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Littleborough Methodist Circuit
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From the Minister’s Study ADVENT: TIME FOR WATCHING AND WAITING As we enter this season of Advent and the count down to Christmas, I exhort us to spare a moment for thought about the meaning of the Incarnation. Advent is a time to reflect and focus on the mystery of God with us, God coming in human flesh, God coming in judgment. But central to our reflection should be the thought of Advent God- the God who watches and waits and yearns for our return to him from a wayward ways. Thought of a God who is a gentleman who never forces His way into our lives. This thought is mirrored in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24, where the focus in the parable is on a father who gives inheritance to a wayward son, and keeps scanning the horizon waiting for his return and when he returns makes a feast for him. A thought also reflected in Rev. 3:20 where Jesus Christ, the Founder of the church is pictured standing outside His church knocking waiting to be invited to go in and give a feast. The advent
season is a time of patient waiting and preparation for the coming of our
Lord. But one may ask
preparation in what? Is it
preparation for the Lord’s long awaited second coming that will usher the
consummation of the age? Is it
preparation for our death at which time we will enter into His presence
forever? Or is it simply preparation for Christmas stories, carols and the
activities that surround the season: the joy of giving and receiving? Advent embraces all these three thoughts: Christmas
celebration for his first coming in the past, Christ’s second coming in
judgment and our death and subsequent exit from this life and future. But
underlying all these three is the thought that Advent waiting and preparation
marks the deep seated belief that God can and does divinely intervene into
routine events of human life and as such we need to wait and watch. Advent says
to us that God may come to us at anytime, in any experience and that when he
comes our lives are never the same
again. The Biblical texts in
Mark 13:32-37 and Matthew chapters 24-25 which expound the theme of advent,
all seem to emphasize this central point: God’s in-breaking into our lives
may come at any time and so we are exhorted to be ready living on red alert. For some of us God comes to us in our
darkest moments, in our greatest need, perhaps at times of great loneliness
and depression. When can we say
we are ready? Readiness is what
we do now as we prepare, as we wait, as we watch. Our greatest danger to watchfulness is the illusion of
well being when things are progressing smoothly and the temptation is
greatest to think life will always be this way. Alongside
the message of watchfulness in advent is the message of hope. For those of us to whom life is hard,
the message of advent is there is hope – watch and wait as the saying goes,
behind every cloud is a silver lining, darkness is at its thickest before the
break of dawn. The advent
message for the church is to be ready, persistent in our faith, unyielding in
our convictions, unwilling to compromise our loyalty to Christ. Commitment to Christ is the
antidote to complacency and is the epitome of Advent. Let us watch and wait and be on red
alert for Christ’s coming. Daniel An advent prayer O Blessed
God, as we prepare ourselves for the Advent of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus
Christ, help us by Your Holy Spirit to do all that we do in gladness and love Keep us
mindful of the spiritual realities that Jesus came to show us, and help us to
know that all life is sacred since He came, and the whole life a sacrament of
praise and thanksgiving for we are daily in His company—everywhere. “Prayers for Worship”, by Bill Hughes Food
for thought…. Bones:
Which Bone do you represent? Our
Membership is made up of four sets of bones. Our Wishbones spend all their time wishing someone else would do the
work. Our Jawbones do the talking but little
else. Our knucklebones knock everything that anybody else tried to do. Fortunately,
we also have many backbones, who
get under the load and actually do the work. Llandudno
Parish Magazine
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GOD LOVES US
ALL: by Valerie Lewis, 2003. Blind eyes shall see the lovely face of Jesus, Deaf ears shall hear His lovely voice of
love. Those without speech shall praise, And hearts that once were broken Shall tell the miracle of His love. Yes! Blind eyes can see: they see an inward
beauty, As they gaze into their Saviour’s lovely
face. Deaf ears can hear: they hear the joys of
Heaven – The sound of music telling out His grace. The lame can walk: they walk each day with
Jesus. Those without speech, shall praise: Their lives shall show His power. And though the World may call us
“Disabled”, God says: “Enabled! Go
from hour to hour.” OPEN DOORS – STANDING WITH THE SUFFERING CHURCH Whilst
we have a relatively easy time of it, members of our Christian Family suffer
in unbelievable ways. It
is only acceptable that we support them as fully as possible: in prayer,
giving and being informed.
