St. Paul's Church, Chippenham

EVERY BLESSING – I write this before Christmas and yet you may read it after the start of 2010. So, I wish you God’s peace and blessing at this time. The dark nights and colder weather remind us that we are a people who thrive on warmth. We need the sun and household heating to ensure that we are both comfortable and able to survive the winter. It is natural. And just as natural is our need to feel the heat and warmth of God’s love for us. We were created to enjoy him and be a worshipping people. Psalm 145 tells us

‘Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom… the Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made… the Lord is near to all who call on him to all who call on him in truth… the Lord watches over all who love him.’

What wonderful words to see us into a New Year!

THANK YOU – a massive thanks from me to all those who have given so generously to the St Pauls Re-ordering Appeal. What a wonderful total and what a magnificent achievement to have raised the money in such a short period of time. Now, let the work commence!

ALPHA – just to remind you that I am very enthusiastic about the up-coming Alpha course (starting on wednesday 20 January in St Paul’s hall) and would love to encourage you to come and bring someone along who’d like to know more about the meaning of life!

GROUP SERVICE – in January will take place at 6.30pm at Langley Burrell church when I will lead a service as we commit ourselves to the year ahead with God. I hope to offer both prayer and anointing with oil to mark a new start and expect we will use this prayer from the Methodist church. (I am anticipating using it also at St Paul’s at 10am on this first Sunday of the new year.)

I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
Rank me with whom you will;
Put me to doing, put me to suffering;
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
Exalted for you or brought low for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty,
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant made on earth,
Let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

ALSO – that evening (as each Sunday night) there will be a 7pm service at St Paul’s. We feel the need to be consistent in what we offer at St Paul’s and will be experimenting to see how holding a Group Service in addition goes down.

THEMES & READINGS – will be as follows at the morning services during January, continuing the theme (from John’s Gospel) QUESTIONS JESUS ASKS (…OF US).

• Jan 3 – Will you give me a drink? – Matthew 2:1-12, John 4:1-15
• Jan 10 – Do you not say…? – Isaiah 43:1-7, John 4:31-38
• Jan 17 – Do you want to get well? – Isaiah 62:1-5, John 5:1-15
• Jan 24 – Where shall we buy bread? – Nehemiah 8:1-10, John 6:1-13
• Jan 31 – Does this offend you? – Ezekiel 43:27-44:4, John 6:60-71

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS – at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are continuing a series called on ISAIAH THE PROPHET.

• Jan 6/7 – Epiphany – Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12
• Jan 13/14 – God’s servant – Isaiah 52:7-15, Mark 1:14-15
• Jan 20/21 – Invitation to the thirsty – Isaiah 55:1-13, John 4:13-15
• Jan 27/28 – Maintain justice – Isaiah 56:1-8, Matthew 21:12-16

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – how about this for 2010!

Jesus, Lord of Time, hold us in your eternity.
Jesus, Image of God, travel with us the life of faith.
Jesus, Friend of Sinners, heal the brokenness of your world.
Jesus, Lord of Tomorrow, draw us into your future.
Amen

Simon Tyndall