This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE

“There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink.’ (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?’ (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’” John 4:7-10)

Dear Lord Jesus, you spoke these inviting words of hope to a broken woman trying her very best to keep her distance from you. She’d been on a quest to find life in the arms of men-many men-and it obviously wasn’t working for her very well. The more she tried to evade your gaze, the more you simply applied your grace. She ran; you pursued. She danced around; you stopped the music. How I praise you that you came to seek and save the lost, not just broadcast an offer from the distance.

Though the details of my story are different from this nameless Samaritan woman’s, the same foolish strategy is there: playing games with you, like hide-and-seek, only I do all the hiding and you do all the seeking. I wish this were just true of me a long, long time ago, but I still default to this insanity.

Jesus, deliver us from grace allergies-living with an aversion to the gospel. Why we choose broken cisterns, dumb idols, and self-help over your love is sheer madness. Grace is for sinners, not for pretenders, posers, and performers. You mean to heal us, not harm us; embrace us, not embarrass us; succor us with compassion, not shame us with contempt.

So Jesus, once again I bring real thirst to you today. I bring my penchant to avoid you. I bring my excuse making, my unbelief, my pride, my self-righteousness. I bring that part of me that would rather help others discover your grace than partake of it for myself.

I ask you for a fresh imbibing of living water, sufficient for the needs of my heart and the demands of the day. May this be a twenty-four-hour period in which I spontaneously join the chorus of many others who are singing, ‘Come see the man who told me everything I ever did, and he still loves me and is bent on my freedom. Certainly this is the Messiah, the Saviour, the Lord…. He is Jesus!’ I pray in our pursuing and all-satisfying name. Amen.”

This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE

“But he (Jesus), ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” Luke 18:27

“Gracious Jesus, you offered these words of hope to disciples trying to picture a camel squeezing through the eye of a needle. You speak the same words to me in light of many situations for which I need to accept my limitations and lay hold of your sufficiency.

I begin this day remembering that your commitment is to make all things new, not make all new things. There is an enormous difference between the two. Indeed, Jesus, you’ve placed us in a story of restoration, not replacement. You are actively at work in the broken places and among broken people, including me. Through your resurrection, we’ve been given great assurance and hope for a redeemed universe. This is incredibly good news- the best news ever.

The hard news is that I have to accept that many things are impossible for me. My intentions, efforts, and resources are simply not enough. I see this especially in my relationships. This requires a humility and faith the gospel alone can provide. Grant me both, Jesus; grant me both.

I cannot change me, so why do I assume the omnipotence to fix others? As much as I long to see friends freed from addictions, marriages brought back from the brink of death, and stubborn people made gentle and kind, Jesus, you alone have the power of resurrection. Maybe the greater challenge will be for you to make me a patient, caring, present friend. Please show me the first nose hair of this camel poking through the needle’s eye. Hasten the day of perfect newness in my heart. I pray in your majestic name. Amen”

@ Priory Street

9.15am             Eddie Larkman

11.15am           Eddie Larkman

6:00pm             “Gathering to Praise”

@ Rudloe, Church on the Green

10:00am           Rob Durant

Midweek Service

The next MWS is taking place on Wednesday 22nd August at 2pm. The text is Psalm 103. Eric Seager will be leading and David Morrell will preach.

Holiday Club Tues Aug 28th – Fri Aug 31st 10am – 12.30pm

Holiday club helpers needed Tuesday 28th August – Friday 31st August; Rhiannon is still very short of volunteers to help out at holiday club so please pray and sign up at the back to help out

• Helpers needed to assemble gazebos on Monday 27th August at 3pm
• Team leaders and helpers needed
• Registration / sign in and out team
• Refreshments’ team
• “Tidy up the church” team on Friday 31st August from 12.15pm

Breakfast will be served at 9am each morning before the club for all volunteers – so hurry and sign up!!

Surplus Stationery

We have a large quantity of two-ring binders and document wallets that are no longer required in the Debt Advice Centre. Free to anyone who wants them!  Last chance!!  Please speak to Alan Simon.

