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DECEMBER 2007 - JANUARY 2008 MAGAZINE
Dear Friends
“We need a
good leader!” That is the cry from the heart of many today.
Whether in the nation or the church, in the workplace or the home,
we all need someone to take charge competently.
The message of Christmas is that God has given us the leader we
really need: one who by far surpasses all our expectations, one
who is totally qualified to lead us in this life and eternity.
That leader is Jesus Christ, God’s own Son from eternity,
yet born into this world as a human being that very first
Christmas.
Jesus’ qualifications are spelt out for us in a Bible verse
which we hear every Christmas: “For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his
shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa.9.6).
Let us ponder on each of those amazing titles of the one who is
the rightful King and bears the responsibility of government:
• Wonderful
Counsellor: one who can rule with wisdom which is
“supernatural” (that is what the word
“wonderful” means) and always decides aright.
• Mighty God: one who in his person and his power is none
other than the Lord himself.
• Everlasting Father: one who cares, through time and
eternity, for all his subjects with incomparable love and
compassion.
• Prince of Peace: one who administers the benefits of
wholeness in his benign rule.
The tragedy of Christmas is that men and women have by and large
rejected this ideal leader, who has been provided for us. Not
only at Christmas, when we focus on his coming, but also during
the rest of the year, so many people have no time for Christ the
King. He is a stranger at the celebration of his birth and an
unwelcome guest at all other times too. What greater folly can
there be?
John comments on the rejection of Christ that occurred 2000 years
ago, but it is a comment on today as well: “He was in the
world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not
know him” (John 1.10). And yet the offer is still there for
all who will gratefully accept it and welcome Jesus into their
lives: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1.12).
May we, this Christmas and throughout the year ahead, receive the
leader who has been born to us, the King who has been given to us
– and may we acknowledge his rightful rule in our lives.
With warm Christian greetings,
Yours,
Robert Bashford
FROM THE CHURCH REGISTERS
Thanksgiving: 14th October Ayrton Henry Israel Walker
We welcome into the Church family:
Baptism: 21st October Joshua David Curtis
Thomas John Curtis
Liam James Twynam
James Samuel West
Jack Morgan West
14th November Thea Mollie Dean
We extend our prayers and sympathy to the relatives and
friends of those committed to God’s care:
Funerals: 5th October Paul Kitchener, aged 51 years
2nd November Jim West, aged 85 years
23rd November Margaret Dawson, aged 86 years
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER SERMON CDs
All CDs of the sermons preached on Sunday mornings and evenings
in October and November 2007 are available on request from
Elizabeth and Nigel Hadley (Tel: 831067) as usual. If you have
requested a CD please collect from the back of Church the
following Sunday. CDs £1 each.
SERMONS IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY
Sunday 2nd Dec 8.00am “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6.22-40)
10.30am “The work is never over” (Nehemiah 13)
6.30pm “God’s plan for the Jews” (Romans 11.1-32)
Sunday 9th Dec 8.00am “Believing in Jesus” (John 6.41-59)
10.30am “The Lord is the builder” (Psalm 127)
6.30pm “God’s unsearchable wisdom” (Romans 11.33-
36)
Sunday 16th Dec 8.00am “The words of eternal life” (John
6.60-71)
10.30am “The Light of the world” (CHRISTINGLE
FAMILY SERVICE)
6.30pm “Oh! Sing to the Lord a new song” (Psalm 98)
Sunday 23rd Dec 8.00am “God has spoken by his Son” (Hebrews1.1-5)
10.30am “Born to greatness” (Hebrews 1)
6.30pm CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Sunday 30th Dec 8.00am “Christmas reflections”
10.30am “Great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations
3.22-23)
6.30pm “Approaching a new year”
Sunday 6th Jan 8.00am “Pressing on” (Phil.3.13-14)
10.30am “Pressing on – what can encourage us?”
(Phil.3.13-14)
6.30pm “Pressing on – what can hold us back?”
(Phil.3.13-14)
Sunday 13th Jan 8.00am “Jesus at the Feast of Booths” (John
7.1-31)
10.30am “Born twice” (John 3.1-21)
6.30pm “The day the locusts came” (Joel 1.1-10)
Sunday 20th Jan 8.00am “Jesus causes division” (John 7.32-52)
10.30am “The monkey trap” (FAMILY SERVICE)
6.30pm “Return to the Lord” (Joel.2.1-17)
Sunday 27th Jan 8.00am “Challenge and mercy shown to a
sinner”
(John 8.1-11)
10.30am “The empty life” (John 4.1-42)
6.30pm “A day is coming” (Joel 2.18-32)
HARVEST SUPPER BARN DANCE
On Saturday 29th September, we held our Harvest Supper Barn Dance
at the Old School Hall in Garlinge. The evening was divided into
three parts. We started off with dancing, then enjoyed our supper,
finishing with further dances . Our dance caller was Patrick
Couch who very ably led us through each dance and accompanied us
with his accordion playing.
