14:27

Jennifer Beattie, a member of the Belfast congregation, initiated an idea to promote the Because blog site by designing a small credit card size calendar on one side and a photo with the wording “Change your world: involve Jesus” followed by “For anyone who has ever asked “WHY” along with the webpage and Market Harborough address.  At the bottom of the photo she’s put “We can Pray for you” with her email address.  Her plan is to give them out to people she meets.  It’s a useful little gift as well as a promotional tool.

At a busy Glasgow shopping centre at a prime location across from the ice rink, there is what has become known as the “Jesus Shop”. A doctor from a local hospital persuaded the council to give him the use of this shop which was lying empty between leases. He had formed JAM (Jesus and Me) and was given a lot of booklets from C.E.M.—Children Evangelism Ministries. Volunteers from several churches, including members of the Worldwide Church of God, donate their time.

Jesus and Me! at a busy glasgow shopping centre!

Most children who come in think it’s great and so do their parents. So, what do they get? Upon entering the shop there is face painting, popular with young children as well as older youths. Two Wii’s have been donated. Bean bags at the back make a “chill out” area. There are other games available as well as the busy card making tables.

As people leave they are given a booklet—a picture version for the young children, and an adult version for the older children and parents. The gospel is being shown in many different ways to many different people from all age groups. Most people are amazed that everything is free, and people give their time for nothing. Another positive is that we have never seen a discarded booklet anywhere!

A harvest festival took place on Sunday, September 21. After very challenging weather during harvest, the day dawned with blue skies and light winds. All the grain was in the barn and straw bales were used to provide most of the seating. We had assembled a great team for the service. The Archdeacon of East Yorkshire was our main speaker; the local primary school sent their head teacher and choir and a group known as the Hull Evangel Singers co-ordinated the celebration. And believe me, it was a celebration to get this year’s harvest in the barn!

Harvest Festival on the Farm on Sunday, September 21st.

We had sent out lots of invites to the service which had been featured in two of the local papers. One neighbouring farmer whom I personally invited said: “I’ve never been to a harvest festival in my life and I’m not starting now.” Bearing in mind that the average age of Mr British Farmer is 58 and this one had a few more runs to his innings than that, it was with particular gravity he said those words. Happily, however, another farming neighbour described the service afterwards as ‘rip-roaring’. I had to consult the dictionary on this word and it said ‘Noisy, Lively, Exciting.’ I’ll say amen to that.

Of the 80 or so people who came to the service I couldn’t help but note that some whom I had expected to be there weren’t and some whom I thought would never be there were.

We had a lot of positive comments about the venture including this one from the local Methodist magazine: “In Great Hatfield the harvest festivals in the now closed chapel are just a distant memory but happily this year Denys Fell, one of the farmers in the village, turned his barn over to a harvest festival which was widely advertised and well attended. God bless you Denys and family. How things do change!”

The next major event is on Sunday, April 5, 2009, when we will be hosting the Hornsea 1/3 Marathon preceded by a special ‘runners’ service.

Saturday, September 27, 2008, was a wonderfully warm afternoon. Straight after the usual morning service, several of the Camberwell congregation walked round to the Camberwell Green Care Home. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and the residents who had been encouraged to stay in the sitting room after their lunch in expectation of an afternoon of singing and jollity.

Led by Geoff Stilwell on guitar, everyone joined in with ‘olde tyme’ songs such as, ‘Waiting at the Church’, ‘Henery the Eighth’, ‘Pack Up Your Troubles’, ‘We’ll Meet again’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’. This was interspersed with hymns old and new such as ‘Blessed Assurance’, ‘All Hail The Lamb’ and ‘Amazing Grace’. Some of the residents were really getting into the mood with hands raised as well as their voices. The living room French windows were open and the sound of our songs floated out on warm summer air on to Camberwell Green that afternoon.

Monica, Corinne, Annie & Geoff at the Camberwell Green Care Home

Singing is thirsty work and we all enjoyed a very welcome cup of tea and a chat afterwards. We got to know some of the residents and their visiting sons and daughters. Although it appeared that some of the residents were just sitting very quietly, their relatives told us later that they had really appreciated our visit and would like it more often.

This wasn’t the first time we had been to the care home. Just before Christmas 2007 we sang carols and handed out gifts of toiletries to the residents. We plan to visit again before Christmas 2008 and continue to establish an on-going relationship with the home.

The Manchester congregation joined with the members of St. Andrew’s Church where we meet for services on Sunday, September 28, for a “Harvest Festival Back to Church Unity Service.”

Other organisations which also use the hall joined with us for the service. There were members of the Cubs, the Scouts, the Guides, a keep-fit class, plus a children’s drama class and others. Most were led in by their flags, or banners.

Special Service in Manchester

Lisa Battye, vicar of St. Andrews, led the service throughout. After a representative from each group introduced themselves, Kath Disley of St. Andrews read John 17:20–26 regarding Christ’s prayer for unity. Margaret Bedford then sang “You Raised Me Up,” followed by David Bedford preaching a 10-minute homily on unity in all walks of life. Kevin Fajkis and Zygmunt Bartosz of the WCG led prayers for unity of the families and the races. Two teenagers from St. Andrews offered prayers for unity in the local community. A large amount of food was presented in thankfulness for our needs being supplied over the year. This was later to be distributed amongst the poor in the area. During the service the children individually wove various ribbons symbolising unity. At the end of the service the ribbons were tied together to make a long cord, representing greater unity.

