Eldad Elim Church, Guernsey. Kathleen and I arrived home from Guernsey on Monday around 6.30 pm. We had a good visit with the Elim Church and received a great response from many of the people after the services. They had booked the Princess Royal Arts Centre for a special Sunday morning outreach to another part of Guernsey. This was a bold step for them as a church. For weeks prior to this event they were stirred and mobilised to get out around the island. They visited many homes giving out leaflets and speaking to many people. They had posters all over the place and had adds in the paper besides a radio interview. They did everything they could, but on the day were disappointed by the poor response from local people. Many of us know the feeling of such disappointment after having put in so much effort. On Sunday night I managed to help lift the spirits of the people and the pastor who showed great appreciation for the Word I brought. I then sent the following in an email to the pastor, which I believe is also appropriate for us at New Life:
John, thanks again for the invitation to be with you over this special weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with you. I know you were all somewhat disappointed at the poor response from local people, but these are early days in a new venture for Eldad. I am glad to have been with you at the start of a process that in God's time will ultimately produce eternal fruit. Don't forget that Rome wasn't built in a day; Jericho wasn't conquered by one march; creation wasn't completed in one day, and even Good Friday needed Sunday to make it complete! I pray Sunday will come soon for you.
New Life Sunday services: I received great reports regarding Sunday morning, especially relating to Craig Seawright's message and presentation. Well done Craig. I trust and pray the word he brought stays long in the hearts of those who heard the message and that it continues to be productive within the church. Sorry I did not get the main points of the message. However, if you want to send these to me Craig I will forward them on via email.
Sunday night reports were disappointing regarding the poor turn out. Ross McBride, I understand, spoke well, but unfortunately many chose to stay away! This is one Sunday night in the month when we make an effort to bring along a guest speaker or do something different. The fact that some can choose to come out and hear someone with a different accent than someone with a Belfast accent shows that some are more attracted by the man rather than the event that's organised for the purpose of coming together for fellowship, encouragement and worship etc. My sincere thanks to those who not only got along on Sunday night, but to those are the constant backbone of New Life City Church. You see it's not only Guernsey that experiences disappointment, for we also experience it at New Life, but we thank God for the great encouragements and encouragers.
Easter Weekend. One Rose, One Hope: Good Friday at 7.30 pm and Sunday morning at 11.30. This is not two events, but one. Let me therefore encourage you to get along on both Friday and Sunday. Hobby Horse Playgroup staff are looking after the crèche on Friday night (you see we are doing everything we can!) so that everyone who attends New Life can at least experience the Friday night service. Please invite your friends and family as this WILL be an amazing weekend.
Thanks again to those who have put in so much thought and planning for this weekend. God has blessed us with gifted and talented people who use these for the good of the church and for the glory of God. Believe me, you are much appreciated. However, don't forget to pray and let's make sure that our dependency is on God. For it is STILL not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord. If that should ever change, God will let us know, but I don't think it will!
New Life City Church is not the perfect church, but with your help we can tick a few more boxes.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
No comments:
Post a Comment