The food was provided by Helen and Jonathan Floyd with help from
members of their family. We enjoyed hot dogs with salad and
coleslaw followed by apple crumble.
Everyone who attended had an enjoyable evening and the majority
of people joined in with at least one dance. It was good to see
Christians having a good time in a relaxed atmosphere. The
evening was concluded by a harvest thought given by Robert
Bashford, our Vicar.
Ruth Flanders
FRIENDS OF KENT CHURCHES SPONSORED WALK AND RIDE
Firstly, I would like to thank those Church members who gave up
part of their day to sit in St James’ to welcome visitors.
This is one of the jobs that can become very lonely and dare I
say it, rather boring, if your stint coincides with a spell of no
visitors. I know I say this each year, but as a participant, I
cannot emphasise too much how nice it is to see an open door and
a smiling face as you cycle or walk up to a church. Of course,
time passes quicker if there are two of you on duty, so the more
who volunteer, the better it is for everyone. Please do think
about it for next year. Why not book the second Saturday in
September now?! Four of us took part and between us raised just
over £180 of which St James’ receives 50%.
I’m a bit of a hoarder, but I was surprised to find just how
much paperwork I had kept relating to the event over the years,
back I suppose to when I took over as local organiser from George
and Frances Kidd. My lists of sitters go back to 1998 and on that
list was Pat Taft, who has probably helped every year since and
perhaps before then. Thank you, Pat. Of recent years we have been
complaining that the numbers of visitors have dropped. Looking
back, it seems to have varied greatly, but with an average of
about 25. The lowest was in 1998 with only 17, and the most in
1993 when we welcomed 44. This year saw 24 visiting us. As for
those riding on behalf of St James’ this year, Nigel Hadley
and a succession of sons have been regular supporters, and I
think Chris Gibbs has only missed one ride since 1991. Thanks to
them and all the others who have cycled over the years to support
both the Church and FKC.
So what of this year? Initially Chris and I were not sure if we
would be free to take part as we were expecting visitors and it
was our grandson’s 2nd birthday. However, the visitors
didn’t materialise so we quickly persuaded friends and work
colleagues to sponsor us and prepared the bikes and a picnic. We
awoke to a glorious sunny morning, but by breakfast time we found
to our dismay that a dense sea mist had suddenly drifted inland.
This, and the fact that the man at the first church on our
itinerary (and on the official list) said they knew nothing about
the ride, did not seem to bode well for the rest of the day.
So that we could wish our grandson a Happy Birthday, we had
devised a new route this year and after Westgate and Minnis Bay,
we headed along the seawall to Reculver. The mist was so thick
that we could not see the towers until about halfway along the
wall. After Reculver we called in at the Methodist Church in
Beltinge. From the outside this looked little more than a shed at
the bottom of someone’s garden! Over the Thanet Way to
Broomfield URC, then round the corner to our son’s house.
Young Jack was having a wonderful time playing in his new sandpit
and had certainly worked out that interesting shapes wrapped in
brightly coloured paper would contain more toys for him to play
with! Of course, we spent too long playing with Jack and talking
to Benjamin and Carrie, so we were a bit behind schedule.
We entered St Martin’s at Herne along with some wedding
guests and then, as told to do by an officious sign, we walked (pushing
our bikes) across some fields en route for Hoath. By now, the sun
had come out and we enjoyed out picnic sitting on a wooden bridge
over a dry stream bed. This was East Kent at its best –
rolling fields, no traffic noise, no sign of any buildings, just
the occasional walker that meant we had to relinquish our seat
for them to cross the ‘stream’.
After another half mile we discovered why cyclists were not
encouraged – a stile barred our way. Bicycles duly
manhandled over, with Chris complaining about the weight of mine.
I had to point out, that as his had not basket or saddlebag, I
was carrying all the food, drink, jumpers and wet weather gear
AND the tool kit, so perhaps he wouldn’t moan when I was a
long way behind him plodding up the hills!
Then we came to a low flying aircraft road sign at the side of
the footpath and instructions to look both ways for planes. This
was the airfield at Maypole, the other side of which was a
kissing gate. Have you ever tried to get through one of these
with a bike? We do not recommend it! by now it was a glorious
early autumn afternoon and the sleepy village of Haoth was all
that you expected of an out of the way English village.
