Christ Church Online Newsletter

Pastoral Encouragement

Did you miss it?

Miss what? The All-age Worship Service last Sunday! What was special about it? Well, lots of things actually, but I want to refer to just one.

Our young people have been on my mind a lot recently. We are so privileged to have them in the church family. One of our visiting vicars expressed amazed delight to see so many compared to his own congregation.

One thought that keeps coming back to me is a comment made, almost in passing, by Jo and Brian Millner's son, when he visited our service just after Brian's death. We often refer to the young people as the next generation of the church, but in the church where he is a leader they have made a conscious decision to view this from a different perspective, namely that their young people are an intrinsic and vital part of the church to-day.

As adults and especially as pastoral leaders I believe we need to pray through the implications of this, and hear what the Lord is saying in this regard for Christchurch Parbold. Please join us in this area of prayer.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young" - Paul, writing to Timothy.
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise" - Jesus, quoting Psalm 8.

Brian McGucken

EVENING OF PRAYER (26th April)

Over twenty people attended our evening of prayer for a new vicar on Wednesday 26th April and it was heartening to join together in praise and prayer before God to seek His guidance. During the evening we split up into three groups and asked to write down the qualities needed to lead Christ Church Parbold and then spent time praying about it.

Here are the suggestions:
Group 1
Dynamic Young & with a family; Breath of Fresh Air
Enthusiastic; Energetic; Open minded and flexible; Adaptable;
Spirit filled; Believes the Bible as the Word of God - The way, the truth and the Life; Good with people who aren't so good (Pastoral Care)Forges links with the school; Prayerful; Musical;
Approachable; Able to build bridges.

Group 2
Leader anointed; Pastoral care of Parish; Someone with vision,
integrity, humility. Someone with a heart for people; Relates to people; Outgoing; Trustworthy; Family focussed; Someone who can empathise and sympathise with others; Spirit filled.

Group 3
Loves Jesus with a deep conviction; Evangelical; At ease with children and families; Accessible; Firm handshake; Can share ministry and delegate; Build on links already in the community; Good Biblical teacher; Challenging about personal faith in Jesus.

We also prayed for the group who are looking at the re-ordering of the Church, that the Lord would inspire them, the Diocese and each of us at Parbold to work together to see the building developed into an effective, bright, welcoming Church that people love to come into.

But the work does not stop there - we must all take these prayer needs and continue day and night to ask for God to lead and place His chosen people to work in Parbold.

Lin Milne

PRAYER ITEMS

· Please continue to pray for the Flintoffs and James Dau, the Bloemfontein Hospice and the work of Oasis Trust in Chennai
· It was so encouraging to hear the news from Betel that Chris Harding shared with us last Sunday.
Please pray for the main points he raised:
To overcome the new laws passed that will restrict the number of children and houseparents and also may limit the time children can spend each year at Betel.
Pray for the leaders and houseparents - Anna and Junior, Andrea and Eduardo, Maciel and Cirleode, Jose and Juliana.
Pray for all the 160 children being cared for at Betel, that they may continue to grow in an atmosphere of love.
· Pray that sufficient people will come forward to cover all the jobs needed in church:
Sunday School teachers and helpers (see Michelle);
Sound desk and media shout volunteers (see Mark Townsley or Jonathan Hickling);
Those willing to serve coffee (see Frances);
and do the flowers (see Val Horn)
- all vital to the church life.
· Please continue to pray for wisdom for all involved in seeking a new vicar for the parish - the Diocese, Churchwardens and PCC.
· Pray for the newly elected members of the PCC as they serve the church during the coming year.
· Please pray for our Youth Work and Sunday School, that the leaders will be inspired by the Holy Spirit and our children will be encouraged in their faith.
· Pray for healing and a speedy recovery for Linda, Karen's sister after a major operation.
· Pray for comfort, healing and a sense of peace for Joan Long.
· Please continue to pray for Julie Fenelon, Barry Woolfenden, Val Hughes, Ruth Oldknow,Maureen Haestier and Dorothy Watkinson.

CONGRATULATIONS

Olivia Bailey Champion Swimmer-in-the making
Last year Olivia swam the length of the English Channel over a period of 6 days.

Two weeks ago, she swam in the Swimathon , 5Km over 3days for the Marie Curie Cancer Care and raised the wonderful sum of £150 . She did this in memory of our dear friend Colleen Hickling. Well done Olivia.

Congratulations to Andrew Bithell who passed his Grade 2 Piano examination, 2 weeks ago.

Congratulations too to Helen Mercer who obtained a distinction in her Grade 8 piano examination, recently.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS....

When one of our children was about 5 she looked very puzzled after we'd returned from church.

She then asked why the vicar wanted us all to be bald.

We then looked very puzzled until she said " We sang that song again today 'Be bald, be strong for the Lord your God is with you'" !

One Sunday I was teaching my Junior Church kids, ages 7 through 12, the story of Abraham pleading with the Lord not to destroy Sodom and the righteous people living there. I explained how Abraham started by asking that the city be spared if there were 50 righteous folks there, then 45, then 30, then 20.

I continued, "Finally, Abraham asked that Sodom be spared if there were only ten who loved the Lord there. And what do you think God said?"

When I paused for their answer, one little boy raised his hand and said, "I think God said, 'Don't push your luck!'"
-Lois Bergy, Lowell, Michigan

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Check out the website: www.hopeinwigan.org.uk to find out lots of different events going on in Wigan as part of the Hope08 year.
12th July - Morecambe Bay Walk, see Barbara Long for details.

THANKS
Thank you to all our contributors this month. Next month's newsletter will be available on Sunday 1st June.