Good Monday morning New Lifers!
This past week has been a real box of chocolates. Since my last Weekly Contact we have had a wedding, a sad passing away of a loved one and a farewell.
Congratulations to John and Laura on their wedding that took place last Thursday. However, the day was mixed with great sadness as John's father passed away around 3 am that same morning. John and Laura carried on as best they could with all the wedding arrangements in keeping with John's father's wishes. We congratulate John and Laura on their marriage and also on the way they both handled themselves on the day. We also deeply sympathise with John and Thomas and their other siblings and their mother Margaret on the sad loss of their father and husband. The funeral is today, Monday 1 Sept. at 1.30pm.
We said our formal farewell to Davy John and Maureen over the weekend with a special night on Friday. It was a great night. My thanks to everyone who organised and took part and for making it such a memorable event. We had lots of laughs and had some people share and wish Davy John and Maureen and the family well. After all the comments and a presentation we laid hands on them and prayed with them thus sending them out to pastor the Elim church in Randallstown. We wish them well, and will continue to offer them support in the coming months.
Sunday morning: Davy John brought his last message as a member of our Leadership Team. The title was: "Is Jesus Lord of your lives?". Davy explained that sometimes he gets disturbed at the image of the church. He asked questions like, Why do some churches insist on preaching to the unsaved on Sunday nights when they're not there?; Why are we surprised at what non-church people say about the church?; Why are we surprised when people don't come to church? etc.
However, the main question is, Is Jesus Lord of my life? It's easy to come to church and to play church, but the challenge is to be the church. We become the church proper when Jesus is not just saviour, but is Lord.
The disciples submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus. The Early Church was sold out to Jesus. But what about today? Sadly for many the church is more about promoting and marketing the 'type of church' rather than representing and reflecting Christ. The church should not be focused on marketing, but on representing Christ by giving and by living.
Sunday night: Jonathan brought a message entitled "The Servant King". Jesus had been declared king prior to his birth to Mary and Joseph. The Magi were searching for a child who had been born king. Jesus often talked about his Kingdom and presented himself as king. His kingship was often challenged and even when he was crucified the inscription above the cross read "King of the Jews". Yet he came not to be served, but to serve.
He did two amazing things. One was the cross, the other was his demonstration of servanthood in Luke 13 when he dressed as a servant and washed the feet of the disciples. This act showed the full extent of his love; showed the need for humility; and showed how we should live - to serve one another.
Thanks again to Davy John and Jonathan for two great words. But let's show our real appreciation by applying those words to our lives by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus and by serving one another.
Virtuous Women. This is our women's ministry that begins this Thursday and will be on the first Thursday of every month. This is for all our female New Lifers and friends. Please plan to attend.
Crèche: Again we are doing our best to facilitate all children at New Life. Sunday mornings will be Crèche and Sunday School. Children should be taken out during the offering song. Sunday night the crèche will be on for up to 6 year olds. Parents should take their children out during the offering song and pick them up when the notice appears on the screen. This should be a maximum of 45 minutes. If you want to volunteer to help please speak with Deborah McCurley ASAP.
Final thought: God does not call those who are qualified; he qualifies those who called.
Have a great week. See you all on Sunday.
Pastor Jack
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