... a people preparing for the coming King. February

Transcription

1 ... a people preparing for the coming King February

2 Cooling Pastor, Mottram Evangelical Church 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 On the cover The recent Posh Charity Dinner in aid of the Dodoma Health Centre which has reached the stage where the roof can be installed. The New Testament book of Acts is an account of how Jesus continued to expand his eternal Kingdom on earth through some very human disciples under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Luke carefully selects and narrates some of the events that occurred as the gospel proceeded unhindered from home (Jerusalem), into the neighbouring community (Judea and Samaria) and from there into the regions beyond (ends of the earth) (Acts 1:8). He does so because he wants us to grasp something very important! Each subsequent disciple of Jesus has been chosen and commissioned to participate in this ongoing mission of King Jesus to spread the great news of his Kingdom to those who have not yet responded to it in faith. We have been appointed as special envoys of this eternal Kingdom to the people of our immediate community, and from there to the unreached people on earth. There is a sense that we have been appointed by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to write a new chapter of Acts, Chapter 29 : the continuing adventure of the unstoppable, transforming gospel! In writing Chapter 29, it is important that we understand some of the secrets of effective witness and mission to the world around us that enabled the early disciples to turn the ancient world upside down! Luke argues in Luke-Acts that the Church s witness becomes more effective, and flourishes: in the context of a warm centre, in a church community who are devoted to one another in love, worship joyfully and work together in unity; where there is an expectation of the Holy Spirit s power being released on God s people, bringing boldness and direction to our mission endeavours, and a supernatural dimension to our faith; where there is unwavering commitment to God s Word, to a clear life-transforming message about what Jesus has achieved through his death and resurrection; when God s people pray fervently, persistently and expectantly about everything; where God s people are obedient to God s direction, though it may lead us into hardship, abuse and even death; where God s people put the Kingdom of God first, planting churches where no vibrant worship and witness to Christ previously existed; and where God s people are serious about adopting a righteous lifestyle that underlines the reliability and truthfulness of the message proclaimed! To what extent do these themes describe your walk with Jesus? And us as a church? As we explore this outstanding New Testament account, may God grant us his wisdom and power to become the kind of churches who increasingly display these qualities! Let us pray that God will profoundly shape us all into a community of his people which continues to fulfil the Great Commission at home, in our neighbourhood, in our nation and in unreached people groups

3 From The Message Bible So let God work his will in you. Yell aloud NO to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet YES to God and he ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Hit bottom and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the master; it s the only way you ll get on your feet. James ch.4, v 7-10 The Message Bible, Gwen Taylor None of us like being told we have to change but sometimes we need to listen. Repentance is ultimate honesty Deitrich Bonhoeffer German Lutheran pastor, theologian and anti-nazi dissident Gwen Taylor We will continue to host Identity on Tuesday evenings for those who are not yet believers and those who are new to the faith. Identity explores questions such as the following by examining themes in the Gospel of John over a seven week process of discovery. Who am I? Who is God? What is the purpose of life? Can I make contact with him? During this process, nothing is assumed. Everything is explained. Anything can be asked! Each session reveals more about the identity and mission of Jesus and shows why he is the key to life and the one who can answer our big questions. The sessions are suitable for those who are not yet Christians and interested in knowing more, or those who are new to the faith. For those who are not new to faith or exploring what Christianity is about, please consider who you might invite to come along to Identity with you. And don t forget to pray that the Holy Spirit will lead many to faith in Jesus! The remaining dates and themes for Identity are as follows: 2th Feb 9th Feb 16th Feb 1st Mar 8th Mar The God we were made for Where can I find lasting pleasure? The God who wants to comfort us Why do we suffer? The God who loves relationships Do I need to go to church to be a Christian? The God who died for us Does God care about justice? The God who wants to persuade us Do I need to see in order to believe? Each session will begin with a meal at 7 pm and we aim to finish the sessions at approximately 9 pm

