Christ Church Online Newsletter
Confirmation for Holy Communion - John Mountain
Week of Prayer Report - Lin Milne
A Note From Your Father - An anonymous Christian
Read last month's February newsletter
Confirmation for Holy Communion
The week of prayer left a burden on my heart for "Confirmation Preparation". The thought of "Confirmations" kept coming to mind during the week and my thoughts were underlined when Brian and Branwen came up to church for prayer. Brian unprompted gave me a list of people who had asked for Confirmation. The list contained 10 names and with other names that came to mind the total may be as many as 12. There has not been this many on one occasion in the church for over 20 years. I asked Michael Everett, the Rural Dean, if it would be possible, with such large numbers, to hold a Confirmation Service in our church this year but apparently the dates for the Bishop's attendances this year have already been agreed. Philip Dennison, the Vicar of Shevington, who has been taking part in our Sunday Services, suggested that we might like to join The Confirmation Service in Shevington during November.
Why
is The Celebration of Communion important?
(1) It is an act of obedience - Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance
of me." He wanted the event of the cross to be always in our
minds. It is one way in which one can say a big thank you. The cup is
called "The Cup of Thanksgiving."
(2) Its an act of confession - since only those committed to Christ have
a right to share in the meal, then doing so becomes an act of confession
of Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(3) It is an act of fellowship - you do not just gaze at the elements,
you eat and drink and so participate in the body and blood of Our Lord
Jesus. The covenant meal teaches us that we need to feed on Christ continually
by faith and find our nourishment in him.
So if you would like to be confirmed please make it known to one of us.
In the meantime I will be contacting each person on the list that Brian
has given me.
John
Thank you to all who took part in the Week of Prayer and prayed in church and also at home. Also to be thanked are those who contributed pictures, cakes, maps, information, flowers, cakes and books. A very big thank you to those who helped to set up and take down the displays and also the volunteers who welcomed the visitors, made tea and coffee and without whom we could not have the church open And we especially thank God for the beautiful weather which encouraged people to venture out.
We counted 93 people coming over the week - some just calling in because the sign was outside and said they always wanted to have a look around. They were very appreciative and stayed for a quiet time and read the various displays. On Wednesday night, we enjoyed a time of prayer and praise, many thanks to the music group for their wonderful leading of the songs which were so appropriate.
So
what were the responses?
A PERSONAL VISION.
Visitors were encouraged to consider their lives 10 years ago in 1998
- then to look at themselves now in 2008 and then to write their reflections
on their life in 2018. It was so interesting to note that we all seemed
a bit shy of looking in the mirror, even though we are so special and
loved in God's eyes. Do we have trouble accepting that in our own eyes?
That is why the prayer "A note from your Father" (printed
below) was read out on the Wednesday evening as a reminder about how unique
we are. The comments for the future also made interesting reading - ranging
from looking forward to being with the Lord, to praying for good health
to serve Him and even one of the young people thanking God for making
life such an adventure. We have a lot to be thankful for.
A
CHURCH VISION
The photos of church life going right back to 1962 was a fascinating insight
into how much we need each other to enjoy the Christian life. And it demonstrates
that being a Christian is not dull or boring!
A very big thank you to the J08 and Sunday school for their thoughts on
their church in 10 years time - but the more inventive ideas (a fireplace,
and first floor bar and second floor Astroturf pitch) may not be taken
up by the re-ordering committee. There were lots of ideas including:
· Comfy chairs -More room to move around
· Refurbish the Crèche
· Tidy up the place - have less clutter
· A chill out area for the young people to gather and put up their
own notices, pictures and prayer requests.
· A Memory Tree with photos of people no longer with us.
· More informal services - a brighter church
· More cared for - stop the draughts from windows and doors
· More games, music and dance. And the space to do it all.
A
WORLD VISION
Here was information and prayer needs from near and far. Again to show
the many changes in the countries of the world we had an old map and a
new one and it was quite amazing how many countries have changed (USSR
is no longer there, and most of the African countries have different names
following independence)
We also had updates on local issues - the Hut on the Hill Project and the proposals for Parbold Youth Club. And countrywide issues were addressed - the Church Urban Fund; as well as worldwide issues - Betel, Open Doors, James Dau, Tearfund and Christian Aid.
THE
SANCTUARY - THE CROSS
This is always a special area. Here prayer requests were prayed for at
each session, there were books, poems and prayers to help in times of
meditation and generally a feeling of peace and drawing aside. This was
such a relief to many to step aside from the pressure of everyday life
and spend time in reflection with God.
Thank
you again for all the input over the week, God will honour and answer
all the prayers of His people.
Lin Milne
'A
Note from Your Father!'
Dear
Child:
I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful you are because there
is a father of lies who will try to deceive you.
He will try to tell you that you are not good enough,
not attractive enough,
not thin enough,
not strong enough,
not smart enough,
not righteous enough,
and that you are simply unimportant to Me.
He
will try to tell you that you have broken one too many promises,
that you have fallen one too many times,
that you have lived one too many lies,
and that you've been going in the wrong direction so long that it is pointless
to turn back now.
But guess what? YOU DO NOT BELONG TO HIM. HE IS NOT YOUR FATHER. I AM.
You see, you are My creation. My workmanship. You have been borne of My thought, every part of you placed together by My hands. You have My thumbprint upon you. You are a princess, did you know that? You are My child, the child of THE King!
I
look at you and see a precious, priceless pearl.
There is no ocean I would not swim, no mountain I would not climb,
no price I would not pay to have you and to be with you and call you my
own.
I already have.
I
have done all that I could, given all that there is.
I desire to be with you every moment of every day.
How I long for you to talk to Me every day.
My love for you never grows cold.
My promises are never broken (contrary to what he might lead you to believe).
My character never changes.
And
you, my daughter have been made in My image.
I love you dearly, unconditionally and completely.
I understand every emotion that you have. I've been there.
I count every tear that you cry.
I know every hair on your head.
And do you know what? I even know your weaknesses and your failures and your fears. I know those hidden parts of you that you wish would go away.
Those dark corners of your world that you stuff deep down, praying that no one will ever see. I have already seen them and they will not change my love for you. Nothing will.
I love your heart and I desire all of it.
I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful you are and how precious you are to Me.
With Unmeasurable Love,
Your Heavenly Father
(Written by an anonymous Christian)
