NOVEMBER GRAPEVINE 2004
‘GIVE ME
PATIENCE LORD... BUT HURRY UP!”
Patience
is a scarce commodity. Few
of us are born with an ample supply of it. When we do not get the blessing we
ask from God, we find it irksome to wait. We are puzzled and
disappointed when we do not receive prompt answers. When we experience delays
in getting replies from God, we need to remember that God’s wisdom is always
operating in His response to our prayers. When we realise how wise He is, and
how much He loves us, we learn to be patient and count on Him answering our
prayer in the way He knows best.
Dear Friends,
With winter fast approaching, the days are getting
shorter and the wind colder. But it’s not just the time of year that seems to
colder and darker. The world itself seems to becoming a colder, darker place.
With the slaughter of the innocent at Besian; the wicked murder of Ken Bigley in
One of the most worrying features of much of this is
that it is being done in the name of religion. And I can understand if some
people are put off of being involved in any religion because of it.
The truth is though that religion is being used as a
convenient excuse for evil. Evil hides behind these religious labels for it
dare not show its face in the open. It twists and corrupts true belief.
Yet the same people who are therefore put off from
religious involvement are the same people who will be buying ghoulish masks and
celebrating Halloween with their children. And although they cannot see it, and
although I may be laughed at for saying it — yet I believe the same evil
lies behind it. Perhaps not as openly, yet by their involvement they expose themselves
to forces beyond their control.
Paul says Ephesians 6:12 “for our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against. . the spiritual
forces of evil.. .“
In such a struggle we are defenseless in our own
strength. The way forward then is not to avoid faith but to embrace it. Jesus
said “I am the light of the World’, and He invites us to come to Him so that
His light might shine within us. Each one of us can be a pool of light making
our dark world a brighter place.
Every Blessing
Wedding
Congratulations to Aubrey Smith and Joyce Jenkins who
were married at Garlinge
Garlinge says Thank you to Linda Bell
Garlinge Methodist said thank you with a small
presentation to Linda Bell during the family service on Sunday 17th October, for
the many years of service she has given as leader of the local Girl Guides.
Linda retires this year and has worked hard to maintain a vital link between
the Guides and the church.
The
The Covenant commits the
Operation Noah, endorsed by The Methodist Conference
in June, aims to show how the Gospel calls us to care for creation and for each
other, and asks churches and -individuals to petition local
councils, MPs, and world leaders to protect the climate.
It will be formally launched at the Rainbow
Pilgrimage in
Steve Hucklesby, Secretary for International Affairs
at The Methodist Church, said: “Fey people deny that climate change is becoming
a reality yet the predictions about global warming have failed to spur
politicians into action. Operation Noah is an opportunity for us to show that
we care. The situation is urgent. Even if we ceased releasing carbon dioxide
into the atmosphere today, global temperatures are still likely to rise because
of the damage that has been done already. For the sake of our children and our
children’s children we need to move to a low carbon economy quickly.”
He continued: “Over the coming years Operation Noah,
working with churches and community groups, aims to bring all sectors of
society together to act against climate change. With a host of resources and
ideas, such as educational materials and a volunteer helpline, Operation Noah
is well placed to empower communities, churches and individuals to build a
clean and just economy.”
The Rainbow Prayer for Operation Noah (a prayer for our
environment) Creator God,
how deep are your design! You made a living earth,
cloud rain and wind. Then charged us with their care.
We confess that the way we live today is changing the climate, the seas,
and the balance of life. Dispossessing the poor and
future generations. Build our lives into an So make us
heralds of a new covenant: choosing life for all that is at risk – for
creation, for neighbours near and far. Amen
Isn’t it strange.
Isn’t it strange how a
£20 note seems like such a large amount when you donate it to the Church….
But such a small
amount when you go shopping.
Isn’t it strange how
two hours seem so long when you re at Church
And how short they
seem when you’re watching a good film.
