We've come out; we've moved in; but we're still pressing on.
These first two weekends have been an amazing start to our most recent move as a church; that is to our home at City Life Centre.
Please continue to be patient with us as we "settle in". If there is anything you can do to help in the development and the improvement of New Life, your support would be much appreciated.
There have been a good number of people that have really got involved to help with the transition from one place to the other. I want to everyone who has stepped up; who have rolled up their sleeves and got right into it; whatever it was!
The feedback from the United in Hope concert has been so positive, both from many who were there and from the members of the Waterford Omagh Peace Choir who were totally bowled over by the whole event and by the way they were looked after.
Our first two Sunday morning services have been amazing in terms of the set up, the numbers attending, and the content.
Last week's message was: "We're Pressing On" based on Phil.2:12-21. In this I showed that while we thank God for the good of the past that our focus should be forward looking. We are called as Christians to be connected with the future rather than be anchored to the past. Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God".
"Remember Lot's wife". She looked back and look at what happened to her!
The People of Israel, when faced with the challenge to cross the Red Sea looked back to Egypt. They longed for the onions and the garlic of Egypt rather than pursue and take hold of the milk and honey of Canaan. As a church we are pressing on to the milk and honey; from the bitter things of the past to the sweet things that God has placed before us.
This Sunday: I took us back to the Book of Hosea "Accepting God's Agenda". This was the 8th message in the series. I gave an overview of the previous weeks and took us right up the end of Israel's Distress; the end of Jacob's Trouble; the end of Israel's Calamity; the end of Israel's Misery; which is the end of the Great Tribulation; a period that ends with the Return of Christ on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
I finished with a challenge by making the point that until that day dawns (the Day of the Lord) God is looking for faithfulness from us within the church and to the church. He wants his rightful place among us. We have made room for more chairs; we have made room for more people; we have made room for more lights; but have we truly made more room for God in the church; in our homes and in our lives?
Praise God that one man gave his life to Christ and one that woman recommitted her life to Christ after being away from him for quite some time. We rejoice in this and we pray and believe these are the first of many.
Events this week:
Thursday night 7.30 pm: We need all hands on deck to help put together the rest of the chairs and to put them back into the main hall and to give the building another clean up for the weekend. Beyond this we will be getting back to our Thursday night routine that will include FIST; GLOW and PRAYER. Sometimes, we've just got to work!
Saturday 7 November: William and Sonya are getting married at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel at 1 pm (I'm doing the wedding). They have invited you to their evening celebration. Please plan to get down for the night as this would be an encouragement to them.
Sunday. 11.30 am Morning Service (please keep supporting this)
7.00 pm Special Worship Concert: Mark Tedder & the PlanetWorship Band from Colorado.
Why not send an email or a message to all your friends on Facebook; Bebo; or text and invite them along.
Pool Table: One for the men! Craig Seawright is wanting to purchase a Pool Table fro £200. He is looking for 20 men to donate £10 each to buy this. If you can help please let him know. Email him at craigseawright@yahoo.co.uk I will give he first £10. So we need 19 more.
FUNDS: Many thanks to all who gave their £25 for October. Believe me, this is a big help and is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
No comments:
Post a Comment