4 Mottram Matters MEC Church Members Meetings Our Church Members Meetings are an opportunity for those who are members of MEC to gather and to communicate with one another about the vision, ministry and mission of the church and make certain decisions about our priorities and plans for the future. Identity We will continue to host Identity on Tuesday evenings for those who are not yet believers and those who are new to the faith. (see page 3) Please remember to pray for these evenings, that God will speak clearly to each of the delegates and reveal to all his love and desire for restored relationship! If you are a born-again believer, in regular attendance at MEC and committed to serving God through this church, but not yet a formal member, do consider becoming one! Do let one of the elders know that this is of interest to you!! Some church members find our current pattern of evening meetings rather difficult, especially on dark winter nights. Therefore, we are experimenting with a slightly different pattern of meetings during 2016 to try and make it possible for more to be involved in our quarterly meetings. For two meetings this year, we will meet after church and a simple shared lunch on a Sunday afternoon. The other two will take place on a Wednesday evening. The proposed dates are as follows: 13th March 15th June 18th September 14th December Prayer and Vision Evening 1.15 to 2.30pm approx. Regular meeting at MEC after morning service 8.00 to 9.30pm approx. AGM at MEC on Wednesday evening 1.15 to 2.30pm approx. Regular meeting at MEC after morning service 8.00 to 9.30pm approx. Regular meeting at MEC on Wednesday evening Our Prayer and Vision evenings are an opportunity to pray about issues facing the ministry and mission of MEC and to share together what we sense God is stirring in our hearts. These evenings are so important for the church that we cancel our small group gatherings during the week that they take place to allow as many as possible to attend. I strongly encourage you to join with us: book the third Wednesday evening of each month to join the fun! Our next such evening will take place on Wednesday 17th February at 8pm in MEC. We shall have time for some worship and then we will share together what we sense God is saying to us as a church and commit these matters to prayer. Life in the Spirit Conference 2016 MEC has a long and strong connection with Life in the Spirit, from its early beginnings to its current leadership (including one Gareth Lloyd-Jones). In February each year, Life in the Spirit hosts an annual conference at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire. The conference is open to anyone who is involved in any ministry in the local church or Christian mission, whether young or old, male or female! And its purpose is to equip, encourage and envision those who attend as they serve Jesus as he advances his kingdom. The conference in 2016 runs from Monday 22nd Thursday 25th February. The title is Not Ashamed and is seeking to answer a very important question: Is the Gospel still understood, explained and unashamedly explained as the Power of God for our salvation or must it be compromised in our quest for cultural relevance? Life in the Spirit Conference 2016 is set on asking questions and stirring faith in God and in His answer to our every question. The speakers include: Joel Edwards (former General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, now International Director of the Micah Challenge and a Commissioner for Equality and Human Rights Commission) Sam Storms, a charismatic Calvinist, theologian, author and Lead Pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City! Steve and Esther Uppal, Senior Leaders of All Nations Christian Centre, Wolverhampton. Why not consider coming along for the week (or even just a day!) for a personal, practical and pastoral challenge and for a time of fellowship with other like-minded people! You can find more details on the website at

5 Time to Book: Church Weekend Away 2016 I am very excited by the opportunities that Real Lives 2016 will provide us to share our faith with our family, friends and neighbours during the course of the year. It will culminate in five days of outreach from 28 September to 2 October during which Gus Eyre will sing and speaker Roger Carswell will interview some well-known Christians about how their faith influences their lives and preach from God s Word. In preparation for these events, there are several things you can be doing: Pray consistently for Real Lives 2016, and for God s Word to be sown faithfully in people s lives. Pray too for a reaping of much fruit as Roger Carswell speaks in September/October and Gus Eyre shares in music ministry. I would challenge you to find 3 people for whom you pray consistently during the course of 2016, and let s see what God will do in and for them! Also, set an hour aside on the third Monday of each month (i.e. 15th February, 21st March etc) to pray with believers from other churches in various locations. Be prepared to share Jesus with people, and to invite them (and bring them) to an outreach event and/or a Sunday meeting during Prepare to invest financially in Real Lives 2016: it will not be cheap to arrange these events and none of the churches is overflowing with funds, and so we shall need to give generously! And also be ready to serve practically. There will be dozens of ways in which you can serve in mission. We shall need people with technical skills (sound and vision), catering skills (drinks, cakes and waiting on tables), physical strength (setting up tables and chairs, cleaning up), prayer ministry skills (praying with people after/during meetings), publicity skills (designing posters/ flyers, website and social media, distributing these around Mottram/ Hattersley), selling skills (bookstalls) and any number of other gifts and abilities during the course of 2016! Hattersley Community Church have signed up to the ISAIAH 62 PRAYER INITIATIVE praying for Israel with Christians from around the globe on the first Wednesday of each month. If you ve got a heart for Israel why don t you come and join us? The next meeting is from 9.45 am to 11 am on Wednesday 3rd February 2016 at Michael & Sylvia's (4 Worthington Close, Hattersley) I have set watchmen on your walls O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:6-7). Jim Mighty Men s Breakfast Saturday 13th from 8 to Please let Catterall know if you will be there(the ladies will go hungry again this month). Please set aside the weekend of 6th-8th May 2016 in your diaries for the next MEC Weekend Away at Cloverley Hall in Shropshire! This will be another fun-filled and faith-stimulating weekend together in the peaceful and beautiful surroundings of Cloverley Hall. Bernard Thompson has agreed to be our speaker on Saturday and Sunday morning, and we have set aside Friday and Saturday evening for some fun time together! The following costs are estimated based on the feedback from Cloverley to date and may change slightly: Adults (as at 6/5/16) 5-9(as at 6/5/16) (as at 6/5/16) Free There will be surcharges for rooms with en-suite facilities and discounts for those who wish to make use of the camping facilities rather than have rooms in the main house. Booking forms are available from the church lobby or on request from Elizabeth Benstead