On to Chislet by quiet country lanes and then across the marshes
to St Nicholas by way of Gelling Drove. This was a wide farm
track and a pleasure to cycle along … we passed the field
entrance and found ourselves struggling along little more than a
track made by a rabbit! This was not fun, nor was negotiating the
decaying steps down to a rather suspect looking plank bridge
across a dyke. Still, we made it to St Nicholas-at-Wade and then
along the duel carriageway to Birchington and then our
penultimate church of St Peter’s. We were due in St
James’ at 5pm to sit for the final hour. Sorry we were 10
minutes late, Jutta and Neil, blame it on Jack’s sandpit!
José Gibbs
Report of Sponsored Bike Ride in aid of Kent Churches (September
2007)
As we opened our curtains early on the Saturday morning, we were
delighted to see a beautiful warm sunny day for our ride. We had
planned on taking our bikes on the train from Westgate to
Whitstable for the start and this we duly did, arriving there
just before 10.00am. By that time the sun had gone in and a
chilly mist had rolled in from the sea. I started to wish that I
had brought something warmer to wear! Away we pedalled from the
railway station for about half a mile until I realised we were
going in the wrong direction. Oops.. about turn. Do they make Sat
Nav for bikes?
We made a good start in Whitstable (lots of churches open) then
proceeded along the 'misty' sea wall to Herne Bay at a cracking
pace (to try and keep warm!). By the time we got there, the sun
was coming out and it was thankfully starting to warm up again.
Lots of churches open here and many welcomed us with offers of
drinks and cakes etc. We paused for our lunch on Herne bay sea
front and then it was time to finish off our rounds of the
churches here and head via Beltinge to Reculver. Arriving at the
beautiful little church at the top of the hill overlooking the
old Roman fort of Reculver, we were treated to a breathtaking
view of Thanet and the marshland that was amazingly all water
just 1000 years ago, in Roman times (The Wantsum channel). Thanet
really was an 'Isle' in those days!
We paused briefly at The 'King Ethelbert' for light refreshment
before the three mile pedal along the sea wall and new bike track
to Minnis Bay. Starting to get just a little 'saddle sore' now!
Almost home via Birchington and into Westgate we finished up at
St. James' to a warm welcome from Neil & Jutta Moon manning
our church.
All in all a great day out. 25 miles covered, 30 churches visited
and £105 raised in sponsorship (half of which comes back to St.
James'). We chatted with quite a few cyclists on the same venture.
It would be nice, next year, to perhaps get a few more 'bikers'
together from St. James' and go in a group. It really is great
exercise but it does remain a mystery to me why they make bike
saddles so narrow... Ouch!
Nigel and Dominic Hadley
TEARFUND
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency working
with a global network of local churches to help eradicate poverty.
Our ten-year vision is to see 50 million people released from
material and spiritual poverty through a world-wide network of
100,000 local churches.
1960 was World Refugee year and many members of the Evangelical
Alliance sent money to the Alliance, knowing it had contact with
missionaries who worked with refugees. Over the next few years
donations continued to grow. The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund
– Tearfund – was launched in 1968 under the leadership
of Rev. George Hoffman. From the early days of Tearfund, their
vision was to harness the power that lay within the local church,
as a caring, inclusive servant-hearted and witnessing community
which made every day miracles happen.
Tearfund recognised ‘The deepest need of men is not food and
clothing and shelter, important as they are. It is God’.
Quote by Thomas R Kelly. This was the foundation of integral
mission. Integral mission understands that people need material
things but they also need hope for the future and in order to
break free from poverty. Unerpinning Tearfund’s work is
prayer which is vital to everything they do. They have a biblical
mandate to act justly and love mercy.
In our area, we have a prayer group which meets three times a
year. At our last meeting, we had a speaker, Ruth Kicthener, who
had been on a four month Tranform trip to Peru with 7 other young
women. There were no leaders so all the jobs were equally shared.
They worked with women and children in the rural regions and also
organised some Alpha courses which were well received. Ruth said
that the statement ‘You’ll be certainly changed from
inside out’ were true.
For further information on the work and vision of Tearfund, check
out their website: www.tearfund.org.
Ruth Flanders
MUSTARD SEED RELIEF MISSIONS – LOVE-IN-A-BOX 2007
Many thanks to everyone in helping with the shoeboxes. The ladies
from Boosom Pals sent 40 and 81 in total came from people at St
James’ Church.
Also the Coffee Morning which helped to raise a total of £48.62
plus donations and therefore totalled £103.62.
This money will help with the travelling arrangements for going
to Zagreb visiting schools, children’s hospital and
orphanage, thank you also for the many knitted items.
Colin Spicer sends his regards to you all and the boxes were
collected on 13th November.
