June a people preparing for the coming King

Transcription

1 ... a people preparing for the coming King June 2014 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Ezekiel 37:10 1 1

2 Mottram Evangelical Church and Hattersley Community Church are interdependent churches who seek to be evangelical in their understanding and charismatic in their experience. Together we live to glorify God, serve his church and reach his world. Insight is the monthly newsletter, prepared by Margaret and Stephen Winfield and published in print and on-line by Mottram Evangelical Church, Stalybridge Road, Mottram, Hyde, Cheshire. SK14 6NF. Tel Articles for inclusion should be submitted before the deadline indicated on the diary dates page. Contributions should be sent to 4, Hall Drive, Mottram, or by to We do ask that contributors submit their name for inclusion with submissions, as personal contributions are accepted on the understanding that they are not necessarily the opinions of the Editors or the Church Elders. Church Child Protection Policy All church children s and young people s work is carried out by personnel who have undergone disclosures and in accordance with the Church s Child Protection Policy. To view this policy please call Jim on Martyn Cooling Pastor, Mottram Evangelical Church Jesus is coming again, not this time as a suffering servant, but with flaming fire as the majestic, exalted and triumphant King of Kings and righteous judge over all things. We do not know the exact time when he will return, but even so the New Testament instructs the Church to be ready and prepared for his arrival. This revelation of Jesus second coming is intended to stimulate believers in a number of areas of life and faith. Here are two which reflect our call as MEC to lengthen and strengthen (Isaiah 54:1-3). Share Faith (Lengthen) We are called to be witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ across geographical, ethnic and social boundaries, making disciples wherever we go, baptising them and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19). The need for us to share our faith is urgent because any who do not obey the gospel of our lord Jesus will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, something we do not want for our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). According to the latest studies, the Church in the West has lost much of its passion and confidence to proclaim the gospel of Christ to the lost. Much excellent work is being done to serve the poor and marginalised through acts of kindness and challenging injustice (foodbanks, debt counselling, counselling, addiction support etc), but there is an urgent need to also make Jesus known as the only way to be reconciled with God (Romans 10:14-17). This is the primary reason that the Church is still in the world and has not yet been taken up to be with Jesus and so we have much work to do to make Christ known to all nations (2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 24:14). So let s get ready for action! Let us serve the poor. Let us feed the hungry. Let us pray for the sick. Let us speak out at injustice. Let us open up our homes to the lonely. Let us find ways of releasing people from the slavery of debt and addictions. Let us speak hope to the hopeless. And in all these things, may the Spirit of God fill us with boldness to share Jesus with as many as possible, explaining how they can be set free from the most pressing need of all: to be rescued from eternal destruction. Stand Firm (Strengthen) We are called to stand firm in the face of the trials we face and hold to the traditions we have been taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Jesus taught his disciples that in the days before his return many false prophets will arise and lead many astray, lawlessness will increase and the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:11-12). We are challenged to endure to the end, not giving in to fear, falsehood or faithlessness. We live in an age when all sorts of unhelpful teaching is being proclaimed from church pulpits, when the forces of secularism are leading the nation to abandon Biblical values and when material wealth deceives many into an unholy satisfaction with spiritual lukewarmness. In light of this, now is the time to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to God and to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into an everdeeper grasp of the Bible and to keep ourselves pure, unstained by the things of this world (1 John 3:3). This is not something that we can do in isolation. Not only do we need the comfort, strengthening and encouragement of our local church family, and to seek unity with other congregations in our area, but we are also called to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who face real persecution for their faith in prayer and practical support. May you be blessed with every spiritual blessing as you share faith with those you know and as you stand firm, faithful to Jesus each day of your life, no matter what trials you face! Martyn 2 2

