ORPINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH March / April 2017 O B C
Contents Page From Martyn 1 From Katie 2 Mothering Sunday 3 Prayer Walk 3 Good Friday 3 From David 4 From Helen 5 From Ivor 6 Spring Into Worship 7 Ministry of Flowers 8 Heavenly Party: Purim 9 Trip to Romania 9 Take The Plunge 10 International Supper 10 Kawama News 11 Church Meetings 11 BMS Birthdays 12 Heavenly Party: Passover 12 Thank You 13 It Takes Two 13 Car Parking 13 Womens Friendship 14 Praise Jam 14 Quiz Night 14 Persecuted Church 15 Deacon Fact File: Paul Cooke 17 Andrew & Janet (Wycliffe) 18 Lucy & Mac (BMS) 18 BMS: South Sudan 19
Dear friends, Expectancy - I wonder what that word conjures up for you? For me, it s all about a sense of expectancy that God s Holy Spirit will be at work among us in power, that people will come to experience his love for the first time, that others will be renewed and refreshed in their faith, that all would meet with the Lord in a personal and living way. The Baptist pioneer missionary William Carey famously adopted the phrase Expect great things from God - Attempt great things for God and here s a reminder that our expectancy should not be parochial in its limits. As Spring comes around it offers many opportunities for that expectancy to be practised. Look through this edition of Signpost carefully and I m sure you ll read about things that build an appetite of expectation. Not least, as we celebrate Easter both within the church and in outreach to our town may we witness to the reality that Jesus is alive today. Just after Easter (the weekend of 23 April) Jon Newman and myself, guided by Ahu Bilger, are going to Istanbul to visit our friends in the Church there. I ll be preaching by translation in the morning at the main church and in the evening at the church who are doing outreach to Syrian refugees. We value your prayers for that particular adventure! Sometimes expectancy leads us to do new things like that and sometimes it simply calls us to do what we have often done, but with a sense of new anointing. At the end of April I m planning to begin a new series of sermons called Thy Kingdom Come, based on the Lord s Prayer. In our Lifegroups, at the same time I m hoping that we can run the Prayer Course, developed by Pete Greig from the 24/7 Prayer Movement, in association with Holy Trinity Brompton. Expectancy - here s a key to it: prayer. Lord, teach us to pray. Join with me in a sense of expectancy about what God might do in us and through us at OBC. With love in Christ, Martyn 1
Hello everyone! As I'm sure most of you are already aware, I recently returned from a mission trip to Harare in Zimbabwe with Smile International. I was there for two weeks and went alone so it was totally out of my comfort zone but I could see why God was calling me to this area of the world. Some of the things I was involved with through the two weeks were schools work, feeding programmes, visiting families in their homes, worship in local Churches and generally being a support however I could! A highlight for me was working with some of the young people who although very poor and had very little, they were incredibly welcoming and joyful. This certainly made me think about Youth Ministry here. One of the days I was blessed enough to be invited into a Child Headed family's home. A young boy, who was 15 was in charge of the family (he had 2 brothers to care for). As soon as I walked into their home, it was a huge shock to the system and I felt a rush of guilt for all the times I've taken things for granted. As I was quite ill when I first arrived in Zim I learnt to lean on God and trust him to be in control of what was happening. The prayer support I had from friends back home was powerful and I was moved incredibly by that experience. It makes me eager in youth ministry here to help and encourage our young people to think about the wider world, to be engaged in mission in some way and not to take their own privileges for granted. I would love more young people to have the opportunity that I have had, to visit a mission situation and learn from the experience. My heart longs for young people to be called, equipped and sent out to serve God in their community and in the world. Knowing God s presence by his Spirit throughout my time has transformed my approach and reliance on prayer and I pray that my work with young people will reflect that transforming power. Thank you to all who made the trip possible financially and to those who prayed faithfully for me. It has truly been a life changing experience and one which I will never forget! 2
