Today:
Last in our Acts series – chapter 12: Rhoda (Praying for a miracle – unbelievable hope). The preacher will be Andrew Hardiman.
On the premises this week:
Nellie’s on Wednesday afternoon, 2-4 in the Hall, with the Community Association AGM for about 20 minutes at the start.
For the Farrows on Friday: family reunion and wedding. Blessings and good wishes
Prayer & Toast: Saturday 2nd September at 221 Gunville Road, 8.30 am.
Next Sunday, 3rd September:
First in a new series on Jesus’ “I am” sayings from John’s gospel: I am the Bread of Life. This will be a local arrangement.
Greenbelt:
Jilly and Fran Curtis are at Greenbelt. Please support them in your prayers.
Praying for our streets:
This week in our 5-week cycle we are praying for Broadwood Lane, Park Close, Forest Hills and Arthur Moody Drive. You might like to have a walk, perhaps with a friend from church.
Amazing Characters in Acts
Message from our Minister
One of the Bible passages that always provide me with a challenge as well as offering some encouragement is Acts 2:46–47: “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
Those first followers of Jesus were moved by the powerful invitational message that they had heard from the Apostle Peter at Pentecost and it changed their life. God had certainly captured their hearts! It was seen in the way that they lived their life; related to others and the choices they made. They clearly were committed to following Jesus in every way. à
It was an attractive witness and pointed people to the love of God. It was real; it was authentic; and it was life-changing. How wonderful to read that, ‘Day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.’
It challenges us all to recognise the vitality of the early church and how they were filled with hope and longed for God to work among them. They prayed daily that people would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. They expected that the Holy Spirit would impact lives and change situations. They were not disappointed!
Rev Loraine Mellor, in her year serving as President of the Methodist Conference, encouraged us to:
‘Take radical steps to change the shape of the church, through renewed focus on God-centred worship, generous hospitality and being unafraid of failure in evangelism.’ She urged us all to, ‘Build relationships, and to share this great gospel that you are loved by God.’
She also gave a quote from Rev Dr Roger Walton whom she followed as President of the Methodist Conference to her, who said:
‘In a world where a multitude of truths and infinite choice of life styles seem possible, Christians need to shape their lives by the pattern of Jesus. We have to be Jesus-shaped.’
Let us be encouraged by what God is doing and join in! He really longs to do so much more among us. My hope and prayer is that, day by day, many will be attracted by our Christian witness and want for themselves to become followers of Jesus.
God’s richest blessing to you all, Rev John Izzard
Labyrinth
Ho Ho Ho
Here’s a Simon joke to offend both teetotallers and vegetarians, and to mildly amuse those with nothing better to do:
Man goes into a pub and spots two pieces of meat hanging from the ceiling. Asks the barman what that’s about.
Barman says it’s a challenge – if you can jump up and touch both pieces with your hands, you get free drinks all night. If you fail, you have to buy everyone in the pub a drink. Do you want a go?
Man looks up and considers. “Nah, the steaks are too high”.