A MATTER OF GIVE AND TAKE
The gospel is both offer and demand. The much loved parable of the prodigal son expresses well how God accepts us quite apart from our deserving. But it doesn't convey the whole gospel. One of the saddest verses in the New Testament tells how Jesus' followers turned back because his teaching was too hard. As the Church here declines numerically, the temptation to stress the offer of the gospel and to sidestep its demand is overwhelming.
The excellent training course entitled 'Come As You Are' illustrates this. Such a title is more appealing than say, 'Take up your cross.' At baptismal services the question 'Do you turn away from evil?' is sometimes not put. We demur from introducing a seemingly discordant note. Again, the order of service for Holy Communion used to ask communicants to diligently examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink of the cup. The current services omit this. Although not in the rubric, we often say all who love the Lord are welcome, even if, as on Christmas Eve, you are the worse for drink.
People are not deceived by this any more than they are by politicians who promise better schools, improved hospitals and more police on the street, without saying how they are going to achieve it all. Young people especially, who are concerned about the environment and support campaigns such as ‘Make Poverty History' may well see the Church as irrelevant. We need to get real. Like Paul at Miletus, we must be able to say 'I have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God’ It is imperative that we do.
Read Luke 15 vv. 11-32; John 6 vv.60 & 66; Luke 9 v.23;
I Corinthians 11 v. 28; Acts 20v.27 Keith Horton
/ Am Young Enough . . .
Author Unknown
"I am young enough to have joys and sorrows, deep longings and high dreams, and many, many problems, and old enough to know there is a cause for every joy, a cure for every sorrow, a solution to every problem and a fulfilment for every aspiration.
"I am young enough to desire success, and old enough to know that true wealth consists not in abundance of things one possesses.
i
"I am young enough to covet fame and old enough to now that better than fame is the joy of spending oneself in sell-forgetful, loving service.
“I am young enough to enjoy a good time, and old enough to know that one cannot have a good time if pleasure-seeking is put first in life.
"I am young enough to be intensely enthusiastic about people and things and old enough not to let any enthusiasm run away from me.
"/ am young enough to see far and wide for truth and old enough to know that I most often find it in being faithful to the task in hand.
"I am young enough to make many mistakes, and old enough to learn the lesson, forget the experience, and pass on to better things.
"I am young enough to dread sorrow, pain, and misfortune, and old enough to be grateful for their chastening, mellowing influence.
“I am young enough to long for happiness, and old enough to know that it tarries longest with us when we seek it least.
"/ am young enough to crave true friends, and old enough to appreciate them when I find them.
"I am young enough to believe in the goodness of the human heart, and old enough to keep that faith regardless of some disillusionments.
"I am young enough to know love, and old enough to realize it is the most priceless possession of life.
"I am young enough to have simple faith in God, in His goodness, in His loving care over me, in His wise and beautiful plan for my life, and old enough to value this faith as the thing that gives life purpose and makes it well worth living."
THE S.H.C.T SPONSORED CYCLE RIDE
This will take place on Saturday 13th September. Half the money we raise comes back to St. John's and half helps to maintain Suffolk Historic Churches. Please consider if you can cycle or walk, or help man our church on the day.
Further information from John & Jane Sainsbury
LIBRARY NEWS
For those of you who use the library, there have been a few changes. All the books have been set out in categories with a coloured star on the spine. The Christian Life is silver. History-white. Biography -blue. Prayer and Meditation-red. Jesus-gold, and Bibles land Concordance-green. When you bring your books back would you please leave them on the bottom shelf, then I will eventually put them into their correct places, also please continue to use the signing in and out book in the usual way making sure of the spine number and the dates.
There are some very good books on the shelves that are very readable if you are searching. Are you interested in Biographies, perhaps History or the Christian Life?
The library would gratefully receive any books that you have which are nearly new, and are no longer required.
Thankyou Brenda. BJ,
A Message from Greenpeace...
