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September 2013

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FROM ST GILES’ CLERGY

Every August I use the natural lull in church life to have a sort out in my study.  Stuff is either kept, shredded or re-cycled.   This year, in the annual sort out, I found a great little piece about promises from the Bible that I put to one side to share with you.  

A dozen of God’s promises for everyday life:

  1. We say, “It’s impossible”, He says, “With me all things are possible”  (Luke 18v27). 
  2. We say, “I’m exhausted”, He says, “I’ll renew your strength”  (Isaiah 40v31). 
  3. We say, “Nobody loves me”, He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”  (Jeremiah 31v3). 
  4. We say, “I can’t go on”, He says, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12v9). 
  5. We say, “I don’t know what to do”, He says, “I’ll direct you” (Proverbs 3v6). 
  6. We say, “I can’t do it”, He says, “You can do all things through me” (Philippians 4v13).  
  7. We say, “It’s not worth it”, He says, “It will be – just keep going” (Galatians 6v9). 
  8. We say, “I can’t make ends meet”, He says “I’ll supply all your needs” (Philippians 4v19). 
  9. We say, “I’m afraid”, He says, “I did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power” (2 Timothy 1v7). 
  10. We say, “I can’t handle this”, He says, “Give it to me; I’ll sustain you” (Psalm 55v22). 
  11. We say, “I’m not smart enough”, He says, “I’ll give you wisdom” (James 1v5). 
  12. We say, “I’m alone”, He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13v5).

God spoke these promises to people many years ago, but they are still just as applicable today.  The eternal God who spoke them has been keeping his promises since the beginning of time.  In society, we are tempted to become cynical about the promises made by people in power, but God is faithful.  Trusting in any one of these promises of God could bring about a change in your life, if it hasn’t already, and there are lots more in the Bible! 

We read in the Bible that God answers prayer – ‘I will call on you, my God, for you will answer me.’ (Psalm 17.6)  Although God doesn’t promise to answer our prayer in the way we prescribe, He does promise to answer it in the way He prescribes.  In response to promises like that, we are holding another service of prayer and healing on 22 September at 6.30pm in St Giles’, and we look forward to welcoming anyone who would like prayer for any matter. 

I encourage you to trust in the promises of God.

Every blessing,
Adrian

 

FROM THE URC ELDERS

When you were a child, did the school holiday always seem to last forever and was it always sunny?  Of course six weeks is a greater part of a child’s life than it is of an adult’s.  And it seems nowadays that the sunniest weather doesn’t always occur during the summer break.  Our seasons have become rather confused.  

In the fields, harvesting time depends upon varying weather conditions, but within the church we traditionally celebrate in September.  This annual celebration allows us to focus on God’s provision for us throughout the year – not just in terms of food, but in all good things. 

Jesus likened His teaching to a seed: depending on where it fell, it could either grow, or it could be choked or scorched.  He was illustrating to us that some people follow His teaching and are nourished by it, whilst others allow other things to take over in their life and so fail to reap this harvest. 

At the URC our Harvest celebration will be held during the 11am service on Sunday 29 September.  For those who can stay on afterwards, it will be followed by a delicious harvest lunch.  This date is also being recognised nationally as ‘Back to Church Sunday’.  The idea is that each person who goes to church regularly should invite someone to join them – either someone who used to attend church in the past, or someone who might like to give it a go now.  Research has suggested that a huge number of people would like to attend church if they had someone to go with.  

The beauty of the URC services is that they are very straightforward - you will not be faced with wondering which page you should be on or what you should be doing when.  And if we haven’t managed to get a personal invitation to you, do come along anyway – on ‘Back to Church Sunday’ or ‘Any Sunday’ – you will be most welcome. 

If you have been thinking you would like something more from life than the run of the mill daily tasks, then try it out.  Discover there is more to Sunday than shopping or sitting alone at home.

Peter Williams

 

 

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