3 This year s Church in the Park will take place between 12 noon and 3 pm on Sunday 22nd June in Mottram Park. The Message One day God s Word came to Jonah: Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Ninevah! Preach to them. They re in a bad way. But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God as far away from God as he could get. We will have the usual range of fun activities for all ages and we will be joined by the band MaLoKai from The Message Trust (who were with Jonah 1 v1, 2 & 3 Gwen Taylor How prepared are you to let God speak and challenge the way you listen even if that means wrestling with what he is trying to say to you? Paul Woodbridge, BA, PhD, PGCE Director of Free Church Ministry Training New Testament, New Testament Greek. Oak Hill College, London Gwen Taylor 7th June Blokes Breakfast We commence at 8 am and conclude by 10 am. If you could let Martyn Catterall know you are breakfasting, it will help decide how must bread to toast. 3 us two years ago). Also, you may be approached by people who are leading various aspects of the day to help with running events, setting up, clearing away and generally serving, so please be prepared to support in whatever way possible! Martyn Prayer in the park Prayer makes a difference. Last year we prayed twice a day every day for a week before our joint Church in the Park event and we certainly felt the difference on the day! Join us again this year as together we seek the Lord's presence and favour. Every day Mon 16th June to Sat 21st June 7:30-8:30 mornings and evenings Jim 3

4 Tanzania Health Vision God opened the doors to the health work quite clearly. We visited those with chronic health conditions in the community in the mornings. These included Muslims, Christians and others: we prayed at every house. We saw a wide range of conditions across the spectrum of HIV, diabetes, scabies, worms, stomach ulcers and sheer poverty. What an adventure we had! God was in front, behind and beside us all the way. Amazing time! From arriving in a tropical storm when the airport shut 30 minutes after we arrived, to carrying our suitcases after midnight as the road was washed away (see photo of the road!) to our overnight stay sharing beds, to the bridge collapsing an hour after we went over it the next morning! The floods were very thought provoking and made you see the immensity of God's hand and power. We taught the "Tazama na Tunza" volunteer health team as we went: there were 35 of them, which was considerably more than we expected! In the afternoons we taught about the chronic conditions using a lot of drama, as you can see from the pictures! Each of us came with different skills and experiences and Adele came with some gifts for our Tanzanian Doctor, including a stethoscope, which The state provides minimal health care of poor quality and all at a cost: so the "private" health care has to try and fill the gaps. The TAG Archbishop also gave us our Memorandum of Understanding half an hour before we left, which gives us much more viability in Tanzania much as a charity status does in UK. So please pray with us. There is such a lot to do, to put flesh on the vision. Please pray for the Tazama na Tunza team to reduced him to tears. The Holy Spirit guided each of us to those we could help with our particular skills, which in itself, was amazing to see. The Tanzanian nurse and Doctor with us were as blessed as we were. So the vision took shape in our hearts. The "dipsensary" vision literally translated into a Health Centre vision. The church has already started on drawings for the health centre on the church plot. We visited another church health centre on our return to Dar which was intriguing - and it showed that the vision was possible. 4 Pray for the logistics our end, that I will find time remain enthusiastic and to continue visiting those who are sick in the community, 2 by 2. to do the "spade work" for the vision and that God will provide the money as we need it. Pray for Dr Moto especially, in Dodoma, that he will be encouraged in his work. There are so few Doctors and very little medication or treatments available. The picture of the baby's feet with talipes (club feet) which is so treatable in UK, is untreatble for this little boy in Dodoma: as there just aren't the skills or equipment to treat him: so he is condemned to not being able to walk. And you? If you would like to be involved, please pray and do feel free to contact us. This is God's work, not mine or the Tanzania (UK) Trust's: it is very exciting. We are also praying that this year Samson and Zeph will be granted visas to visit us here in UK, and will be able to teach us on prayer and revival. So please contact myself or Alan and join us in this great adventure. Ruth ( ) 4

