Things are continuing to look up as we steadily move into 2010. It's always encouraging to see the regulars turning up week after week and is likewise encouraging to see "new" faces. We hope this will be the case each week and that step by step we will see New Life City Church take its place as a significant church fellowship within the city. It was good to see Anna back from Canada and to see James & Julie out with Baby Benjamin.
Thanks again to our Worship Team for stepping up to the mark as always and for helping to prepare our hearts as we turned to the Word of God. The message on Sunday was Part II of last week's message as follows:
The message was entitled "Getting into the Zone of Spiritual Maturity". The key verses for the message were Jer. 17:7-8. We saw that one of the meanings of the word "mature" is "complete". The main thrust of the message was that the person who is in the Zone of Spiritual Maturity is one who trusts in God and not in men, and is one who remains complete regardless of the circumstances.
Once again I talked about the need to encourage each other, but I also made the point that there needs to come a time when you are no longer "dependent" on the encouragement of others. We saw that when Paul became a Christian he needed to be encouraged. He did not get it from the church leaders in Jerusalem, but he got it from Barnabas. However, Paul did not go through the rest of his life depending on Barnabas for encouragement. He never stayed a baby Christian (! Cor.13:11). He got into the Zone of Spiritual Maturity so that it did not matter what the devil threw at him. And just like Paul, we all need to get into the Zone of Spiritual Maturity so that we do not become dependent on the phone call, or the text message, or the Facebook comment or even the Pastoral visit.
I finished by making the point that during 2010 we are looking for Growth in four areas as follows:
Growth in the numbers attending New Life City Church
Growth in the numbers becoming Christians
Growth in the numbers of backsliders becoming Christians
Growth in the spiritual maturity of all believers
GLOW: Great reports about last night from several people who were there. Well done ladies; keep it going. Or as John Cartmill would say "Keep 'er lit!"
This coming week: Hopefully the weather will not be too severe.
All the main activities will be on including Revolution and JC's.
The Thursday Night Prayer Meeting is at 7.45.
We will take sometime at the start for a short Bible Study.
Wednesday Night 6.30. Gordie is looking for help to link the chairs together. Come along with screwdrivers (not drinks, but "star" screwdrivers!) and/or drills with screwdriver heads. We plan to put the Liverpool v Reading match on upstairs for the Reading fans. Bring along some drinks and treats.
Next Sunday: 11.30 Morning Service. It's been good to see "new people" joining with us. This is your opportunity to invite someone along. Remember what I said last week, "If we all reach one person and bring that one person to church during 2010 we will double our numbers in one year!.
Don't forget the 3rd Sunday morning of each month, which is this coming Sunday, is our Special Building Fund Offering. Please pray about this and let's make these offerings truly special. Thanks again to those who give an extra £25 per month (some give more) to help cover the loan. This is paid directly into the bank by DD or is handed to me or Gareth on the last Sunday of each month. If you are not one of those who give in this way and you would like to be, please let me know.
FIST: Sunday night for all men.
Continue to pray for the church and for each other. Why not think of someone right now who might well appreciate a little encouragement and drop them a text or an email and let them know you just want to encourage them.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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