As you read each passage, pray for God’s help. Ask yourself:

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus
• Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

30 October Jer 37:11-21

Jeremiah is accused of treason by attempting to desert to the Babylonians. Although the charge was false, it was given weight by Jeremiah’s preaching of surrender as the only way of survival (21:9). Yet Jeremiah’s calling was to point others to safety while refusing it for himself (compare Mt 27:42). Flogging and imprisonment brought Jeremiah near to death (v.20), but his prophetic voice was unwavering (vv.17,19). The king still would not hear, but he did ease Jeremiah’s prison conditions (v.21).

31 October Jer 38:1-13

The weak king Zedekiah is swayed first one way, then the other. Some of his officials persuaded him to have Jeremiah killed by allowing him to drown in a muddy cistern (vv.1-6). Then Ebed-Melek, a foreigner in the king’s service, convinced him that Jeremiah should be rescued (vv.7-10). God is still watching over His prophet and His word (compare 1:12).

1 November Jer 38:14-28

The final encounter between the king and the prophet is cloaked in secrecy (vv.24-27). Jeremiah is frustrated by the king’s past refusal to listen (v.15). Still, he repeats God’s offer of mercy even at this late hour (vv.17,20). Yet once again the king fails to respond (as ch.39 shows). Zedekiah is hoping to hear that God has changed His mind; he cannot face the necessary change on his own part. Ironically, it was he, rather than Jeremiah, whose feet were “sunk in the mud” (v.22).

2 November Jer 39:1-10

The story of the fall of Jerusalem, so consistently prophesied by Jeremiah, is now briefly told (further details are given in ch.52). Zedekiah, who hasn’t dared let God save him and his family, now deserts the people he has doomed (v.4). His attempt to save himself on his own terms fails horribly (vv.5-7), as all such efforts must (see Mk 8:35). Verses 8-9 show the severity of Babylonian judgement, tempered by a measure of reconstruction (v.10) since chaos would be in no-one’s interests.

3 November Jer 39:11-18

Although Jeremiah had never advocated collaboration with the enemy, he had urged surrender to spare further bloodshed. The Babylonians responded by treating him well (vv.11-14). But behind their action we should see God’s hand. For as the story of Ebed-Melek implies, God alone determines what happens to the one who trusts in Him (vv.15-18).

4 November Jer 40:1-12

Jeremiah rejected preferential treatment in Babylon (vv.1-4), choosing instead to stay with Gedaliah and the people left behind (vv.4-6). Gedaliah was a Jew appointed as governor by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king (v.5). Gathering to Gedaliah (vv.7-8) implied submission to Babylon in line with God’s oft-repeated word through Jeremiah (v.9). God’s renewed blessing on the people and the land (vv.10-12) shows His unchanging purpose to do good to those who trust His word.

5 November Jer 40:13 – 41:18

Gedaliah’s generous attitude (40:13-16) was exploited by an assassin (41:1-3). Ishmael, his murderer, then displayed monstrous violence, slaughtering pilgrims who came to worship at the site of the ruined temple (41:4-9), and kidnapping many other people (41:10). Ishmael was in turn chased off the scene by Johanan and the army officers, and his captives were freed (41:11-15). But the fledgling community then repeated the mistake of turning to Egypt as a (false) refuge from Babylon (41:16-18).

Corsham Twinning Association

The Corsham Twinning Association are currently hosting visitors from Jargeau in France. We welcome them to our 11:15am service today as part of their programme.

Light Party – Tomorrow night! 5pm-7pm

Would you like to bless the families in our community by helping at this event? There are many areas in which you can serve: Worship, baking, registration/ signing in and out, group leaders/ helpers, serving refreshments and running the kitchen.  We need a few bakers to bake some cakes and biscuits (or savory snacks) to serve at the party.  We also need strong people to help move chairs after the evening service on Sunday 30th and then to put them back after the event at around 7.30pm on Monday 31st. Please let Rhiannon know if you can do this or if you need more information about the areas in which to serve.  Let’s shine God’s Light into our community on this dark night together!! The party is for primary school children.