Thank You OBC PRAYER WALK AROUND THE CHURCH BUILDINGS Sat 11 March 9.30-10.30 Please come and join in and stay for a cuppa and chat at Sanctuary Café (Open Sanc uary 11 March 10.00-2.00) On Saturdays Please bring your eggs to the basket at the Welcome Desk 3
New Events Update Our Tuesday afternoon parenting course has been light- hearted and informal, we still have a number of sessions to go to complete t h e series, so if you were planning to come please let me know. Messy Monday a great time had by all. The families enjoyed a relaxed time altogether making a variety of crafts. Many thanks to those who came to lend a hand as it made it a very special time. We finished the evening off by eating altogether and we are planning the next one so if you are interested? OK Group: 1 and 8 March, 19 and 26 April (3 and 4 week due to Easter) Our popular group has undergone a bit of a makeover as we provide a social slot with table tennis and other games available so the children can unwind from school. We have all recognised how more positive the children have become when we commence our bible time. Tiddlers We are delighted to see so many new families coming along most weeks. Many hear about us on social media and others by word of mouth. As a team we are meeting the needs of these families, upholding them in prayer before we start our sessions and doing our best to keep in contact with them. 4
Sunday morning Kidzone continues to flourish and it planned for the children to be involved in our Purim service on Sunday 12 March which starts at 4pm so please put the date in your diaries. KIDZONE2 Looking Ahead Churches Together in Orpington are planning another Moving on Up event in late June. This is for all children in School Years 5 and 6 ONLY. Further details to follow. We are planning a summer holiday bible club again this year for all primary school aged children (Reception to Year 6 inclusive.) The dates are Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 August from 10am to 12 noon. Further details to follow. I've been getting lots of questions about when I'm "coming back"- it's nice to know I've been missed, and that the Parish Nurse role is valued! Due to my NHS job and the need for childcare, I unfortunately won't be able to resume the drop-in clinics at Sanctuary Cafe at present. However, I will be offering blood pressure checks after the morning service on a bimonthly basis, as well as continuing to contribute to Signpost and producing displays in the foyer. We're also looking at how I can link with the Pastoral Care Coordinators, and offer telephone support when requested by them. I'd really appreciate your prayers as I resume my NHS role two days a week from the beginning of March, as there have been lots of changes whilst I've been on Maternity Leave, and as I learn to juggle work and family life. Thank you! 5
Lent is upon us and, as always, provides a time to stop, reflect and contemplate the days ahead. My mind naturally turns to money!! We could travel together through the Bible and see such a lot written about money from Exodus and Joshua, from Proverbs through to Malachi, the gospels are full of references to money and then on into Paul s letters and beyond. We would see faithfulness rewarded, tithing introduced, God s provision endless, his generosity unparalleled, the rich finding problems following Christ because of their riches, the poor giving to the Lord despite their poverty and, finally, the cheerful giver encouraged in Corinth. What a challenge to us right through scripture! We have a massive programme of ministry, mission and maintenance that we are pursuing in 2017. The Lord has laid on our hearts an increasing number of mission projects, local and overseas a continuing ministry to hundreds of people old and new every day of the week and many projects to keep the administration and fabric of OBC up to standard. I was speaking of needing to see some 1000 per month extra to enable these initiatives to happen without leaving us always tight in the coffers. While this sounds a lot, and would require a large number of new monthly givers, someone was speaking to me after church about an idea I had mentioned. She said to me that 1000 per month was like everyone at OBC on Sunday putting a pound extra in the offering just a pound. Why not join us during Lent and put a pound extra in the offering each week our small gifts will become something amazing when all added together. As a body we can keep our church free to help those in need, pay our way and keep the momentum of ministry and mission that we have created. Happy Lent. Ivor Reveley 6
