Thought for Today: Distraction

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Every day is different. Today the sun is shining, but after putting my head outside I was very quickly back inside because I was hit with a strong cold wind.
Thought for today distraction
So, I had a few options:
  1. To put more layers on and still go for a short walk
  2. Phone a friend for a chat
  3. Do some house work
  4. Read a book.
The last two options reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha – friends of Jesus. While Mary sat and listened to Jesus, Martha moaned about being left with the cooking and cleaning. Who was right? And who was wrong? Neither, because later when Jesus met Martha again and asked what she believed she said, “You are the Christ, the Son of God” and then she called Mary to see Jesus again.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, even when we are distracted from you, we thank you that your Holy Spirit will lead us back to knowledge of you. Amen.

Jesus is Constant, Yesterday, Today and Forever

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father who does not change.” (James 1 v.17)

God never changesDear Friends,

You will find a number of changes in this magazine, mainly dates. As a non-conformist, I welcome change if it is done for the right reason but December 25th, a day to celebrate God’s good and perfect gift, does not change.

When the Angel Gabriel gave Mary the news of God’s intention, she began to anticipate the change that would take place in her life at Christmas – not that it was called Christmas then; but she waited to experience the change that giving birth to her first child would make to her future.

I am sure that there were times when Mary, a young girl, would have felt afraid of the future, especially regarding the reaction of her husband-to-be. Perhaps, that is why she went to visit her relative, Elizabeth, who herself was probably anxiously anticipating the future, so that they could mutually support one another.

For those who have experienced sadness during the past year, or for whom Christmas brings back sad memories, the presence of a friend or close relative can make the season more bearable, so let us keep in mind those who might need us to help them.

We all face changes in our lives and if we look back, we might realise, just as the Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “The Lord is with you,” so thankfully, He has been with us and His love for us has given us hope for the future.

Christmas will come and go and changes will occur, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13 v.8) and He is our constant support.

Let us not forget that Christmas is simply a time for thanking God for His gift of Jesus, His Son, to the world.

With love at Christmas and wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.

I am yours in love and prayers,

Marion

Spend Time with God in Prayer

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“Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After, he went upon a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came He was there alone…” (Matthew 14 v.22-23)

Dear Friends,

spend time with God in prayerJesus gives us an example here about the need to pray. He had just finished feeding the 5000 men plus women and children, before which He had healed many of the people. To replace the energy that He had lost in being so busy, He went away on His own to pray. He made room in His busy schedule to be alone with the Father.

Jesus is showing us the importance of rebuilding our bodies and our minds when we are very busy.

I will admit that I don’t always find time in my busyness to stop to pray. However, after reading this and the commentary, I am determined to follow the example of Jesus…except the “mountainside”; that would be very difficult in Long Itchington.

The commentary is that spending time with God in prayer nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life’s challenges and struggles.

We all need that help and if we find it difficult to find words to pray, Jesus said the Holy Spirit will give you what to say.

In Christian love,

Marion

Changes to Events in July/August 2017

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We have a break from many of our regular events in July and August. Women’s Hour ceases until September and Pilots is on hold from late July. If, however, the break is difficult for any of you, please speak to me as I might be able to open the Chapel for us to get together.

The Coffee Drop-In continues on 6th July and 3rd August.

Sunday services are held each Sunday, some at 10am and others at 6.15pm. Lifts can be arranged.

On Sunday 16th July at 3.30pm we will celebrate the 190th Anniversary of our church. The Windmill Singers will join us in our celebration and there will be a Chapel tea after the service. All are welcome to join us.

~Marion

Christianity is Anything But Boring

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“When the day of Pentecost came…All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2 v.1-4)

christianity is anything but boringDear Friends,

How anyone can suggest that being a Christian is boring, I fail to understand.

We have just celebrated the exciting time of Jesus resurrected from death to life when there were so many different accounts of Him appearing to his followers. This was followed by the day Jesus ascended into heaven, alive for evermore, with the promise that one day He will return.

The next exciting event is called Pentecost, when all the disciples were gathered together waiting for a special gift.

I don’t know about you, but I still get excited when the postman delivers a parcel for a special event.

On the day of Pentecost, God delivered a special gift in a very exciting way.

First of all, there was the sound of a violent wind, but it was not a destructive wind, and then there were tongues of fire which rested on each disciple. This was not destructive either, it was God’s way of giving power to His people. The Holy Spirit is the power of God and from then to now every Christian is given that power to work for Jesus Christ.