Craft Club

The next CBC Craft Club is taking place on Saturday, starting at 10:00am. Please contact Kathy Ewins or Pam Mitchell for more information on these meetings.

Spruijt’s Mission Fundraiser

Come along at 10-12am or 1-3pm on 5th November for a cake sale/afternoon tea at Hannah and Reinier’s house (address in church directory). They are raising much needed funds for their missionary friend, Kosharah, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She runs a school in her home for missionary children and also has three adopted Thai daughters. Pop in if you can!

Midweek Service

Our next MWS is taking place this Wednesday 2nd November at 2pm. The text is Philippians 4.2-9 and Eric will be leading and preaching.

Upcoming Mission Events

Oasis Feedback : Sunday 6th November

Neal and Lesley plus all those from church who have recently been out to Austria to visit the Oasis centre will be giving feedback on Sunday 6th November starting at  4:30pm. There will be tea, coffee and a variety of cakes! The evening service will then be a time of prayer for the Oasis team, their work , the refugees, the Grindrods and other areas where we need God’s help.

Mission & Persecuted Christians’ Prayer Meeting : 14th November

The next prayer meeting will be held on Monday 14th November at Priory Street at 7:45pm. During this meeting we pray for our missionaries – (it’s a great time to catch up on current news), and using the Open Doors’ material, Vanessa leads us in a time of prayer for Christians who are persecuted. Please see Wendy Rowe for more details.

Persecuted Church Sunday 20th November : ** A window on the Middle East **

On Sunday 20th November we will have a special event focusing on the persecuted church. Tea and cakes will be served at 5pm, and we will be welcoming David and Sue, an experienced couple who have worked for some years in both Ghana and the Middle East, as our speakers. David and Sue are now involved in outreach to migrants in the UK and beyond. They will give a short presentation at around 5.20pm and will share further during the evening service, with David preaching. Please join us for this opportunity to learn more about the Middle East and the situation of Christians there. See Wendy Rowe or Gill Bryant for further details.

Cakes

We would be grateful for any donations of cakes and biscuits for our two mission events being held on Sunday 6th November and Sunday 20th November, as outlined above. Please can you bring them to church on Sunday morning or at the beginning of the events. Thank you so much!

Request from Jude Davies

Jude Davies needs help with her mother. Would anyone be able to sit with her for a couple of hours a week (Tuesday and Thursday afternoons) to keep her company and read God’s word to her. Please contact Jude if you feel you can help. Thank you.

Bible Society Request

Stewards are needed on Sat 3^rd December at the Calne Lantern Parade and Guinness World Records™ title attempt for the World’s Largest Nativity. If you could help out, please contact Bible Society (01792 418222) or susan.wingrave@biblesociety.org.uk for more details. It promises to be lots of fun, so please join the team to make it happen. Thank you.

Steve and Ruth

Please follow the Lancasters, our Tanzanian missionaries, by reading their blog…

www.lancsintanz.aimsites.org

Christmas dates for your diary

Christmas tree decorating!!

Invitation to all (young and old!) to come and help decorate our church Christmas tree on Saturday December 10th, 3-5 pm.  Crafts, food and some carol singing!

Nativity Service

This year the Nativity will be held on Saturday December 17th at 5pm at Priory Street.  This will be a Nativity for all CBC congregations to come together and celebrate the Good News of Jesus’ birth. Please invite your friends!!

Carol Service @ Priory Street

This will take place on Sunday 18th Dec at 6pm.

This week.

Monday: The Light Party, 5pm

Wednesday: Morning prayer, 7:15am; Midweek service, 2pm

Thursday: Toddler Group, 10:00am; Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 7.30pm

Friday: Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 9.30am; Engage, 4:30pm; Energize, 5:30pm.

