Why was I at church yesterday? Was it because I am Pastor of the church, or was it because I wanted to be there? Well, the answer is simple; it's both! If I was not the Pastor of the church I would still be there, because that's where I want to be on Sunday. I think David and me would have been good company for each other. To be in such company would have been an amazing honour, but I would not have minded giving David that honour! Anyway, all that to say this, church was great yesterday!
Sunday morning: I continued with the series Accepting God's Agenda (message #2). We got into Hosea Chapt.2, but never got to the end of my prepared message. V.2-5 Highlights the spiritual adultery of Israel in running after other gods; V.6-13 Highlights the judgement of God on Israel for its adulterous behaviour; V.14-23 Highlights God's intention to ultimately restore the relationship of Israel to himself.
The following were main points in the message:
The greatest wrong in any relationship is unfaithfulness.
God is grieved and His heart is broken by the unfaithfulness of his people.
Gomer's sin was based on her pursuit of money; Israel's sin was based on its pursuit of prosperity.
It is not possible to know God without being prosperous, but it is possible to be prosperous without knowing God
Israel attributed its wealth to the gods of Canaan; so God was about to take away its wealth & also his protection!
I wonder can the above be applied to any nation or nations today?
Sunday night: What a night! To see the expressions on peoples faces was priceless as they came in to take their "normal seats", but they were all around tables, because we had decided to do church differently, and without letting it be known! As people sat down at tables they immediately began "to talk" to each other. Then when starting time came, rather than starting with praise and worship the tables were approached by waiters and waitresses taking orders for coffee, latte, cappuccino or other drinks etc. Then 20 minutes later we went into our praise and worship with people standing around the tables. The place was well filled and the atmosphere was excellent.
Thanks to Davy Nesbitt and to Sonia McClements for sharing up to date testimonies of what God has been doing in their lives. I know they were nervous, but they did well and were much appreciate by those present.
I brought a simple and quite short message entitled Making Jesus Lord, which was based on 1 Peter 3:12-15. At the end of the message two women responded to the appeal. One had previously done so some time ago, but pray that this will be a major turning point in her life and that both she and her friend will fully commit themselves to following Christ.
After this we were further blessed when Elaine McAlister sang and then with the worship team led into a time of worship before the service concluded.
Thanks to everyone who helps to make Sundays as effective as they are. We appreciate all of the work that might in someway be unseen, but is nonetheless seen in the working out and the presentation of each service. Thanks also to those who set things up for last night and helped serve tables etc.
Prayer for Cross Vigil: Raymond John gave a talk on this at both services. Thanks Raymond. If you have not yet signed up to pray for this event, please consider doing so. You can email me back and I will add your name to the World Prayer Map.
Don't forget, I am looking to meet with anyone who would like to help with the Cross Vigil and with events during the 7 weeks. If you would like to be involved, please meet with me at Top House tonight (Mon) at 6.30 pm for about 1 hour.
Virtuous Women: They're Back!!! This coming Thursday night at 7.45 pm. This is your opportunity ladies to get out to fellowship with and to encourage each other at your own event. Why not plan right now to be there?
Prayer: Please take an opportunity to encourage one another and to pray for one another. You don't know who just might need it, but I know that several people do.
Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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