6 We were delighted to open our cosy, retro style cinema in October 2015, thanks to a one off grant from Tameside Councils '5 Ways to Wellbeing' grant. Each month we have been showing Hollywood classics as part of our vintage style afternoon social club 'Mottram Monday Matinee'. The locals have been loving it! So we thought, 'why stop there?' It is with great pleasure we now launch our 'Mottram Family Movies'! Come along and expect red carpet treatment, super cheap refreshments (nothing above 50p!), ice-cream interval and FREE entry!! 'Like' our 'Mottram Movies' Facebook page for details, updates and photos and 'count me in' to movies@mottramec.co.uk for monthly film details. Did you know that Mottram literally means 'meeting place'? We know God is passionate about community and has a big heart for this little village. We see the cinema as a means of helping Mottram reflect its original meaning. and have a lot of fun in the process! So spread the word and come on down!. Debs Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach *(Life Coach) these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (*brackets=my translation) At the men's breakfast last month, was talking about discipleship and evangelism, and during part of the discussion, someone who will remain nameless, (okay, it was me), suggested that we could rebrand the person who does the "discipleship" with the title Life Coach. On the way home from the breakfast I started to have an imaginary conversation: Life Coach #1 Stranger: Hi. Is this seat taken? No, that's fine, sit where you want. Stranger moves a tray of empty latte cups out of the way Stranger: Thanks. My name is Alan by the way. Hello Alan Bytheway. My name is Jim. Joker Jim eh? Yeah right. (Pause to sip coffee) That's a big book you're reading, what is it? I'm studying for my next job. So what do you do? I'm a Life Coach! A life coach? That must be an interesting job. Is it a bit like being a personal trainer? Yes, quite a lot really, but whereas a personal trainer concentrates on developing physical strength, stamina, resilience, persistence, diet, exercise and the like, I do a bit of all that, but concentrate more on developing mental, spiritual and emotional attributes. And this book of yours, what's that all about? It's fascinating actually. It's not one book at all. It's a collection of 66 writings from ancient civilisations, written by 40 different authors over a period of a couple of thousand years. Jim: That sounds good, but doesn't it get a bit confusing reading 40 different viewpoints from 40 different people? Well, that's the fascinating thing. Despite there being 40 different writers from different places, cultures and time periods, most of whom never met each other, there is an amazing amount of consistency. It's like some kind of integrated message system that's been inspired by a higher intelligence from outside of our time, space domain! Woah spooky! Do you mean some kind of extra-terrestrial being? Well maybe something like that. Something, or rather someone so great and outside of our material experience that He is beyond our comprehension. You mean some kind of hyperdimensional spiritual entity? That's not the term I would use. I'd rather use the word, "Unity", to describe Him or Them. Them? You mean there's more than one? Are there lots of them? Well yes and no. Sorry, I'm not being very clear. No, there's not lots of them, there's just One, although, when I say One I really mean Three, sorry it's a bit confusing, but that's where the word, "Unity" comes in. Or maybe the word "Tri-Unity" would describe it better. Tri-Unity? Don't you mean Trinity? (getting excited) So you've read the book as well!? Yes actually. It's also the name of the school that my children went to and that your wife works at! You should have gone to Specsavers Alan! Jim?!! Sorry I didn't recognise you with your beard shaved off! Alan Kendrick