Saturday: Prayer for gospel expansion 8.30am; the Craft Club, 10:00am; Spruijts’ fund-raiser 10-12 or 1-3pm

…Looking ahead…

12th Nov: Lifegroup Leaders’ training session

13th Nov: Remembrance Sunday

14th Nov: Missions’ Prayer Meeting, 7:45pm

16th Nov: Midweek service, 2pm

20th Nov: Baptism service, 9:15am

20th Nov: Persecuted church Sunday

26th Nov: The Ark, 10:00am

28th Nov: Ladies’ Bible Study, 7:30pm

29th Nov: Men’s “Christmas Chilli” night, 7:15pm

30th Nov: Midweek service, 2pm

3rd Dec: Craft Club, 10:00am

4th Dec: Prayer evening, 6pm

VICKY STEPHENSON, contributor for today’s blog

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

An amazing command: “LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you”.  But HOW?  I cry out to God I am on my knees literally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Obviously I know all the answers: not by your own strength but in God’s strength. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13.

God pours out his love and fills me so I can share it with the world. But I still ask the Lord- HOW??

Then as I run (very slowly) up a hill in the beautiful morning sunshine with birds singing autumn leaves drifting down in a carpet of dazzling colour a small quiet voice says, “As ever Vicky, you have missed half of it. Love one another as I HAVE LOVED YOU! You are an instrument of my love in this world but that doesn’t mean all the love is for others, some of it is just for you!” Hard to keep running when I began to cry!!

I can only love others when I first allow others to love me; blimey how has it taken me 40 years to learn this lesson.  To begin with we need to accept that God loves us, just for being us. He loved you and me before the beginning of time and will continue to into eternity. He loves us when we are reading our bible and praying and when we are running round like headless chickens screaming at the children (oh maybe that is just my life). Nothing we do can make God love us any more or any less. It pleases God when we obey his commands but through Jesus his love is unconditional if we choose to accept it.  So let’s take a deep breath and let that settle in our hearts.

We have to allow others to love us. “Love one another” means a back and forth in relationship. This is so hard in our “I am an island” individualist world, where “she is an amazing ‘coper’! She doesn’t need any help!” Sometimes we read it as one-sided, not reciprocal. But that doesn’t look like the open connected deep fellowship Jesus encourages. So, we need to encourage one another to accept help, to be honest, show vulnerability and allow others to love us. This is not easy, but we will grow in Christ in this process of loving each other in this way. It is part of God’s plan. We are meant to do life together.

Jesus loved us as he accepted and rested in God the Father’s love for Him.  He loved us sacrificially by laying down his life. He shows us the symbolic everyday example he set for us when he washed the disciples’ feet. This was a beautiful, humble act! Notice though, that he didn’t completely exhaust himself with cooking the dinner and doing the washing up too!! He allowed others to love him by doing these tasks.

So, go out this week and love others but let God and others love you too!

Hey girlfriends,

Tonight we are continuing our ONE ANOTHER series: ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER. 

It promises to be a fun, insightful and blessed time together as we look at God’s word about this important command.

WHERE: CBC church hall

WHEN: Tonight, 24 OCTOBER, 7:30 pm 

WHY: TO ONE ANOTHER! 

As you read each passage, pray for God’s help. Ask yourself:

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

23 October Jer 33:1-13

Jeremiah is still a prisoner (v.1). The Lord gives him another strengthening message, inviting him to “call to me” (v.3). Despite the sins of His people, God will restore them and give them His abundant blessing once more (vv.4-13). Great guilt is met by still greater grace.

24 October Jer 33:14-26

The restoration promised in these verses was tasted by the Jews who returned from exile in Babylon, but it reaches far beyond anything that was experienced at that time. It centres on the coming of the Messiah (the “righteous Branch … from David’s line” v.15). It is in Christ that what was foreshadowed by the Davidic kings and the Levitical priests finds fulfilment. He is our permanent King and Priest, in whom all who are Abraham’s descendants are forever blessed (Ro 4:16; Gal 3:29).

