Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Transcription

1 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall join to his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24 At the last Church members meeting it was decided that as a church we would do something to celebrate and strengthen the traditional view of marriage. Therefore if you and your spouse would like to come forward to be prayed for on the nearest Sunday to your wedding anniversary, then please submit the date to the church office so that the necessary arrangements can be put in place. (see page 2 for office details) As the traditional view of marriage seems to be under attack as never before, more than ever we need to nurture and strengthen this most intimate of relationships, as we remember and implement 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

2 Minister in Training CHURCH LEADERSHIP TEAM Minister Youth Pastor ROBIN BRENCHLEY CHRIS HUGHES Deacons ADMINISTRATOR TREASURER NATHAN GORDON GRAHAME ATKINSON MILES ATTWELL SHAUN HENDRY FIONA COWAN PAUL BLAKE DAVID CASSE S ADRIAN CHEESMAN IAN DERHAM BRIAN DICKSON KUDA OSOBA DORIS THOMSON Church Office details Office open 9am-2pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. and Wed evenings 6-9 pm Tel: No office@sbc-church.org.uk Web: Office Manager: marion.brenchley@sbc-church.org.uk MARION BRENCHLEY Ladies Afternoon Tea Saturday 6 th April pm Sittingbourne Baptist Church (use the side door). Includes a variety of: sandwiches, cakes, scones and plenty of tea! Special Speaker: Suzanne Bridge from Chatham All ladies are welcome but if you can bring a non Christian lady, that would be brilliant. Tickets are free, used for catering purposes only, but a donation would be appreciated on the day. Obtainable from Julie Stride (if you don t know who Julie is contact the church office) 2

3 FIRST CONTACT is a column by one of our deacons Kuda (Natasha) Osoba. On a regular basis Kuda will be looking out for people who are willing to be interviewed, and asking for their views on their first contact with Sittingbourne Baptist Church. For the Month of March Kuda has chosen.. Jerry Ralph. What are your first memories of coming to SBC and your first impression? It must have been about 13/14 years ago. Sarah, my wife, came as part of the 40 Days of Purpose. They had a big exhibition for the Pre-School she was working on. She dragged me along to help with various bits and pieces. I liked the feel of the place, and I stayed put! I had been to various churches over the course of my Christian life. What has stuck in your mind from the church? The friendliness of the rest of the congregation and the teaching we have had over the years. But there is a lot of hard work that also goes on behind the scenes, particularly where I am in the technical team. I see all that the team puts in to make things go smoothly. However things go, we all work together and really enjoy our service to the Lord. Colossians 3:17, NIV: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 3 Dear Fellowship at Sittingbourne I am writing to let you know that John Eyers, a previous pastor of Sittingbourne Baptist Church, passed from death into Life on Sunday 17 February. The Thanksgiving Service for John will be held at 2.30 pm on Friday 19 March at South Street Free Church, Eastbourne. There may still be some people who remember us from the 1970s so I would be grateful if you could let the fellowship know. Every blessing, Maureen Eyers A MESSAGE FROM ALAN COLE We were saddened to learn last week of the death of Rev. John Eyers, who was minister at our church from 1977 to John had fought a battle against cancer and was finally called to his heavenly reward at the beginning of last week. John was a former college lecturer in Portsmouth, who trained for the Baptist Ministry and Sittingbourne was his first church. We remember him for his deep biblical teaching, his loving pastoral care and his earnest desire to seek people for Christ. He left us after just two years for a smaller church on the South Coast and then continued with a lifetime of further ministry. Our prayers are with his wife, Maureen, and his children Alison and Jonathan. Regarding the Thanksgiving service, If anyone would like further details, and would like to attend the service, please let me know. Alan Cole.

