Some time ago, a TV programmer interviewed people who had gone
through a so-called a ‘near-death’ experience. They seemed to be
intelligent and reasonable people. Most of them spoke about seeing a great
light, and when one of them was asked how he felt when he was near it, he said;
Think of a moment, a time when you were really happy and at peace. Now
multiply that a million times. That is what it is like. a
Just what such an experience is, is unclear; it could be nothing more than a
sensation the brain gives off when vital signs disappear. But listening to it
reminds us of the glory Jesus promised for ‘those who believe in Him. Jesus and
the Bible talk of heaven; they talk of its wonder, it’s
splendour. Who in his right mind would want to miss them?
Dear Friends.
There is an old
song that say’s “What a difference a day makes”. And it’s true: one day can
change the future. I thought of this particularly as our eldest daughter, like
many others has been sitting her A level exams. The
performance on that one day will possibly effect the rest of her life. Perhaps
you could spare a thought for all the young people like her who will be
anxiously awaiting another day in mid August when they get their results.
We remember the
day recently when we said farewell to Rev. Harry Lanham who has now moved with
his wife Carol to take up a new appointment in
One day, that’s
all it take! It is strange to think that life can turn on such a short period of time~’
But it can and does. Sadly sometime it can change for the worse. Sometimes
problems seem to have no end. But remember it can also all change within one
day. So pray for that day, and it will come.
With God’s
help, we can also change our destiny, and it only takes a day, even a moment.
The day, we ask Jesus to come into our lives, is the day when our life changes
for good.
‘This is the
day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Every Blessing
Geoff
Pay special attention to the wording and spelling. If
you know the Bible, even a little, you’ll find this hilarious! It
comes from a Christian elementary school test. Kids
were asked questions about the old and new testaments.
The following statements about the Bible were written
by children. They have not been retouched nor corrected.
(i.e., Incorrect spelling has
been left In).
13. David was a Hebrew king who was skilled at playing the liar. He
fought the Finkeisteins, a race of people who
lived In bibical times.
14. Solomon, one of Davids Sons, had 300 wives
and 700 porcupInes.
15. When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
16. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found
Jesus In the manager.
17. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption,
18.
19. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do unto others
before they do one to you. He also
explained, a man doth
not live by sweat alone.
20. It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get
the tombstone off the entrance.
21. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels.
22. The epistels were the wives of the apostals.
23. One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who
was also a taximan.
24.
25. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
IN GOD WE TRUST!
Harry’s Farewell
90 friends gathered
in Union Church to wish a fond farewell to our minister Harry, on
Saturday June 5th. After enjoying a sumptuous spread we listened to
friends expressing the gratitude of us all for Harry’s ministry, in words, song
and rhyme (a copy of which is printed in this mag by great demand) on Sunday we
presented Harry with a gift. a cheque, and a card
signed by all. It was a sad and yet happy occasion for Harry.
We shall miss his
presence amongst us.
Harry’s Induction
Those of us who were
able to attend the Induction were privileged to share in a very happy occasion.
We were made most welcome by the friends in
The service was led
by the Moderator Revd. Nigel Uden assisted by members of the congregation and
district. A university friend of Harry’s gave the sermon. We were given a
lovely buffet and enjoyed meeting new friends.
Some of Union Church
also attended Carols Induction at St. Michaels Community Centre in New Cross.
This was another lovely service conducted by the URC Moderator and Bishop of
Appreciation
Thank you
Garlinge
This makes you think
Family
I ran into stranger as
he passed me by. “Oh excuse me please” was my reply.
He said. ‘Please
excuse me too: I wasn’t watching for you.” We were very polite, this stranger
and I. We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a
different story is told. How we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal. My son stood
beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. “Move out of the ways” I said with a frown.
He walked away is little heart broken. I didn’t realise how harshly I’d spoken.
While I lay in bed.
God’s still small voice came to me and said. “While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse. Go and
look on the kitchen floor. You’ll find some flowers there by the door; those
are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and
blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise; you never saw the tears
that filled his little eyes”
By
this time. I felt very
small, and now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and
knelt by his bed; “Wake up. little one wake up”. I
said. “Are these the flowers you picked for me?”
He smiled. “I found
‘em, out by the tree. I picked ~em
because they’re pretty like you. I knew you’d like ‘em.
especially the blue”.
I said,, “Son. I’m very sorry for the way E acted today: I shouldn ‘t have yelled at you that way”.
He said, “Oh, mom,
that’s okay. I love you anyway”.
I said, “Son. I love
you too and I do like the flowers, especially the blue’.
Family
Are you aware
if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace
us in a matter of days.
But the family
we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their 1ives, and come to
think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family. An
unwise investment indeed, don’t you think?
So what is
behind the story?
Do you know
what the word FAMILY means
FAMILY (F)ather (A)nd
(M’)other (I) (L’~ove (Y)ou
After mouths of planning
meetings lots of Prayer and lots of hard work by many church members of
different denominations all working together for God.
The Festival of Hope
has taken place. Thousands of people outside the bounds or’ the church have met
the church, in that I mean the people riot the bricks the building, but the
people who attend the many different churches that took part in the festival,
who were out to show, that they where no different. That they could still enjoy
life and be happy in knowing God.
Many church members
surprised themselves by singing or playing with a worship band or talking to
people in the street. The Holy Spirit was working in so many giving them the
strength and the power to do Gods work.
Hundreds of sausages
and burgers were barbecued: hundreds came to eat them and were given the
opportunity to hear the worship bands, the story of Jesus and talk to those
from the church and ask questions.
Many seeds were sown
many saw that there is much joy in knowing God at the barbecues and the other
church events and. also at the main event, It was a wonderful week, the church:
the people came alive, but what now. .,
The church, the
people must carry on in the same vain as the Festival of Hope taking the
message of hope to all outside the church the building. .
We must go on as
ordinary people telling our community that we care and that we have hope. All
churches working together for the community, sharing the love of Jesus with
all.
We must pray and
praise God for the great things he has done At the time of the Festival praying
that the harvest will be great from the seeds sown at that time and go on
working for more harvests
To God Be The Glory. Great Things He F-las Done!
God Bless Eddie
Heavenly
Father.
Whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works
of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life.
Grant that we, having this hope. may purify ourselves even as He is pure: that
when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like Him, in His eternal
and glorious Kingdom: where He is alive and reigns with You, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Almighty God
You have knitted
together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of
Your Son. Christ and Lord.
Grant us grace so to
follow your blessed saints, in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come
to those inexpressible joys that we may come to those who truly love You.
Through
Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord. Who is alive and
reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever Amen.
Have you heard of the ‘gorn again’ Christians”
The ones who seem willing and keen,
But are simply unable
To help move a
table,
And quickly depart from the scene?
I’ve heard of the ‘gorn again’ Christians,
Quite often, I’m sorry to
say,
It’s not that they’re shirking,
They just don’t
like working,
And silently vanish away.
Have you met
the ‘gorn again’ Christians?
Have you stood up
and yelled
‘volunteer’?
Did you note
with alarm
How those smiles full of charm,
Quickly changed to a
rictus of fear?
When you
asked them
to ‘give us a hand here’
Did you ask them
again and again?
‘O alas and alack,
I’ve got such a bad back
But I’ll willingly
stand and complain!’
Oh., we all know
the ‘gorn again’ Christians;
We’ve seen them quite often in Church
When you need their assistance,
That’s just when they’re missed.
And your left once again in the
lurch.
Yes we all know the ‘gorn again’ Christians,
Though their numbers are thankfully few;
If this rhyme’s
made you smile,
Stop and think for a while
Cos one of them might just
be you!