No one in the World would admire us for overlooking them: let alone
God! An
old man near the end of his life recommended Open Doors to me, seven years
ago. I have received their
free literature ever since, and have mentioned their work in our Saturday Morning
Prayer Meetings, and in services. It
seemed a small step to volunteer as an official Representative. We
can see God’s planning, in that Network had invited the Open Doors Regional
Organiser to speak during October. Please
enlist in this most worthy of causes, by writing to: Open Doors, PO Box 6, Witney. OX29 6WG. I
invite each Church Council to consider appointing a representative to link up
with Open Doors. Originally,
a young Dutchman known as Brother Andrew inaugurated the mission. His adventures, smuggling
Bibles into Russia, in an old Volkswagen, were told in the bestseller: “God’s
Smuggler”. Douglas Wilkinson MISSIONARY VENTURES
"Carrying the WORD
to the world through personal involvement" Missionary Ventures (MV) is an
international Christian organization having the primary aims of evangelism
and church planting. Last year a decision was made to expand the British arm
of the ministry by opening an office here in Champness Hall, Rochdale. We seek out and build relationships with
Christian leaders in the countries in which we operate – currently the
British office is involved in Russia, India and various parts of Africa. The
aim is to help accelerate the work that God is doing through those leaders by
sending short-term mission teams and other resources. Working through the MV field-coordinators
we train and facilitate teams to serve on the mission field. Trips are
typically between 10-14 days and there is always a specific focus for the
mission. There are ‘Ministry’ teams that could involve sharing personal
testimony, children’s or youth work, praying, music
and drama. The more experienced team members may preach or teach from the
Bible. There are also more specialized teams such as medical or construction. MV teams may come from a particular church
or area but we also have ‘jump-on’ teams whereby anyone can apply to join a
scheduled mission trip. For many ‘ordinary’ Christians, being part of a
short-term mission team is a life-changing experience. Of course not everyone is able to actually
GO – however you can be personally involved in mission by giving financially
to support the ministry, by praying for the work or by helping as a volunteer
in the office. To find out more please contact me on 01706
639333, by e-mail on mvgb@btconnect.com or why not call in the office for a
coffee and a chat? Rob
Carter— Director,
Missionary Ventures Great Britain Folk
News and Circuit News who celebrates silver Jubilee as a Local
Preacher. May God richly bless
you as you continue to serve Him and the church through your ministry as a
local preacher. There will be a service to mark this
occasion on 7th November 2003 at Dearnley Church, starting 7:30 pm kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk The
exhibition in Smith Bridge, celebrating one hundred years of the extension to
the building, has had many visitors, and been a great success. Congratulations! Artful
and crafty days at Smithy Bridge Congratulations
to Hazel and Norma and their dedicated team of helpers, for yet again running
successful craft days in Mid-October. They
are skilled teachers in this popular field, and their good work has often had
rich rewards. kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Network Meetings are open to men and
women, but the meetings are not well supported by the circuit. It
must be disappointing and embarrassing for the secretary and the faithful
committee as there is always a good speaker, many of whom travel long distances to come and
speak In
October Mr Womersley came from Sheffield to speak to us about “Open Doors”
and showed a thought provoking video on persecuted Christians world wide (see
D Wilkinson’s report). We also
had a lovely tea provided by
Dorothy Mills and other helpers. Next
time there is a network meeting do please try to attend. You will find it meaningful and
enjoyable.
Kathleen Hill Missionary
Thank You Letter to Dearnley: Via Barnabas Fund Over
the last two years or so, Dearnley have been supporting an African Missionary
in his home country, Kenya via the Barnabas Fund working among the unreached
tribes of Northern Kenya with the Gospel. Recently
some news arrived form the ministry of Samuel and Christine Ochieng with TSM
in Kenya. And he writes:- “The past frequent attacks of pneumonia
have ceased and Christine and Kelly now enjoy good health. Kelly has just completed nursery
school. The people of Moyale town
remain closed to one-on-one evangelism due to fear of communal
reprisals. However, stone
throwing has decreased, so the teaching of God’s word id done openly. Pray for God’s help so that we may speak
His word boldly and display His surpassing power. Pray for those who listen that they will believe and
repent. Pray especially for
Mustafa and another Ali who have requested Bibles. Pray that God reveals the truth to them through their
bible reading times”. Samuel
teaches at the local school while Christine offers tuition to younger
children. This has brought about
friendly relationships with the community. Many parents are bringing their children for tuition. Pray that God will give the Ochiengs
wisdom to make the most of these opportunities. Pray for the people in Moyale, as the area experiences
drought this season yet there is no relief food. Pray that people will fear
God rather than man. Pray for Samuel as he takes over as the TSM field leader
in Moyale. Thank you for prayers
and support from Dearnley Methodist Church. Caroline Kerslake (Administrator) Following last
month’s appeal for Book Aid, if you would like
your books collected please, phone Kathleen
Hill, Tel 379170 or deliver to 16 Laburnum Way, Notice board 1st November
coffee morning at
Dearnley, there will be stalls for preservatives, cakes, etc all proceeds for MHA more details,
contact Sheila Hawkwood 1st November, gift day at Greenhill @3:00
pm with a variety of stalls. Admissions £1:50 including afternoon
tea. 2nd
November, United Circuit Service at Dearnley, led by Jack
Leach and the speaker will be, Lindsy Tilston. The offering will be forthe work of the
MHA. 6th
November, Circuit Bible Study,
at the circuit office, starting
8:00 pm 7th
November, Recognition service for Carole Forsyth’s 25 years
as a Local Preachers at Dearnley Chapel, at 7:30 pm. The
preacher will be Rev Keith Garner, Chairman of Bolton and Rochdale District 13th
November, Network Meeting, at Dearnley starting 2:30 pm,
the speak will be Mrs Anne Lloyd-Jones, (wife of Gwyn, the Gideon’s representative)
Please do come and support the work
of Network kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk Advance Notices Circuit
United service at Dearnley
Chapel on 28th December, Led by Rev Jack Leach starting at 10:15, Please note, no evening service at Wardle, as
indicated on the plan.—A typist error – apologies! |
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