4 Dear friends, I hope this finds you all well, as I remember you often, and please feel free to send me your news, as I am always interested in what is happening at your end. This end has seen a good amount of change recently, many more of our friends being transferred onwards to Athens or Kios, or another one of the islands here. Praise God that they are able to move along in the refugee process, especially because they are our friends, and most either know Jesus, or are well on their way towards finding him. Praise God for his faithfulness, that he really does change peoples lives for good, even out of awful circumstances. Oh friends there s always so much to share, and I wish I could just show you, as much of this world seems so un-relatable to what I know of life in the UK. But I shall keep it brief, though please ask for more if more is wanted. I long to share all that we see and have here, especially to those who are partnering with me in prayer and/or finance, for you are as much a part of responding to Jesus call to serve those of Greece, the Middle East and to train and send missionaries as I am! The community centre ministry continues to grow here, and for the next 2 months we are receiving teams from other YWAM bases. This has been a fantastic opportunity to continue to train others, to introduce them to a missionary lifestyle, and to call them to more, while we ourselves even more so are challenged, trained, and called to do more! I myself am doing well, looking forward to the medical school interview, but working very hard in the mean time. As a reminder, I work primarily in managing the base finances, and now to co-ordinate our transport on the island, which I can assure you feels like 2 full time jobs! As we are an organisation that doesn t pay any of its members (quite the opposite), and doesn t make money, I am sure you can imagine it can be a real challenge! But regarding the medical side, I felt it good to share a little of my heart. My hope is to train to become a doctor, and then, operating in teams, use that as an access to nations where it is illegal to tell people about Jesus. These happen to be some of the nastiest places on the planet, with the highest child mortality rates, lowest life expectancies and most conflicts both military and civil. Having spent so much time living in the context of the results of life in these nations, namely in amongst refugees, having many become my dear friends for whom my heart bleeds, hearing their stories; I cannot escape the sense that had these nations known Jesus, while much could still go wrong, does God not bless obedience? Doesn t he promise that if we should humble ourselves, and turn from our sin, that he would hear us from heaven and heal our land? Worse, that there are places that the news about Jesus has not yet gone, and is even prevented from going! I shall stop before my passion overflows and you end up with an essay. While there is far more to this story, again, for the sake of not alienating those with little time, ask me please, else I shall hold my tongue for now. Back to the present. While we have seen much blessing, we are still in need here. Please pray for us! Firstly that we would be obedient in all that God is calling us to do, and for the doors to open wide. I mean this with absolute sincerity. Second for prayer and financial partnership. Without prayer, and finance, we cannot do all we desire, and we are learning how to make do with little. Please consider holding a collection for myself and the work here. Almost all I have and receive goes into the base as staff fees, and what I came with is wearing out. I d love to be able to afford a replacement computer for the one that died in service, though I would be very happy for far less. Thirdly, we are a target for the Greek police and authorities, and as such under considerable scrutiny, as they take out their feelings of frustration at the refugee situation, EU policies and changes to their ways of life on those who are here trying to help. Please pray that our hearts would be kept sweet, as it is easy to grow bitter at the injustice of it all. Lastly, please pray for me personally, please uphold me in prayer, as I cannot do anything well without his help nothing of worth anyway. The medical vision, which I am confident is very much a God thing, the medical interview, personal finances, to run my race well, to not forget that I am his child and worshipper first, servant and trooper second. Thank you again for those who uphold me in prayer, and those who supply my needs financially. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope it gives some hope, maybe even stand as part of the call to give all, as I am and have, and continue to do, and to do so wherever you are, and in whatever you are called to. He is delightfully worth it. All my love, Phil (If you want to send donations in support of Phil Seabrook and the work he is doing please speak to Miles Attwell our Mission rep, and he will give you Philip s contact details). 4

5 Worship Corner SUNDAY 31ST MARCH March 2019 by Brian Dickson (Worship Co-ordinator) CELEBRATING OUR MUMS WHERE-EVER THEY MAY BE. Welcome everyone to worship corner. Sometimes I will share about a particular aspect of praise and worship in our church, and of the Worship Team which includes the Tech Team and the Church Choir. Scheduling information for March can be found below. Thank You Mom For Everything How did you find the energy, Mom To do all the things you did, To be teacher, nurse and counsellor To me, when I was a kid. Worship Team We thank the Lord for all those who are on the worship team. We appreciate their commitment and time to help lead us into worship. Please pray for them regularly How did you do it all, Mom, Be a chauffeur, cook and friend, Yet find time to be a playmate, I just can t comprehend. New Song of the Month I see now it was love, Mom That made you come whenever I d call, Your inexhaustible love, Mom And I thank you for it all. The new song for this month is Oh the Glory (Steven Fry) - A YouTube video will be on the website from the 1st March on the 'SBC Praise and Worship' page. Church Choir Practice Next Choir practice will be held on Thursday 7th March 8pm at the church. A Mother s Prayer For You I said a Mother s Day prayer for you to thank the Lord above for blessing me with a lifetime of your tender-hearted love. I thanked God for the caring you ve shown me through the years, for the closeness we ve enjoyed in time of laughter and of tears. And so, I thank you from the heart for all you ve done for me and I bless the Lord for giving me the best mother there could be! Worship Lounge Our next Worship Lounge practice will be: Thursday 14th March, 7:30pm. 5