5 Contented, Yet Discontented Teach me, Lord whatever my lot, keeping my eyes on You in trust. Knowing Your love is true, Your way is just. Teach me discontentment, Lord, with what I am; Daily striving, Growing daily nearer, Finding You are daily closer: dearer. Look Out! Please note these dates in your diary: Under the Influence Contented, Lord, (or what used to be). Yet discontented make me, Both together working, Blending all in Your own glory ending. Monday 4th - Friday 8th August Holiday Club is back again this summer with the all new theme of Mega Makers! MEC will be home to Boffin, inventor extraordinaire, and his apprentice Brainwave, as they host children from our local community in a madcap week of invention, adventure and, most importantly, encountering Jesus through Matthew's gospel. This is a wonderful opportunity for MEC to serve our community and reach children and families with the life transforming message of the gospel from Monday 4th Friday 8th August. The success of previous years has been in large part to the team of volunteers who have helped with the week. So once again, we're inviting volunteers, both experienced and newbies, to join the team for the week! If you have a particular skill you think would be helpful or are happy to simply fit in, we want to hear from you! In addition, we need a prayer team for the week who will be able to pray for the Holiday Club both in the run up to it and specifically during the week. Please contact David Preston (davidjohnpreston@me.com or ) or Debs Fiddler (debs@mottramec.co.uk or ) for more information. We look forward to being inundated with requests to sign up! Boffin and Brainwave 5 A four-evening training and equipping event on relational evangelism by Gary Gibbs. Ruth Bell Graham Collected Poems 1977 Pam Williams These will take place at MEC on Wednesday 22/10, 29/10, 5/11 and 12/11 (small groups will be postponed for these sessions to allow as many as possible to attend). MnS Vacation Just a quick note to let you know that Martyn and Susan will be away on vacation from Thursday 12th June and will return to Mottram on Friday 20th June. It will be about 8 miles and butties, good footwear etc. are essential. Walking is an excellent way to keep fit a jolly good walk is far easier on the joints than a jog for example. It is suitable for all the family (within reason of course). It is also a great way of sharing fellowship or witnessing to friends and family. On our last walk the weather was glorious with superb views from the top of Harridge Pike and we shared lunch with the geese in Carrbrook. Gary is the National Director of REACH, the evangelism and church planting department of Elim Pentecostal Churches in the UK (and one of MnS s lecturers at Regents Theological College) and has been active in full-time evangelism/ church planting since Creation Conference Speakers (to be confirmed): Paul Garner, Dr Arthur Jones, Dr Sylvia Baker, Dr David Tyler 17th 19th October At MEC (unless otherwise notified). Our next walk will be on Saturday 21st June 10:00 from Broadbottom visitor centre Please remember that while we take all reasonable care, people take part at their own risk. If you want to know if it is suitable for you or your children, please speak to me. Martyn Catterall Family Photo Those of you with even a medium sized family will realise how hard it is to get a family photo, so when at Tim Tucker s recent book launch we had the chance to put these folk together we couldn t resist it.. So we have the last three MEC Pastors, Bruce Murray, Gareth Lloyd-Jones and Martyn Cooling together with Youth leaders Tim Tucker and Debs. Sorry but Jim Solomon left before we had chance to push him in the picture as well. 5