Wedding

Zoe Little and Seth Lavington will be getting married on 25th August.  The church service will be held at Priory Street at 1:30pm.  Everyone welcome to attend!

Infant Dedications

There will be two infant dedications on Sunday 26th August!  At the 9:15am service Mahala Pillinger (Joey and Emily’s daughter) will be dedicated and at the 11:15am service Phoenix Blystad-Collins (Colin and Heather Whiting’s grandson).  We look forward to welcoming all their friends and families.

Philippians Group

The Philippians Group (Junior Church) will restart on Sunday 9th September. We look forward to seeing those who are in school years 6-8 on this date.

Week of Prayer

Our annual week of prayer will commence on the 2nd September.  Details available closer to the time.

11:15am bbq

There will be a bbq after the 11:15am service for the attenders of that congregation on Sunday 9th September 12:30-3:30pm.  Please put the date in your diary!

… Looking ahead over the next days, weeks and months – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY! …

22nd August: Midweek service, 2pm

25th August: Zoe Little / Seth Lavington wedding 1:30pm

26th August: Infant dedications at 9:15am and 11:15am services

28th-31st August: Holiday Bible Club

2nd September: Week of Prayer starts

9th September: bbq for 11:15 congregation – 12:30-3:30pm

9th September: tea for the Littles, 4pm; commissioning service for Littles, 6pm

10th September: men’s fight night, 8pm

12th September: Midweek service, 2pm

21st September: The Littles leave for the USA for Mercy Ships’ training

24th September: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

26th September: Midweek service, 2pm

30th September: 2nd open meeting to discuss leadership restructure, 4:30pm

1st October: Men’s fight night, 8pm

7th October: Harvest services

9th-17th October: Mission trip to Tanzania

10th October: Midweek service, 2pm

22nd October: Church Meeting, 8pm

24th October: Midweek service, 2pm

29th October: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

31st October: Light Party, 5-7pm

This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE

“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, than I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“Heavenly Father, as I meditate on these words of Paul, I vacillate between feelings of anger and relief, for as a young follower of Jesus, I wasn’t taught to delight in weakness but rather to despise weakness, to deny weakness, to demonize weakness, to dethrone weakness. That’s why I totally understand Martin Luther’s statement that ‘bad theology is the worst taskmaster of all.’ For I’ve suffered much under the merciless whip of several gospel distortions.

It was all about the ‘victorious Christian life’: overcoming and not underachieving, kind of like having a type A personality on spiritual steroids. I didn’t think in terms of sufficient grace, I wanted replacement grace- getting rid of anything unpleasant in my life.

Thank you Father, for rescuing me from this and other misrepresentations of life in Christ. Thank you for the godly men and women you’ve brought into my life in Christ over the years, the humble and courageous servants of Jesus who’ve helped me understand the true riches of the gospel and the way of the cross. Increase their tribe, Lord: increase their tribe.

Father, I know I’m not be be defined by my weakness and brokenness, but I realize more than ever, that’s where Jesus meets me. I have no ability to change my heart. I very much want your power to rest on me. I very much need your power to rest on me. I am desperate for all the sufficient grace you will give me.

As you continue to humble and gentle my heart, greatly increase my compassion toward others in their weakness and brokenness. Forgive my irritation, impatience, and avoidance of people whose need is much greater than my supply.

What a wonderful, merciful Saviour you are, Jesus. Indeed, it was because you embraced the weakness of the cross that I can gladly boast in the weaknesses of my life and the more-than-sufficient supply of your grace. What a most profound, liberating, and hope-filled paradox. I pray in your holy and loving name. Amen.”

Men’s Fight Night

Tomorrow night Ian and a group of men meet for men’s fight night where they pray for church life and various other issues.  Commences at 8pm at Priory Street.

Men’s Ministry

The men of our church will be getting together for fellowship and a BBQ at CBC this Tuesday, 14 August at 7:30pm.  Look out for sign up sheets at the back or contact Ian Holmes, Paul Kelly or one of the other members of the men’s ministry team if you would like to attend.