25 October Jer 34:1-22

In vv.1-7 Jeremiah gives a further warning to king Zedekiah of the judgement that awaits him. Verses 8-22 provide evidence of the king’s weak character. Slaves were freed during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, perhaps because food was scare: too many mouths to feed. Later, when the siege was temporarily lifted, the masters took their slaves back, in violation of the covenant (vv.8-11). Therefore God declared that He would “liberate” the covenant-breakers into the hands of their enemies (v.17).

26 October Jer 35:1-19

This chapter takes us back in time to the reign of Jehoiakim (v.1). It tells the story of Rekab’s descendants, who kept their ancestor’s command through many generations. The placement of this story here makes a sharp comment on the promise-breakers of ch.34, who broke their word to their freed slaves. It is also a wider criticism of the generations of Israelites who had not kept the Lord’s covenant (vv.12-16).

27 October Jer 36:1-19

The Lord instructed Jeremiah to set down in writing the oracles he had delivered to the people over many years (vv.1-3). Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, risked his life by what he wrote and later read out (vv.4-8). The first public reading (vv.9-11) led to a second reading to sympathetic officials (vv.12-15). They knew they must take these words to the king, but first they sent Jeremiah and Baruch into hiding (vv.16-19).

28 October Jer 36:20-32

The scroll was read to the king, who showed his contempt for Jeremiah’s words by burning them, to the horror of at least some of his officials (vv.20-25). Yet in ordering the arrest of Baruch and Jeremiah (v.26) he perhaps revealed his fear as well as his fury. His attempt to destroy God’s word was futile, as Jeremiah was simply commanded to make another scroll (vv.27-28). Jehoiakim received a special word of judgement for his impiety (vv.29-31). The new scroll contained even more words from the Lord (v.32).

29 October Jer 37:1-10

The action now proceeds quickly towards the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. The weak king Zedekiah ignores God’s word through Jeremiah warning him to lessen the blow by surrendering the city (v.2). Instead, he begs Jeremiah to intercede with God for a different outcome (v.3). This, however, Jeremiah has already been forbidden by the Lord to do (7:16). Zedekiah needs to abandon his false hopes (vv.6-10) and heed the Lord’s counsel even at this desperately late hour.

Welcome Home!

Lesley and Neal Grindrod have returned from their three month mission work in Austria. We are delighted to have them home and look forward to hearing about their experiences and how God used them over this time, working with refugees.

Youth Weekend Away

Our young people are on their annual weekend away in Wales, returning this afternoon. Please pray for Dan Ovens and the other leaders as they spend time with our youth.

Corsham Twinning Association

The Corsham Twinning Association will be hosting visitors from France next weekend. They are including the 11.15am service at Priory Street as part of their programme on 30th October so please look out for visitors from Jargeau as well as their host families who are mostly based in Corsham. If you would like to know more then please contact Sue Wingrave from Church on the Green.

The Ark

Ark is on Saturday 29th October at 10am.  Do come along if you want to see the renowned ‘I’ve lost my sheep’ puppet show!! Aimed at 0-7 year olds but all are welcome, with an adult. Please speak to Heather Chilcott for more details.

Church Meeting

At the Church Meeting held last Monday, Alan Simon was affirmed as the new Ministry Leader for Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre. Alan Christie has stepped down from the role.

Ladies’ Bible Study – “One Anothering”: Gift of God’s grace for our growth in Christ

This is the name of the ladies’ bible study for the school calendar year 2016-2017! Our women will come together to address the theme of “One Anothering” from scripture and how God actually uses our relationships with one another to conform us into Christ’s likeness.

Notes for the next study tomorrow, Monday 24th October, are on the table at the back. Ladies, please take a copy in preparation of the study.

