Connected Church News November 2017-Ato’s story

Oct 17 Notices0001

October 2017 Notices

I guess it’s at this time of year that we at least try to get some time off. But what that means for each of us will probably be very different. What helps you work, rest and play? If we listen to the famous advert our answer would be – A mars a day! Another phrase that is now part of our vocabulary and understanding is having a ‘work /life balance’. How do we juggle the demands of work- in whatever form that takes- and make time to do the things that we do to relax? How good are we at balancing the two?

I think we all recognise how increasingly busy life is becoming. Not just from things we have to do but also because we are in a 24;7 world where things are constant – whether that’s through social media, 24 hour news, being able to shop at any time of day or night or having to ‘catch up’ on hundreds of emails. Even when we do take time out we sometimes return from our holiday only to say we are ready for another one!

Jesus said ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’

How much do we need to hear and respond to these words of Jesus? Increasingly in the world there is value put on those who work longest or don’t take time off. Sometimes we are the ones who fill up our diaries with more and more things that we feel we have to do! But when God made us he designed us for rest as well as work and play.

Returning to the advert if we were to eat a mars every day what would end up happening is that we would gain weight and our teeth would decay! I would say that it’s living life with Jesus that enables us to truly work well, rest well and play well! He wants to help us to keep that balance where we can live life to the full without burning out. Where we make time to find rest in Him, time to recharge our batteries both spiritually and physically, where we view our working lives as something we do for Him and with His help.

Jesus also said ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’

Not just at this holiday time, but throughout the year I pray that we will all discover how to live this amazing, exciting life that Jesus has planned for us and will make sure we find those places of rest.

Rev. Chris Hawley

Notices July 2017

July 2017 Notices

June 2017 Notices

June 2017 Notices

HE HAS RISEN

HAPPY EASTER

During Lent we are focusing on the cross by thinking about some different objects that help us to understand Jesus’ last few days leading up to Good Friday, and what Jesus has accomplished through his death on the cross.  We shall take each in turn and consider them, both at our Sunday services and during a prayer time in the church each Wednesday lunchtime throughout Lent.  If you are able to join us on Wednesdays at 12noon, for about 20-30mins that would be great, if not why not join in by praying wherever you are.  Don’t worry if you can’t pray at exactly the same time.  To help you in this you will find a reading, song / hymn, the Lord’s Prayer and a reflection that we will be using during the prayer time.

Our focus this week is on the Palm branches

Song

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and prefect plea,
a great High Priest
whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
my name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart
no tongue can bid me thence depart

When satan tempts me to despair,
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there
who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Saviour died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the just is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me
to look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there! The risen lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness;
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die,
my soul is purchased with His blood;
my life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ my Saviour and my God
with Christ my Saviour and my God

Reading – Matthew 21v1-11

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’

⁴ This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ ‘Say to Daughter Zion,     “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,     and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”’

⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’

‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’

¹¹ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’

Reflection – What does it mean to truly worship God?

Pray for others (including 5 people you know who don’t know Jesus yet)

Finish with the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the
glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

April 2017 notices

April 2017 Notices

During Lent we are focusing on the cross by thinking about some different objects that help us to understand Jesus’ last few days leading up to Good Friday, and what Jesus has accomplished through his death on the cross.  We shall take each in turn and consider them, both at our Sunday services and during a prayer time in the church each Wednesday lunchtime throughout Lent.  If you are able to join us on Wednesdays at 12noon, for about 20-30mins that would be great, if not why not join in by praying wherever you are.  Don’t worry if you can’t pray at exactly the same time.  To help you in this you will find a reading, song / hymn, the Lord’s Prayer and a reflection that we will be using during the prayer time.

Our focus this week is on the whip

Song
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your Sacrifice;
You became nothing, poured out to death.
Many times I’ve wondered at your gift of life,
and I’m in that place once again,
I’m in that place once again.

And once again I look upon
the cross where You died,
I’m humbled by Your mercy
and I’m broken inside.
Once again I thank You,
once again I pour out my life.

Now You are exalted to the highest place,
King of the heavens, where one day I’ll bow,
but for now, I marvel at this saving grace
and I’m full of praise once again,
I’m full of praise once again.

And once again I look upon
the cross where You died,
I’m humbled by Your mercy
and I’m broken inside.
Once again I thank You,
once again I pour out my life.

Thank You for the cross,
thank You for the cross,
thank You for the cross, my friend

Reading – John 18v38-19v1

What is truth?’ retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release “the king of the Jews”?’

They shouted back, ‘No, not him! Give us Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

Reflection – Think about what we have gained as a direct result of the pain that Jesus went through for us.  Remember God will be with us always, including the painful times of our lives.

Pray for others (including 5 people you know who don’t know Jesus yet)

Finish with the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the
glory for ever and ever.  Amen.