Colin will be celebrating his 70th birthday, so please pray for
him and the others in the team for their safe arrival in January.
Marion Myers
ANY QUESTIONS?
“How do I cope with doubts?”
Some people are concerned that they habitually have doubts about
God and the Christian faith. No one, however, has to stay
doubting. Of course, there are different patterns of doubt. There
was Job, facing the problem of divine justice. There was Habakkuk,
who was bothered by the phenomenon of unpunished sin. There was
Peter, who was paralysed by the threatening waves when he
attempted to walk on the water. There was Thomas, who was
altogether too sure of himself. So first of all you need to
assess what kind is your doubt.
Next, what kind of doubter are you? Some doubters are suffering
from “growing pains”: from the fluctuations of mood of
growing up, or from a young discipleship that is still finding
its balance. For such, doubts are very normal. There are also
temperamental doubters – those whose doubt is a result of
being naturally suspicious of all information that comes their
way.
There are doubts that stem from ignorance – sometimes the
doubter cannot be bothered to read or enquire. There are the red-herring
doubters who shelve the moral issue confronting them in the
claims of Christ, by raising a host of “intellectual
difficulties”, which they secretly hope can never be solved.
There are also the doubters who suffer from the results of
exerted responsibility (take Elijah after his great triumph on
Mount Carmel) – who suddenly fold up and wilt when the
pressure is off them. So that is why the question needs to be
asked: What kind of doubter are you? Your answer may lead you to
see what the antidote to your doubting should be.
Doubts can play a significant part in the development of a
Christian. You may, in your doubting, be in the very process of
graduating from a second-hand faith to a faith of your own. Are
you honest about your doubts? Have you faced up to them, and seen
them for what they are? Are you committed in your doubting? Will
you work through them to an answer?
Habakkuk’s was a very healthy kind of doubt, because even
though he couldn’t see the full answer, he was still
committed to the service of God. Some people are spiritual
hypochondriacs – they enjoy having doubts, enjoy having
Christian friends running in worried circles around them –
and, in so doing, they dodge deeper discipleship.
Are you positive about your doubts? Have you a firm grip on the
things that you do believe? Concentrate on those, and
particularly on the words and promises of Christ.
Robert Bashford
APOLOGY
The photographs in the 2008 St James’ calendar should have
been credited to Michael Toogood and Chris Gibbs (not José Gibbs).
This error was corrected in later versions of the calendar.
Abridged Minutes of the meeting of the 2007/08 PCC of St
James’ Church, Westgate and Garlinge held on 11th September
2007 at the Church Centre (Note - Information
available in printed version of magazine only)
THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who has sent in articles for the magazine
during this year. It has been a great encouragement and help for,
without your contributions, the magazine would not exist.
Please keep up the good work next year, and may I, once again,
urge all of you to join in this part in the life and work of St
James’.
Ed.
WHY EVERY
CHRISTIAN NEEDS A WILL
Making a will, and keeping it reasonably up-to-date, makes good
financial sense for your family, friends and dependents as well
as your own peace of mind. But it is also part of our Christian
discipleship.
As Christians, the Bible teaches us about God’s overwhelming
generosity to each one of us, especially in the gift of Jesus. In
his old age, King David organised a huge collection to fund the
building of the new temple by the next generation
“Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only
what you have already given us! We are here for only a moment,
visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before
us. Our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon without a
trace. O Lord our God, even these materials that we have gathered
to build a temple to honour your holy name come from you! It all
belongs to you!” 1 Chron.29:14-16.
God provides all our wealth and possessions on loan, and expects
us to enjoy them and be generous to others, particularly our
families and those more needy than ourselves. “Good people
leave an inheritance to their grandchildren” Prov.13:22
But Jesus warned his followers not to have money and possessions
at the centre of their lives. “Don’t be greedy for what
you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we
own” He then went on to tell the parable of the rich farmer
who built bigger barns. “But God said to him, ‘You fool!
You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not
have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:15-21.
Jesus also said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to him. But
everything that belongs to God must be given to God.” Matt
22:21.
Paul said: “Yet true religion with contentment is great
wealth. After all, we didn’t bring anything with us when we
came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with
us when we die.” 1 Tim 6:6.
Paul also said that he looked forward to dying: “for to me,
living is for Christ, and dying is even better I’m torn
between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I
long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me.”
Phil.1:20-23.
The writer to the Hebrews (5:14) said “For this world is not
our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is
yet to come.”
Many of us regard Christian giving as important, as much our
response to God’s amazing generosity to us, as giving to pay
the bills of our local Church. It’s part of our walk of
faith. Making decisions about what will happen to our money and
possessions after our deaths is also an important part of our
discipleship – making appropriate provision for our families
and loved ones, choosing how to express our thanks to God, and
expressing generosity by supporting the causes and concerns that
are important to us.
