January 2003
Littleborough Methodist Circuit “The Lit-borough” Come and grow with us	From the Minister’s Study Focus is the key As we reflect on 2002 there are those who would find the words of Solomon an appropriate appendix: ‘. . . the end of a thing is better than its beginning . . .’ (Eccl 7:8). For these people it’s a great relief that 2002 is now part of history because its end soothes painful regrets, perhaps mindful of missed opportunities or painful mistakes made. There are also those for whom the year was so enjoyable that they wish to relive it. Whichever the option for both categories, we are older and wiser having lived through 2002. God in his infinite wisdom is able to use those past events, joyful or painful or even failures, to make us grow according to Rom 8:28 ‘. . .we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them . . .’ The corollary of Solomon’s statement is that one cannot end what one did not begin; or, as the saying goes: ‘Do not wait for your ship to dock if you have not launched one.’ We have a new year like a blank page on which to focus. Focus is the key to what is going to happen, or not happen, in 2003, or as they say in business: ‘Focus is the key to success’. The Apostle Paul knew something of this principle when he said to the Philippian Christians: “no, dear friends, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead” (Phil 3:12). Dr. Ari Kiev of Cornell University observed in Today in the World, July 1990, p.14 that from the moment people decided to concentrate all their energies on a specific objective, they began to surmount the most difficult odds. He concluded: ‘The establishment of a goal is the key to successful living.’ At this time of the year, we make resolutions to focus us in the year ahead, and rightly so. One of the resolutions most of us could probably benefit from comes from Cherie Blair, wife of our PM, Tony Blair. According to Tim Reynolds, People. Com, Jan 2002, her New Year’s resolution for 2002, was ‘to stop trying to do everything and try to prioritise a bit more.’ We need to be focused in order to benefit in the New Year 2003. The Christmas story begins in darkness, but ends in Light, new hope for the world. There was the darkness of oppression, for God’s people were a conquered people. They were a beaten and a defeated people. There was the darkness of persecution. Indeed, it was a despised universal taxation that brought the participants in the story together at the manger. There was the darkness of disillusionment. There was an ever-increasing number who felt that violence, not faith, was the most effective path. Yes, on that first Christmas, the mood was one of despair and resignation. As it was then it is now. We too live in a world of darkness. There are wars and rumours of wars, hunger and unemployment, racism, loneliness, and a sense of emptiness. The storms that characterised 2002 will still be raging in 2003, but let us lay hold of the light brought into the world by the Christ child. In the manifesto for His Kingdom Christ described us¾you and I who know Him as our personal Saviour¾as both the Salt and Light of the World (Mat 5:13–16). Let us remember the lesson of the Advent Ring in which on Christmas day we light the 5th candle for Christ, in the Centre. Whatever challenges 2003 brings, let us remember the Light Christ brought on earth and the promise of His presence in spreading this light. The key to making a good job of the Great commission is Focus. For nearly two years now, I have been imploring us to ‘Dream our dreams and achieve them together.’ I believe the time has come when we need to define and focus on what we are about as a Circuit, as individual chapels, as individual Christians. Focus on it and go ahead and achieve it in Christ’s power. May this be the year in which we Focus on Outreach to our community and our neglected Youth, to all those facing a Christless eternity. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2003 Daniel The church is the present tense of the Kingdom of God Jim Herst From the Autumn Newsletter of Littleborough Civic Trust Dearnley Methodist Church Civic Trust members will, I am sure, have shared our delight in the cleaning and improvement of Dearnley Methodist Church. Indeed, that, together with the general upkeep of the cottages and shops, St Andrew’s Church and the new houses nearby, means that Dearnley has almost become a village within a village again. Speaking to Geoff Profitt, the organist and property committee member, I was told that the new work on the buildings had been carried out with the assistance of a legacy, grants from the Rank Organisation and the Pennine Township Committee, to whom they are most grateful. The outside stonework