“…your faith and hope are in God” (1Peter 1:21)

So, it’s still to be finally decided, but it looks like the Government are going to release many of our restrictions and ask us all to behave responsibly. Some will be relieved, some think it’s reckless. Some are excited, some are fearful. Some think it’s our only reasonable option, some say it’s completely unreasonable.

Where do you stand on that spectrum? How are you feeling about Monday 19th July?
And more important, what’s a good Christian reaction?

These are uncharted waters. We can only release restrictions at all because of the progress of the vaccination programme, but for many the rise in the infection rate, even though hospitalizations and deaths are much lower than before, feels alarming. So what do we do, as Christians?

First, we remember that our faith and hope are in God. He is the one who is ultimately in charge. He really is – so do you believe that? Honestly believe that?
If we do, then we’ll pray. That must be our first and our ongoing response. Pray for the pandemic, for our government, for the NHS, for spiritual advances during this time. Pray like we’ve never prayed before.

And we’ll love our neighbour. Love our neighbour on the train, in the supermarket, in the street, over the fence, in church…. taking care that we don’t pass on the virus (even if we’re double-jabbed). And we’ll love our neighbour who we disagree with over social distancing, face-coverings, vaccinations etc. We’ll love those who we consider to be irresponsible; and those who we consider to be ludicrously cautious.

And we will want to consciously and deliberately put our faith and hope in God, every morning.
Phil

Tonight, Wednesday, we are praying for our Country and the Pandemic for the final time. Please join us at the usual time, 7.00pm, on Zoom, access via ChurchSuite in the usual way. Let's make it a prayer session to remember!!

​The best view in the world
 
‘In view of God's mercy.’ Romans 12:1
 
The Apostle Paul has just climbed an epic mountain of glorious truth over the past 11 chapters of Romans. From the dark, deep valley of human corruption and hopeless state in the first few chapters, to the sublime heights of God's grace and mercy in chapter 8 [No condemnation - All things working for good - More than conquerors - Nothing can separate us from God's love]. He then climbs even higher, into the sacred and incomprehensible truths of election and of the destiny of Israel. The summit is reached at the end of chapter 11, where Paul bursts into a song of praise 'Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God etc' (v33).
 
But now, having reached that glorious peak, it's as though he turns around, gazes back at the vista and says: 'In view of God's mercy - just look at it! With this in view - in the light of all that God has done in Christ - this is how you are to live. You are to live a life that is worthy of such mercy, grace and love. And now I'm going to tell you how to live such a life'.
 
And so continues Romans, with 5 chapters of explanation and application of Christian living. It all starts off in verse 1 of chapter 12. There we have the key and starting point of a life lived for the glory of God. It starts, and continues with an act of full and absolute surrender. Let Paul's authoritative words speak into your hearts today.
 
'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship' Romans 12:1

If you were not at the evening service yesterday please find below a video update from the Webb's.

NGM (New Growth Ministries) are having a prayer meeting on zoom on Thursday 22nd July at 7pm.  More information to follow on how to join the meeting

​It’s coming home its coming football’s coming home…
 
Words that are being heard up and down the country as we celebrate and support our national football teams efforts at the Euros. Did you watch the game last week (will you tomorrow?) Do you kick every ball? Do you feel on top of the world when we win or despondent when we lose?
 
But have you stopped to think why that is? As far as I know, no one who reads this is part of the England football team (although if i’m wrong I would love to hear from you). Why is it that we say things like ‘we won’ or ‘we lost’ when really we mean the England team won/lost.
 
It’s because we feel untied to them, their victories are ours, their defeats are ours. What happens to them happens to us.
 
On Sunday we have a baptism service, and Baptism is a symbol (for young and old) that we are part of God’s people, and that by faith we will be washed clean and made new.
 
On Saturday we hope our team will win… but on Sunday we remember that Jesus has won, and that we too can be part of his victory, united to him as part of his people.
 
What is all that to say?
 
Pray for those being baptised that Sunday will be a day never to forget as the day God’s promise became visible.
 
Pray also for yourself, that we remember that baptism reminds us we are united to Christ and because he wins so will we.
 
Happy Friday!