Isn’t it strange that
you can’t find a word to say when you’re praying…
But you have no
trouble talking to a friend.
Isn’t it strange how
difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible
But
how easy it is to read a hundred pages of a good
novel.
Isn’t it strange how
everyone wants front row tickets to concerts or games
But they do whatever
possible to sit in the back row in Church.
Isn’t it strange how
we need to know about an event for Church
weeks before the day so
we can include it in our agenda -- -
But we can adjust it
for other events at the last minute.
Isn’t it strange how
difficult it is to learn a fact about God and share it with others But how easy
it is to learn, understand, elaborate and repeat gossip.
Isn’t ii strange how we
believe everything that magazines and newspapers say
But we question the
words of the Bible.
Isn’t it strange how
everyone wants a place in heaven
But they don’t want to
believe, do or say anything to get there.
Isn’t it strange how
we send jokes in c-mails and they are forwarded right away….
But when we are going to
send messages about God we think twice before we share it with others. –
Isn’t it strange
Cathie Fox -
On
Friday 10~ September, Alan and Valerie Dixon, along with family and friends
left Manston airport at 920 am. Within 2 hours the group were
in
Alan really enjoyed the experience, and although both
he and I found the occasion quite emotional we knew that Cathie would be so
pleased with everyone’s efforts in fundraising and helping others.
To date just under £3’OOO has been raised.
Both Alan and I would like to thank everyone who has
donated to these worthy causes.
From: ‘On the Move’
<onthemove@btinternet.com> To: “Prayer Partners
<onthemove@btinternet.com>
Cc:
Subject: Trip to
Date: Oct13 2004,
Dear all
Thank you so much for your prayers. I don’t know what
we’d do without them.
Tonight we leave for the Heathrow area and then at the
crack of dawn tomorrow (Thursday) we fly to
The contacts and presentations are all ready for us
(we are told!). The one for
Anyway, please pray for us as we seek to bring this
vision to more cities - that the Lord would be with us opening the way,
that we would have favour with the people that we meet and that the vision will
be received. Energy and stamina and good health would also be good!
It really is something remarkable that the Lord is
doing here and we continue to give thanks for all these open doors - and for the
many people that are standing with us as we go through them!
Incidentally, our trip to
Please pray also for Nick back home in the office, as
he is doing a lot of work developing the London mission for September 2005
(part of the capital cities mission programme); we are getting a very
encouraging response so far; and for Peter who is finally getting some time to
get our systems up to scratch for what they will have to cope with next year.
Blessings and our love and thanks.
Or ‘Adios’!
- Martin
Graham
SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS
Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic
seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant
to work on farms along the
Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle
age, approached the farmer.
Are you a good farmhand?’ the farmer
asked him.
Well, I can sleep when the wind blows, “answered the
little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help,
hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk
and
the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore, Jumping
out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern arid rushed next door to the hired
hands sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, ‘Get up! A storm is coming! Tie
things down before they blow away!”
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, ‘No
sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.’
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to
fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To
his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with
tarpaulins.
The cows were in the barn,
the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The
shutters were tight secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away, -
The farmer then uriderstood what his hired hand meant, so he
returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
MORAL: When you’re prepared, spiritually, mentally,
and physically, you have nothing to tear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against
the
storm;.
We, as believers in Christ, secure ourselves against
the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don’t
need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the midst of
the storms.
John
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
UNION
CHURCH
Union Church
Festival
A new
venture for us that proved to he a successful and happy event. Classes for reading, poetry.
limericks, and instrumental were entered. A wonderful display of entries for handicrafts
- cake making - collage etc. The
judges had a difficult task! A well worth while event that
should be repeated.
Our
sincere thanks to Pam for arranging this event with the help of Brian. and to Simon for
printing all the certificates (and there were a
lot!). Thanks too to Alistair for sustaining all the competitors with hot snacks.
My Prayer
It is my joy to find, at every turning of the road.
