It takes a fantastic will to unbelief to suppose that Jesus never really ‘happened’, and more to suppose that he did not say the things recorded of him  – so incapable of being ‘invented’ by anyone in the world at that time … We must therefore either believe in him and in what he said and take the consequences; or reject him and take the consequences.

J.R.R.Tolkien, “Letters” no.250.

From my reading this evening:

“Thou didst well in that it was in thine heart,” said the Lord to David, even when He did not accept what David proposed to do; and I believe there may be glory brought to God, not only by those prayers which are manifestly answered, but by those which for wise reasons the good Lord is pleased to lay on one side. We are nothing better than children even in prayer, and therefore it is not every request that is wise; but yet we are children, and therefore the cries which come from our hearts touch the heart of our great Father in Heaven.

C H Spurgeon, “Only A Prayer Meeting!” pp.39-40.

Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to say to us, “I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.” Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is here, at the foot of the cross that we shrink to our true size.

John Stott

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3).

Heavenly Father, when I rubbed my irritated eyes this morning, I soon realized it was not a speck of dust but a rough-hewn board stuck there. I didn’t realize it till now, but I went to bed last night having made myself the chief prosecuting attorney in the supreme court – the judge and jury and executioner. Just because I don’t throw things or scream and yell doesn’t mean I’m not a critical person. Condescending smugness is just a synonym for “clanging symbols” (1Corinthians 13:1).

Have mercy on me, Lord Jesus. You are so forbearing, kind and gracious. Have mercy on me, the self-righteous sinner.

(Scotty Smith)

Back from holiday, and back to Paul Miller’s book, “A Praying Life.” Here’s something I read a few minutes ago on p.215:

If we stop fighting and embrace the gospel story God is weaving in our lives, we discover joy. Paul bubbles over with joy as he writes the book of Philippians, chained between two Roman soldiers. He even prays with joy: “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Philippians 1:4). If we pursue joy directly, it slips from our grasp. But if we begin with Jesus and learn to love, we end up with joy.

Stop fighting, and embrace the gospel story God is weaving in your life.

Men’s Traditional Christmas Chilli Night!

The men of CBC will meet for their Christmas meal (chilli !) on Tuesday 24th November at 7.00pm at Priory Street. Please let Ian Holmes know if you would like to attend.

Steve Bryant’s Thailand trip

Thank you to those who prayed for Steve during his recent trip to Thailand and participation in WEC’s regional conference for Asia.  On Sunday evening 29th he will be sharing about his time there, including information about how God is at work in different Asian countries, and an update on Grace International School, where the Spruijts served for one year.

Calling all musicians!!

Since we multiplied the morning services back in September, we obviously have less folks available to help lead worship in each service. So if you are part of the 11.15am congregation, if you love to worship God and if you have some musical ability, David Morrell would love to hear from you! In particular, we’re a bit short of guitarists, bass players and drummers; and we’re looking for younger people to join the team! You may have noticed that some of our younger musicians and worship leaders are now in the 9.15 service, so we’re keen to reduce the average age of our 11.15 team so we get a balance of old and new worship leaders and worship songs!!

The other plea relates to the evening carol service on December 20th. We’re aiming to put together an ensemble of acoustic musicians to accompany the Christmas carols (most of them are horrible to play on guitar!). So if you play fiddle, cello, flute, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone or almost anything else …. please let us know, and we’ll start making plans.

If you want to respond to either of these invitations, please get back to David Morrell, either in person or by email. Alternatively you can contact Nancy.  Many thanks.

Hawks, Falcons, Kestrels and Owls junior church teachers at 11.15 service

There will be a meeting for the teachers of these groups on Sunday 29th November at 4.30 in the main hall at church.  If you are unable to attend please let Rhiannon know. Thank you.

Tree decorating invitation

We are decorating the church Christmas tree on Saturday Dec 5th, 3-5pm.  Come along for some Christmas activities, carols, stories and snacks.  Invitations are at the back of church so take some for friends and neighbours, all ages welcome.  If you are able to help out at this event please let Rhiannon know.  In the past, this has been a great opportunity to invite non church children to hear what Christmas is really about.  If your children are planning on coming please could you let Rhiannon know so that we have an idea of numbers to cater for. Thank you.

Rudloe Carol Service

The Rudloe congregation is having their carol service on the 19th December. Does anyone have any outdoor lanterns/lights that can be borrowed for this event? Please contact Louise in the office or Rob.

