Weekly Contact 26 July 2009

Glad to be back home and glad to be back at New Life. Sunday was a great day in more ways than one. Given the fact that we are still in holiday mode, the day was encouraging and is a sign of greater things ahead.

 

Sunday Morning: The message I brought was entitled "I've started so I'll finish". We all know where that came from! The main thrust of the message is that this should be the motto of every Christian as many of us start things we never finish. We looked at the following:

 

Elimelech: We saw that the book of Ruth starts with Elimelech, but it did not finish with him, because he made a choice that took him away from where he was meant to be and took him away from the purposes of God for his life. We saw that this had consequences for his family, and that although God redeemed the situation, Elimelech was not part of it.

 

I made the point that church works best when men take responsibility and when they take their place; marriage works best when men take responsibility and take their place; society works best when men take responsibility and take their place. But Elimelech failed to take responsibility and failed to take his place where he was meant to be; so that what was started with him, was not finished with him.

 

Adam: We saw that the good that God started with Adam was not finished with him, but in a second Adam who is Christ.

 

Moses: He led the people out. He was there at the beginning, but was not there at the end. He should have crossed the Jordan with the people. He should have stepped onto Canaan. He should have been there to see the walls come down at Jericho, but he never finished what he started; someone else did.

 

The People of Israel: They came out of Egypt, but they never finished. It was another generation that finished the journey some 40 years later. Josh. 5:7 "God raised their sons to take their place".

 

Judas: Started well in following Jesus, but never finished. He was going in the right direction; he was saying the right things and singing the right songs; he was a committed member of the team; he turned up at every meeting; every Advance and every Breakout; but he never finished what he started.

 

Paul said: "I have finished the race". He, along with others, did finish what was started. The challenge for us is to finish what we started: I've started my marriage, so I will finish it; I've started being a father/a mother to my children, so I will finish only when I know it's finished; I've started a job, so I'll finish it; I've started a ministry, so I'll finish it. I've started, so I'll finish!

 

Sunday night: I brought a message entitled "It's not all Adam's fault" showing that while sin came into the world by one man and that death came as a consequence of his sin, yet we all have likewise sinned. There are things going on in our lives and circumstances that are contrary to the Word of God and it's not Adam's fault, but is down to the choices that we are making.

 

This Week: Tuesday night 6.30 Leaflets will being given out to promote the Fundraising Day (Saturday 8 August); meeting at City LIFE Centre. Thursday night: 7.45 Prayer Meeting at City LIFE Centre.

 

Prayer: Please remember the following in your prayers: Billy Haddock's father in law who has cancer; Aine's cousin who has cancer; Sandra's nephew who fell downstairs; Amy Gould in hospital; and Elizabeth McCalmont's family that suffered the tragic and sudden loss of Elizabeth's uncle due to suicide. Continue to pray for the church; it's finances and it's people; pray one for another. You might not need those prayers at this moment, but others do and someday you will.

 

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, if not before.

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack   

       

William's stag nite

Passing this on again guys. ....

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: sonya harper

To: JACK MCKEE

Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:08 PM

Subject: william stag nite

Hi jack,
 
 
Hope all is well,
 
could you do me a favour could you contact the guys who where invited to williams stag do and ask them to get in touch with colin watt asap,  on colinw74@sky.com 
 
many thanks
 
Take Care
 
god bless
 
love sonya

---

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Back Home

Hi everyone,

 

Just to let you all know that we are back home and once again ready to take up the challenges ahead of us as a church.

 

Last Saturday, after a fairly relaxing week, we drove back to Philadelphia. On Saturday night we walked from the centre of Philly right up to the steps that Rocky ran up. We've been there several times before, but this was the first time we did such a walk. The following morning I spoke at Living Word Community Church. This was another one of those "God moments" as we worshipped and studied God's Word together, which was confirmed by people's responses for prayer and commitment and by so many positive comments. That afternoon we went to dinner with several leaders of the church, before driving to Newark and catching the flight home to Belfast.