The
strong arm of a comrade kind, to
help me onward with my load
And since I have no
gold to give, and love alone that makes amends
My only prayer is
while I live. God make me worthy of my friends.
Don’t do it right, unwillingly
And stop to plan and measure
Tis working with the heart and soul
That makes our duty Pleasure
Faith is not a sense. nor right, nor reason.
But taking God at His word
Olympic Bazaar
Beads and Bracelets, Brooches and rings.
These are a few
of our favourite things.
Are there some treasures you can spare’.’
We need to replenish for the forthcoming layre.
Our Fare
is Olympic, lets speed up the race
Bring your je L~c,iuon nw-c
Union Church Festival
A new
venture for us that proved to he a successful and happy event. Classes for reading, poetry.
limericks, and instrumental were entered. A wonderful display of entries for handicrafts
- cake making - collage etc. The
judges had a difficult task! A well worth while event that
should be repeated.
Our
sincere thanks to Pam for arranging this event with the help of Brian. and to Simon for
printing all the certificates (and there were a
lot!). Thanks too to Alistair for sustaining all the competitors with hot snacks.
My Prayer
It is my joy to find, at every turning of the road.
The
strong arm of a comrade kind, to
help me onward with my load
And since I have no
gold to give, and love alone that makes amends
Mv only prayer is while I live. God make me worthy of my friends.
Don’t do it right, unwillingly
And stop to plan and measure
Tis working with the heart and soul
That makes our duty Pleasure
Faith is not a sense. nor right, nor reason.
But taking God at His word
Olympic Bazaar
Beads and Bracelets, Brooches and
rings,
These are a few of our favourite
things.
Are there some treasures you can spare’.’
We need to replenish for the forthcoming fayre.
Our Fare
is Olympic, lets speed up the race
Bring your jewellery -
Union Church is the place.
Union Church
Union Church
A Little Grace?
A little boy and his mother were
having tea at his grandmother’s. Jimmy started to eat as soon as he
sat down, but his mother told him off - ‘Jimmy, you know we always say
a prayer before we eat at home, so we should here.’ Jimmy replied ‘But mummy,
Grandma knows how to cook’
- Alistair lsdale
Coffee Morning
Many thanks to our merry bond of helpers. Our coffee
morning is going from strength to strength. Alistair’s toasted sandwiches
are popular - as is all his varied fare. Why not come along and try it
for yourself. If you can’t make Friday mornings come
along on a Saturday. It is so good to hove
the new kitchen used.
Rita
Pengelly
Discover Group
Alistair’s commitment and enthusiasm is also
a benefit to the biscovery Group.
We now have a bunch of about 20 lively, happy and reasonably
well-behaved young people keeping us on our toes. Again, many thanks to all the helpers that make
the group possible.
Rita
Pengelly
Fair Trade
Southern Synod has decided to become a Fair
Trade Synod. The good news is that Union Church is well ahead
with what is needed. Any Christmas orders for
Fair Trade goods that can’t be found in the shops can be placed with
Rita or Maggie Woods -there’s a catalogue downstairs.
Prayer diary
The
There will be a prayer diary in the Grapevine each month.
Please send requests for prayer for a particular day (eq for hospital visits, special anniversaries, exams)
by 10Th of each month to Rita Pengelly.
Rita
Pengelly
Our Heroes
I’d like everyone to know that chivalry is not dead~ An annoying thing about our
church (Union Church) is the rubbish that collects by the main
entrance. As we were getting ready for our recent festival, we
had no choice but to clear up the rubbish strewn al~ around -
there was even an old fridge. We were expecting visitors all day, so wanted the
place to look nice.
So, Joan Smith and I set to this unpleasant task Two young lads came up and asked if we
would like help - our knights in shining armour. Helping a couple of old
ladies across the road is be one thing but clearing UF smelly rubbish is
quite another! With ac promise of reward, they set to and did c great
job. Afterwards, they sat in the coffee room and had a cup
of tea talking politely with even more oldies. There’s hope yet!
