Please do add your comments on the report, now that it's (finally!) been made public!
We have started the process of implementing the decisions we've taken based on all the listening to God that has gone on, and one of the things we've decided is that we should hold a special "open" PCC meeting to explain our decisions. This will be at 8pm on the evening on Thursday 25 Feb at the church. Everyone is very welcome to come, and ask any questions that may occur to you. I think you'll find the plans exciting.
Our 40 days conclude today, the beginning of Lent. What has God shown you? How will your life be different from now on? How are you going to spend the 40 days of Lent, to be ready for the joy of resurrection? 8pm: Ash Wednesday Service at the Church
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” (Psalm 57.11)
Do you remember what Bishop Claughton said in the first sermon ever preached at St Michael’s, back in 1873? “We found this church not for the angels, not for the men who will worship here, not for the ministers, but for the Lord Jesus, and to him and him alone be all the glory.” You and I live in a consumerist culture, always concerned with what we can get out of any institution we’re involved with. But what counts is: what is God doing, and how can I best cooperate with him and with his purposes, to his glory? There are no Tuesday or Thursday Prayer meetings this week “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 57.10)
David is in a cave; he can’t even see the sky. But he knows that the love and faithfulness of God reaches that high. Do you know that God’s love for you reaches that high? Maybe the leadership team has made different decisions from the ones you hoped for – trust that God’s love for you reaches to the skies, and he will be faithful to you in the midst of it. I'm off to Malta at 3.30 on Monday morning, but I promise I will be living the final few days of the 40 days with you. Thank you all for your contributions and supportive attifude, I love you all. Andy.
“I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.”(Psalm 57.9)
Living a Christian life is a global thing; we are part of a worldwide church in mission. Today, why not pray for the ministry of Sena and Jane Ounate-Lare, our Crosslinks link missionaries in Togo, West Africa. 8am: You are welcome to a service of Holy Communion at the Church 10.30am: Morning Worship at the Church on the Common 10.30am: Morning Worship at the Church at the School 5.30pm: All are welcome to a short evening service of Holy Communion at the church. 6.20pm: The leadership team meet to decide how to implement and communicate their decisions. “I will awaken the dawn.” (Psalm 57.8)
In other words, “I’ll be up before the sun, praying and worshipping”. I hope this prayer guide has helped your prayerlife over the last 35 days or so. If you missed a day or two, please don’t feel guilty. But if it’s ensured that you’ve prayed more than normal, why not make a decision today that you’re going to keep praying and listening to God in Lent (40 days which start on Wednesday) – and perhaps even for the rest of your life! “I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!”
David can’t possibly have brought his harp with him into hiding in a cave, can he? He has an invisible harp – because not having the music he wants isn’t going to stop him being a worshipper. Today, pray that we’ll be worshippers. There’s nothing as discouraging to a Christian minister as hearing people say that they didn’t “get much” from the worship in song on a given Sunday. The point is: were you a worshipper? Were you giving in worship, to God and to your fellow worshippers? However we decide to structure our Sunday worship, this is the thing that will determine the future health of St Michael’s. “I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves. But heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast.” It’s not easy having a steadfast heart when people are trying to kill you! But David manages it. We can too, even if we’ve heard some harsh words spoken during the forty days. Today would be a good day to make a decision to forgive anyone who’s offended you. Forgiving isn’t always immediate, but in the end Christian forgiveness must be total – it’s not just that we don’t harm those who have harmed us, but also that we wish for them every good thing we wish for ourselves. You are welcome to a prayer meeting at 9.15am at the Vicarage | AuthorAndy manages this. Please do leave a comment if you have a question or contribution! ArchivesJanuary 2013 Categories |
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