Church Matters – Sunday 20 September

Sunday 20 September

10am Parish Communion & Ark – St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy

6pm Pimms and Hymns – St Mary’s, Avington

Calling All Families

We are pleased to be able to offer a shorter version of Ark during Parish Communion on the third Sunday in the month. It will take place at Martyr Worthy, the children will start in Church with us for the first family friendly song but then they will go to the Village Hall for some fun activities before returning to Church for communion. We hope this will enable more families to be able to attend Parish Communion and more children to enjoy meeting and learning more about Jesus with their friends.

Please do come along this week (and every third Sunday) and see what we are planning.

If you would like to help lead or support the Ark please do let Beccy know – admin@itchenvalleychurches.org

David’s talk can be listened to here

Or read here

“There is something fierce, free and genuine that longs to find expression through your one particular and wild life.”

— Mary Reynolds Thompson

“Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”
— Colossians 1:27

Last Sunday I shared a message of hope from Hosea 2:15, where God promises that the Valley of Achor will become a door of hope. I believe that each of us can become a door of hope for the people around us — a way through which someone encounters the love, welcome and life of Jesus.

When I was a student, I lived with five others in a house in Newcastle. My friend Phil came from a Christian family, and I remember him telling me that his church met for worship in a barn on his family farm. I thought it sounded slightly strange — but I was also intrigued by the stories of faith he occasionally shared.

Then, one day, something in me awakened: I wanted to go to church.

So I turned to Phil.

“I know where you can go,” he said. “I’ll come with you the first time, and then I’ll leave you to it.”

Looking back, I can see that Phil was a door of hope. He didn’t have all the answers. He didn’t need to persuade me or give me a carefully prepared presentation. He simply made himself available and pointed me towards Jesus.

Perhaps that is more often what mission looks like: being available, being genuine, and being willing to point someone towards Jesus.

D T Niles, a Sri Lankan pastor who died in 1970, once memorably said:

“Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”

We have found something worth sharing. And perhaps, this week, someone may simply need us to show them where to find it.

This Sunday we have Parish Communion at 10am @ Martyr Worthy, and Pimms and Hymns at 6pm in Avington.

Perhaps a fellow beggar will cross your path this week. If they do, why not invite them along?

with every blessing

David

David’s Contact Details

If you would like to contact David, his email address is david@itchenvalleychurches.org

His landline telephone number is 01962 582226

David’s working days are Monday – Wednesday and services on a Sunday

for global peace

for those who are ill or suffering at the moment or for those recently bereaved

for the family and friends of Christopher Booth as they mourn his passing.

for students returning to, or going to University for the first time

Parish Communion readings can be read here