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MARCH 2001

Dear friends,

On Christmas Eve in Indonesia there was a carefully co-ordinated bombing campaign against Christians and Christian churches, in which at least 17 were killed and over 120 wounded as bombs exploded outside more than a dozen churches in prime cities across the country. On Christmas Day, the Indonesian President who is himself a Muslim said, "This is an attempt to destroy Christians by using Islam." These strong words reflected his alarm that a campaign of Christian genocide has been raging since January 1999. At least 5000 Christians have been slaughtered, and almost half a million have become refugees, many without food, medicine, clothing or shelter. Thousands of Christians have been violently compelled to convert to Islam. Last May the first of an estimated 7000-15000 Islamic Jihad warriors began to arrive on the islands, who are now waging a ruthless campaign to systematically kill, convert or drive out all the Christians.

What can we do about this? In the first place, we can write to our local MP, encouraging him to persuade the government to lobby the Indonesian authorities to bring an end to this terrible violence. Secondly, at the beginning of this Lent season we can pray for those who, in a very real sense, are sharing the sufferings of Christ. Thirdly, we can reflect on our own Christian life and consider what it means for us to "take up our cross and follow Him" (Mark 8:34).

Compared to those who lose home, job, freedom or even life itself, our choices may be less clear-cut and the cost loss dramatic. But in the affluent materialistic West, one thing that can mark us out as people who have "taken up our cross" and follow Jesus is our attitude to money and possessions. In a culture where a person’s worth is often rated by what they earn or own, we may need courage to give "foolish" amounts to help others, rather than to make a priority of increasing our own comfort and security. It will not cost us our lives, but in setting ourselves against the false values of our world, we are walking in the same path as those who resist pressure to confirm to Islam came.

With warmest Christian greetings,

John Cheeseman

FROM THE CHURCH REGISTER

We extend our prayers and sympathy to the relatives and friends of those committed to God’s care:

Funerals: 9^th Feb James Henry Frances Aged 80

13^th Feb Thomas Charles Bushell Aged 82

FEBRUARY SERMON TAPES

February 4^th AM "God works all things together for good"

(Philippians 1v12-14)

PM "Let no evil talk come our of your mouth" (Ephesians 4v29)

February 11^th AM "The true and the false gospel" (Philippians 1v15-18)

PM "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4v30)

February 18^th AM Family Service, Bill Turner

PM "Forgive one another" (Ephesians 4v31,32)

February 24^th AM "For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain" (Philippians 1v21)

PM "Be imitators of God" (Ephesians 5v1)

Tapes are available on request from Nigel Hadley

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Fred Franks and Thelma on their recent wedding.

THANK YOU

I very much appreciate your prayers, lovely cards and visits to me in hospital.

It will not be long now before I’m back at Evensong again. Many thanks once more to my friends at St James. Margaret Luton

TEAR FUND LUNCH

This year, our Tear Fund Lent Lunch is on March 4^th. Please sign the poster in the Church porch if you are able to attend. The Lunch is a simple meal after Church and you are asked to donate the cost of your Sunday meal to Tear Fund.

Ruth Flanders

ST JAMES WEBSITE

Thanks to Vic Spanner, our Website now has it’s own "domain name". Instead of the rather long-winded previous address, we can now be found at www.stjameswestgate.org.uk. Much easier to remember!

Nigel Hadley (Website Ed)

Notes from the minutes of the Meeting of the 2000/01 PCC of St James’ Church, Westgate and Garlinge held at the Church Centre on Tuesday 30^th January 2001 (NOTE - Info available in printed magazine only - web ed)

A CALL FROM LYDIA

The Lydia Fellowship is an intercessory prayer group for women from all parts of the Christian Church. We meet together regularly to pray for our Churches, our community, our country, family and world issues. Over the past months we have felt God has been directing us to widen our intercessions. One of the things He has led us to do is to have a National Day of Prayer for our Nation. This will be on Monday 24^th March. The Kent area will be meeting at St Mary Bredin Church, 59 Nunnery Fields, Canterbury from 10am until 2pm. This will also be a day of fasting and prayer, drinks will be served over the midday break. Lydia is opening this day to men, women and children, anyone who has a heart to pray for our Nation. We are being supported by many other prayer networks including the Evangelical Alliance. God has opened many doors for us and confirmed the importance of this day. The Scripture Lydia has been thinking about as we prepare to come before the King for our nation is, Esther 4v14b "And who knows whether you have not come into the Kingdom for such a time as this."

Please come and join with us. Lesley Mayes

SATURDAY SHOP

The Saturday Shop in February on a relatively quiet morning, raised a grand total of £196. Thanks once again first to God and to all those involved.