As a result of the Manchester Worldwide Church of God’s meeting each week in St. Andrews, they have been listed on the Church of England website www.achurchnearyou.com. It states: Both of our buildings are well used and on Saturday afternoons St Andrew’s hosts a Worldwide Church of God congregation, with whom we work with shared intent in local mission for the extension of God’s Kingdom.

Margaret Channon of the Watford church has sent in some new designs for Prayer Postcards. She has received some response already, including one from another church for which the request was to pray for revival for their local church. Let’s all pray for revival wherever we are. Why not use some of Margaret’s postcards for your congregation or design some yourself? Maybe there are some keen photographers in your congregation whose photos you could use. The thought is to distribute the postcards however you can and thereby give people the opportunity for prayer and to contact us.

Can We Pray for You?

Can We Pray for You?

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” wrote Tennyson in his poem about the death of King Arthur.

London Prayer Ministry Table

Our congregation in London offers to pray for people in the streets around where they meet. When they do this outreach suddenly Fitzroy Square becomes a place where prayer is “customarily made”, just like it was by the banks of the river in Philippi ((Acts 16:13).Offering to pray for people invites them into the fellowship of God and is a way of meeting others at their point of need. Please continue to pray for this special ministry of the London church.

Are you Burdened?

“What hinders me from being baptized?” the Ethiopian asked Philip. The reply was, “If you believe with all your heart, you may” (Acts 8:36 37).

After baptism people receive the laying on of hands of the ministry to indicate that God has set them apart for sanctification by the Holy Spirit. In this photo Karen Griffiths receives the laying on of hands from James Henderson and Fraser Murdoch.

Karen Griffiths of the Birmingham congregation and Michael Beech of the Great Baddow congregation confessed their faith in Christ through baptism in the month of October. Welcome, Karen and Michael, to the Body of Christ, which is the church, and to the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Michael Beech from the Great Baddow congregation

Scammonden Youth Weekend

Following on from last year, it was requested that the Christian Youth Weekend in Scammonden become an annual event.  That request was duly granted and so forty people from across the UK got together on the 12th-14th September at Scammonden Scout Camp in Yorkshire for a weekend of fun and spiritual enrichment. The great thing about the timing of Scammonden is that it is barely five weeks after S.E.P Loch Lomond and gives everyone a chance to catch up, enhance friendships, make new ones, and assess our spiritual journeys. Scammonden is an ideal opportunity for young Christians to grow in their relationship with Jesus.

Sailing at Scammonden

The programme for the weekend was well planned and many thanks must go to Steve and Moira Hudson and their team from the Leeds/Bradford congregation for working so hard.  Friday evening saw the arrival of all the young people, including a mini-bus full of youth from Scotland. There were snacks and drinks on arrival along with lots of smiles and hugs as everyone renewed their friendships.

Following a weekend orientation everyone was off to bed (although some went to sleep later than others….).

On Saturday morning, Hannah Mill and the Scottish young people led a fifteen minute worship time including songs, prayers, readings and an excellent sketch which illustrated the need for ongoing communication if a relationship with God is to flourish. After worship many staff and teenagers went sailing on the water right outside our camp building, and a few got rather wet!

By 2pm, after lunch had gone down well, members of the Leeds/Bradford congregation joined us for our church service, swelling the numbers considerably. Laura Hudson and Adele Dewhurst did an excellent job preparing and leading the service and a message on the Fatherhood of God was given by Fraser Murdoch.

A Life Club was held later in the day. Chairperson was David Francis, and Mark Francis asked some of the most thoughtful table topics questions many people had heard. Among them was the question; “If you were your favourite historical figure, what would you make of today’s society?” Speeches were given by Dorothy Dewhurst, Lucy Keen, Jonathan Carion and a hilarious double-act by Laura and Matt Hudson entitled “How to drive like a moron!”  The evening activities were a campfire, a table tennis tournament and some time to be with friends.  

Trophy Winners at the Scammonden Life Club

Sunday morning after breakfast, Helen Francis led a very thoughtful worship time which fitted perfectly with the message God had been repeating to us all weekend, that God wants a relationship with us.  Geoff Sole then prepared a morning of games including shooting, throwing, ball skills, crazy golf, skipping and more. Congratulations to team Logos for winning.

By early afternoon it was time to pack up and say goodbye as many had long journeys ahead of them. A great time was had by everyone and we are looking forward to getting together again in Perth on 22nd-23rd November for a similar weekend of activities.

The Climbing Wall

This year’s Adventure Camp took place over the August Bank Holiday, Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th. More than sixty people travelled from many parts of the country (North Wales, Plymouth, Northampton, London) to attend the event, which was held at the Well End Activity Centre near Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. There were 24 campers aged between 6 and 13, along with a large group of teen helpers/campers and staff and all enjoyed a fabulous weekend of fun, friendship and activities.   Many were first time attendees which was most encouraging.

Children took part in a wide range of activities: archery, orienteering, field games, candle making and many more. The young adults helped organize and run activities – many thanks to them. Adults and children commented on the great atmosphere.  The weekend also included an engaging interactive church service, organized by Sylvia Lowe with singing, prayers and scripture readings by children, while Tony Goudie gave the main message. The theme this year was ‘The Olympics’.

Fun and Games

At the close of the event there was a sad but very grateful and fond farewell. Judy Harper who has helped run, organize and administer Adventure Camp for many years is stepping down from the organizing committee. A beautiful bouquet of flowers was presented to Judy by the children as a token of appreciation for the countless hours of her time she’s given to help make Adventure Camp run smoothly. She will be missed!

The whole weekend was a very successful, fun-filled event and the campers have vowed to return. It was indeed a fantastic Camp.