For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church,
visit www.churchlegacy.org.uk, or request a pack by e-mailing
info@churchlegacy.org.uk or ringing the Church’s national
legacy helpline on 08457 101010.
Submitted by Marion Clarke
THE GOSPEL
You are writing a Gospel,
A chapter each day,
by the deeds that you do,
by the words that you say,
People read what you write,
whether faithless or true,
and say, “What is this Gospel
according to you?”
People read and admire
the Gospel of Christ,
with its love so unfailing and true,
but what do they say and what do they think
of the Gospel according to you
It’s a wonderful story,
Christ’s Gospel of love,
and it shows that His love is divine:
I hope that its content will be there again
in the story of your life and mine.
You are writing each day a letter to others,
take care that the writing is true –
it’s the only Gospel that some others will
read,
that Gospel according to you.
Anon
FOR SALE
A convector, rotisserie, toaster and oven, bakes, boils and
grills. Complete with accessories for kebabs etc. including
instructions. £10.00 to go to Church funds and for more
information please contact Irene Tucker (Tel:835578).
HYMN FOR 94TH BIRTHDAY
In the October/November 2007 magazine, we published a hymn
written by Mr T H Chetwynd, for his 94th birthday, and asked if
any of our musicians could compose a suitable tune to the words
It has been suggested by Len Haggerty that the words would fit
the music to hymn number 731 in Mission Praise, ‘We love the
place, O God”, the first verse of which is as follows:
“We love the place, O God,
wherein Thine honour dwells;
the joy of Thine abode
all earthly joy excels”
Can we look forward to hearing Mr Chetwynd’s hymn, sung to
this tune, in church sometime?
Ed.
THE SATURDAY SHOP
Let’s go to the Saturday shop.
Let’s go see just what they’ve got.
Chutney, jam and marmalade,
Some say, the best ever made.
Tarts and biscuits, cakes and buns,
First port of call, whoever comes.
Cards of greeting, cards of joy,
Cards for the girl, cards for the boy,
Cards of hope, cards of sorrow
Wishing strength for the morrow.
Fabric flimsy, fabric strong,
Knitting needles short and long.
Balls of wool of every type,
Patterns to make what you like.
Knitted clothes for little ones
Mittens with the smallest thumbs.
There are books and books of every sort,
For DIY, craft and sport,
Travel guides for far and wide
Of boats and planes and trains to ride.
Or perhaps a good romance
Imagination, here’s your chance.
Dolls and games and a big bear,
Big enough to need a chair.
Action games and cars that run,
Endless scope for magic fun,
Cuddly toys to take to bed
To listen to a story read.
Coats and dresses, skirts and blouses
Bargains to take to your houses.
Cardigans and jumpers too
Look! This one is really you.
Then there is the bric-a-brac
Some things you wonder, what is that?
Glass and crockery galore,
Jigsaw puzzles by the score,
Ornaments of brass or plaster
Willing you to be their master,
Pretty jewellery, maybe paste,
Something there for every taste.
With nearly all your pennies spent
And much more bought than you meant
It’s time for tea and a piece of cake,
To sit down for your poor feet’s sake,
To talk to friends of this and that
It’s such a joy to have a chat
And perhaps a cheesy scone
Before going, happy, home.
The people there were glad you came,
They’d love to see you there again!
Ian Cayley
SANTA
CLAUS
Did you know that Santa used to be in a green suit until Coca
Cola did a series of adverts in America with him in a red suit
because that was the colour they used for their adverts? The
colour stuck – and when did you last see a green Santa?
And even Santa’s name isn’t the same one as he started
out with – originally he was Saint Nicholas. Over the
centuries, St Nicholas changed from being a bishop in church
robes to a large man in a red suit known as Santa.
So much changes but the real message of Christmas stays the same:
a message of love, hope, joy and peace to the world.
Who takes Christmas presents to police stations?
Santa Clues.
Who is Santa Claus’s wife?
Mary Christmas.
CAN YOU READ THIS?
Fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Olny 55 plepoe
out of 100 can. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty
uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan
mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it
dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the
olny iporamtnt tihng is that the frsit and lsat ltter be in the
rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed
it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not
raed ervet lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh?
Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpelling was ipmorantt!
“MOSES, THE MAN OF GOD”
Moses was the first man to be called Man of God (Deut.33:1)
What made him great was his outstanding faith. He was nothing,
God was everything. Moses’ life is recorded in four books of
the Bible: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. His name
is mentioned just short of 800 times in Scripture.
