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Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD?"
Deadline for submissions for the next copy of the Lighthouse Magazine is Sunday 2nd May 2010
Over quite a period now the Home Fellowship Groups have been studying Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, which has the sub-title “Building a Community in Christ”. These studies have been compiled by John Stott.
The latest study was taken from Ephesians 4: 1-16 and headed up “Unity”. It has been interesting upon conversing with members of other Groups taking part that this section made quite an impression as it exhorted each of us to study what God has done to what we must be and do, thus bringing theology “down to earth” and reminding us of the concrete implications in everyday living.
In summing up this section we were exhorted to realise that the church grows by truth and love” “Here then is Paul’s vision for the church. God’s society is to display charity, unity, diversity and growing maturity. These are the characteristics of a life worthy of God, which the apostle begs us to lead.
The more we share Paul’s perspective, the deeper will be our discontent with the ecclesiastical status quo. Some of us are too conservative, too complacent, too ready to acquiesce in the present situation and to resist change. Others are too radical, wanting to dispense with the institution altogether. Instead we need to grasp more clearly the kind of new society God wants His church to be. Then we shall not be content either with things as they are or with partial solutions, but rather will pray and work for the church’s total renewal.
Complacency is unworthy of the church’s calling. In contrast to it the apostle sets before us the picture of a deepening fellowship, an eagerness to maintain visible Christian unity (and to recover it if it is lost), an active every-member ministry, and a steady growth into maturity by holding the truth in love. We need to keep this biblical ideal clearly before us. Only then shall we live a life that is worthy of it”.
May be we could all pray the prayer at the end of the notes:“Thank you God for the marvellous unity that He has made available to us in the church. Confess to Him the ways that you have failed to strive to maintain the unity of your church. Ask Him to change you and build into you the five foundation stones of Christian unity”.
Submitted by a Member of one of the Home Fellowship Groups
Over 60’s
Outing
Wednesday
18th August 2010
For more information
Speak to
Eric Spurgeon
Home Fellowship Groups
I was pondering one day and searched google.co.uk to find out what the World Wide Web defines being relevant as, and it came back to me with a whole array of various definitions, one of the definitions described relevant as;
‘Having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue’
Another one described relevant as;
‘Directly related, connected, or pertinent to a topic’
Now these were the definitions from the World Wide Web where, if truth be told, it can be very unreliable so I did something which I’ve not done in a long time, I picked up a book which was dusty from years of not being used, this book I opened was called a dictionary, I dusted it down and looked inside to discover what it describes relevant as being, and so it follows ‘Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary’ tells me that relevant means;
‘Connected with what is happening or being discussed, correct or suitable for a particular purpose’
And it got me thinking how relevant am I in Church? It’s called The Living Bible which in my personal opinion means that scripture should be alive and relevant in everybody’s lives but how do we achieve this? You see I’d like to see myself as being relevant to people younger than me and people older than me, but this isn’t always the case, and it’s important that this changes so that I can fulfil the following.
Fellowship
If I am not relevant then how am I supposed to connect with the fellowship and in turn learn from each other the teaching of the Bible. If I am speaking to a younger person in the church I adapt the style of communication to meet the needs of that person thus making me relevant to them. This for me at my age (20) can come quite easily, Catherine always says I am one big kid! But where I find it difficult is adapting the style of communication to somebody who is older in the fellowship, but we shouldn’t find anything difficult in our lives with God holding us in his hands. So let’s tackle this, 1 John 1:7 tells us that ‘But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other’ so this is my action plan to do it. If I spend more time understanding with the older people in Church, then in turn I learn to become more relevant to them and they learn to become more relevant to me from spending that time together. It must be highlighted however that this is not a social exercise but one way, not always the way to ensure peace within a fellowship.