Light Party Monday, 31st October 5pm-7pm

Would you like to bless the families in our community by helping at this event? There are many areas that you can serve in: Worship, baking, registration/ signing in and out, group leaders/ helpers, serving refreshments and running the kitchen.  We need a few bakers to bake some cakes and biscuits (or savoury snacks) to serve at the party.  We also need strong people to help move chairs after the evening service on Sunday 30th and then to put them back after the event at around 7.30pm on Monday 31st. Please let Rhiannon know if you can do this or if you need more information about the areas in which to serve.  Let’s shine God’s Light into our community on this dark night together!! The party is for primary school children and there are flyers at the back of church.

Spruijts’ Mission Fundraiser

Come along at 10-12am or 1-3pm on 5th November for a cake sale/afternoon tea at Hannah and Reinier’s house (address in church directory). They are raising much needed funds for their missionary friend, Kosharah, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She runs a school in her home for missionary children and also has three adopted Thai daughters. Drop in if you can!

Half term break

Please note…Young mums’ bible study; toddler group, Wednesday early morning prayer, Energize and Engage are not taking place as it is half term. Please check with your Life Group Leader whether your group is meeting this week.

Upcoming Mission Events

Oasis Feedback : Sunday 6th November PM

Neal and Lesley plus all those from church who have recently been out to Austria to visit the Oasis centre will be giving feedback on Sunday 6th November starting at  4:30pm. There will be tea, coffee and a variety of cakes! The evening service will then be a time of prayer for the Oasis team, their work , the refugees, the Grindrods and other areas where we need God’s help.

Persecuted Church Sunday – A window on the Middle East

On Sunday 20th November we will have a special event focusing on the persecuted church. Tea and cakes will be served at 5 pm, and we will be welcoming David and Sue, an experienced couple who have worked for some years in both Ghana and the Middle East, as our speakers. David and Sue are now involved in outreach to migrants in the UK and beyond. They will give a short presentation at around 5.20 pm and will share further during the evening service, with David preaching. Please join us for this opportunity to learn more about the Middle East and the situation of Christians there. See Wendy Rowe or Gill Bryant for further details.

Cakes

We would be grateful for any donations of cakes and  biscuits for our two mission events being held on Sunday 6th November and Sunday 20th November. Please can you bring them to church on Sunday morning or at the beginning of the events.

Mission & Persecuted Christians Prayer Meeting

The next prayer meeting will be held on Monday 14th November at Priory Street at 7:45pm. During this meeting we pray for our missionaries – (it is a great time to catch up on current news), and using the Open Doors’ material, Vanessa leads us in a time of prayer for Christians who are persecuted. Please see Wendy Rowe for more details . Thanks.

Christmas dates for your diary

Christmas tree decorating!!

Invitation to all (young and old!) to come and help decorate our church Christmas tree on Saturday December 10th, 3-5 pm.  Crafts, food and some carol singing!

Nativity Service

This year the Nativity will be held on Saturday December 17th at 5pm at Priory Street.  This will be a Nativity for all CBC congregations to come together and celebrate the Good News of Jesus’ birth. Please invite your friends!!

Carol Service

This will take place on Sunday 18th Dec @ 6pm at Priory Street.

This week.

Monday: Ladies’ Bible Study, 7:30pm

Thursday: Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 7.30pm

Friday: Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 9.30am

Saturday: Prayer for gospel expansion 8.30am; the Ark, 10:00am

…Looking ahead…

30th Oct: 11:15am service, Jargeau visitors

31st Oct: The Light Party, 5-7pm

2^nd Nov: Midweek service, 2pm

5^th Nov: Craft Club, 10:00am; Spruijt’s fund- raiser 10-12 or 1-3pm

6^th Nov: Austria feedback @ 4:30pm followed by     Prayer meeting @ 6pm

13^th Nov: Remembrance Sunday

16th Nov: Midweek service, 2pm

20th Nov: Persecuted church Sunday

As you read each passage, pray for God’s help. Ask yourself:

• What does God reveal about Himself?
• How is your own heart revealed?
• How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in
• Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
• Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

16 October Jer 30:1-11

The early chapters of Jeremiah have emphasized God’s judgement on His
wayward people, but now a promised hope for the future begins to shine
through more and more. God will use his people’s sufferings to discipline
but not destroy them (vv.5-7, 11). Beyond their captivity in Babylon, God
will restore His people (vv.3, 8-10).

