St. Paul's Church, Chippenham

GRACE & TRUTH  -  Ann & I have recently been to Lee Abbey where we heard Mike Pilavachi speak on the topic Grace Awakening.  As always, it was a lovely time away in a beautiful setting with good food, fellowship and worship.  For me the highlight was to re-read John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (TNIV).

In it I was reminded that Jesus was totally full of truth and at the same time also totally full of grace.  And I find this a timely reminder to myself and us all – yes, we are called to share grace with others (be caring and show deep love) but we also need to hold on to the truths of the gospel.  Similarly, we need to be a people of gospel truth – but this is in the context of God’s grace.  We can’t simply hit people over the head with truth – we must exhibit grace; but also we can’t be so gracious that anything goes – as Christ followers we need to stand for truth also.  It is not an easy path to follow.  But, as Jesus people we are challenged to be people of both grace and truth together.  And this should inform and guide our theology and the difficult choices we are regularly called to make.

PRAYER LABYRITH  -  this will be a lovely opportunity to journey with Jesus in prayer during Holy Week at St Pauls and on Maundy Thursday we will also be….

PUTTING ON THE ARMOUR  -  from 6-8pm  @ St Paul’s church and this will be an opportunity for us to worship, pray and support each other as we ask for God’s protection on our community at this time as we engage in mission.  Lent is always a struggle for the Christian and we will seek to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) as we face challenges and look outwards to reach those around us.  We all need God’s special protection and this is an important time to join together.  Come for as long as you can……and if you are able, do stay for the completion, the Breaking of Bread as we remember Jesus’ jouney towards the cross.

CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING DATES  -  please note these dates (and come along as we reflect on what God has been doing amongst us and choose those who will lead us forward as church officers – Church Wardens, Treasurers, PCC members).  It is important!  We need to ensure that the business of the church is properly organised so that our churches function well and we are equipped to do God’s business.
Mon 12 April 7.30pm Kington St Michael
Mon 19 April 7.30pm St Pauls & Langley Burrell
Wed 21 April 7.15pm Hardenhuish
All take place in the church.

CMS’s 40 DAYS OF YES – if you have been a member of the Church Mission Society CMS you will have been asked to renew your membership to become a member of the new community of mission service.  At the moment I am (rather slowly!) making my way through the 40 days of Bible reading and prayer and reflection before signing up to be a part of this exciting new movement.  It is something well-worth exploring giving a world-wide perspective on our discipleship and following of Jesus Christ.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES – it looks like we will have 4 candidates for the Confirmation on Wednesday 5 May at St Andrew’s church at 7.30pm.  Please come along and support them as Bishop Lee leads this service.

MORE!  -  I am delighted that Mike & Sarah Watkins are going to lead this starting on the 21st April 2010 from 7.45-9.30pm in St Paul’s church hall.
Do you feel there must be more to life than this?
Do you want to live the life Jesus calls us to?
Do you want to experience the adventure that following Jesus really is?
Do you want MORE?!
A fortnightly evening of worship, teaching and discussion as we look at Mark’s gospel together.

A GOOD READ – I can highly recommend JOHN STOTT’s book THE LIVING CHURCH as well-worth buying and reading.  He wrote it a couple of years ago and it is his definitive word on the Church.  It is very readable and covers areas like Worship, Evangelism, Fellowship, Preaching & Ministry as Stott looks at the Christian community and what it means for us to be Church.  It is biblical, logical and thoughtful.  Do read it!

ELECTION HUSTINGS – as I write this the General Election has not yet been called (but electioneering is already well underway!)  As in previous years, the local Christian community are hosting an opportunity to meet the candidates and quiz them.  This is pencilled in for Tuesday 20 April at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s church.  All are welcome!

SAMUEL’S WEDDING – as you probably know, our son Samuel will be getting married on Saturday 10 April to Becky Simpson in Oswestry.  Please keep them in your prayers as they start on this great adventure together.  They are a lovely couple who met at university and they will be setting up home in York where Samuel is working in hospital management and Becky for the minister at St Michael-le-Belfry church.

THEMES & READINGS – will be as follows at the morning services during April.  In THE FIRST CHRISTIAN WITNESSES we are looking at passages in Acts that refer to the events of Easter and trying to understand what it is really all about.

• April 4 – Easter Day – Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-9
• April 11 – ‘God raised Jesus’ – Acts 5:17-32, John 20:19-23
• April 18 – ‘Who are you Lord?’ – Acts 9:1-20, John 20:24-31
• April 25 – Many believe in Jesus – Acts 9:36-43, John 10:22-30

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS – at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Pauls – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are continuing a series called on ISRAEL’S LEADERS (FROM MOSES TO SAUL).

• April 7/8 – Easter – Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-9
• April 14/15 – Abimelech, a murderer – Judges 9:1-6, John 20:19-31
• April 21/22 – Jephthah, a mighty warrior – Judges 11:1-11, John 10:22-30
• April 28/29 – Ibzan, Elon & Abdon – Judges 12:8-15, John 13:31-35

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – seems to me to be a prayer that we might each (and as a church community) be conveyers of God’s Truth & Grace.  Why not use it in your own quiet time?

Loving God,
Make my life a sign of your engaging love.
May my heart be penitent,
My actions generous,
My words sensitive.
Fill me with the longing to share with others
The good news I have received;
Anoint my life with your Spirit that
Jesus may be formed in me:
His tongue to speak in me,
His hands to work in me,
His heart to beat in me.
So through all I do, and all I am,
With all the people you have called me to witness to,
May Jesus be known
And his kingdom established.
Amen.

Simon Tyndall