He was born at a critical time in the history of the Jewish
people (Acts 7:17-20). According to the instruction of the king
of Egypt, Moses should have been drowned at birth in the River
Nile. However, he was marvellously preserved for the work he was
chosen to do by the faith of his parents and the faithfulness of
God.
After forty years he had to be saved from the Egyptian palace,
where his life might equally have been lost for God amongst its
treasures and pleasures. In reality the palace was no less
dangerous than the river.
A third crisis arose in his life after a further forty years.
This involved not only Moses but the whole nation of Israel. In
the face of fierce opposition from Pharaoh, he had to lead the
nation out of Egypt so that they could migrate to the Promised
Land.
During his long life, Moses faced many crises. However these
three were basic to all the others. He had to be saved from the
river, the palace and the land of his birth if he was to become
‘Moses, the Man of God’. There were many great men of
faith before Moses and gifted personalities after him, but there
was none like him (Deut. 34:11). Moses was perhaps the greatest
leader of all times. Leadership is given great prominence in the
modern world. Moses possessed the essential qualities of
leadership and God used him mightily in His service.
Deut. 34 gives an inspiring epitaph of Moses. The Lord
deliberately arranged the physical circumstances of his death so
that the Israelite people would never be able to visit his grave.
Deut. 34:10-12 sums up this outstanding man. He never entered the
Promised Land, but viewed it form the top of Pisgah. However, any
natural disappointment he may have had was fully recompensed when
he stood on the Mount of Transfiguration with the Lord Jesus,
Elijah and three disciples. Jesus said of Moses, “for had
you believed Moses you would have believed me, for he wrote of me.
But if you will not believe his writings how will you believe my
words?”
May we aspire to be like Moses, the Man of God.
Taken from Gideon News
Summer 2007
Nine year old Joey was asked by his mum what he had learned in
Sunday School. “Well, Mum, she told us how God sent Moses
behind the enemy lines on a rescue mission to get the Israelites
out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a
pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he
radioed HQ for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the
bridge and all the people were saved and their enemies drowned.”
“Now Joey,” his mother said, “but is that really
what she told you.” “Well no …Not really! But if I
told you what she really said you wouldn’t believe it!”
THE BEATITUDES
3: Happy are they who are meek, Matthew 5:5
To get us going
By now we may not be so sceptical of Jesus’ amazing claims
for happiness. We have already discovered why the ‘poor in
spirit’ and those who ‘mourn’ find happiness, even
though most people would describe them as the unhappiest people
on earth. In recognising their poverty toward God, and grieving
over the seriousness of their sins, they discovered that God
receives the humble ‘poor’ and freely pardons those who
‘mourn’ over their guilty sins.
Having said that, the claim that it is the ‘meek’ who
are happy (and even ‘inherit the earth’) takes some
swallowing! To be ‘meek’ is to be gentle, humble,
submissive. Aware that we as individuals are getting lost in our
computerised society, we have become aggressive, self-assertive
and determined to stand up and fight for our rights – even
if it means treading on other people in the process!
It’s hard to imagine a ‘meek’ candidate impressing
Sir Alan Sugar in the TV series, ‘The Apprentice’! And
it’s no easier to imagine a ‘meek’ person coping
with playing a role in the cut-throat life-style of EastEnders!
Or being able to handle the manager’s foul temper in the
dressing room of a failing football club.
Are there ‘meek’ people today? Can they survive if they
are?
Almost all I have written implies that ‘meekness’ and
‘weakness’ are one and the same thing. As we’ll
see in a moment, far from being weak, you’ve got to be both
strong and brave to be ‘meek’ in a life like this. In
each of the articles in the series we have discovered examples in
the Bible which illustrate the truth of Jesus’ teaching. On
this occasion, the Lord Jesus is himself the example we need.
For three years, Jesus travelled the length and breadth of Judea,
preaching, teaching, healing, and (on three occasions) actually
raising people from the dead. Crowds flocked to hear him. On
occasions his preaching was directed at the religious leaders of
the day. ‘Whitewashed mausoleums’ Jesus called them
– smart on the outside, but full of dead men’s bones!
This teaching, his popularity with the people, his miracles, and
claims to be God’s Son, inevitably led to schemes to put
Jesus to death
Tragically, one of his own followers betrayed him. Jesus was
arrested, brought to trial before the high priest,* and, in the
morning was presented to the Roman Governor, Pilate, for
sentencing. Essentially, Jesus faced two charges: one of
blasphemy – of claiming to be the Son of God (making himself
equal with God), and the other: claiming to be the king of the
Jews* (making himself the rightful ruler of Israel, not Caesar).
