Weekly Contact

My Weekly Contact last week was a bit weakly to say the least, but I did have a reason for it! However, this week I am taking a little more time.

 

I am finding that the Weekly Contact is not just about me writing to you and giving you a report, but is also about giving you the opportunity to write back to me. Some have been doing this quite well, not just to comment on the Weekly Contact, but to share what's going on in their lives. This has been so amazing and enlightening, and is very much appreciated. So the contact works both ways.

 

Sunday services: Once again these were excellent. Sunday morning was well packed for the dedication of baby Jayden McClenaghan. There was also good turn out for the evening service, although some of our regulars were absent due to other commitments and illnesses in families etc. The messages in both services dovetailed as I encouraged people during the morning service to "Take Hold of the Cross" and then Jonathan encouraged people in the evening service to take hold of God in these difficult days of financial and political uncertainty. A woman came into the church towards the end of the service and committed her life to Christ. So we have much to be thankful for.

 

BOOKS: Thanks to those who bought the new book 'Don't Just Sit There'. As I explained on Sunday, these are going into the shops for £10.99 (the publisher's price), but you can buy them at New Life for £7. All profits are going into the work of Stadium and New Life. I will not receive a penny for these.

 

BREAKOUT: Last Thursday night we had our first BreakOut. I don't normally say things like this, but it seemed like the devil did not want us to break in, never mind break out! Anyway, we got started, and the moment we did we began to enter the presence of God.

 

We opened with prayer and encouragement as the Worship Team played 'Saviour King' in the background. People immediately began to enter in. It was as if we could have just kept on going at that point, but we had a little bit of a "programme" to get through at the start. We watched and listened to Louie Giglio as he talked about Laminin. Man that was so awesome!!! Check it out on Gudtube. We then got right back into worship as we sang Saviour King and then moved on from there. I later read from 2 Sam. 5:17-20 where David said, "As waters 'break out', the LORD has broken out". He called the name of that place Baal Perazim, which means - Break Out!

 

We worshiped some more. At one point I encouraged people to come to the mic. Lynn Taylor was the first on her feet, followed by John Cartmill, Mark Wells, John Totten, and Margaret McCurley. We heard things like: "It's not just about coming to church, but about taking back what the enemy has stolen from us"; "It's not just about coming to church, but is about going out as the church to reach a world that is lost"; "Jesus is coming to us, even in dreams, and asking again that we open the door to our lives and let him in"; "there is an acceptance and a sense of belonging among the people of God"; and "God assures us of his presence as we go forward in obedience with him". These were all amazing thoughts that were developed much more on the night by each person and also represent that for some people Thursday night was their BreakOut night. This is only the beginning!

 

COMING SOON: Jesus, perhaps?! But then maybe before he does - we have Virtuous Women this coming Thursday Night at 7.45 pm. They had a fabulous time last month. It was great to see all ages mixing together. There were some in their teens and older ones in their late twenties and thirties etc! So take note and get along this Thursday night. Then a pre-notice about our second ADVANCE for the following Thursday 9 October. The theme that night will be "Eagles or Chickens?"

 

LEADERS: Don't forget, for those on the New Life Leadership Team, we are in Dundonald Elim this Saturday 4 October from 9.30 am - 3.30 pm for Leadership Seminars with Greg Haslem.

 

NEWS: Gareth's mother is doing much better as is baby Olivia. Thanks for your prayers.

 

Final Comment: "I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?"

 

Hope to see you in church soon.

 

Pastor Jack