOR THESE ARE HIS CHILDREN.

m

God of life
drawing life and death together in Yourself
uniting the lost and the loving
be among us as we gather.

GUIDE OUR PRAYING AND LOVING
CHERISH OUR REMEMBERING
GOD, OUR GOD
WHO FORGETS NO-ONE.

God bless all who remember,

Penny

Faith

In mid September Christine and I were away and so missed the Pope’s visit to the UK. However, thanks to Sky and the BBC we were able to view some of the highlights.

What amazed me was the amount of time given to the Humanist society to create a “balanced” view. One of their speakers obviously could not cope with the numbers of people who turned out to see the Pope and stated that they were not Christians but tourists who just so happened to be visiting the various cities. I wish he could explain how he knew with such certainty.

Why is it that some people are so quick to denounce those who show themselves to be Christian? Why are some people quick to complain about Christians coming together? Do they find it strange that people have faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ?

I can’t answer these questions but I feel saddened when some people decry the faith held by others. I remember a simple saying - “I don’t agree with what you say but I will defend your right to say it.” Nowadays we seem to have many people who do not wish to extend that right to others. They have a right to say what they like but they do not wish us to profess our faith.

Everyone has a complex set of faiths, they have faith in themselves, in their Doctor and some even have faith in politicians but these are lesser faiths when compared to Biblical faith. This is faith in a person not of this world who has powers infinitely greater than any human.

The Bible, as always, addresses the question of faith - Hebrews (Chapter 11). “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see..........,By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what we see was not made out of what was visible.......................”

If you ever feel your faith faltering read Chapter 11 and remind yourself of the Biblical characters who showed great faith. Then take time to reflect on all of the blessings brought upon us by our God and rejoice in our faith.

God Bless

John