March 5 10.30 Worship together: Be Strong in Weakness 6.30 Visit of our BMS Link Workers 12 10.30 All-age with Parade 6.30 Heavenly Party - Purim Celebration for all ages 19 10.30 Worship together with Communion: Be Strong in Weakness 6.30 Safeguarding training 26 10.30 Worship together - Mothering Sunday April 2 10.30 Worship together: Be Strong in Weakness 6.30 Communion & Healing 9 10.30 Palm Sunday - with Pastor Norman Dix 6.30 Preparing for Passover with Jon Newman 13 7.00 Heavenly Party - Passover Celebration for all ages 14 10.30 Good Friday Walk of Witness 16 10.30 Easter Sunday Worship with Communion 6.30 Easter Sunday Celebration 23 10.30 Worship with Rev Ian Hamlin 30 10.30 Worship together: Thy Kingdom Come (new series) May 7 10.30 Worship together: Thy Kingdom Come 6.30 Communion & Healing 7
The Ministry of Flowers Date Donated by Remembering Arranged by March 5 Doris Case Audrey Smith Her brother, sister-in-law & nephew Friends and family 8 Fran Morris 12 Viv Cox Her Mother Karen Peter & Dorothy Ofori With thanks to God for our health and family Sumner 19 John & Julie Iddiols Family members Linda Timmins 26 Jean Ainsworth Reg s birthday Marilyn Dave & Jenny Golding Their Wedding Anniversary Crisp April 2 Jean Brayton Martyn & Marg Travers Her husband Philip s birthday Fran Morris Marg s Dad 9 Pam Reynolds Her Mother-in-law Dolly Salins Melanie Warren Audrey, her Mum & Linda Timmins 16 May & Henry Knock, Brian May s son, John Team & Linda Mick Cater Sheila 23 Ade & Adetoun Their mother Karen Viv Cox Her Father Hicks 30 Helena Brady Her parents Karen Jean Ainsworth Reg and their Wedding Sumner Anniversary If you would like to take part in this ministry, either as a regular annual donator or with a single donation for something special, please speak with Linda Timmins (linda.timmins@ntlworld.com 07944 213662)
A HEAVENLY PARTY PURIM Sunday 12 March 2017 4.00pm Would you like to join our Bucharest trip? 9th-16th August Working with Providence Baptist church, who we are twinned with, alongside their Pastors Sorin & Oti Running a holiday club in a Romany church plant Outreach and activities with the young people from Providence See Danny for more details 9
BOOK THE DATE! Sat 13 May at OBC International Supper event WE WILL REMEMBER THEM 10
It's a privilege to support the project in Kawama, Zambia reaching out to hundreds of orphaned and vulnerable children. Recently, through the generosity of OBC, a classroom that had to be abandoned has been completely refurbished. They also were able to buy a freezer for the Feeding project! What a joy it is to know that our giving is making a difference in this and in many other places around the World. Thank you! 14 Wednesday 15 March 2017 7.45 for 8.00pm Come to be informed, share together, pray together ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 26 April 7.45 for 8.00pm 11
Happy Birthday to those who celebrate in MARCH Sandie Allen Viv Cox John Iddiols Jeff Thurgood Tim Tang Karen Sumner Sue Cooke Dorothy Ofori Sheila Goldsmith APRIL Doug Collins Linda Moss Ray Dyal Joyce Wright Marg Travers Alison Chisnell Henry Donald Paul Cooke www.bmsworldmission.org/birthday Please see Fran Morris if you d like to know more. 12
Thank you for all the flowers, cards, prayers and best wishes that I have received throughout my breast cancer treatment. Ros Barnes We re hosting this on Wednesday 3 May 2017 7.30-10.00pm To book tickets: 029 2081 0800 careforthefamily.org.uk/ittakestwo It Takes Two is an event for any couple who want to invest a little more in their relationship. Whether your marriage is in good shape or things are tough right now; whether you have been married a few months, for many years or you ve just got engaged, this event will help unlock the potential of your relationship. CHURCH CAR PARKING After Morning Worship if your car is blocking another car it would be really appreciated if you could move it BEFORE you enjoy coffee and fellowship as some people have to leave for work or other commitments straight after the service. ON-STREET PARKING Please park with care and consideration of residents and make sure you re not blocking a driveway. 13 Thank You!