Free Christmas Stickers from the Bible Society

This year the Bible Society’s free Christmas stickers have been designed by Emma Skerratt who used to attend Corsham Baptist Church.  The stickers show the names of Jesus and are designed to be used to spread the real meaning of Christmas eg. on your Christmas card envelopes.  You can find details about them at biblesociety.org.uk/stickers2015. If you don’t have access to the internet or prefer talking to a person, please ask Heather or Steve Chilcott!

The Ark

Another Ark event will take place this coming Saturday, 28th November, at 10am. Please contact Alexa Simm or Heather Chilcott if you would like to know more about this event for families with young children.

Connected

The next Connected get-together will be on Saturday 19th December from 8-10pm at Priory Street. Please speak to Beth Mills for more information.

Corsham Churches Foodbank

If you would like to donate to support the Foodbank Christmas Hamper project, the following items would be particularly welcome:

• Boxes of Chocolate Fingers;
• Selection Boxes to bless children;
• Boxes of Mince Pies;
• Treats (jam, honey and savoury spreads)

Please ensure that the festive treats have a post-Christmas best-before date, and are left in or alongside the collection bin in the porch, ideally before 30 November.

The Foodbank Nectar card scheme continues to work well and in previous years has funded many of the other seasonal treats that are included in our Christmas hampers.  We have plenty of these cards available if anyone else would like to join the scheme.

In addition, we are actively looking for new volunteers to serve, particularly to help with making issues to our clients on a Saturday morning, and also for one or perhaps two individuals to take on the co-ordination of the Hamper Projects at Christmas, Easter and just prior to the summer holiday period.

If you would like to know more about the work of the Foodbank or are thinking about volunteering or would like to consider joining the Foodbank Nectar card scheme, please speak to Roger or Hazel Hammett (01249 715816).

Walking on Sundays

Natalie Ovens is organising a very informal ad hoc Sunday afternoon walking group for walks in and around Corsham, the idea being to meet after lunch, at around 3pm. If you are interested in doing this, please contact Natalie who will draw up a list of potential walkers!

…This week…

Monday: Mums’ bible study, 9.30am in the Hut;

Tuesday: Men’s chilli night, 7.00pm

Wednesday: Morning prayer meeting 7.15am

Thursday: Toddler Group 10.00am; Debt Advice Centre 7pm

Friday: Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 9.30am

Saturday: Morning prayer, 8.30am; the Ark, 10.00am

…Coming up…

29th November: Meeting for 11.15am Junior Church teachers, 4.30pm

30th November: Ladies’ Bible Study, 7.30pm

2nd December: Midweek service, 2pm

5th December: Craft Group, 10am; decorating Christmas tree 3pm

8th December: TLC, 12 o’clock

13th December: 2 x Nativity services, 9.15am and 11.15am

14th December: Ladies’ bible study, 7.30pm

16th December: Midweek service, 2pm

20th December: Carols by candlelight, 6pm

22nd December: Corsham town carol service in the High Street, 6.45pm

24^th December: Christmas eve service, 6pm

25^th December: Christmas day, 10am family service

 PLEASE NOTE

**27th December: One service at Priory Street at 10am and no evening service on that day!**

Thanks to all who were praying for us during Steve’s time in Thailand which went very well. He started with a 2-day course teaching our local child protection officers what to do where there are no social services or specialised police units to report to (true for around ¾ of the countries we work in). Although modelled on other training and experience, teaching this was new. There was a really positive response from the group of 25 delegates and it was a great help to draw on the experiences of some of them in counselling, social work, and working in law.

The next stage was our WEC Asia-Pacific Region Conference with around 130 team leaders from over 20 different countries. It was great to be part of the praise and teaching, meet up with some of our first new members from NE India, see how we can help fulfil the big vision for world mission in the Philippines, hear about the growth of the church in many countries through our drug and alcohol rehab work called Betel, and much more. Of course there are many challenges to face, not least of which is the slow down in mission recruitment from Western countries and now even from Korea.
Steve spoke to the whole conference about internet safety, and supporting children through the stresses of international moves. Most of the work though was in smaller groups or one to one discussion.

Immediately after the conference there were meetings with our staff at Grace International School and at our boarding home for teenage students. The school supports the mission work of hundreds of families from dozens of different agencies in Thailand and the surrounding countries and is a vital part of spreading the Gospel in East and SE Asia.

News for those concerned about and praying for Grace International School –
Because of the court case contesting the current main school building the plan is still to build on a brand new site. The school’s final court appeal was made some years ago, but there is still no indication when a decision will be made. Should the case be lost there could be the need to move out at short notice but there are emergency plans in place before the new site is built.

