| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Locking Dear Friends The Vicar's Blog The end of the school year is always a slightly unsettling time for me. Perhaps because it brings to mind memories of moving to a different school, leaving school and looking for a job, leaving College, moving home (all but one of our moves were made at this time of the year). It has also been an unsettling time this year in the loss of a number of friends, family and loved ones. I thank God that — apart from the sudden and tragic loss of a friend when I was 17 — I have so far been spared the bereavement of close family members and friends. But I still get reminded about how short life is, with the death of these parishioners and loved ones of people we know. These bereavements lead me to think more about the shortness of life and 'what else is there...?" We have been looking at the promise of heaven several times in the last few days — in our Christian basics course, in the prayer meeting, and perhaps it is something that we don't think about often enough. Heaven is a real place — the bible speaks about it in various places. It will be renewed at the end of time, along with the earth. We will be given new bodies to live in God's presence. We will still be who we are, created and creative beings. Work will still exist, but will be blessed and not a burden. And the presence and praise of God will be the hallmark of our new lives. This is the guaranteed promise for everyone who has come to Jesus and accepted his gift of eternal life. Life is often very full of stresses and anxieties. We have the hope of something good, not only now — but something better still to come. The presence of God in our lives won't immunize us against the bad in the world; but it will give us strength to live through those dark times with hope still alive. If this sense of your own mortality is one that affects you and you want to know more about what to say to people whose lives can no longer be taken for granted — come and speak to us. Heaven and what is promised after this life is too precious to keep a secret! With love in His name, Revd. Richard Lee Priest-in-charge See Notice Board for this
week Locking Parish Events July/August
REFLECTIONS Christianity Explored – a reflection While I was doing a course on Christianity Explored. One question really got me thinking. ‘How would you treat Jesus if you didn’t know the scriptures?’ When I sat and thought about this, my answer would be, ‘...... that I would be untrusting and a non- believer.’ But in my heart, I know that Jesus died for me so that my sins would be forgiven. God must have loved me so very much that he let his own son die a most horrible death for me. I do believe truly in the bible, in Jesus and God our Father. I try very hard to be what Jesus wants me to be. At times I find it very hard. But I know that Jesus loves me so I try even harder. Moira Lambe – Oak Tree Park
Halfway though our week in Wales – a blessed break and relief from the manic busyness of the last week of term, I came to the conclusion that I really didn’t want to go to a Christian event the following week. I was quite happy all on my own with the family. Was I wrong! New Wine – though certainly not outside my experience – was a first for all of us. We have ‘done’ Spring Harvest a couple of times when Jessica was little – but this was something different. I loved the fact that New Wine grew out of Anglican roots - this is a sign of hope for me. To be part of a church of 12,000 people all in one place for a whole week would be amazing enough. But to be part of that church where the Lord was working in great power, was an incredible experience. Daily, we saw and heard testify, that people had been healed, changed and transformed. We saw people set free from things that had held them captive spiritually, mentally and physically, sometimes for years. None of the family came back unchanged. The worship laid the foundations for this powerful ministry. Neil Bennets, Eoghan Heaslip and Martyn Layzell – all well-respected worship leaders and song-writers led the worship in Venue one which we went to most of the time. God’s word was proclaimed powerfully by internationally renowned Christian leaders such as Kenny Borthwick, Greg Haslam, Ellie Mumford, Heidi Baker and others. Neither were the young people ignored. With over 600 children in each group [ours were in Boulder Gang – 10-11 year olds and Rock Solid – 8 and 9 year olds] there was a full itinerary of worship, fun and ministry. Jessica and Thomas saw children becoming Christians and others being physically healed in their groups and have come back hungry for more of what they say was , ‘.... the best holiday we’ve ever had.’ Both Anne and I were touched by the Spirit a number of times and the children got quite used to finding us receiving prayer and ministry. I know that the Lord has begun a new process of working through some of the things that prevent me from being the person He wants me to be. I trust that this work will continue. Would I go again? Unquestionably! I know that there are many people in St Augustine’s who would really benefit from a time of refreshing and receiving at an event like this. We are going to hold a Promotional Evening in the Church centre [or the Vicarage/church if the centre is unavailable] with drinks and nibbles. We will show a DVD which explains what New Wine is. We hope you will be able to come and see for yourself. We would love a larger church group to go to New Wine in 2009. Richard Lee
VISIT OF LORD GEORGE CAREY TO LOCKING 12th/13th APRIL 2008
Anne and Richard Lee, Eileen and George Carey at St
Augustine's Locking.
