COMMUNITY CHURCH

The last Sunday in the month is given to us to engage in taking the church into the community, and that is always done through various way. This month all three areas were encouraged to come together and meet as church over food and fellowship on the new estate in South Willesborough. A good number shared, and we enjoyed a picnic. There was also opportunity to chat with some of our kingdom kids and other children, and we concluded with some prayer walking within the community, where we recognised the amazing priviledge it was for us to be praying for God's People. Thank you to District Pastor Lyn for arranging this, and to the other district pastors and community church areas in coming together to take The Light to these people. Next month - FIREWORKS, at Envoy Vals.

SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2007

Despite quite a number not being able to share with us today, our school hall, where we meet on a Sunday was fairly full with about 80 people coming together. It was a little different in that we did not have a set 'Word' but this was spread throughout music which helped us to reflect on 'how we really were'. Pastor Lyn started the meeting by encouraging us to come to the cross, and from there God seemed to have got the whole meeting sorted - and there was a Word for everyone, reminding us that we needed to be honest before God, and seek to allow Him, in the everyday moment of the day to be God. Various people testified in the meeting, and others responded in making prayers and being prayed with.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....

Our church center was buzzing Saturday night with members and friends of our church gathering together to celebrate the 18th birthday of Arnold. What was great was meeting so much of his family - and hearing his family testify to the blessings of this church community. The party reflected the best in African Culture, which showed us all how to celebrate, but also to respect one another, and encourage through words of blessing. We sincerely thank God for Elsie and her catering team, and Carl who oversighted much.

AUTUMN MINI MARKET

A massive thank you to those who were able to share with us on Saturday for our Autumn Mini Market. Sadly, it was not that well supported by the general public, but we still raised just over £300 towards the funds of this church, and that was great. People worked very hard to put out goods to sell, and to put them away again at the end of the day. So, thank you all, and to those not able to be with us, thanks for your prayer support

THIS SUNDAY

Join us at 10.30am for our celebration meeting, to be held at the East Stour School. Following this you are very welcome to join us for our community church outreach - a picnic event at Clover Court. Bring a packed lunch with you.

MISSION MATTERS

The new Mission and Programme Ministries Team met together this week to start to work and pray through this important essential within the life of the church. It was good to bring leaders and other gifted people together in this way.

WORSHIP GROUP

A group of people met together last evening to discuss the setting up of a worship group / band - a group of musicians who want to offer something to their church, to aid it in its worship (the longer title). For the next few weeks the team will start to worship together (rather than just practise) and get to know each other better, before it is hoped the band will go 'live' in January 2008./

PRAYERS

Please remember Envoy Valerie Barkley and her family in your prayers. The Envoy was bereaved of her mum on Monday.

SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2007 - DISCIPLE COLLEGE

Twenty or so people shared together for Disciple College this evening which continued on from last week looking at Breaking the chain - unpacking the essentials. Recognisng again the importance of growing up - Captain Ian looked at how there was time in our lives when we needed our food cutting up, when we needed our clothes laid out for us, when we needed our rooms to be cleaned, when the stabliers needed to be on our bikes. But there comes that time when we grow out of needing that to be done - and its the same in our Christian lives. Many of us rely on people to help and aid us in our early years, we need God in a certain way at first - but there comes a time when we have to grow up and move on. There comes a time when we have to feed ourselves and depend on God still and others, but in a different way. Relationships change as we grow up. As we concluded a number of people responded by coming to the cross and making prayers or being prayed with. We thank God for all He has taught us and challenged us through in these days.

SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2007

PEACE WITH GOD - PEACE OF GOD - the focus of our thoughts today. A full hall shared together in worship, testimony and celebration. The all age presentation was shared by our childrens ministries officer, Clare, and our prayer team led prayers. Everything fitted brilliantly together and we thank God for His clear word to us. Reflecting on the sudden death of Annie Wheeler, and hearing the same from a family the senior leaders conducted a funeral for this week, Captain Ian challenged us by asking - Are we ready to meet our Maker? Have you got Peace with God? Are we trying to keep the peace - or living in Peace? As well as recognising peace with God, recognising the importance of peace with one another was also shared. At the conclusion of the meeting, several people came forward to make prayers or receive prayer.