“Grace Place”

Check out our new blog, GRACE PLACE, which is geared to women of all ages in our CBC and Rudloe communities and beyond. Look to see what books are recommended so far. Have you read any of them? Great stuff. We always appreciate feedback! www.cbcgraceplace.wordpress.com

New Wine

The Everetts are going to New Wine 31 July – 6th August 2016 and would love you to join them! Information at www.new-wine.org or ask the Everetts. If you book before 30th November you will get the best rates!

Men’s Traditional Christmas Chilli Night!

The men of CBC will meet for their Christmas meal (chilli !) on Tuesday 24th November at 7.00pm at Priory Street. Please let Ian Holmes know if you would like to attend.

Mission Update

Welcome back to Steve Bryant.  We are pleased to see him home safely and look forward to hearing his news. Steph Grylls is going to Uganda for two weeks at the beginning of December.  Please pray for her as she prepares to leave. She will be working in a baby clinic and helping in the church.

Calling all musicians!!

Since we multiplied the morning services back in September, we obviously have less folks available to help lead worship in each service. So if you are part of the 11.15am congregation, if you love to worship God and if you have some musical ability, David Morrell would love to hear from you! In particular, we’re a bit short of guitarists, bass players and drummers; and we’re looking for younger people to join the team! You may have noticed that some of our younger musicians and worship leaders are now in the 9.15 service, so we’re keen to reduce the average age of our 11.15 team so we get a balance of old and new worship leaders and worship songs!!

The other plea relates to the evening carol service on December 20th. We’re aiming to put together an ensemble of acoustic musicians to accompany the Christmas carols (most of them are horrible to play on guitar!). So if you play fiddle, cello, flute, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone or almost anything else …. please let us know, and we’ll start making plans.

If you want to respond to either of these invitations, please get back to David Morrell or Nancy. Many thanks.

Free Christmas Stickers from the Bible Society

This year the Bible Society’s free Christmas stickers have been designed by Emma Skerratt who used to attend Corsham Baptist Church.  The stickers show the names of Jesus and are designed to be used to spread the real meaning of Christmas eg. on your Christmas card envelopes.  You can find details about them at biblesociety.org.uk/stickers2015. If you don’t have access to the internet or prefer talking to a person, please ask Heather or Steve Chilcott!

Midweek Service

The text for 18th November is Luke 16.1-15. Eric will be leading and David Morrell preaching.

Rudloe Carol Service

The Rudloe congregation is having their carol service on the 19th December. Does anyone have any outdoor lanterns/lights that can be borrowed for this event? Please contact Louise in the office or Rob. Thank you.

…This week…

Monday: Mums’ bible study, 10am

Wednesday: Morning prayer meeting 7.15am; midweek service, 2pm

Thursday: Toddler Group 10am; Debt Advice Centre 7pm

Friday: Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 9.30am

Saturday: Morning prayer, 8.30am

…Coming up…

24th November: Men’s Christmas chilli night, 7pm

28th November: The Ark, 10am

30th November: Ladies’ Bible Study, 7.30pm

2nd December: Midweek service, 2pm

5th December: Craft Group, 10am

8th December: TLC, 12 o’clock

13th December: 2 x Nativity services, 9.15am and 11.15am

14th December: Ladies’ bible study, 7.30pm

16th December: Midweek service, 2pm

20th December: Carols by candlelight, 6pm

22nd December: Corsham town carol service in the High Street, 6.45pm

24^th December: Christmas eve service, 6pm

25^th December: Christmas day, 10am family service

…PLEASE NOTE…

**27th December: One service at Priory Street at 10am and no evening service on that day!**

Nothing can be farther from and more foreign to the whole temper of modern man than the anguished cry of David: “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Modern man recognizes no such rock, and that is the source of all estrangement and all tragedy.

Charles Malik, cited by Paul  E Miller in “A Praying Life” pp.107-8.

Having read the BBC account of last night’s terrorist attacks in Paris, I turned to my Bible and read my morning psalm, which happened to be Psalm 55. Here is a part of that Scripture:

¹ Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
² hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
³ because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.

⁴ My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen on me.
⁵ Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
⁶ I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
⁷ I would flee far away
and stay in the desert;
⁸ I would hurry to my place of shelter,
far from the tempest and storm.”

⁹ Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,
for I see violence and strife in the city.
¹⁰ Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
malice and abuse are within it.
¹¹ Destructive forces are at work in the city;
threats and lies never leave its streets.

²² Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you; he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
²³ But you, God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
will not live out half their days.

But as for me, I trust in you.

Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.