All ladies are invited to come to March 6 Holy Island Reflections - members sharing 13 Spring Flowers - Cecilia Willatt 20 The Gideons - Nelson & Ruth Pallister 27 Bible Strdy - David Jermyn April 3 Women Helping Police With Their Enquiries - Alan Moss 10 17 24 Bible Study (tbc) If you are free at 2pm on Mondays please join us for an interesting and varied programme. We finish at 3pm for tea and YOU are very welcome. More information from Pauline Hollands, Helen Stockman, Doreen Jermyn or Brenda Cross. 14
Reports from the Persecuted Church /Book reviews Many thanks to members of the fellowship who have supported Release International s campaigns recently; the petition to the government of Pakistan calling for reform of the blasphemy laws which are often used to victimise Christians (eg. Asia Bibi, a female land worker, has spent her eighth Christmas on death row still awaiting her appeal; pray for her) and the petition to the government of Sri Lanka calling upon that government to uphold religious freedom. They do make a difference. RI partners in Sri Lanka have reported Signing the petition and asking others in your church to sign, will pressurise the government to take effective steps, that is, to stop Buddhist extremists harassing and trying to close churches. We have had speakers from both these countries at RI events held at OBC over the past year. Both individuals risk their safety and wellbeing on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you for the money raised ( 800) in the Christmas collection for RI. Thank you to fellowship members who keep writing to Christian prisoners. Again it makes a difference eg. Iranian pastor, Behnam Irani, who suffered much in Iranian prisons, is now safe in Turkey with his wife Kristina and their two children. Muslim background believer Tohar Haydarov has been released early in Turkmenistan. Pray especially for Uygar (western China) pastor Alimjan Yimit now half way through his prison sentence. Pray for God s strength and peace for Alimjan and his wife Gulnur ( without the prayers of believers worldwide, we could not endure ) and their two children. Pray for those in prison in North Korea; those whose names we know Lim Hyun-Soo (Canadian, life) Dong-Cheol Kim (American, 10 years) Otto Warmier (15 years) and South Korean missionaries Kim Gook-gi, Choi Chung-gil and Kim Jung-Wook. We have heard that in the Sudan Pastor Hassan Kodi has been acquitted of the charges against him, but Pastor Kuwa Shamai, student Abdulmonen 15
Abdumawla and Czech Christian aid worker Petr Jasek have receieved long prison sentences, Petr for life. Pray for their appeals to be successful. May we give heartfelt thanks that for the first time in two years, church bells have been ringing and crosses re-erected in shattered towns and villages across Iraq s Ninevah Plain. Church leaders are returning. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Is 58.12 (Material above taken from RI and Open Doors publications) I am placing a collection of books in OBC library (computer room) for people to borrow. These are real page turners, powerful aids to faith. Tortured for Christ by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, founder of what is now Release International, who was imprisoned and severely mistreated by the communist regime in Romania which fell in 1989. Richard was a convinced atheist in his youth so this is a tremendous story and fascinating account of how totalitarian regimes of all hues attempt to subvert the Christian church. God s Smuggler by Brother Andrew This is the story of Andrew Van de Bijl and his many adventures for Christ. He began life as a jack the lad in Holland just after WW2, was wounded serving with the Dutch army in the Far East, was invited to a Christian meeting by a nurse (later his wife) in his convalescent hospital and went along only to make sport of the preacher. From these inauspicious beginnings a great mission followed. The Vicar of Baghdad by Andrew White who was vicar of St. George s church in Baghdad for a number of years. First hand account by an expert of recent history of the Middle East, especially Iraq. Church behind the wire by Barnabas Man, one of only 200 Christians to survive Pol Pot s murderous Killing Fields of Cambodia. He joined the Communist Party as a teenager and was converted whilst spying on a Christian evangelistic meeting; now a church planter, regional director for Ambassadors for Christ international, speaker at Spring Harvest. 16
The odd one out I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, the story of a brave muslim girl who spoke up for girls education in NW Pakistan, opposed the Taliban and survived an assassination attempt. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Revolution in World Missions by KP Yohannan who started life as a village lad in Kerala and founded a great evangelistic crusade in India, Gospel for Asia. The Heavenly Man the remarkable, true story of Chinese Christian and itinerant preacher, Brother Yun Happy reading Peter Johnson Over the next few months we think it will be a good idea to profile each of our Deacons to get to know them better and to be able to pray for them in their leadership role. Deacons/Trustees work together with our Ministry Team as the Leadership group of the church. Deacon Fact File - Paul Cooke How long have you been a Christian? I became a Christian at Spring Harvest, Easter 1988, when I was 26 years old. How many years have you been at OBC? I first came to OBC in 1983, as it was the only time I could see my girlfriend, now wife Sue, on a Sunday! What do you do in life outside the church? I am a Director of a Construction Company specialising in building new Social Housing and Estate Regeneration throughout London and the South East. For leisure, I have had a Season Ticket at Tottenham Hotspur FC for the last 40 years. What s your favourite food? Steak, cheese and chocolate all the healthy things in life. 17