7 Isn t God amazing! From an idea from my daughter Naomi, to six months later enjoying the Tanzania Posh Dinner! It was gloriously posh! The Roe Cross Green did us proud with almost wedding-style decorations for the evening. I am told that my auctioneering skills are hilarious but I would rather be that than boring. The meal was delicious, and Tim Deakin did a fabulous job in the Posh Photo corner with dressing-up additions! On another level it was very interesting. I don t really do posh, but I knew from the start that God was in the evening. From booking the date first with Dave and Jo Fidler (no charge), to the Roe Cross Green offering us the venue (free), Bryan helping us with the Invitations (free), auction items rolling in (all free) and the Deakin family IT skills (yes, free): the event rolled and made us almost 2,000 towards the building of the Health Centre in Tanzania. I learnt many interesting things about people and giving. I thank God that I did not know about half the people in the room, and they heard about God s love for people as far away as Tanzania. When the Tanzanian Archbishop said to me two years ago that we needed to build a health centre in Dodoma and I quavered, he said leap out of your comfort zone Ruth! I had thought that I was already well out of my comfort zone, but God obviously had other ideas. So here we are, nearly up to the roof in the building and added to by a posh dinner (also out of my comfort zone ask my husband Phil). So can I encourage you, as you read this to also leap out of your comfort zone in faith with God, whatever that means to you. Faith is a journey and it never stops and it is very exciting where God leads. I am going out to Tanzania again in May with five nurses and a prayer warrior, to carry on the work. This is always a serious spiritual battle with many and varied attacks but this is where God would have me concentrate and He is building His kingdom: at some speed and with much strength! Praise Him. It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 Thank you all for your support, Ruth Chorley I have been asked for the recipes for the Tanzanian soup and also the malva pudding that I did at our African lunch. The soup recipe is from Ruth Chorley Ruth s Tanzanian Soup serves 5 1lb potatoes 1 onion 2 tomatoes 1 can coconut milk + 1 can water 1 green pepper salt curry powder/paste to taste Fry onions, then add everything else except pepper and curry powder. Bring to boil. When the potatoes are nearly cooked add the sliced green pepper. Add curry powder/paste to required strength Liz s Malva pudding - a traditional South African desert Pudding 30g butter 1 teaspoon vinegar 125ml milk 200g caster sugar 2 eggs 190g plain flour 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 tablespoon apricot jam (I was fairly generous with this!) Sauce 250 ml double cream 115g butter 100g caster sugar 125ml water/orange juice (I used water) 1. Preheat oven to 180 C Gas 4. In a small saucepan melt the butter with milk and vinegar. Remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile sieve flour, bicarb together in to a separate bowl. 2. Beat 200g sugar and eggs until light an fluffy (about 5 minutes) add apricot jam. Fold in the dry ingredients alternately with the milk mixture. Pour into greased 1 litre oven safe baking dish 3. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. 4. Meanwhile place all the sauce ingredients into a pan and melt over a low heat. Do not allow to boil. 5. Remove pudding from oven, pierce several times with fork or skewer and pour over the hot cream mixture. Serve hot or cold with more cream. Liz B. HCC had a Happy Brunch day at Limefield early in January where we had a noisy, chatty time with lots of good food. Some folks walked there, sliding through the mud. Others walked back, also sliding through the mud. And others drove or trained or bussed to attend. All good fun and definitely a do-again idea perhaps with more sunshine and dryness underfoot next time! Ruth