These charges were religious and political. – the first, of
major concern to the Jews, and the second, an accusation designed
to concern the Romans.
Betrayed, falsely accused, tried and sentenced, though found to
be innocent, Jesus was flogged, crowned with thorns and made to
carry his cross to the place of execution. There, nailed by hands
and feet, he was lifted up and left to die – in the company
of thieves! Even then he was mocked and challenged to come down
and save himself.
Remembering these shocking events many years later, the apostle
Peter wrote: ‘When they hurled their insults at him, he did
not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats’.* Now
that is meekness!
Getting our own back by retaliating and making ugly threats is
the most natural response. The abused wife knows that. The
unjustly sentenced prisoner knows that. The owner of a vandalised
car knows that. But how can anyone endure such suffering and
injustice – and remain silent?
In fact Jesus did more than that– he prayed that his Father
would forgive them! Thankfully Peter reveals the secret: instead
of retaliating, ‘He entrusted himself to him who judges
justly’.
Knowing that God is just, and the Judge of all the earth, brings
a peace and the confidence as we commit our case into his hands.
Jesus’ trust in his Father was not misplaced. Laid in a
grave in the evening of the first Good Friday, he was raised from
the dead on Easter Day – vindicated and shown to be the Lord
and Saviour of all!
Michael Toogood
*1Peter2:23 Why not write in for a free copy of John’s
gospel and read the Jesus story for yourself?
BASED ON LUKE 15:4-7
Oh what a wonder, can it be,
That Christ who died for all,
Died especially for me.
And on that cross took all my sins away,
While loving me upon this earth,
He intercedes for me, until that day,
When I will see him on his throne,
And now believing here below,
Will know complete he did atone,
By shedding of his blood upon the tree,
For all mankind,
And yet so personally for me.
WE ARE
SURVIVORS
(for those born before 1940)
We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots,
frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, videos and the pill. We were
before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and
ballpoint pens, before dish-washers, tumble driers, electric
blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes … and before
man walked on the moon.
We got married first and then lived together (how quaint can you
be?). We thought ‘fast food’ was what you ate in Lent,
a ‘Big Mac’ was an oversized raincoat and
‘crumpet’ we had for tea. We existed before house
husbands, computer dating and ‘sheltered accommodation’
was where you waited for a bus.
We were before day care centres, group homes and disposable
nappies. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, artificial
hearts, word processors, or young men wearing earrings. For us
‘time sharing’ meant togetherness, a ‘chip’
was a piece of wood or fried potato ‘hardware’ meant
nuts and bolts and ‘software’ wasn’t a word.
Before 1940 ‘Made in Japan’ meant junk, the term
‘making out’ referred to how you did in your exams,
‘stud’ was something that fastened a collar to a shirt
and ‘going all the way’ meant staying on a double-decker
bus to the terminus. In our day, cigarette smoking was
‘fashionable’, ‘grass’ was mown,
‘coke’ was kept in the coalhouse, a ‘joint’
was a piece of meat you ate on Sundays and ‘pot’ was
something you cooked in. ‘Rock Music’ was a fond
mother’s lullaby, ‘Eldorado’ was an ice-cream, a
‘gay person’ was the life and soul of the party, while
‘aids’ just meant beauty treatments or help for someone
in trouble.
We who were born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch when you think
of the way in which the world has changed and the adjustments we
have had to make. No wonder there is a generation gap today
….BUT
By the grace of God … we have survived!
KIDS EXPLAIN THE BIBLE!
Noah built an Ark, which the animals come on to in pears.
Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
Moses died before he ever reached Canada.
The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses
went up on Mount Cyanide to get the 10 amendments.
A GIFT TO CHERISH
Four brothers left home for university, and they became
successful, wealthy doctors and lawyers.
Some years later, they were chatting after having dinner together
and discussed the birthday gifts that they were able to give to
their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.
The first brother said, “I had a big house built for Mother.”
The second said, “I had a theatre worth £100,000 built on
to the house.”
The third said, “I had my Mercedes dealer deliver her an SL600.”
The fourth said, “Listen to this. You know how Mother loved
reading the Bible and you know she can’t read it anymore
because she can’t see very well. Well I met this pastor who
told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible.
It took 20 pastors twelve years to teach him. I had to pledge to
contribute £100,000 a year for 20 years to the Church, but it
was worth it. Mother only has to name the chapter and verse and
the parrot will recite it.
The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays, Mother sent out her ‘thank you’
notes. She wrote: ‘Milton, the house you built is so huge. I
live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house.
Thanks anyway.
‘Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay at home; I have
shopping delivered to the house, so I never use the Mercedes. The
thought was good. Thanks.’