 

So what's next? Well, I suppose the answer to this is up to you! The fact is God has his plan, and will ensure that his plan is fulfilled, but your part in this is down to you. I feel like preaching again on the story of Ruth, but focusing on how the story began with Elimelech, but did not end with him. Why? Because although God was working on his plan, Elimelech stepped outside of that plan! Yet the plan and purposes of God were still fulfilled, but Elimelech was not part of them. Although something may have started with you (or in you), it might not finish with you. But that's down to you!

 

I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack   

Weekly Contact

Good morning Vietnam, USA and Northern Ireland!

 

Just keeping in touch with a brief Weekly Contact as I know how much you all look forward to this, just like church and worship and weekly fired-up anointed spirit-filled sermons!

 

Anyway, Kathleen and I are having a great time on the east coast. We spent the first night (Thursday) in Times' Square. If you ever want to see real legitimate weirdoes you need to visit Times' Square! (and no! I don't need to there for the experience to work!). The following day we drove north through the states of New York, Connecticut; Rhode Island and Massachusetts and into Cape Cod. The traffic was a crawling nightmare at times, but the visit was well worth the drive. We stayed with great friends of ours, Pastor Erik and Tami Eskelund and their son Luke and daughter Tehillah.

 

On Saturday morning I spoke at a Men's Breakfast (8 am!) which was held at one of the local Cafes. We had a fabulous time with several men expressing their deep appreciation for the challenge and encouragement they received. The breakfast was also good! I had an omelette called "The Whole Hog", because it had everything in it.

 

On Sunday I spoke at two services at Living Hope Church. The worship was so awesome, which was led by Pastor Erik and his family plus other members of the church including a guy who Roasts Coffee for a living and plays steel drums on the worship team; plus another guy who plays the guitar and sings, and for the rest of the week is a Pipe Doctor! He drives a large red van with the words "PIPE DOCTOR" on the sides. It made me think that if everyone paid their tithes he would be out of business "twice" as no-one's pipes would be bursting and no-one would be getting sick!!! (Hope that's not lost on you!). The services were amazing. The words I brought were so timely for the church. I spoke on "Know what field you're in" and "Know what you're building".

 

After dinner we said farewell to our friends and then drove through Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut to New London where we took a ferry to Long Island. This saved 3 - 4 hours driving and was a good trip across the ocean lasting 1 hour 20 minutes. That night we arrived at Bobby McIntosh's home where we stayed overnight before driving through the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and into Maryland where are right now with John and Tracey McInerney. We will be here until Saturday when we will drive back up to Philadelphia. I will speak at Living Word Church on Sunday morning and we will fly home from New York on Sunday night.

 

Last Sunday morning I was able to tune in to New Life Live. I noticed the worship team was very thin (obviously due to holidays!). But thank God for the Thornton Boys! Well done lads. And well done Craig McCurley who spoke a good word on "Love" where he underlined that although we might have it all together in terms of structure and departments etc, it is so important that love binds all of these things and binds us together.   

 

I also heard good reports about the outreach into the Lower Shankill on the 11 July. This is further seed sown into a community that is very much on our hearts. We continue to pray that someday we will witness a mighty a harvest as many come to faith in Christ, not only there, but in other places where God enables us to be a God-influence.

 

Have a great week. See you all soon.

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack   

 

Special Outreach

Special Outreach to the Lower Shankill on Saturday Night

 

After having made contact with several people within the Lower Shankill community it is quite clear they would welcome and look forward to New Life doing something within the estate this coming Saturday night, 11th July. It would be a total shame if we fail to turn out for this outreach event and fail to give it the support it deserves. I am therefore appealing to you to plan to get along and support this effort.

 

You are asked to meet at the church at 7 pm - 8 pm for a time of prayer and to receive instructions, and then from there to go across to the Lower Shankill, near the Pony Club (they have said they would be delighted if we were there). The Worship Team will sing six songs while others are in support and while others hand out free Hot Dogs (supplied by the Hope Team).

 

This will not be "in your face evangelism", but will be another means to simply reach out and show the people that as a church we really do care about them. We are not going in as strangers. We've been there many times and especially during some of the most difficult days faced by those living there. Plus the fact that many of us have family and friends there.

 

So come on. This is another opportunity to step up, step out, and do something.