8 What, Where, When and Who 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 Cooling am Hattersley Morning Worship Pinfold Primary School, Hattersley Jim Solomon 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 Rock Chicks To 6.30 pm Meeting Place (10-14 s) Sam Patterson Wednesdays 9.45 am HCC Prayer to am 4 Worthington Close, Hattersley. Sylvia Garry am to Mums Bible Study am MEC Susan Cooling am Men s Group MEC 2nd Weds of month Paul Barlow pm MEC/HCC Lads Cell to 7.30 pm MEC (13 to 17 s) Simon Davidson pm Small Groups to pm Various locations. MEC Cooling Thursdays am MEC Womans Prayer & Bible Group. to 12 noon MEC School term Susan Cooling pm Kids 4 Christ to 8.00 pm MEC (Junior school age) School term Jim Towell jim@towells.info 7.00 pm Lifecentre Youth Group To 8.30 pm The Hub Rivkah pm Create Street Dance To 9.00 pm The Hub Rivkah (8-12y 7pm, 13y+ 8pm) 8.00 pm MEC Worship Group MEC Susan Cooling Miscellany Dot Peake would like to remind everyone that she still has a paper shredder she would like to pass on to a good security conscious home. Are you interested in expressing worship through dance, mime, flags, ribbons and other art forms? Christine Slack is a personal friend of Jan and Andy Peyton and would like to invite you to find out more at a Networking Event on Saturday 6th February in Bredbury. Here you can find out more about Christian Dance and expression - Supporters group North West and the Christian Dance Federation of Britain ahead of a larger workshop event planned for Stockport in March. Christian Dance and expression - Supporters group North West Networking Event Saturday 6th February to 4 pm Cafe Annex, St Barnabas Church, Osborne Street, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2DA Both ladies and gentlemen are welcome and there is adjacent car parking and easy access from the M60. For further information or to be added to our mailing list contact; Sue White or Christine Slack The next Insight will be available slightly later than usual on Sunday March 6th. The March Insight Copy Deadline will be on Sunday 28th February. Stephen and Margaret 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 and Margaret Winfield We must go, live to feed the hungry, Stand beside the broken, we must go On 24th April Anthony Parkinson from Betel UK, Manchester will be taking part in the 2016 London Marathon in order to raise funds for our centre in Chorlton. Betel UK is a residential community which aims to restore the lives of broken men and women within a loving Christian environment. The residents are seeking to break free from life challenging issues such as addiction. And this is the part where you come in. If you would like to support Anthony through sponsorship then I have a sponsor form ready for you to fill in and will gladly provide further information regarding this valuable ministry. You can also give online, again I have details. John Carruthers. 8

9 February Diary Dates Tue 2nd MEC 7.00 pm Identity. Session 3. The God We Were Made For Wed 3rd HCC 9.45 am Isaiah 62 Prayer for Israel (at 4 Worthington Close) HCC 7.30 pm HCC Prayer Walking and Outreach (meet 4 Worthington Close) MEC various MEC Small Group Meetings Sun 7th HCC 7.00 am Prayer for Church (at 4 Worthington Close) MEC am Mottram Morning Worship and Lord s Supper HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship and Lord s Supper Tue 9th MEC 7.00 pm Identity. Session 4. The God Who Wants To Comfort Us Wed 10th MEC am MEC Men s Group HCC 7.30 pm HCC Whole Church Bible Study at HBC MEC various MEC Small Group Meetings Sat 13th MEC 8.00 am Mottram Mighty Men s Breakfast Sun 14th HCC 7.00 am Prayer for Church (at 4 Worthington Close) MEC am Mottram Morning Worship HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship MEC 4.00 pm Prayer 4 Youth and Children Mon 15th Mag pm Prayer 4 Real Lives at the Magdalene Centre Tue 16th MEC 7.00 pm Identity. Session 5. The God Who Loves Relationships Wed 17th HCC 7.30 pm HCC Neighbourhood Group Prayer (venue tbc.) MEC 8.00 pm MEC Prayer and Vision Evening Sun 21st HCC 7.00 am Prayer for Church (at 4 Worthington Close) MEC am Mottram Morning Worship and Lord s Supper HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship MEC 4.00 pm Prayer 4 Prodigals Mon 22nd to Thu 25th Life in the Spirit Conference, Swanwick Wed 24th HCC 7.00 pm HCC Whole Church Prayer (at HBC) MEC various MEC Small Group Meetings Sun 28th March Insight Deadline HCC 7.00 am Prayer for Church (at 4 Worthington Close) MEC am Mottram Morning Worship HCC am Hattersley All Age Worship followed by Lunch Tue 1st March MEC 7.00 pm Identity. Session 6. The God Who Died For Us Wed 2nd HCC 9.45 am Isaiah 62 Prayer for Israel (at 4 Worthington Close) HCC 7.30 pm HCC Prayer Walking and Outreach (meet 4 Worthington Close) MEC various MEC Small Group Meetings Sun 6th March Insight HCC 7.00 am Prayer for Church (at 4 Worthington Close) MEC am Mottram Morning Worship and Lord s Supper HCC am Hattersley Morning Worship and Lord s Supper Tue 8th MEC 7.00 pm Identity. Session 8. The God Who Wants to Persuade Us MEC = Mottram Evangelical Church. HCC = Hattersley Community Church UTD = United Meetings (at MEC unless stated) HBC = Hattersley Baptist Church Mottram Evangelical Church