Thank You!

“We want to thank everyone at CBC for their wonderful support during the MK Staff Training Course. Many people helped in different ways and we are so grateful for all of this – childcare, catering, refreshments, hospitality driving, etc. etc. Without your efforts we could not have delivered the course and it has been a privilege to watch the church members operating as a team. Please keep praying for the group as they head out to their different fields of service, and for the Kapitaniuk family as they do further training with WEC France and spend time learning English before going to BCS.”  Steve and Gill Bryant.

Holiday Club Tues Aug 28th – Fri Aug 31st 10am – 12.30pm

This year will be a water-themed holiday club for primary school aged children.

“How can I help?” I hear you ask. There are sign up sheets at the back of church with many roles available including: registration team, refreshments team, team leaders and helpers, sound, projection, set  up and set down, please sign up! There are plenty flyers at the back so please take some for neighbours and friends and encourage them to come.  Above all, please pray.

Surplus Stationery

We have a large quantity of two-ring binders and document wallets that are no longer required in the Debt Advice Centre. Free to anyone who wants them!  Please speak to Alan Simon.

… Looking ahead over the coming days and next few months …

13th August: Men’s fight night, 8pm

14th August: Men’s bbq 7:30pm

22nd August: Midweek service, 2pm

25th August: Zoe Little / Seth Lavington wedding 1:30pm

26th August: Infant dedications at 9:15am and 11:15am services

28th-31st August: Holiday Bible Club

2nd September: Week of Prayer starts

9th September: bbq for 11:15 congregation – 12:30-3:30pm

9th September: tea, 4pm; commissioning service for Littles, 6pm

10th September: men’s fight night, 8pm

12th September: Midweek service, 2pm

21st September: The Littles leave for the USA for Mercy Ships’ training

24th September: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

26th September: Midweek service, 2pm

30th September: 2nd open meeting to discuss leadership restructure, 4:30pm

1st October: Men’s fight night, 8pm

7th October: Harvest services

9th-17th October: Mission trip to Tanzania

10th October: Midweek service, 2pm

22nd October: Church Meeting, 8pm

24th October: Midweek service, 2pm

29th October: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

31st October: Light Party, 5-7pm

This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE

“And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spoke this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’” Mark 8:31-33

“Jesus, one of the many things I cherish about the Bible is the way it robs me of my penchant for hero worship. Who but God would write a book documenting the foibles and failures of so many of his sons and daughters? Who but God would chronicle the ways his chosen leaders limp along and prove themselves to be in constant need of mercy and grace?

This gives me great encouragement and hope. It also gives me freedom to acknowledge that I need the gospel today just as much as the first day I believed it. This will be just as true tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Keep me convinced, Jesus, because I am like Peter.

It’s one thing for me to stress and stew about the ways this generation is distancing itself from your cross. But it’s quite another to see the subtle ways I try to keep you from the cross. Deal with me as you dealt with Peter.

When I mute my heart to the insult of grace, I deny your cross. When I think, even for one moment, that my obedience merits anything, I deny your cross. When I put others under the microscope and measure of performance-based living, I deny your cross. When I wallow in self-contempt and shame, I deny your cross. When I’d rather do penance than repent, I deny your cross.

By the gospel, help me to mind the things of God more than the things of men. May your cross get bigger, and may my boast in it grow louder. Jesus, you’re the only hero in the Bible, and I’m fine with that. I pray in your patient and persistent name. Amen.”

Thank You!

“We want to thank everyone at CBC for their wonderful support during the MK Staff Training Course. Many people have helped in different ways and we are so grateful for all of this – childcare, catering, refreshments, hospitality driving, etc. etc. Without your efforts we could not have delivered the course and it has been a privilege to watch the church members operating as a team. Please keep praying for the group as they head out to their different fields of service, and for the Kapitaniuk family as they do further training with WEC France and spend time learning English before going to BCS.”  Steve and Gill Bryant.