DAILY READINGS BY BISHOP J.C. RYLE - LUKE 7:36-50

Suggested further reading: John 21:15-18

Men may show some outward respect to Christ and yet remain unconverted. The Pharisee before us is a case in point. He showed our Lord more respect than many did (v36) but all this time was profoundly ignorant of the nature of Christ’s gospel. His proud heart secretly revolted at the sight of a poor contrite sinner being allowed to wash the Lord’s feet. Even the hospitality he showed seems to be cold and niggardly (vv44-46). In all the Pharisee did there was one great defect. There was outward civility but no heart love.

It is quite possible to have a decent form of religion and yet to know nothing of the gospel of Christ, to treat Christianity with respect and yet be utterly blind about its cardinal doctrines, to behave with great correctness and propriety at church and yet to hate justification by faith and salvation by grace. Do we really feel affection towards the Lord Jesus? Have we cordially embraced His whole gospel? Are we willing to enter heaven side by side with the chief of sinners and owe all our hopes to free grace? If not, the Lord may have something to tell us (v40).

Grateful love is the secret of doing much for Christ. The penitent woman showed far more honour to the Lord than the Pharisee. She proved her reverence and respect by her acts (vv37,38,44-46). She loved our Lord and thought nothing too much to do for Him.

More doing for Christ is the universal demand of all the churches; more good works, more self-denial, more practical obedience to Christ’s command. But what will produce these things? Nothing, nothing but love. The fear of punishment, the desire for reward, the sense of duty are all useful arguments to persuade men to holiness. But they are all weak and powerless until a man loves Christ. Once let a man get hold of that mighty principle, and you will see his whole life changed.

However much the world may sneer at feelings in religion, and however false unhealthy religious feelings may sometimes be, the great truth still remains that feeling is the secret of doing. The hands hang down when the heart is not engaged for Christ.

For meditation: When love for Christ is lost we are to remember, repent and do (Revelation 2:5). Printed by kind permission of the Evangelical Press.

LENT - It is not certain how soon in the Church history Christians started observing a fasting period before Easter. In the 2^nd Century the length of the Lent fast varied considerably between differing churches. The variance was pointed out by Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, in a letter to Pope Victor in about AD198. Some fasted for just 1 day and others from 2 to several days. A period of just 40 hours is also mentioned by Irenaeus and also by Terullian in the early part of the 3^rd Century. It has been suggested that the period of 40 hours dated back to Apostolic times. In the 3^rd Century at Alexandria a period of 2 weeks appears to have been observed and a sect called the Montanists fasted for 4 weeks. In some other places it was just Holy Week, in some others 6 weeks or 40 days (hence Quadragesima). At Antioch it was 7 weeks although this was in 2 distinct parts, 6 weeks for Lent and then Holy Week. Sundays and in some places both Sundays and Saturdays were excluded from the fast. Sometime later a period of 36 days was observed in Rome (this being approximately a tithe of the year). The start of Lent was extended backwards by 4 days to a Wednesday by Gregory II in the 8^th Century. This made the actual number of days of fasting up to 40 as Sundays were excluded. Ray Martin

MIRACLE RESCUES ARE POSSIBLE

A Winter’s tale often proves a sad one, as frozen lakes and mountain peaks are like magnets to children and adventurers of all ages.

On one of England’s highest peaks – 3,000ft Skiddaw near Keswick in Cumbria – two foolhardy climbers were rescued by 27 gallant volunteers who risked their lives battling through a 70mph blizzard to get then down safely. Apparently, the climbers simply walked off without even revealing their names! This contrasts sharply with the gratitude of Sue Munden, mother of 10-year-old Sam who was dramatically rescued by helicopter when he fell through the ice on a pond in Wanstead Park, East London. The pilots were amazing, managing to hover inches above the lake while Dr Malcolm Russell, an Army Major, plucked the frightened child from the middle of the lake. In matters of life and death the selfless and the selfish are highlighted.

Back in June 1859 thousands of onlookers held their breath as Charles Blondin walked a 1,100ft tightrope stretched across Niagara’s thundering waterfalls. Safely on the far side, he challenged a person in the crowd: "Do you believe I am able to carry you across?" "I certainly do," replied the man. "Then will you let me do it?" "Not on your life!" was the swift response. Another man, however, not only believed but acted. "I’ll come across with you", said his manager Henry Colcord. Excitement was high as the crowd watched the pair’s steady progress along the rope, with the rushing churning water and threatening rocks below. Almost across, disaster loomed. A guy line broke and the rope swayed dangerously. In quiet tones, Blondin instructed: "Henry, you are no longer Colcord. You are now Blondin. If I sway, sway with me. Do not try to balance or we will both be dead. Your complete trust in me is now a matter of life or death!" As the rope swayed they moved as one and made it to the other side.