What excites you most about the church? Seeing the vibrancy in worship and the many new faces that have joined the family over recent years. What music do you enjoy? Motown and Kylie What interests you outside the church? As well as football, I enjoy time with the family, walking the dog, musicals in the theatre and eating out. What is your favourite film? I am a keen James Bond fan and have enjoyed the recent ones with Daniel Craig, but for best car chase it has to be Steve McQueen in Bullitt, when the sound alone of the Ford Mustang is awesome. Which Bible verse most encourages you? Philippians Ch 4 Verses 4-7 ' Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. As many will know, Andrew & Janet Sweet, with their daughter Ellen and soon-to-beborn baby, are now living and working for Wycliffe in the UK after their time in Kenya. If you would like to offer them personal financial support please contact our Church Office who will put you in touch for more details. Come for tea & catch-up with our Baptist World Mission Link Workers Lucy & Mac*, with their young sons Isaac & Noah, live and work in Guinea, West Africa. Sun 5 March 6.30pm *Names now changed for security reasons 18
South Sudan is starving and really needs our prayers Famine is the latest problem to beset one of the world s most fragile states, and BMS World Mission is helping hundreds of people in desperate need. It wasn t supposed to be like this. There was much hope when South Sudan became the world s newest country in July 2011. Over 1.5 million people had lost their lives during decades of conflict with the north of Sudan. It was hoped, by breaking away, such hardship would come to an end. But barely two years later a dispute between the President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Vice-President Riek Machar led to civil war which has exploited tribal divisions. Over 300,000 people have been killed and more than 3.5 million have been displaced, many of whom are living in extreme poverty. South Sudan is starving and really needs our prayers In February, a famine was declared by the UN in some parts of South Sudan, the first time in six years that a famine has been declared anywhere in the world. BMS has already been responding to the desperate situation in South Sudan, alongside Christian partners around the world, and have helped 2,000 displaced families in Narus, providing them a kit containing blankets, plastic sheets, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, fishing nets, hooks and jerry cans. In autumn 2016, BMS helped provide food packages (maize flour, rice and beans) and emergency relief kits (blankets, mosquito nets and cooking utensils) for around 500 needy families living close to Juba. One woman who received the relief, spoke for many families when she said how thankful they 19
were for BMS' support. When we arrived here after fleeing from our homes we came with nothing, she said. The blankets, mosquito nets and the food we received will make our stay here more bearable. As well as emergency relief, BMS has also been responding to the many cases of gender based violence (GBV) that have taken place during the civil war in South Sudan. Research by the BMS-supported We Will Speak Out Coalition in 2016, when many survivors of sexual violence bravely shared their horrific experiences, was taken up with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by BMS Deputy Director for Mission Steve Sanderson. Steve says that BMS is looking into other ways to support South Sudan and has something to say to all UK Christians. The insecurity in South Sudan has led to death, displacement and now famine. I urge all BMS supporters to pray for the country and its desperate people, he says. BMS ask us to pray for South Sudan in our church services, home groups and quiet times. Pray for: all those displaced in South Sudan who are struggling to survive healing for survivors of GBV during the conflict international efforts to bring an end to the fighting guidance as BMS explores ways we can best help the people of South Sudan further through the local church 20
Orpington Baptist Church Station Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 0RZ Orpington Baptist Church @OrpingtonBC Church Office: 01689 877265 (Mrs Jo Lewis & Mrs Pam Reynolds) Email: office@orpingtonbaptist.org.uk Website: www.orpingtonbaptist.org.uk Minister Rev Martyn Travers 07891 259 195 mptravers@aol.com Youth Pastor Rev Danny Brown 07888 399 714 dannywbrown@me.com Children & Families Worker David Jones 07946 345 717 daviddjones@aol.com Worship Co-ordinator Jon Newman 07838 177 649 gsgmusic@hotmail.com Church Treasurer: Mr Ivor Reveley Tel: 01689 815344 Email: revivor@aol.com TEXT-A-PRAYER 07891 259 195 and someone will pray for you
is the bi-monthly newsletter for people who come to OBC. Its aim is to keep everyone informed about our Church life and the needs of the world around us, near and far. is also available online SAVES PAPER SAVES ADMIN TIME SAVES MONEY www.orpingtonbaptist.org.uk May/Jun 2017 deadline: Wednesday 26 April I d be grateful if all items are emailed to me on or before that date please* marg15456@aol.com *To ensure your article is read by all with eager anticipation please try to keep it to a maximum of 700 words. Thanks! Marg Travers 01689 873092 If you don t have a computer Ekua Stephen has kindly offered to type your article for you. Please give it to Ekua (not the Church Office) at least two days before deadline. We meet together on Sundays at 10.30am and (most weeks) at 6.30pm During the morning service there are groups for babies through to young people. KIDZONE 2 For more information about our weekly programme please look at our Sunday bulletin or the OBC website www.orpingtonbaptist.org.uk