Dale Connelly
On Friday 22nd January, ten of us set off for Sizewell for the Women for Christ weekend. After arriving and unpacking we sat down for our evening meal, lots of chatting and catching up with old friends. We were going to be looking at 2 Corinthians during the course of the weekend. Our two speakers were Hillary Khoo and Elaine Storkey. Their message was, although we can face real trials and tribulations, like Paul we must find hope to continue on. On the Saturday afternoon we went for our annual walk along the beach to Thorpeness, and of course the tea rooms for our hot drinks! On the Sunday we had the great privilege of singing with Hillary (Derek Moon's daughter), whom God inspired to write a song based on the weekend theme. After Sunday Lunch it was clean up time before the last session after which we all said our fond farewells. It was a great weekend, not only spending time with friends, but having time to spend with the Lord without interruptions from family and everyday life. If you have not been to Sizewell before I suggest you should seriously consider coming next year for a great time of friendship and fellowship.
The words of the song are as follows
It's His grace that can save us while we're in our sin
Grace that will keep us, as we live our lives for Him
And we know we can trust Him to lift us when we fall
His love is unchanging for all
May we be a letter, written by your hand
Living in the Spirit life that you have planned
May we show the love of Jesus
In everything we do
The radiance of your glory shining through
For we know we have this treasure
In these jars of clay
To show your all surpassing power
Working through us every day
Hard presses on every side but never in despair
strengthened by the comfort we share
May we bring compassion to aching hearts in need
Learning to serve others while we worship at your feet
Lord we pray we'll love them, these precious ones of yours
Who need to feel your grace outpoured
Ruth Little
Fred Patten
It is with great sadness that we note the passing into the presence of his Lord and Saviour of Fred Patten on 28th November 2009, after a very long period of illness, so patiently and graciously endured.
A popular member of our church for many years, Fred was always ready to help anyone, giving lifts to and from church to many elderly folk over the years, and setting an example to us all by his exemplary Christian lifestyle. A very talented blacksmith, Fred created many beautiful pieces of wrought-ironwork in his workshop, but however busy, he was always insistent that any visitors must “stay and have a cup of tea or coffee” in the office (some days not a lot of work was accomplished!).
Having such a quiet, gentle and unassuming nature and a real sense of humour, Fred was a true “gentleman”, much respected by his numerous friends.
Many people will have treasured memories of this man, who is going to be greatly missed.
“On Christ the solid Rock, I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand”.
Barbara Ratcliffe
‘Left Behind’ and ‘Left Behind Kids’
Eschatology, the study of end times, is something that many Christians have a great interest in but struggle to understand. However, one of the most popular Christian books in recent years, ‘Left Behind’, has proved a great starting point. It tells the story of a number of people as their world is turned upside down by the rapture of the church. With millions of people across the globe just disappearing ‘in the twinkling of an eye’ (1 Corinthians 15:52), they set about trying to find the cause. The book – Whilst it is fictional it gives the reader an insight as to the meaning of end time scripture and a glimpse as to what the tribulation might be like. It is the first in a series of books that takes readers right through the tribulation.
If you would like to read this then please speak to Eric or Judy as they have the whole series and would be willing to lend them to those who wish to read. They are also readily available in most Christian bookshops.
There is also a series of the same books but written from the perspective of children. The first 11 books of the ‘Left Behind Kids’ series is in the church lobby for those who wish to read it.
Click to download a full PDF copy of the
Lighthouse
As many of you will already know, the church is holding a flower festival with the theme of “The Life of Jesus” over the Easter weekend. We hope that each of the groups and activities within the church will be providing a display. If you are interested in creating a display but have not yet registered your interest please contact Martin or Jean Hill (01206 563778) as soon as possible, as spaces are going fast.
The Church will be open for the festival as follows:
Good Friday 2nd April 1.30 pm-4.30 pm
Easter Saturday 3rd April 10.00 am-4.30 pm
Easter Sunday 4th April 2.00 pm-4.30 pm
On Easter Saturday there will also be a Coffee Morning from 10.00 am - 12.00 pm followed by a soup and roll lunch from 12.00 pm - 1.30 pm. We would be very grateful for donations of cakes. Teas and coffees will be served at all other times throughout the festival.
We hope that as many people as possible will visit the festival so please do come along and invite all your family, friends and neighbours.
The Gospel According to Jesus
The Evangelical movement has grown very big over the last 50 years, but it seems to be losing its focus. The gospel presented in many churches today is far from what Jesus taught and what is written in scripture. John MacArthur examines what True Gospel actually is and why the church has wandered so far away from it.
This book is available on www.gty.org.uk and Adam has a copy should anybody wish to read it.