Thoughts From The Cottage
Dear Friends
This Autumn we continue to use Holy Habits as the basis of most of our preaching in worship. Some find it easy to adopt habits, others find it difficult. A sportsman in any field adopts habits of training, diet, fitness and the like all of which combine to create a lifestyle. However, it is not the individual habits nor the lifestyle that are the most important element it is the goal. In other words, it is the prize of winning Olympic gold, the Wimbledon singles title, the Cricket Ashes or whatever that is the driving force that leads the athlete to make sacrifices and undergo a strict regime in order to achieve their goal.
In Christianity, it is similar but with one profound difference. The profound difference is that the prize has already been obtained. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour we were given the prize of a free ticket to eternal life with God, in other words a guarantee of a place in heaven. The Christian habits that we pursue are not in order that we might achieve a place in heaven but rather they are a sign of our gratitude to the loving God who in his immense grace has guaranteed us life eternal with Him. This is the ultimate prize, a gift beyond compare that means the fear of hell has been taken from us and the joy of heaven guaranteed.
Of course we could take all this for granted and live life as we like knowing that at the end we will be with God. In other words we take God’s love for granted but most people choose a different response to immense love. They want to please the giver of love and do what pleases that person. So it is with us and God. The great saint, Augustine of Hippo, famously said ‘love God and do what you please’. Of course this was not permission to ignore the commandments, to be cruel and to hurt others. He was profoundly saying that if someone truly loves God then they will only want to do those things God would approve of. That may be easier said than done!
In his book Holy Habits, Andrew Roberts says ‘Jesus called his first followers into community; to be with him and to be sent out by him. To eat with him, pray with him, learn with him, to be challenged, transformed and guided; and when life and faith failed to be forgiven , restored and sent out again. Together they fed the hungry, proclaimed Good News and opened people’s eyes to the much longed for Kingdom of God. They also lived sacrificially, suffered and were granted glimpses of glory.’ (chapter 6 Page 93).
Jesus calls us to the same lifestyle and we respond willingly out of our love for him. Dietrich Bonhoeffer identified five ministries that are essential in any intentional Christian Community namely; Holding one’s tongue, Meekness, Listening, Helpfulness, Bearing with others individuality, weaknesses and oddities. He also said ‘when the church stops talking about Jesus it has nothing left to say’. This is what underpins our Holy Habits of Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread, Prayer, Giving, Service, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship and Making More Disciples.
Ian
WORSHIP ROTA for SEPTEMBER 2017
Sunday 3rd in CTB45 we pray for St Chad’s Church
The flowers are a gift from Linda Griffiths
11.00am Worship with Communion led by Ian Ring
Theme: Right Back To The Beginning – Introducing Holy Habits
Readings: Micah 6 vv 6-8, Acts 2 vv 42-47, Revelation 1 vv 1-11
Duty Elder: Yvonne Communion: Yvonne & Phil
Readers: Yvonne & Phil Stewards: Shirley & Phil
Powerpoint: Preparation: Ian Delivery & Sound: Yvonne
Music: Frank
Refreshments: Joan & Jean Counting: Pat & Phil
6.00pm Café Church led by Ian Ring
Theme: Promises
Duty Elder: tba Refreshments:
Sunday 10th In CTB45 we pray for Longbridge Methodist Church
The flowers are a gift from
11.00am Worship led by Terry Thompson
Theme: The Bible For Today
Readings: Amos 8 vv 1-6 & 2 Timothy 2 vv 1-13
Duty Elder: Bob
Readers: Bob & Angela Stewards: Robert & Linda
Powerpoint: Preparation: Terry Delivery & Sound: Darron
Music: Digital
Refreshments: Doreen & Eileen Counting: Angela & Robert
6.30pm Worship, Prayer & Discussion led by Ian Ring
Theme: Discussion following morning service
Elder: Yvonne
Sunday 17th In CTB45 we pray for St Stephen’s Church
The flowers are a gift from
11.00am Worship led by Ian Ring
Theme: The Holy Habit of Fellowship
Readings: Romans 12 vv 9-21
Duty Elder: Terry C
Readers: Terry C & Bel Stewards: Doreen & Frank
Powerpoint: Preparation: Ian Delivery & Sound: Phil
Organist: Frank
Refreshments: Tracy & Linda Counting: Eileen & Yvonne
2.00pm Messy Church
6.30pm Worship with Communion & Prayers for Healing led by Ian Ring
Theme: Divine Healing Reading: 2 Kings 5 vv 1-19
Duty Elder: Angela Communion: Bob
Sunday 24th In CTB45 we pray for Grace Community Church
The flowers are a gift from
11.00am Family Worship led by Kevin Watson, Moderator of the URC
Theme: Sir We Want To See Jesus
Readings: John 12 vv 20-36
Duty Elder: Jim
Readers: Jim & Shirley Stewards: Pat & Mick
Powerpoint: Preparation: Ian Delivery & Sound: Ian
Organist: John
Refreshments: Pat P & Beryl Counting: Pat & Shirley M
4.00pm Worship led by Kevin Watson, Moderator of the URC
Theme: Neither Promise or Threat – It’d Up To You And Jesus
Readings: Genesis 4 vv 1-12, Isaiah 65 vv 17-25 & John 21 vv 13-19
Duty Elder: Terry T
Readers: Terry T & Yvonne Stewards:
Powerpoint: Preparation: Ian Delivery & Sound: Ian
Organist: Frank
Refreshments: Counting:
DIARY for SEPTEMBER
| Friday | 1st | 9am | Messy Holiday Club | ||
| Saturday | 2nd | 7pm-9pm | Cheese & Wine at Barnes Close | ||
| Tuesday | 5th | 10am-12nn | Coffee Morning | ||
| 12.15pm-1pm | Tuesday Tasters | ||||
| Tuesday | 12th | 10am-12nn | Coffee Morning | ||
| 7pm | Powerhouse | ||||
| 7.30pm | Church Life Meeting | ||||
| Saturday | 16th | 7.30pm | Quiz | ||
| Tuesday | 19th | 10am-12nn | Coffee Morning | ||
| 12.15pm-1pm | Tuesday Tasters | ||||
| Monday | 25th | 2.30pm | Cracker Planning | ||
| 7.30pm | Ctb45 Lay Prayer Group | ||||
| Tuesday | 26th | 10am-12nn | Coffee Morning | ||
| Thursday | 28th | 2.30pm | Book Club | ||
Tuesday Coffee Rota
5th Yvonne
12th Linda & Robert
19th Yvonne
26th Gillian & Mark
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