This post by Steve and Ruth Lancaster was originally published at Life in the Lancs Lane
We are sharing this message from AIM with you all:
“In humble dependence upon God, we have moved steadily forward, no doubt in our blindness making many mistakes, but we ascribe all praise to him for anything that has been done which can bring glory to his name and honour to his cause.”
The words above were written by our founder, Peter Cameron Scott after the first AIM base was established in Nzawi, Kenya. This year we mark our 125-year celebration, and look back with the same mindset. Despite our human frailties, God has done great things in and through those who have served AIM over our history.
Originally we’d planned to have celebrations in Edinburgh and London, but these have now moved online. We are currently compiling stories, videos which allow us to worship together remotely and thoughts from both missionaries, Africans and our International Office on our past and our future.
There are two ways for you to watch all that we put together:
•Sign up to get a password details of our Vimeo stream, which will go live on 26 September and remain accessible for a while afterwards.
•Sign up to receive a DVD through the post.
We hope that you all sign up for one of the above options, and that the event will be an encouragement to you. It would also be great if you could share about the event with your prayer supporters, so that they too can gain a wider insight into the work of AIM and our thoughts for the future. You can sign up, and point them to sign up, at http://eu.aimint.org/125
Growing in faith and love for Christ, revealed as He is in Scripture, will be the greatest of all preservatives against being led astray. The person who is saturated in the teaching and spirit of the Gospels will have his or her senses “trained … to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14, NIV) and to know what is truly Christ-like and Christ-honouring.
The ‘new normal’ continues with prayer and fellowship – contact your LIFE group leaders for when and how that is happening. Or use the contact form if you’re not part of one but would like to join in.
NEXT WEEK will be communion
Junior Church
Activities for various age groups will be live on the CBC Junior Church channel on Sunday morning.
Evening prayer @ 8pm
Maybe it is easier to concentrate in the evening, after the children are in bed? If you’d like to join a small group, via Zoom, for a couple of Bible readings and to share and receive prayer reach out to Joey, Natalie or use the contact form.
With the easing of lockdown, the Oversight Team wants to support as many events as possible that will allow us to encourage one another as a Christ-following community. We are currently form a ‘Tiger Team’ to decide how and when the church will re-open.
More details are expected from Government, Baptist Union and Tigers in the coming days and we hope to announce initial details in next week’s notices.
A Souper Story
“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” starts Joan, quoting Psalm 126. In the short time this ministry has been running things have changed in ways the team never imagined. You can read all the LORD has been doing here.
Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast – this Tuesday!
Please see the link below to the Parliamentary Prayer breakfast – taking place this Tuesday. This year it will be available to all online: https://corshambaptists.org/?p=9175. In an update since we first highlighted this Sue W says both Michelle Donelan (MP for Priory St) and James Gray (MP for Rudloe) have confirmed their attendance.
Do you have video editing skills?
Or would you like to gain some? If so, maybe you’d like to serve by putting together and uploading to YouTube the Sunday services for Priory Street? Contact Tim S for details.
Coming up…
Many activities happen even while we cannot meet together in person. If you or someone you know is feeling left out, please get in touch via the contact form or call the office.
Tuesday evenings at 7pm: Zoom Meetings for junior church children (school years 6,7,8). Please contact either Wendy R or John P (in the directory).
Each Wednesday and Sunday at 7pm, Lunn Green will be hosting a live prayer event. This is a great way to feel connected to the wider family at a time when many of us are isolated and under pressure. Please use this link to connect to the event.
Wednesday 7.15 – 8.45pm. Rooted – An opportunity for young people (year 8+) to catch up virtually and dig into the Bible together.
Friday 6.30-7.45pm. Connect – An opportunity for year 7’s to connect virtually, play games and dig into the Bible together.
Sunday 7.15 – 8.45pm. Impact – A virtual youth club (year 8+), where the young people can hang out, have fun, & deepen friendships through a range of interactive activities
Local Community News
Whilst we appreciate these are not Corsham Baptist Church matters or activities, given the nature of current circumstances and the different situations in which people in the congregations find themselves, we thought these might be of help to some folk…
Allington Farm shop are doing deliveries if anyone is needing that. They seem to have plenty of slots available.
AgeUk are doing regular phone calls to the elderly for a chat and to check up on people (‘assurance’ phone calls is what they call them!) on 0808 196 2424 Email: enquiries@ageukwiltshire.org.uk & you can phone up to refer people to them.
There is also a new ‘Daily Hope’ free phone number created by our ‘Faith In Later Life’ project/Archbishop of Canterbury and others, for people to choose from hymns, prayers, talks etc whatever denomination or of no faith on 0800 804 8044
Corsham town council & other volunteers in Corsham to the extent of Wadswick Green location are willing to help with food shopping & deliveries, medication deliveries etc:
Corsham Link (transport for medical appointments but will also delivery prescriptions etc) – 07884 887105
And there are others willing to volunteer to help people according to your location etc on the Wiltshire Council support directory – http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/downloads/22069 (This is updated regularly)
Wiltshire Council has provision for helping those who need deliveries or any other issues with isolation at the moment – wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk 0300 003 4576
They’ve also set up a list of resources for people during lockdown (keeping active as well as for those who are disabled, mental health, creative ideas & activities, etc) – scroll down each section to get past the stuff for children! http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities
The Richmond Fellowship (there’s a branch that meets at a church in Chippenham) has set up phone calls etc for people who want someone to talk to on Telephone: 01380 724833 Email: wiltshirereferrals@richmondfellowship.org.uk
Whatever you’ve seen in yourself that makes you sad and downcast, God in heaven saw it first. And it didn’t stop Him sending His Son to bring you home because He loved you.
Scripture is not just the touchstone for the truth. God gave us the Scriptures so we might enter into a relationship with Him. William Tyndale wrote, “The scripture is that wherewith God draweth us unto Him … The scriptures spring out of God, and flow unto Christ, and were given to lead us to Christ. Thou must therefore go along by the scripture as by a line, until thou come at Christ, which is the way’s end and resting-place.
This post by kathylarkman was originally published at GRACE PLACE
“I [Paul], am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. 28So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. 29That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” Colossians 1:24-29
Father,
We praise you as we continue to pray through Colossians. We give thanks to You, who give us EVERYTHING we need IN CHRIST. Thank you for Paul’s example of what ministry is all about. Thank you for our church leadership, who like Paul, are making You known through the preaching of Your word. We pray for our leaders to continue to faithfully proclaim the mystery of the gospel, which is fully revealed and is summed up as ‘CHRIST in US!’ May we be taught and warned of any false gospel. Cause us to humble ourselves in obedience. Help us to grow to maturity in You, and to encourage one another to contribute in the battle for our church’s maturity in Christ, even to be willing to suffer for that goal.
Remind us that as we work and struggle for your glory, it is Your mighty power that works in us! Amazing grace. Amazing love. Amazing Christ. Help us to keep our eyes focused on You this week. AMEN
True discernment means not only distinguishing the right from the wrong; it means distinguishing the primary from the secondary, the essential from the indifferent, and the permanent from the transient. And, yes, it means distinguishing between the good and the better, and even between the better and the best.
Steve and Ruth Lancaster,
Eddie,
Tim Stephenson,
Louise,
kathylarkman,
“I [Paul], am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 
for that goal.