6 When I first heard Robin our Minister in Training mention the Freedom in Christ course during one of the Sunday services, I assumed it was some sort of Bible based course. I needed to deepen my knowledge of the word of God so I registered my interest by writing my name on the list. However on the first day of the course, my assumptions had not changed but it definitely wasn t what I thought it would be, whatever the case, I said to myself, I still wanted to learn more about God, so I will see it through. By the second week, during our small group discussion, Marion asked me what I wanted to get out of the course, I remembered giggling and laughing out loud first, then quietly I said, if I can I would like to have a surgical operation that would remove all the bad memories that cause me pain, and let the good ones remain. She said, I quote Nothing is impossible for God and we both smiled. Throughout the course of The Freedom in Christ program, not only did it enrich and increase my knowledge of God more than I had hoped, but the revelation of the power, in the application of the undiluted word of God, brought alive the conviction of the unconditional love, that God the Father has for me. My life has had many chapters that only God knows about, the good, not so good and the bad. However I realised, as we covered various aspects of the course and discussed different subjects, that one way or the other we, as God s creations, have all faced things that have left us feeling, good, not so good or bad. However we have the assurance that God knows all things and I wasn t ashamed to expose any issue that was a hindrance to enjoying my freedom in Christ, as we have been taught during the course of the program. By the completion of the program on the day we covered The steps To Freedom In Christ, I found myself in tears by the end of the day, as the overwhelming love and truth about God, through His word was revealed to me. I understood that holding onto the not so good and bad chapters of my life were nothing but the manipulating lies and deceptions of the devil, trying to steal my Freedom in Christ. The freedom that God the Father has given me through the death of His Son Jesus Christ, for me to enjoy on earth. God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 Freedom in Christ is a life transforming discipleship course, not just a Bible based course, as I assumed it was going to be. It hasn t just given me the one surgical operation but a mind blowing experience that has changed me, and my relationship with God for the better, because now I can enjoy my relationship with God as a daughter with her father. I would like to encourage you to take part in this course to find out for yourself that God is real and God is indeed love. Flavie Balliet Unfortunately Robin will not be able to run another course due to soon finishing his Minister in Training placement at SBC. However he does have a spare copy of the course, if anyone would like to borrow it. 3rd 10:30am Chris Hughes 6:30pm R Brenchley (Communion) 10th 10:30am Chris Hughes 6:30pm Local Mission Interest 17th 10:30am Nathan Gordon (Communion) 6:30pm Chris Hughes (T & E) 24th 10:30am R Brenchley (Baptism) 6:30pm Nathan Gordon Encounter Youth Service 31st 10:30am Chris Hughes 6:30pm Chris Hughes (Testimony) 6

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8 4 2-3:30pm Rendezvous-Memory Lane-Sanctuary :30pm Rendezvous- Avoiding scams-aby Evans 18 10am-12.30pm School Visit in Lounge & Sanctuary pm Rendezvous-Postcards in the Family-Bob Appleton pm Rendezvous-M.A.F. Bernie Pinner noon Private function 7:45pm Deacons Business Meeting 6:30pm Ladies Contact Club noon Private Function 7.30pm Digging Deeper in Lounge noon Private function 7.45pm Deacons Prayer Mtg noon Private function 7.30pm Digging Deeper am-12 A.B.C. 7:30pm Prayer meeting 7:30-9pm In Deep 1st floor room am-12 noon A.B.C. 1.30pm Housegroup in Hub am-12 noon A.B.C pm In Deep-1st Floor room am-12 A.B.C. 1.30pmHousegroup 2.30pm Pine Lodge service am C.T.I.S. Prayer in Hub 12.45am Lunches 2pm Bright Hour 8pm. Choir rehearsal in Sanctuary am C.T.I.S. Prayer in Hub 2pm Bright Hour 7.30pm Worship Lounge in Sanctuary am C.T.I.S. Prayer in Hub 12.45am Lunches 2pm Bright Hour 7.-10pm Mens fellowship in Lounge am C.T.I.S. Prayer in Hub 10.30am Woodstock service 2pm Bright Hour 1 Food Bank-Hub World Day of Prayer 12:30-2 pm EST 7pm World Day of Prayer noon Gardening Club Food Bank-Hub pm EST 10pm-2am-St. Pastors 15 Food Bank-Hub 12:30-2pm EST 10pm-2am Street Pastors 22 Food Bank-Hub 12:30-2pm EST 10pm-2am Street Pastors 10am-12noon Food Bank pm EST 29 10pm-2a.m Street Pastors 2 12:30-2pm EST 6:30pm Youth Quiz Soul Survivor Fundraiser 9 Artisan St. Mkt :30-2pm EST pm EST 3-6pmC.A.P. in Lounge (1) 3-6pm C.A.P. in 1st Floor (2) pm. EST :30am Morning Service 6:30pm Evening Service with Communion 6-8pm C.A.P. Fundraiser at Bobbing Church am Morning Service 5pm C.A.P. Money Course in Hub 6.30pm Evening Service- Mission 17 10:30am Morning Servicewith Communion 5pm C.A.P. Money Course in Hub 6:30pm Evening Service- Training & Equipping am Morning Service- Baptism 5pm C.A.P. Money Course in Hub 6.30pm Evening Service -Youth Service 10.30am Morning Service (Mothers Day) 6.30pm Evening Service- Testimony 31 MARCH 2019 Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 8