17 October Jer 30:12-24

Amazing grace! God’s people have an incurable wound (v.12), but God’s
love will heal them (v.17). Their future is an abundant life under a leader
who shares God’s heart (vv.18-21). God and His people will live together
in a world where evil is finally defeated (vv.22-24). As elsewhere in
prophecy, these words hold layers of fulfilment. The exiles who returned
from Babylon received a first instalment. Yet the exuberance of the
promises points to a more distant fulfilment in which we will share in
Christ (note v.24: the vision looks forward to God “fully accomplishing”
the purposes of His heart).

18 October Jer 31:1-14

Ch.31 continues to celebrate God’s mercy that will result in the return
from exile. However, the vision looks forward to a far greater gathering of
God’s people than anything that happened in the liberation from Babylon.
Jeremiah is given a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits the whole
people of God. The source from which all our blessings flow is revealed in
v.3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love …”

19 October Jer 31:15-30

The picture of Rachel weeping for her children (v.15) speaks of the
tragedy of Israel’s lost tribes, scattered by the Assyrians more than a
century earlier. But Rachel can dry her tears (v.16) because her children,
described here as “Ephraim”, have begun to mourn for their sins
(vv.18-20). The Lord will welcome home Israel and Judah (vv.21-25) and
give His people a fresh start (vv.27-30).

20 October Jer 31:31-40

Israel’s obedience to the old Mosaic covenant had proved to be no more
than skin-deep at best. God now speaks of a new covenant that will
change hearts and produce a true marriage between God and His people
(vv.31-34). In vv.35-40 Jeremiah uses images from the world he knows to
give a picture of God’s final and complete deliverance of His people. The
new covenant is ultimately made possible by the death of Jesus (1Cor
11:25; Heb 8:7-13; 9:15).

21 October Jer 32:1-15

Judah is besieged, Jeremiah is imprisoned, and King Zedekiah still refuses
to listen to God’s word (vv.1-5). Yet God offers a sign of hope as Jeremiah
is instructed to buy a field from a family member (vv.6-12). The point is
that despite the current destruction of Judah, God promises that in the
future He will restore normal life (vv.14-15). Jeremiah’s action at such a
traumatic time of siege showed his faith in God’s word.

22 October Jer 32:26-44

The oddness of buying a field in the midst of national catastrophe
prompts Jeremiah’s prayer (vv.16-25). He affirms that “nothing is too
hard” for the Lord (v.17). But does it really make sense to buy a field at
this time (vv.24-25)? The Lord confirms that nothing is too hard for Him
(v.27), and repeats His current purpose of judgement (vv.28-35). But then
He promises to bring salvation out of destruction (vv.36-41) – and that’s
the really hard thing to do! So Jeremiah’s purchase is not foolish, but full
of hope (vv.42-44).

In their latest post, Neal and Lesley reflect on meeting, befriending and bidding farewell to people in a matter of weeks. Yet due to the circumstances these brief encounters are intense, and one hopes, life changing. A real case of John 4:37-38 that one sows and another reaps.

Read the full story here: http://nealandlesley.simplesite.com/431415350

Infant Dedication

There will be an infant dedication service for Alfie Kelly this morning at the 11:15am service. Welcome to family and friends.

Church Meeting

There is a members’ Church Meeting tomorrow night, Monday 17th October at 8:00pm. Minutes and agenda are available at the back.