‘Michael, you gave me an expensive theatre with Dolby
Surround Sound. It could hold 50 people, but all my friends are
dead, I’ve lost my hearing and I’m nearly blind.
I’ll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same.”
And finally: “Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have
the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken
was delicious. Thank you.’
Printed by kind permission of JOY magazine.
SATURDAY SHOP
The takings for the Saturday Shop in October reached a record
total of £483.66. Included in the total was an amount for one of
the pictures which was held by silent auction (the proceeds from
the sale of the other picture went to the Garlinge Staff Member
project).
November did not disappoint either when receipts totalled £290.12.
Our thanks as ever to God for his goodness and to all who
contribute in all manner of ways to make this such a success.
DEADLINE DATE: Please may all articles for the
December/January magazine be with the Editor by Friday 18th
January 2008. Thank you.
JESUS SAID: “Watch out that no-one deceives
you. Many will come in my name, claiming. ‘I am he,’
and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars,
do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still
to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.
These are the beginning of birth pains.” (Mark 13:5-8).
DECEMBER DIARY
Sat 1st 10.00 a.m. Saturday Shop, Old School Hall
Sunday 2nd 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service with the Lord’s Supper
6.30 p.m. Evening Service
Mon 3rd 10.00 a.m. Living Stones Bible Study Group, Church Centre
7.30 p.m. Ministry Team
Tues 4th 12.00 noon Garlinge Lunch, Old School Hall
Tues 4th )
Wed 5th ) Home Bible Study Groups (whatever date and time have
Thurs 6th ) been arranged for your Group)
Thurs 6th 10.15 a.m. Parents and Toddlers, Church Centre
Fri 7th 7.00 p.m. Extremely Friday
Sat 8th 8.00 a.m. Garlinge Prayer Meeting, Old School Hall
Sunday 9th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service
6.30 p.m. Evening Service
Wed 12th 8.00 p.m. Main Church Prayer Time, Church Centre
Thurs 13th 10.15 a.m. Parents and Toddlers, Church Centre
2.00 p.m. Dandelyon Patchers, Church Centre
Sunday 16th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Christingle Family Service
6.30 p.m. Evening Service with the Lord’s Supper
Mon 17th 2.30 p.m. Friendship Club: Christmas Carols and Party,
Church Centre
Tues 18th 7.00 p.m. Family Carol Service, Garlinge Primary School,
Westfield Road
Sunday 23rd 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service
6.30 p.m. Carols by Candlelight
Mon 24th 11.15 p.m. Christmas Eve Lord’s Supper
Tues 25th 10.30 a.m. Christmas Day Family Service, followed by
shortened
Lord’s Supper
Sunday 30th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service
6.30 p.m. Evening Service
JANUARY DIARY
Thurs 3rd 2.00 p.m. Dandelyon Patchers, Church Centre
Fri 4th 7.00 p.m. Extremely Friday
Sat 5th 8.00 a.m. Garlinge Prayer Meeting, Old School Hall
7.00 p.m. Young Life New Year Party
Sunday 6th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service with the Lord’s Supper
6.30 p.m. Evening Service
Mon 7th 10.00 a.m. Living Stones Bible Study Group, Church Centre
Tues 8th )
Wed 9th ) Home Bible Study Groups (whatever date and time have
Thurs 10th ) been arranged for your Group)
Thurs 10th 10.15 a.m. Parents and Toddlers, Church Centre
Sat 12th 10.00 a.m. Saturday Shop, Old School Hall
Sunday 13th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service
6.30 p.m. Evening Service
Tues 15th 12.00 noon Garlinge Lunch, Old School Hall
7.30 p.m. PCC, Church Centre
Wed 16th 8.00 p.m. Main Church Prayer Time, Church Centre
Thurs 17th 10.15 a.m. Parents and Toddlers, Church Centre
2.00 p.m. Dandelyon Patchers, Church Centre
Sunday 20th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Family Service
6.30 p.m. Evening Service with the Lord’s Supper
Mon 21st 2.30 p.m. Friendship Club: “Church history: St
James’ Church”
(Dr Dawn Crouch), Church Centre
Tues 22nd 8.00 p.m. Christian Encounter: “Christians at risk
– the work of
the Barnabas Trust” (Canon Nigel Walker), Church Centre
Thurs 24th 10.15 a.m. Parents and Toddlers, Church Centre
Sunday 27th 8.00 a.m. The Lord’s Supper
10.30 a.m. Morning Service
6.30 p.m. Evening Service
Wed 30th 7.15 p.m. Prayer Meeting, Church Centre
8.00 p.m. Bible Study, Church Centre
Thurs 31st 10.15 a.m. Parents and Toddlers, Church Centre
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