Rita Pengelly
Thank
you for that letter, Rita. There are many unsung heroes who actually
belong to either of our churches. For instance we are fortunate to have Douglas
Bush (who 1m sure sleeps under the stairs at Union Church - he is always at church). This
last month he was there to let in the inspector for the quinquenial report.
This meant. not just being there to let him in but
getting ladders and a scaffold tower ready for him too. I should also like to
thank Stephen Wright for his help in erecting and dismantling the scaffold,
such a time consuming job.
If
you know of anyone else from your church that deserves a mention then please
send your letters to the editor.
Coffee Morning
Held every Wednesday at
1O.OOam. Why not come along
and taste some supper cakes
Harvest weekend On Saturday 25th Sept we
decorated our church with fruit, flowers, and groceries. We had a lovely
display. During the evening we enjoyed a beetle drive and a lovely supper made
by Denise So thanks to Denise and Tina and all who
helped in any way. On Sunday we enjoyed our Harvest Festival service led by
Revd. John Pyke. From the sale of the food added together with the profit made
on the supper we raised €110.00 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Cheques have also
recently been sent to Margate Hospice for £100.00 and Demelza
House for £146.75. Ron
Let
nothing disturb you
Let
nothing frighten you
All
things are changing
God
alone is changeless
Patience attains the good
One who has God lacks
nothing
God alone fulfils all our needs
Lord, you alone fulfill our
needs Amen.
Here in the middle of the day
I send my prayers to You
To have a-moment’s silence
and give thanks for what You
do
bear Jesus, my protector I give thanks. day
by day Far the happiness You’ve given me.
Along life’s arduous way.
Please
listen to my humble
prayer at this
time of day.
It’s comforting to know
You’re there
To guide me on life’s way.
Sunday
Services Every Sunday 10-am
1St Sunday Holy. Communion
3rd Sunday Family Service
2~
Sunday Healing Service at 3-30
pm
4th Sunday of the Month
Celebration 6-30pm
The Church is Open
Every Friday From 10-12 For Quiet Prayer
Remembrance
Once
again November is with us a time when we remember those who gave their today’s
for our tomorrows in the fight against the evils of war and a time when we
thank God for deliverances from war, rightly so, but let us as Gods followers,
not forget to thank him for delivering us from evil understanding that there is
a moral and spiritual direction to a life of a nation also.
A
direction that is lost in this day and age. What are we going to do about it?
Are we prepared to give our todays for their
tomorrows by going out and fighting for the spiritual rebirth of the nation
making known to the nation the good the Lord has done. There is much to be done
and can be done. So who is going to do it? Well, we all can, for in war
everyone is called up. All of us can be involved in bringing back the moral fibre of the nation weather in a small or a big way. How?
By standing-up for what is right and by doing right. So let’s proclaim the word
of God. There are many ways and opportunities
Like
the Thanet Festival of Hope, Alpha and many other ways, like the way we respond
to each other loving our neighbour as our self.
Proclaiming there is a God in heaven and he loves us all. So let us take up the
fight giving our today’s to fight against evil, so in
the tomorrows our nation will move in a moral and spiritual direction.
So let us,
Give
thanks to the Lord, call his name, make known among
nations what he
has done. Sing to him sing praise
to him tell of all his wonderful acts.
Psalm
105
God
Bless
Eddie
GARLINGE
Please
pray for those in our church who are unwell for our elderly friends who are
finding it increasingly difficult to get to church.
Let
us all pray that all those in and around and involved with
Let
us give thanks for our many blessing.
For
the wedding of Aubrey Smith and Joyce Jenkins of our Church at Garlinge and
And
for Vera Wicks who celebrated her one hundredth birthday may God bless her watc~h over her and keep her safe. -
Let
us pray for the many parts of the world that are in conflict, and those that
are in need of food and clean water and those parts were so many are dieing -of aids.
Let
us pray for all that are in need and for peace in Gods world