 

If you intend getting along please send Jonathan an email or a text to let him know you will be there. It helps to know up front how many intend being there. His email is revolutionyouth@btinternet.com His mobile is 07968059776.

 

You see, I knew I could depend on you!

 

Not everyone has emails. So if you could help further by texting people or letting them know other ways.

 

Don't forget there is one service only on Sunday at 11 am. 

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack    

 

Weekly Contact 6 July 2009

I want to begin by thanking everyone who is involved in New Life at whatever level. I believe this past week has shown that we not only have a solid base, but we also have a sound structure of teams that are truly beginning to work together. It seems like we are just about ready to move to the next level that we've talked about for some time now. The next few months are going to be very significant for the church.

 

Sunday Morning: I spoke on the one subject I have never been comfortable with: I spoke on "Finances", but the strange thing is I felt comfortable doing so! Is that crazy or what? Having done so I received so many positive responses after the service in the morning and then again on Sunday night.

 

I think writing a few sermon notes here would not do the message justice, so I am going to recommend you buy the CD. In the message you will get an update on our financial situation up to the date of recording besides teaching on what "The Bible" says about tithing. Several commented that they had never heard it presented like this before and deeply appreciated the content and the manner in which it was presented. Some took it to the next level and responded in a very practical way afterwards. So I recommend you get the CD. Email me and let me know if you want to order a copy for £3.00.

 

Sunday Night: I spoke on "Following Christ with Strength". Based on 2 Tim. 2:1-7.

 

Paul told Timothy to:

 

        1. Be Strong; 2. Be Reliable; 3. Endure Hardship.

 

He then went on to use three different careers to describe a Christian:

 

        1. A Soldier; 2. An Athlete; 3. A Hardworking Farmer.

 

I finished by making the point that when you choose to follow Christ: you need to be strong; be reliable; endure hardship; be as focused as a soldier; be as committed as an athlete, and as hardworking as a farmer. We prayed for several people at the end of the service, besides praying for those who were not there who are experiencing difficulties individually and within families.

 

Next Sunday: Don't forget, because Sunday is the 12 July, there is only one service at 11 am. We are hoping to have an outreach on Saturday or Sunday night in the Lower Shankill and will let you know as soon as the details are sorted. Please support this.

 

Holidays: Please continue to support the church over the holidays, and if you are heading away somewhere, don't forget to take your Bible with you (and your wife if your married)!

 

Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.

 

Pastor Jack   

 

Willie Reas Stag Do

This is from Colin, William Rea's mate (remember William is the Newcastle supporter in the church along with Jim McAuley!)

 

I would encourage FIST to support this.

Hi Guys,

Please find attached document as change to previous plans.  I felt that the previous might have been a bit costly, whereas this one is a bit more reasonable for some

Regards
Colin

Help Needed

THANKS: A huge thanks to everyone who turned up for the special meeting last night for Team Leaders and Teams. It was a great night that showed clearly a greater cooperation between the New Life Leadership Team and all the Team Leaders and Teams. Again, we deeply appreciate everything that anyone does within the church. When I am tempted to watch Wimbledon I am impressed with the standard of cooperation as everyone takes their place and simply do what they are there to do; from picking up loose tennis balls and towels, to providing drinks and doing umpire. No one has to shout "Go and get that ball", because someone immediately ups and picks it up. In some way, that's how we should be working together, and there are positives signs that this is what's happening.

 

On another note: Tommy Latimer will be "trying" to put up the New Life banner round at the new City LIFE Centre in Northumberland Street tonight at 6.30, but he needs help. If you can get there for that time to help it would be much appreciated, even to hold the scaffolding from falling (although if Tommy's on top of it!!!).

 

Thanks again.

 

Jack

India calling

For those who might not know, Johnny & Heather are representing New Life as Missionaries in India. Check out their report: You will get an extra few brownie points if you send them an email!

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: jh.prentice

To: jh.prentice@virgin.net

Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 5:56 PM

Subject: India calling

Dear Prayer Partners

 

Just as you are getting a heat wave in Britain we have just got our first rainfall, which we are very grateful for as it has slightly lowered the temperature to bearable!

 

Please find attached our latest news.

 

God bless

Johnny and Heather