Holiday Club Tues Aug 28th – Fri Aug 31st 10am – 12.30pm

This year will be a water-themed holiday club for primary school aged children.

“How can I help?” I hear you ask. There are sign up sheets at the back of church with many roles available including: registration team, refreshments team, team leaders and helpers, sound, projection, set  up and set down, please sign up! There are plenty flyers at the back so please take some for neighbours and friends and encourage them to come.  Above all, please pray.

Children’s Songs Practice

On Thursday 9th August at 7:30pm (at Priory Street) Heather Chilcott and Beth Mills will be running a session to brush up on children’s songs in church!  If you would like to know anything more, please contact either Beth or Heather.

Midweek Service

This will take place on Wednesday 8th August at 2pm.  The text is Psalm 19 and Eric shall be leading and preaching.

Life in the Lancs Lane

Steve and Ruth Lancaster, our missionaries in Tanzania, have put out another information-packed newsletter.  Paper copies are on the table at the back or you can read their blog online.

Men’s Ministry

The men of our church will be getting together for fellowship and a BBQ at CBC on Tuesday, 14 August at 7:30pm.  Look out for sign up sheets at the back or contact Ian Holmes, Paul Kelly or one of the other members of the men’s ministry team if you would like to attend.

YOUTH to SOUL

Dan Ovens has taken a group of young people to the Soul Survivor summer festival; they will be back on 9th August. Please pray for the young people as they spend time with one another and with God.

… Looking ahead over the next few months…

13th August: Men’s fight night, 8pm

14th August: Men’s bbq 7:30pm

22nd August: Midweek service, 2pm

25th August: Zoe Little / Seth Lavington wedding 1:30pm

26th August: Infant dedications at 9:15am and 11:15am services

28th-31st August: Holiday Bible Club

2nd September: Week of Prayer starts

9th September: bbq for 11:15 congregation – 12:30-3:30pm

9th September: tea before evening service (time to be confirmed)

            commissioning service for Littles, 6pm

10th September: men’s fight night, 8pm

12th September: Midweek service, 2pm

24th September: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

26th September: Midweek service, 2pm

30th September: 2nd open meeting to discuss leadership restructure, 4:30pm

1st October: Men’s fight night, 8pm

7th October: Harvest services

9th-17th October: Mission trip to Tanzania

10th October: Midweek service, 2pm

22nd October: Church Meeting, 8pm

24th October: Midweek service, 2pm

29th October: Women’s bible study, 7:30pm

31st October: Light Party, 5-7pm

This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26-27 NIV

“Dear Father, this is one of those days when I could create a long prayer list and methodically go through it, but I’m not sure I would really be praying. I could go through the motions, but to be quite honest, it would be more ritual than reality- more about me than the people and situations I’d bring before you. I’m feeling a bit distracted this morning, scattered and not very focused.

It’s one of those days I’m glad the gospel is much more about your grasp of me than my grip on you. I’m grateful your delight in me is not contingent upon my delight in you. I’m thankful for the prayer ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Gracious Father, I have no problem or reluctance in acknowledging my weakness this morning. In fact, it’s freeing to know your Spirit doesn’t abandon us when we’re weak but helps us in our weakness, faithfully praying in us with ‘wordless groans’. Though I don’t understand everything that means, I do get that you search our hearts and you know the mind of the Spirit, and that brings me great comfort today.

No one knows our hearts better than you, Father. And you search our hearts to save us, not to shame us; to deliver us, not to demean us; to change us, not to chide us. You know my dignity and my depravity, my fears and my longings, my struggles with sin and my standing in Christ.

And at this very moment your Spirit is praying inside of me, perfectly tuned in to my needs and in total harmony with your will. I cannot measure the peace that brings. I surrender right now, Father. I will gladly groan to your glory. I know you are at work for my good in all things, including this season. You have called me to life in Christ, and you will complete your purpose in me, in each of your children, and in the entire cosmos. I do love you; I would love you more. I pray with thankfulness, in Jesus’ merciful and faithful name. Amen.”