Youth Weekend Away

Our young people will be going off on their annual weekend away to Wales from Friday to Sunday. Please pray for Dan Ovens and the other leaders as they prepare for this weekend.

Dan is in need of a couple drivers to take to/from Chepstow at the following times:

To Chepstow: leave CBC at 4pm Friday 21st Oct.

From Chepstow: to arrive at the Centre at 3pm to load up and leave.

Please contact Dan Ovens if you can help.

Corsham Twinning Association

The Corsham Twinning Association will be hosting visitors from France on the last weekend in October. They are including the 11.15am service at Priory Street as part of their programme on 30th October so please look out for visitors from Jargeau as well as their host families who are mostly based in Corsham. If you would like to know more then please contact Sue Wingrave from Church on the Green.

Midweek Service

There is a midweek service on Wednesday at 2pm at Priory Street. Eric will be leading and preaching. The service is followed by tea/ coffee and home-made cakes.

Ladies’ Bible Study “One Anothering”: Gift of God’s grace for our growth in Christ

This is the name of the ladies’ bible study for the school calendar year 2016-2017! Our women will come together to address the theme of “One Anothering” from scripture and how God actually uses our relationships with one another to conform us into Christ’s likeness. Notes for the next study which is being held on Monday 24th October are on the table at the back. Ladies, please take a copy in preparation of the study.

Light Party Monday – 31st October 5pm-7pm

Would you like to bless the families in our community by helping at this event? There are many areas that you can serve in: Worship, baking, registration/ signing in and out, group leaders/ helpers, serving refreshments and running the kitchen.  We need a few bakers to bake some cakes and biscuits (or savoury snacks) to serve at the party.  We also need strong people to help move chairs after the evening service on Sunday 30th and then to put them back after the event at around 7.30pm on Monday 31st. Please let Rhiannon know if you can do this or if you need more information about the areas in which to serve.  Let’s shine God’s Light into our community on this dark night together!! The party is for primary school children and there are flyers at the back of church.

The Ark

Ark is on Saturday 29th October at 10am.  Do come along if you want to see the renowned ‘I’ve lost my sheep’ puppet show!! Aimed at 0-7 year olds but all are welcome, with an adult. Please speak to Heather Chilcott for more details.

Upcoming Mission Events

Oasis Feedback : Sunday 6th November PM

Neal and Lesley plus all those from church who have recently been out to Austria to visit the Oasis centre will be giving feedback on Sunday 6th November starting at  4:30pm. There will be tea, coffee and a variety of cakes! The evening service will then be a time of prayer for the Oasis team, their work , the refugees and for the Grindrods. Look forward to seeing you.

Persecuted Church Sunday : Sunday 20th November

Sunday evening – we will be sharing time together with visiting speakers Dave and Sue. They will be sharing their experiences of working in countries where Christians are persecuted.  The evening will begin at 5:00pm with tea and cakes, followed by the evening service. Dave and Sue will be sharing in both events.

Cakes

We would be grateful for any donations of cakes and  biscuits for our two mission events being held on  Sunday 6th November and Sunday 20th November. Please can you bring them to church on Sunday morning or at the beginning of the events.

Mission & Persecuted Christians Prayer Meeting

The next prayer meeting will be held on Monday 14th November. During this meeting we pray for our missionaries – (it is a great time to catch up on current news), and using the Open Doors material, Vanessa leads us in a time of prayer for Christians who are persecuted.

Please see Wendy Rowe for more details.

This week.

