Rocky Road Epistles Chapter 24
We now have the shorter Sunday morning service (starts 10.45am) running in the building and a Thursday morning prayer meeting (starts 10am) in the hall, followed by coffee – bring your own mug! We are hoping to manage a Church Meeting towards the end of September, there was one scheduled for Monday 21st September, but in the present situation it makes sense to have a very brief one following the service on 27th September. In addition, I am reviewing all the things I do. One question is about continuing with the audio service on the website. We did the recording specifically so that those shielding, and who are able to access the internet, could be part of a service. Sadly, numbers accessing it have been very small and I have only had feedback from one couple. We are also thinking about the format and timing of these chapters. I am thankful for the encouragement of a few people who have said how much they value them. But it is a balancing act of the time (and cost of posting the epistle to some) with the increasing number of tasks I’m involved with at church. The exciting news is that both Age UK and C2C are going to start using our back rooms every weekday in September, with careful planning to maintain Covid 19 restrictions. Other things will not start for several months. However, the cleaning event on Saturday morning 12th September is happening. Timings to be confirmed next week. Then there is the option to go for a tour round a few other churches as part of the Historic Churches “Ride and Stride”, please ask Laura for details. Bible StudyOn Wednesday 2nd September at 7.15pm for 7.30pm start All are welcome to join in and if you do not have internet you can join us over the phone. Please ask Laura for details. For this study the passages are Genesis 1 v.1,2, Psalm 8, Psalm 19 and Psalm 24 Title is “I believe in God, the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth”. If you prefer to do this Bible Study at home, then read the passages several times and consider the following points.
Reflectionfrom Laura based on Acts 8 v.1-8 Finishing our look at Biblical situations of lockdown - Evangelist Philip and the growth of the early church The early church did not have chance to get stuck in a rut or end up in routines where new ideas were greeted with the phrase, “we tried it once and it didn’t work”. Numbers in the Jerusalem church were increasing, and the Apostles appointed seven Deacons to assist them and ensure that they could concentrate on their primary God-given task of ministry. These Deacons are described in Acts chapter 6 as being full of the Spirit and Wisdom. Stephen and Philip (who we meet in our reading) were two of this group. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, as we read in chapter 7, and Phillip became known as Philip the evangelist (see Acts chapter 21 v. 8). The passage starts after the death of Stephen, and Philip must have been one of those grieving for the loss of his friend and brother in Christ. Also, the passage mentions Saul who becomes Paul, this is the second time that Luke mentions him in the book of Acts. We read of Saul being one of the main persecutors of the early Christians, dragging men and women off to prison. The authorities put the early church under a vicious lockdown with the aim of destroying it and keeping the rest of Jerusalem safe from the “spiritual virus” of Christianity. When you were growing up did you ever blow a Dandelion clock? If you are not sure what I mean, the clock refers to the seed head of a dandelion and supposedly the number of puffs needed to blow all the seeds off the stem told you the time. I am not sure about the accuracy of the time keeping, but it was a lovely sight to watch the seeds scattering off on the breeze to a new location each to grow a new plant, although hopefully not in my garden! In the passage the persecution acts like the wind on a seed head. God used the persecution not as a punishment but to spread the gospel. The believers in Jerusalem were scattered so that they could be planted in new soil and bear fruit. This was the next stage in the growth of the church, There is another reaction to persecution described, some people did not leave Jerusalem to get out of the situation instead they stayed put and faced the danger. Neither reaction is better than the other and each person had to do what was right for them before God. The apostles stayed in Jerusalem, not out of laziness, but showing courage in remaining to care for the persecuted church. Philip though was one of the scattered seeds. He went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed Christ. The Samaritans were a mixed race and were looked down on by Jews, hence the shock in the story of the Good Samaritan - as he proved to be a better neighbour than the pious Jewish clergy. Jesus had ministered to a Samaritan woman by a well and so some seeds had already been sown in that area. Now Philip witnessed to the Samaritans by word and deed. The miracles he did demonstrated God’s power and caused the people to listen to what he said. Luke writes that the people of Samaria, who heard the Gospel and believed, were delivered from physical affliction, demonic control, and, most importantly, from their sins. No wonder there was great joy in the city! Philip witnessed wherever he found himself. In verse 4 we are told that all who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. It was not just left to one or two who happened to be especially good at witnessing. As disciples of Jesus we are all called to be missionaries, to share God’s word wherever we find ourselves. That does not mean God is sending us overseas, we should be showing God’s love at home, at work, in the shops and with anyone we meet. Even in lockdown we can testify to God ‘s love; Philip’s actions caused people to listen to what he said. God is still a miracle working God and we should pray expectantly for Him to act through us whilst striving to live lives which reflect our faith. Next week in our reflection we are starting a series on Creation based on the Songs for SundayJubilate, everybody, For the Lord our God is gracious, Fred Dunn ©1977, 1980 1. I want to walk with Jesus Christ, Follow Him, follow Him, yield your life to Him, 2. I want to learn to speak to Him, 3. I want to learn to speak of Him – 4. I want to learn to read His word, 5. O Holy Spirit of the Lord, © 1964 C Simmonds CCLI #5638 PrayersThis week’s prayers are based on the hymn “Lord for the Years” by Timothy Dudley-Smith Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided, Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us Lord, for our land, in this our generation. Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him. Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us, Prayer RequestsWe are asked to pray for “Rushden, Highfield Community Church” and their minister Also this week please pray for the work of “Livability” a disability charity that connects people with their communities. They run disability care services and community projects for all ages. |