6 What, Where, When and Who Miscellany Church Aloud Back to Mondays What happens in and around our Churches, When it happens, Where it takes place and Who to contact for more details and to volunteer. Sundays (see Diary Dates for full details) am Mottram Morning Worship MEC, Stalybridge Road Martyn Cooling am Hattersley Morning Worship Pinfold Primary School, Hattersley Jim Solomon pm Ish (18-25 s) To 8.00 pm Debs F Monday 2.00 pm Mottram Monday Matinee To 4.00 pm MEC Debs F pm to Church Aloud 8.30 pm MEC Louise Lee pm Tearfund Prayer Meeting (2nd Mon Venue varies. of Month) Shirley Brierley Tuesdays am Tuesday Café to pm MEC School term Linda Winson pm The Girlee Crew To 6.00 pm MEC School Term Louise Lee Wednesdays 9.30 am HCC Prayer to am 4 Worthington Close, Hattersley. Sylvia Garry am to Mum s Bible Study am MEC Susan Cooling pm MEC/HCC Lads Cell to 7.30 pm MEC (13 to 17 s) Simon Davidson pm Small Groups to pm Various locations. MEC Martyn Cooling Thursdays am MEC Womans Prayer & Bible Group. to 12 noon MEC School term Alison Fewster pm Kids 4 Christ to 8.00 pm MEC (Junior school age) School term Jim Towell jim@towells.info 8.00 pm MEC Worship Group MEC Alan Kendrick Fridays 7.30 pm Young People s Group to 9.00 pm MEC (Secondary Age) School Term Debs F pm Late Lounge To pm MEC (16 to 21 years) Debs F Simon Davidson Evangelicals Now I shall soon be collecting the annual subscriptions at 12 per annum. I would be delighted to have some more customers. EN contains some very good articles on current events and issues both in the UK and abroad. It is also a very good way of keeping abreast with new publications. It is published on a monthly basis. Margaret Howarth For your Directory Ge and Stella Yi have now moved: 5 Zetland Rd. Dukinfield SK16 4EJ Craig Keating's address should read craigp_keating@hotmail.com If you have any more corrections or additions, please notify Margaret Howarth We re having great fun performing together but there is always room for more members! Come and learn how to make some noise! We meet on Mondays 7:00-8:30pm at M.E.C. Everyone is welcome for fun and fellowship. See Vicky or Louise Lee for more details. Thank you for the letter that you gave me for my birthday. Sorry this is late. Lots of love, Caleb Tucker The deadline for the July and August issue of Insight is Sunday 22nd June CITP day! I ve made this BIG so you don t miss it! What? No Cloverley Report? I ve held over the Cloverley pictures until next month so that folk attending can get their reaction to me (I did ask!). Get writing please. Articles for Insight Sorry! We can t be everywhere! If you have photos or reports on Mottram or Hattersley church events, please send them to us for including in Insight stephen_winfield@btopenworld.com 4 Hall Drive, Mottram, SK14 6LH See the Diary Dates for the copy deadline. Stephen & Margaret Winfield 6 6

7 Insight June Diary Dates Sun 1st HCC 9.45 am Hattersley Sunday Prayer MEC am Mottram Morning Worship and Lord s Supper HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship Wed 4th HCC 7.30 pm Prayer Evening at Hattersley Baptist Church Sat 7th MEC 8.00 am Mottram Mighty Men s Breakfast Sun 8th HCC 9.45 am Hattersley Sunday Prayer MEC am Mottram Morning Worship HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship and Lord s Supper MEC 4.30 pm Prayer 4 Youth Wed 11th MEC am Men s Meeting HCC 7.30 pm HCC Bible Study at Hattersley Baptist Church MEC 8.00 pm Prayer and Vision Evening (no small groups) Sun 15th UTD 9.45 am Sunday Prayer at Pinfold School MEC am Mottram Morning Worship and Lord s Supper HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship Mon 16th to Sunday 22nd UTD 7.30 am and Prayer 4 Church in the Park, at Mottram 7.30 pm Park Tue 17th MEC 7.45 pm Prayer 4 Prodigals Wed 18th HCC 7.30 pm HCC Bible Study at Hattersley Baptist Church Sun 22nd July and August Insight Deadline UTD 12 noon Church in the Park Wed 25th HCC 7.30 pm An Evening with the Whettams at Hattersley Baptist Church Sun 29th July and August Insight HCC 9.45 am Hattersley Sunday Prayer MEC am Mottram Morning Worship HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship MEC = Mottram Evangelical Church. HCC = Hattersley Community Church UTD = United Meetings (at MEC unless stated) Mottram Evangelical Church 7 7