Between time and eternity there is a chasm over which everyone must some day pass. But – praise God – Jesus has opened up a way across it through his sacrificial death on the cross. Many people believe that simple fact. Perhaps you do. But the question remains: "Are you prepared to bet your life on it?"

"Although he [Jesus] made the world, the world didn’t recognise him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:10-12 The Living Bible).

All they needed to do was trust him. And it’s the same for us.

Reprinted by kind permission of the Salvation Army.

REMINDER

Bedding and vegetable plants are probably far from our thoughts as we combat the rain and the cold. However, we look forward to better weather when we will be more encouraged to open our sheds and tackle the garden again. Just a reminder then that our May Saturday Shop will be host to our traditional sale of plants and vegetables.

So a wake up call, for those who need it, to think of opening the shed and greenhouse doors once again to support this particular venture.

WANTED

Articles for YOUR magazine. I am very grateful to all those who contribute articles to the magazine, without which there would be no magazine. Please do not be shy about sending in items which you consider may be suitable. The wider the scope, the greater the interest! WAM

Jesus Said: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7v1-2

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE -

‘Come thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.’ Hymn by R. Robinson. Not in our current hymnbook, but probably sung many times, by many of us. However as we sing, then comes a verse beginning with the line, ‘Here I raise my EBENEZER.’ Ebenezer who? An old testament prophet; a man of valour?

Who do we know called EBENEZER? Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly skinflint of Dickens ‘Christmas Carol’. One of a pair of cartoon characters of yesteryear Eb & Flo. Hardly. Some research needed. Dictionary, no Ebenezer, encyclopædia, not listed, Thesaurus, no joy. The obvious step, a Bible concordance and there we find it. 1 Samuel 7v11-13, "and the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and smote them as far as below Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Jesh’anah and called its name ‘Ebenezer’ for he said, ‘Hitherto the Lord has helped us.’ So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel.’

KNOW THAT!

J.C.P.

LORD, TEACH ME TO PRAY . . . .

I CANNOT PRAY our, if my faith has no room for others and their need,

I cannot pray Father, if I do not demonstrate this relationship with God in my daily living.

I cannot pray who art in heaven, if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot pray hallowed by thy name, if I am not striving, with God’s help to be holy.

I cannot pray thy kingdom come, if I am unwilling to accept God’s rule in my life.

I cannot pray thy will be done, if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot pray on earth as it is in heaven, unless I am truly ready to give myself to God’s service here and now.

I cannot pray give us this day our daily bread, without expending honest effort for it, or if I would withhold from my neighbour the bread that I receive.

I cannot pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, if I continue to harbour a grudge against anyone.

I cannot pray lead us not into temptation, if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot pray, deliver us from evil if I am not prepared to fight evil with my life and in my prayer.

I cannot pray thine is the kingdom, if I am unwilling to obey the King.

I cannot pray thine is the power and the glory, if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.

I cannot pray forever and ever, if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.

I cannot pray Amen, unless I honestly say, cost what it may, this is my prayer.

A CAUTIONARY TALE – WHO DIDN’T DUN IT

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done, Everybody was asked to do it, Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it, Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought Anybody would do it but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up Everybody blaming Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody would have done.

CHILDRENS PAGE

MARK’S GOSPEL – NUMBERS

Try playing the numbers game. Look up the verses in Mark’s gospel and find the number mentioned.

1. 8:14 ......................... 2. 9:30-32 .........................

3. 2:1-5 ......................... 4. 15:21-26 .........................

5. 5:14-20 ......................... 6. 3:13-15 .........................

7. 1:9-13 ......................... 8. 10:23-31 .........................

9. 5:11-13 ......................... 10. 6:50-52 .........................

How many of the names in the list can you find in this wordsearch puzzle? The words may be written across, down or diagonally. When you have found them all, the letters left over spell out a hidden message.

The hidden message is: _ _ _ . _ _ _ . _ _ _ . _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ ?

The answers from last month’s magazine are as follows:

Flower Path: Pansy, Daisy, Marigold, Rose, Lily, Tulip and Iris.

John’s Gospel – Names of Jesus:

1 Word; 2 Lamb, God; 3 Messiah; 4 Son, God; 5 Bread, Life; 6 Light, World; 7 Gate, Sheep; 8 Good Shepherd; 9 Resurrection, Life; 10 Way, Truth, Life; 11 Vine; 12 King, Jews.

MARCH DIARY

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