BIBLES FOR GHANA
A line of 246 £1 coins collected on 30th March 08 in a service organised by our Mission Group towards the Bible Society appeal for Bibles for the youth of Ghana. Each Bible cost £3 so that's 82 Bibles.
Churches across the United Kingdom are constantly at work serving and communicating with 58 Million residents and many visitors to the United Kingdom. 'Hope' proposes to support this work, by facilitating intensified, united, focused prayer and a year of activities, communicating the Gospel through words and actions, creating a lasting legacy of both physical and spiritual change in the lives of communities and individuals.
Parish Weekend Away Locking and Hutton churches had a great weekend away at Sidholme, Sidmouth from Fri 23rd - Sun 25th November 2007.
Our guest speaker was Rev Keith Hallett from Worle. We discussed discipleship, working as a team and what we need to achieve in our church community. Adam and his team ensured we were truly 'pegged' out. Thanks to Helen for the organisation and all who helped with the creche and young peoples. Cliff Dumbell was master or ceremonies for the entertainment on the Saturday evening. Didn't they do well ....!
Review of St. Augustine's 2007-2008
Church and Community Questionnaire Many thanks to all of you who took time to complete the Community Questionnaire that accompanied the recent issue of Crosslinks. One hundred and four responses were received and included comments concerning looking after the elderly and providing more for young people. It was suggested that the Church needs to go out to the people rather than expect people to come to the Church and that they should be more involved with village activities including the organisation of activities suitable for both church members and non church members. A number of you wanted more activities for the whole community Church members and non-members alike. Consequently we are trying to get together a group of people to organise various events. Representatives from a cross section of the community would be ideal. If you can help, please contact Claire or Janet. A few of you felt that you were not always made to feel welcome when you attended Church and we have therefore set up a group of people to ensure that whoever visits St. Augustines is made to feel welcome. Are you one of those people who think Church is an ancient building where a group of old fuddy duddies meet to sing ancient hymns and listen to the vicar spout on for ages? Do you also consider the Church to be out of date and irrelevant in our society today? If so, why not join us for an informal gathering, sing along to the guitar, express your views and listen to others. You might by pleasantly surprised as to how relevant Church is in the 21s1 Century. Meet in the Church Centre on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays of the month at 7.30pm. Some of you indicated that the print on the order of service was too smalL We now have large print versions and if you would like one of these please ensure that the sides-person is aware of your needs. There were some in the community that felt lonely and would like some company. As a first step why not join us for a cup of tea and a chat. Everyone is welcome, young or not so young, we all need some company on occasions. We meet in the Church Centre on the 2nd Thursday of the month between 3.00 and 430p.m. These are the initial steps that we have taken in response to your comments and whilst we will continue to consider what else we might undertake, our resources in terms of "person power" is limited and consequently to achieve the best for our community we do need help and support. Malcolm Friend on behalf of St.Augustines PCC
Favourite Sayings Remember - it takes half as many muscles in your face to smile than it does to frown!
Thoughts If we could Shrink the World If we could shrink the earth to a village with a population of precisely 100 people with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, there would be...
When we consider our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent. It you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation - you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you can attend a church meeting without fear, harassment, arrest, torture or death you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep - you are richer than 75% of the world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish somewhere - you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy. (Found at the Eden Project)
Humour Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see
a joke, A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the
service, his cousin asked him, “How many women can a man marry?”
“Sixteen,” the boy responded at once. His cousin was amazed
that he had an answer so quickly. “Why do you say that?”
“Easy,” the little boy said. “All you have to do is
add it up, like the minister said, 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer,
4 poorer.” Deliver us I had been teaching my three-year-old daughter the Lord's Prayer. Then one evening at bedtime she attempted it solo. I listened with pride, as she carefully annunciate every word, right up until the end of the prayer. 'Lead us not into temptation', she prayed, ' but deliver us some e-mail. Amen'.
One liners Give God what's right - not what's left. Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing. To be almost saved is to be totally lost. When praying, don't give God instructions -just report for duty. Bibles that are falling apart are usually owned by people who aren't.
Extracts from church notices and newsletters (not Crosslinks!) This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends
of the church. Children will be baptised at both ends. This evening at 7pm there will be a hymnsing in the park across from
the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. The minister would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.
Hyms for all People The Dentist's Hymn: .............................Crown Him with Many
Crowns AND for those who speed on the highway -- a few hymns: 45mph.............................God Will Take Care of You |
News