of the original 1868 chapel and the newer additions from 1900 have been cleaned and silicone treated. It has emerged a beautiful golden colour (I wonder if anyone knows of a record of there the stone was quarried?) and, to my mind, the carvings and decoration now stand out more clearly. The Church has been refurbished inside too. Of note, are the oak furnishings ¾ lectern, flower stand and communion table ¾ carved by ‘Mousy’ Thompson from North Yorkshire. The organ too is said to be one of the finest in the area. These beautiful furnishings from the 1860s were generously donated by Jack Butterworth (of Whittle’s Bakery, which was situated at the end of Whitelees Road), himself a musician and organist. Another more recent addition to celebrate the Millennium and the Church Anniversary are the two stained glass windows, one which contains the ‘oak tree’ theme with a brilliant depiction of a tree encircled by the Church name. These windows were designed, crafted and installed by a local man, Richard Washbrook, whose relatives still live in Littleborough. During recent years, the 1868 chapel has been remodelled to provide a comfortable meeting space with room and facilities for serving refreshments. Rae Street The Fragrance of Jesus It must have been quite a party! There was Simon, who had been cured of leprosy, and Lazarus who had been raised from the dead. The disciples were there and Martha who was responsible for the serving, helped by her sister, Mary. But of course, none of them would have been there if it hadn’t been for the main guest, the Lord Jesus. After the meal, Mary came back into the room from the kitchen, not to clear away the dishes, but to perform one of the most significant acts of Jesus’ life¾ an act of love, which He prophesied would be spoken about throughout history. She came right up to where He was sitting and to the amazement of all present, proceeded to break the neck of a precious marble vase and pour the very valuable contents all over His head. The perfume ran down His clothes and formed a puddle round His feet. She then released her hair and began wiping His feet with it as if she was using a towel. Of course, she was totally out of order. She shouldn’t have been in the room where the men were relaxing¾and to let he hair down in public? Well, shame on her! But Mary was not put off by tradition. She simply wanted to show her love and commitment to the one who had proved Himself such a good friend of the family. The vessel of pure nard was probably her life savings, her insurance against hard times, but at the feet of Jesus she had learned to place her tomorrows in His hands and was happy to express herself in this extravagant way. The sound of the sudden crack of the jar was followed by a pregnant pause as the perfume rapidly overcame the lingering smells of recent cooking. What a conversation stopper! A sudden hush followed by a gasp of amazement, but the soon the reaction of the onlookers was far from cordial. They did not appreciate this wasteful act. They didn’t understand and the criticism flowed. I guess if I had been there I would have backed Judas and the other disciples in their very logical arguments if I had the knowledge that they had at the time. Now of course, post Calvary, I can begin to understand what Mary was up to. This was reckoned to be the ‘Number One’ perfume of the day and a whole jar would certainly have gone a long way. No wonder Mary used her long hair to wipe up the excess. Furthermore, wherever she went others would be aware of the perfume. It was a scent that lingered for days and that meant that wherever Jesus went, others would be aware of it too. Where was He going? Well, there was another supper, and John would have been reminded of Mary’s commitment as he leaned his head on Jesus’ shoulder. Then there was the interview with the governing authorities. I wonder what Pilate and the High Priests thought of the very distinctive aroma that surrounded this unusual prisoner? And of course there was an appointment He had to fulfill on a hill outside Jerusalem. I wonder what the wife of the Roman soldier who won the lottery had to say about her husband’s new, highly perfumed, ill-gotten garment? Everywhere Jesus went He would have been surrounded by the evidence of the love of a woman who had shown her appreciation of what He had done for her. It is as we break the container, let down our guard and share something of our-selves that the fragrance of Christ working in our lives benefits others around us. We all have gifts and talents, skills and possessions, which we can keep to our-selves, or release in a measured and restrictive way. But Jesus rejoices when we are extravagant in our worship and our fellowship. Mike Williams (edited and reproduced with permission) Church signs The best vitamin for a Christian is B1. Under the same management for 2,000 years. Don’t give up. Moses was a basket case once! Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due. It’s hard to stumble when you’re down on your knees. Titles for God John Wesley received a letter from his learned friend, Mr Walsh, which he was pleased to include in his Journal for 14th January, 1756. Its subject was the Names of God which are found in the Old Testament passages which apply to the Lord Jesus. The Father is called God, so is the Son, Isaiah 9:6 The Father is called Elohim, so is the Son, Hosea 1:7 The Father is called Jehovah, so is the son, Jeremiah 23: 6 The letter continues to look at the attributes of the Father, also found in the Lord Jesus. The Father is from everlasting, so the Son is the Author of Eternity, Isaiah 9:6. The Father is aid to have created all things, so is the Son, John 1 and Colossians 1. The Father is said to be Almighty so is the Son. The Father is Omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), so is the Son, Matthew 18:20 The Father is Omniscient (knowing all things), so is the Son, Revelation 2:23. The Father forgives sins, so does the Son, Mark 2:5–11 The Father is Judge of all, so is the Son, Acts 17:31 Further, all angels and people should honour the Son as they honour the Father, and the New Testament saints prayed to the Son, as they did to the Father. Adapted from The Works of John Wesley, Volume II (Zondervan, USA) The seed of God is in us. Now the seed of a pear tree grows into a pear tree; and a hazel seed grows into a hazel tree; a seed of God grows into God Meister Eckhart Wisdom from India The same breath is blown into the flute, cornet and bagpipe, but different music is produced according to the different instruments. In the same way, the one Spirit works in us, God’s children, but different results are produced, and God is glorified through them according to each one’s temperament and personality. Sadhu Sundar Singh, from With and Without Christ Did You Know? Read Revelation 2: 17 ‘To those who prove victorious I will give the hidden manna and a white stone¾ a stone with a new name written on it, known only to the man who receives it’. What is the ‘hidden manna’ and what does the white stone with a name inscribed on it mean? Apocryphal stories said that the jar containing Aaron’s pot of manna, which was in the lost Ark of the Covenant, would be found again when the Messiah came and Israel was destroyed¾so believers would receive the ‘hidden manna’. The white stone could have several meanings. Commentators mention all of the following: a jury would give the person on trial a white stone to say they were acquitted, or a black one to say they were condemned. So God would be saying believers were absolved of their sins. A victor would be given a white stone, which would entitle him to enter all public festivals. So God would be inviting the believer to His festival (Heaven). A stone inscribed with two names would be divided in two and exchanged¾each person who received half of it had an open invitation to the other’s house. So God would be inviting the believer to His home. The high priest’s breastplate was inlaid with twelve stones inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, so the stone being inscribed with a name might indicate that the believer was one of the chosen people. If the name inscribed on the stone was the Name of God or of Christ, the stone might be believed to give the possessor the powerful Spirit inherent in that Name. Alternatively, people in the Bible are often given a new name to describe a new status: Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob becomes Israel. So the stone would be the believer’s right to enter God’s kingdom in his or her new character as a person saved by God’s grace. Notes · Quotes · Anecdotes New Year… A Happy New Year to you all. 2003. New Beginnings New Relationship with Jesus? Jesus said:– The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. John 16: 27 Help me to keep my heart open to you Lord, my Spirit receptive, my soul at its listening post. For you have much to say to me, things I need to know, words for my strengthening, guidance for my way. Flora Larsson Cameo Character Corner andrew Lived at Bethsaida He was:– Simon Peter’s brother The one who introduced Peter to Jesus John 1:41–42 The one who found the boy with loaves and fishes amongst a crowd of 5,000! (John 6:8–9) Involved in bringing the Greeks to Jesus John 12:20–22 A living link between others and Jesus. Is not this a man who was led by the Spirit? Florence Diary of a Bible Jan 15 I’ve been resting quietly for a week, for the first