Monday: Mums’ bible study, 9:30am; Church Meeting, 8pm

Wednesday: Morning prayer, 7:15am; midweek service, 2pm

Thursday: Toddler Group, 10am; Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 7.30pm

Friday: Corsham Money and Debt Advice Centre, 9.30am; Engage @ 4.30pm; Energize @ 5.30pm; youth leave for weekend away

Saturday: Prayer for gospel expansion 8.30am

…Looking ahead…

24th Oct: Ladies’ Bible Study, 7:30pm

29th Oct: The Ark, 10:00am

30th Oct: 11:15am service, Jargeau visitors

31st Oct: The Light Party, 5-7pm

2^nd Nov: Midweek service, 2pm

5^th Nov: Craft Club, 10:00am

6^th Nov: Prayer meeting, 6pm and Austria feedback

13^th Nov: Remembrance Sunday

16th Nov: Midweek service, 2pm

20th Nov: Persecuted church Sunday

Please continue to follow our short term missionaries, Neal and Lesley Grindrod in Austria via their blog http://nealandlesley.simplesite.com/.

Lesley and Neal will be returning to the UK soon!

Paper copies of their latest blog entry are available at the back.

As you read each passage, pray for God’s help. Ask yourself:
What does God reveal about Himself?
How is your own heart revealed?
How does this passage underline the wonder of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ, and your own need of Christ as Saviour and Lord?
Turn these truths into prayer and praise.

9 October Jer 25:1-14

God’s great patience – and Jeremiah’s extraordinary stamina – in preaching to these people for 23 years (v.3) is met by a stubbornness that amounts to self-harming (v.7). The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man in the world, yet he was never more than God’s servant (v.9). God worked through Nebuchadnezzar’s evil behaviour to judge the people of Judah (vv.8-11) before punishing the Babylonians for their own crimes (vv.12-14). Truly God has the whole world in His hands.

10 October Jer 25:15-38

Behind the violent convulsions of the nations lies the hand of God, turning the nations’ wickedness on their own heads in judgement. Sin brings a collective madness on us in which destroys nations from within, so that v.27 is no exaggeration. God’s judgement includes the high and mighty who think themselves the shepherds of their people (vv.34-38). All this was true in Jeremiah’s day; alas, it seems we never learn.

11 October Jer 26:1-24

Jeremiah’s call for repentance almost costs him his life. The priests and the prophets demanded his death (v.11) but he was saved by officials and elders who reasoned from the Scriptures and took his criticisms less personally (vv.16-19). The fate of Uriah (vv.20-23) shows what kind of a tyrant Jehoiakim was, and the courage needed in a prophet. Uriah was killed while Jeremiah was preserved. God’s decisions are matters for His wisdom, not ours.

12 October Jer 27:1-22

Jeremiah delivers a message for his own people and the surrounding nations (v.3). If they will submit to Babylon, they will be spared a worse fate. If they will not submit, they will suffer destruction and exile. Babylon, too, will be judged in its turn (v.7). How ripe all these nations were for judgement will be made clear in chs.46-51, where we’ll also see the mercy that lay beyond judgement (as v.7 already hints).

13 October Jer 28:1-17

Jeremiah was constantly confronted by false prophets who made empty promises of good times ahead. God regards false prophecy as a deadly sin which misleads His people. He bluntly calls it “lies” (v.15) and “rebellion” (v.16). For the false prophet Hananiah, God’s sentence is swiftly executed (v.17), though not without prior warning.

14 October Jer 29:1-23

The Jews were exiled in Babylon in stages following various attempts to throw off Babylonian rule over Judah. Here Jeremiah writes from Jerusalem to those already in exile, urging them to accept their captivity for the present (vv.4-7), confident that God has a future for them beyond captivity (vv.10-14). But they must beware of false prophets who peddle empty hopes in Babylon as they do in Jerusalem (vv.7-8, 15-19). God judges severely those who utter lies in His name (vv.20-23).

15 October Jer 29:24-32

The false prophet Shemaiah in Babylon wrote to the temple authorities in Jerusalem to try to have Jeremiah silenced with the stocks and an iron collar (vv.24-28). However, Zephaniah the priest in Jerusalem wavered and merely showed Jeremiah the letter (v.29). The Lord declared punishment for Shemaiah for persuading the exiles to trust in lies (vv.30-32).