Portobello Baptist Church BUZZ Plain text, large font version 23 September 2018

Transcription

1 Portobello Baptist Church BUZZ Plain text, large font version 23 September 2018 Contact Andy (church office) Teaching series Pass it on 23 rd September Jesus, the expert 30 th September Use Me Lord Who s got news? Please contact Sarah by Thursday evening. Today s quotations Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realising you were the prisoner. Anon There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. C S Lewis Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. Mother Teresa

2 Bring and share lunch Please remember: Next week we re having a Bring & Share lunch together. Andy s leaving and Glenn s arriving events Please let Moira know if you intend to come to Andy s Ministry celebration on Saturday 29 th September at 2pm if you haven t already done so just so that we have an indication of numbers which will be helpful. People are of course most welcome to turn up on the day too! The event celebrates the impact of Andy s work here in Portobello, at his previous churches, and as a Mission Advisor to the Baptist Union of Scotland. All three of Andy s churches grew under his ministry which has been characterised by inclusivity. We re blessed that the next chapter in the life of our church will be shaped by Glenn Innes as our new Pastor. Glenn, who is moving from Aberdeen to join us with his young family, is being formally welcomed at an Induction on Saturday 6 th October at 4:30pm. There are jobs to be done for both events and some baking needed, so if you can help, please add your name to a list that s on a blue clipboard which Kris highlighted last week. Many hands make light work! Thank you. Wednesday Home Group Wednesday Home Group meets fortnightly from 7:30 to 9pm, usually at Sade's home. Please speak to Andy, Moira or Sade for more details. Meetings until the end of October are on 26 th September (Andy & Moira leading) and 10 th and 24 th October (Glenn leading).

3 Andy s reflections on his time in Portobello part 2 Buzz: Andy what unique memories will you take away from Portobello? Andy: So many Some of the more experimental initiatives we tried with greater or lesser success. Reflective space was such a creative event. I think Kris used to spend most of a week getting ready. Porty Streetfest was brilliant, with over one hundred people cramming the café. Some with Jesus pebbles, some getting dressed as Shepherds, Mary and Joseph. Santa coming in out of the rain and surfing his iphone. They were amazing. Half nights of prayer where we laid hold of God in believing prayer especially in the early days when the growth was just starting. The beginnings of renewed worship, the kids gradually filling the front seats, Candle in the Wind, Doors Open, Carols by Candlelight, Alpha, open air baptism where do I stop? Buzz: How about working in the community? Andy: Yes, from the start I would periodically visit the shops and businesses and say, We as a church wish to pray for the community. If there were one thing we could pray for you, what would it be? It was quite moving as people openly shared their personal pain, as well as asking for prayer for their business. Out of the four churches I have served, I felt most engaged in the community in Porty. I also found the ecumenical fellowship of ministers more meaningful than ever before. As well as our monthly meetings in the café, we all mucked in and made a fool of ourselves at the holiday club every year and it s the first church where we ve had the local Catholic priest preaching! (To be continued next week )

4 Tuesdays in the café Prayer Huddle is at 10:30am. The café is open to the public as a community hub every Tuesday in school term-time from 1:30 to 3:30pm. All are welcome to pop-in or stay throughout. Next Sunday Next Sunday, we re having a Bring & Share lunch. Welcome: Offering: Coffee: Sound & Vision: Volunteer & Sheila Eunice & Agnes Norman & Anne C Dugald & Bera Be Glad Edwina Gateley God is soaked in our world. God's Spirit lives and breathes in and through all that is. We are lost only when we do not understand that God is already with and in each one of us. Our task is recognition of God's initiative to be at home in us acceptance of God-With-Us. Then we cannot but be glad.

5 This week s prayer points Monday: Pray for those suffering the effects of the storms in the Philippines, Hong Kong and USA. Tuesday: Pray for labourers to work for the Kingdom. We need people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done of reaching this world for Christ. Wednesday: Pray for open doors in the community and in people s lives: Paul said that an "effective, open door" had opened up to him. He stayed on at Ephesus to walk through that open door and a great and powerful church was birthed. Thursday: Pray for lasting fruit: Fruit that lasts is translated into people who are more than just casual church attendees. They are disciples of Jesus. Pray that we all might grow as disciples. Friday: Pray for miracles - The New Testament is full of stories of the miraculous. Pray that God would move in power. Saturday: Pray for the neighbour that lives to the right of you. Pray that you might be able practically to show Jesus love. Sunday: The church needs God's divine protection more than ever. Our culture is increasingly hostile toward true Christianity. Pray for those in church leadership. Pray for Glenn and his family for protection.