few nights of the year my owner read me regularly, but now seems to have forgotten me. Feb 2 Owner used me for a short time after dinner, looking up a few references. Then I was taken to Church. Mar 7 After lying on the hall table since my last visit to Church, was dusted and put back in my old place again. Apr 2 Busy day! Owner was helping with an event and had to look up sine references. Had an awful time finding one. May 5 In the lap of my owner’s Grandma all afternoon: she is here on a visit. May 6 In Grandma’s lap again. She spent most of the time on 1 Corinthians 13. May 7–9 In Grandma’s lap every afternoon. It’s a comfortable spot. Sometimes she reads me, sometimes she talks to me. May 10 Grandma has gone. She kissed me goodbye. I’m back in my old place. June 3 Had a four-leafed clover stuck in me today. July 1 Packed in a trunk with clothes and other things, possible going on holiday. July 7-10 Still living in trunk July 15 Back home in old place. Can’t understand why I went. Aug 1 Have some magazines, a novel and an old hat on top of me. Wish they would take them off. Sept 5 Dusted again Sept 10 Used by my owner’s sister, Mary, for a few moment. She was writing a letter to a friend whose brother had died and she wanted an appropriate verse. Sept 13 Dusted again Now read YOUR Bible and look up Joshua 1:8 ! Thoughts before the Communion Service – The Lord’s Table The Bread reminds us that ‘we, being many, are one’. Symbolically, we partake of only one loaf. Some will take a wafer¾so thin you can see through it; others a broken piece of granary bread, or what might not be bread¾taken from the dirty floor of a martyr’s cell in a prison in a country where Christians are persecuted. Yet all in emblem eat one loaf: a powerful, ever-present statement of the real unity of Jesus’ Church. The Wine keeps the memorial, not only that Christ’s blood was shed, but that His life’s blood was given – His soul given as an offering for sin. Isaiah 53: ‘He endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne . . . because of our sins he was wounded . . . We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received. All of us were like sheep that were lost, each of us going his own way. But the Lord made the punishment fall on him, the punishment all of us deserved . . . The Lord says: It was my will that he should suffer; his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness . . . He took the place of many sinners and prayed that they might be forgiven.’ E. Lees Social Action page: The Good News There’s a lot of good news for those of you who have been campaigning for the developing world. things certainly aren’t rosy, but it’s good to look at what we HAVE achieved, to spur us on to more achievements. The Co-op and Fairtrade Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for producers in developing countries. The Co-op has developed its own range of fairly traded products, including coffee, bananas, wine, cakes and chocolate bars, as well as selling other Fairtrade products like Cafédirect and Teadirect. You can get many Fairtrade products from the Co-op here in Littleborough: please look out for them. Fairtrade really does make a difference to the poorest producers. The good news is that Fairtrade sales throughout the UK have risen by 40% in the last couple of years. And the even better news is that the Co-op has taken the decision to make ALL its own-brand chocolate bars Fairtrade. All Co-op chocolate bars will now be produced using Fairtrade cocoa from the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative in Ghana. The producers at Kuapa Kokoo receive a fair price for their goods that at least covers the cost pf production, the security of long-term contracts as well as a guarantee of minimum living and working conditions. The secure guaranteed price paid to the producers for their cocoa beans means that they have money to invest in their businesses and communities¾to feed their children and send them to school and to see the doctor when they need to. ACTION: Please but fairly-traded chocolate, coffee, tea, orange juice and bananas. IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Coffee action A big ‘thank you’ to the many people who wrote to Kraft Foods in November, asking them to ensure the poorest coffee farmers receive a fair price for their coffee beans. Most of us have now received a reply from Kraft, saying they share our concerns, and that they support ‘A decent and improving standard of living for growers and producers of coffee and their families.’ They cite quality improvement schemes they have been involved with in Peru and Vietnam and say they think they do pay a decent price for their coffee. Unfortunately, this is not the whole story. Their views on the current crisis are that ‘the market will find its own solution because countries and producers will be driven out of the market’. They say are willing to look at Oxfam’s plans for helping poor producers but their initial response it that, ‘It won’t work. It never has because it is a voluntary scheme and because it is unclear what it is trying to do. We are fundamentally opposed to any scheme that intervenes on price’. Letting ‘the market find its own solution’ is another way of saying that the weakest will go to the wall, and that is exactly what is happening. Of course Kraft and other companies have to make profits, but does that mean the poor must always be the victims of our consumer society? Do compassion and commerce really have to be mutually exclusive? Fairtrade has proved that it doesn’t have to be like that! Action: If you want to take more action on the coffee crisis, please send the enclosed slip or a letter of your own to Patricia Hewitt. Please keep taking action. The coffee companies MUST listen eventually if we persist. Book review Christianity Rediscovered Vincent J Donovan, SCM Press, 1978. New edition: 2001. My favourite chair cost £5, and even then people thought I’d paid too much for it. It looked a mess, with its layers of paint, dirt and the tarnish of the years. But I saw its potential, bought it, stripped away the rubbish and ‘hey presto’ it is beautiful. The loveliest part is the wood, with the rich colours of the grain glowing mahogany and gold. Vincent Donovan was a missionary in Tanzania, evangelising the Masai people. By his own admission, he was a naïve and opinionated young man. He was constantly made aware by the Masai whom he came to know, respect and love, that he had not thought through the consequences of his own faith. Although he had been ordained, had never ‘looked beneath the surface’ of the Christianity he inherited, first at home and at Church, then at college. This profound book is his attempt to rediscover what Christianity is really about, stripped of its ‘add-ons.’ For example, he has some penetrating insights into what communion is about, what faith is (and is not), and what a church is. He is movingly honest, and intelligent too. His eye is keen. He is willing to acknowledge the hypocrisy and stupidity of his Church, and yearns for its leaders to look at their reason for being. Donovan is most profound when he looks at the way the Gospel we export is contaminated by our own culture. He was an American, and realised that the Gospel he was preaching was actually American culture seasoned with a little Christianity. Similarly, much of the Gospel we practice in our churches here in the UK is in fact British culture, with a Christian flavour. In other words, many of us practice adulterated Christianity, a Christianity with layer upon layer of un-Christlikeness. When we try to share Christianity with our friends and neighbours, do they see our form of Britishness first, before they see Christ? Like my chair, Donovan’s vision of the Church is more beautiful after scraping away the accumulated dirt of the years. The author’s style is very easy to follow, and you’ll probably find you don’t want to put the book down. And you won’t want to leave the subject after finishing the book, but will want to look afresh at every aspect of our faith, our Church, our service of the Lord. Anon Salvation is not a magic formula produced by a secret mixture of sacraments and Church membership. It is the result of love of God, and grace and holiness and goodness From Christianity Rediscovered, Vincent J Donovan A prayer for enlightenment Oh God, save me from myself . . . this masterful self which manipulates your creation . . . this self which throws the thick shadow of its own purposes and desires in every direction in which I try to look, so that I cannot see what it is that you, my Lord and God, are showing to me. Teach me to stand out of my own light, and let your daylight shine. Austin Farrer, Warden of Keble College, Oxford, 1960–1968 Love Love releases us for taking one more risk than we might dare; glory breaks through dark and danger, shows the Lord transfigured there. God who planted our affections, help your gifts to grow more free, fan in us the fires of loving, daring, dancing Trinity. Michael Hare Duke (Scottish Episcopal bishop) Our little, God can use for much Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester If I am not in God’s grace, may God bring me there; if I am in it, may he keep me there Joan of Arc Lord, help me to begin to begin George Whitefield Saints are people who make it easier for others to believe in God Nathan Söderblom (Lutheran Archbishop)
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