All of these events may seem to be out of this world, and they are, because they are from God’s world, and they are given to us to use to make a difference to the lives of others in the way that they have made a difference to our lives.

May you all feel empowered through the Holy Spirit as you witness about the love God has for each of you, shown through His Son, Jesus Christ.
With love in Him,

Marion

Easter 2017

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Easter 2017Dear Friends,

As Spring arrives with the colours of crocuses, daffodils, and later tulips, we celebrate the risen-ness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

During March and April, leading up to Easter, there are many opportunities to come closer to God and to Jesus Christ.

On the following Thursday mornings – 16th, 23rd and 30th March – at 10.45am, our Bible Studies take us through Lent with Sunday services celebrating Mothering Sunday and Palm Sunday. During Holy Week, we have a service with communion at 2.30pm on Maundy Thursday, and on Good Friday a contemplative service at 7.30pm to remember the suffering and crucifixion that Jesus went through in order to destroy the power of the devil and give us the gift of salvation.

May our Lord bless us all at this Easter-time.

Marion

Praise Prayer & Puddings

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praise prayer puddingsWEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY: PRAISE, PRAYER & PUDDINGS

Please invite your friends from other churches to this special service on Sunday, January 15th at 3pm.

Yes, you read it correctly, delicious puddings will be served after the service.

We will be joined by Harmony, the singing group from Lillington Free Church, and the preacher will be George Jones from Coventry.

All are welcome to join us.

Turning Over A New Leaf in 2017?

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“If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5 v.17)

Dear Friends,

turning over a new leafIs it a time for turning over a new leaf? In the past, I had a problem with new year – after all, it’s only another day, just a different year number – no longer 2016 but 2017.

In some ways, being a Christian means that each one of us is a brand new person on the inside, so does that mean we have no leaves to turn over? Regretfully not, because that would suggest that having been re-created to live in vital union with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we have nothing to change, no way to improve, nothing to ask forgiveness for.

If we believe that, part of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae would be a good way for each of us to begin the year 2017. In Colossians 2 v. 6 & 7, Paul says to us, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.”

I recently had to have a huge fir tree cut down because I felt it had become dangerous. The tree had overcome its usefulness and, although it had continued to grow, its roots seemed to be dying. Our faith being rooted in Jesus Christ will never become dangerous and never die because our life comes from Jesus and is constantly strengthened by His Holy Spirit. Let us then celebrate a new year and again, using Paul’s words, let us delight in how firm our faith is in Jesus Christ.

With love in the Lord,

Marion

Our Sponsored Children – Panchu

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In the last magazine I wrote about Mercy in Uganda. I hope you’ve seen her photo and school report on the piano. In this magazine I bring Panchu to you. He is 15 years of age now and struggles with his studies and asks for prayers as you will see in his letter.

Dear Aunty Hartwell,

 

How are you? I think you and your family all are good. But my sister has a cough and cold. Aunty you know from 16th Feb my exam has started and I am doing well in few of my papers. Please pray for me so that every day I will do hard labour and do good to be promoted to class VII. I took part in Christmas program and enjoyed very much. The play was so nice and all children performed very well. Thank you for your gift that you had given me a Christmas card. It is very nice. In Scripture class we are taught about Jesus. I also learnt many stories and memory verses. I write a verse for you.

 

Mark 10:14 Jesus told don’t stop the children to come to me. For the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

 

With love,

 

Panchu

Harvest Thanksgiving

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When they had all had enough to eat Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’  (John 6 v12)

And from Proverbs 22 v9: A generous man will himself be blessed

Dear Friends,

This is Harvestime, a time of thanksgiving for the food that we have and that we have plenty of. However, there are still people who struggle to feed their families, which is why there are food banks. We may think that in this day and age and in this country we should not need the food banks but that is making a judgement about something we don’t necessarily understand. Jesus said, “Let nothing be wasted” and yet it is common knowledge that some of our best known food stores throw huge amounts of food away daily, and it is also true that statistics show that many of us waste food.

We have been supplying the Southam Food Bank ever since the Leamington Christian Mission finished, but it has been noticeable that the food we collect comes from just a few people. This year again all the imperishable food items brought to the Harvest Thanksgiving will be given to the Southam Food Bank, which at times gets desperate for certain items. I am therefore asking you all to give as much as you can to make this a bumper Harvest for the hungry. We will also have our usual traditional Harvest display of vegetables, fruit and flowers, which will be sold and the proceeds will be donated to Christian Aid, again to help those who have little.

In the Lord’s service,

Marion