A dirty business that must be stopped!
Huge swathes of Indonesia's rainforests are being destroyed, rare species like the orang-utan are being driven towards extinction, and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on these forests are under threat,
And for what? To grow palm oil to make products like soap. Indonesia's rainforests are being destroyed faster than any other on earth and the expansion of the palm oil industry is now the leading cause of this destruction - to make way for it's plantations.
Not only is Indonesia losing its rainforests, the consequences for our climate is devastating. As the rainforests are destroyed, millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases are being emitted into the atmosphere, fuelling climate change.
Yet the power to stop deforestation is in the hands of the big palm oil buyers - companies like Proctor & Gamble, Nestle and Unilever, the most influential of them all. They know rainforest clearance for palm oil is dirty business, but urgent action is required to clean it up.
That's why Greenpeace is taking action now. We need to build a coalition within the palm oil industry to support a moratorium on rainforest destruction for palm oil in Indonesia. We really hope to achieve this in months not years.All this costs money and we do need your help.
CONGRATULATIONS. MR CREASY!
At the Suffolk Show in May, Jack Creasy received a long service award to mark his 70lh anniversary of farming in Stanningfield. Although retired, he still works part time at harvest. Incredibly knowledgeable about the land, he is said to be as adept using farm machinery as a person half his age. "He's a brilliant bloke" states a neighbour. Not only Bradfield Methodists but those in the Circuit who also know him, would agree. We all send him our very best wishes for the future.
Peter Rix
"Thank you"
1 would like to thank St Johns for the lovely flowers which were sent to me. They cheered me up so much, while I am busy nursing my knee after my operation. All is going well!
.
Joy Dodman
WHAT FAITH DOES
Some people think that if you have enough faith life will be plain sailing for you, But this is not so. The fact that we can swim doesn't prevent us being knocked about by the waves. In the same way faith doesn't shield us from the hard knocks of life or death. What, then, does faith do? It gives us bearings and thus enables us to live in a topsy-turvy world without getting lost or giving in to despair. Just as swimmers trust that if they don't panic, and if they do a few simple things, then the power of the sea will uphold them, so believers entrust their lives to a power greater than themselves, a power greater than us all. This is the power of God, who brought his Son, Jesus, back from the dead.
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP
Since our last report Keith Horton kindly gave us his time as our speaker. Keith spoke about the birds of the Bible. I am always surprised by the number of subjects that can be found in the Bible. It is a source of never ending information as one reads it, as well, of course, of the spiritual teaching.
Then May Bailey came along with her friends and gave us a delightful afternoon of music and song.
On 3rd June, Valerie Ford, from the Baptist Church, gave us a lovely talk about a holiday she spent in Ireland a few years ago. Valerie said how beautifully quiet and peaceful it was where they were staying and how the 23rd Psalm kept coming to mind. Valerie took several photos and on looking at them on returning home it was evident how they represented 23rd Psalm. These were framed in verse order of the psalm by a very good artist friend. Valerie brought the picture for us all to see. It is greatly treasured by Valerie, especially as her friend died soon afterwards.
On 10th June our A.G.M, was kindly chaired by Nita Stanford. Our membership is now 21, we having lost four members this year. It was decided to donate £200 to our Church, as usual, and then £40 to the Stour Valley Centre.
The A.G.M. was the last meeting until we begin again in September. It was on this day that we received the sad news that our dear member, Dolly Bird, had just died. Dolly had been ill for some time and had suffered much pain and although we miss her from the Fellowship we know that she is now free from her suffering. We thank God for the number of years she was a faithful member with us.
An outing to Felixstowe on 17lh June and a visit to Finchingfield for a cream tea on 5lh August has been arranged.
Mavis Townsend
OPEN AFTERNOON AT BRADFIELD CHURCH
Our various refurbishments over the last year or so have included the rebuilding of an outside wall of the schoolroom and the refitting of the kitchen. We all felt that the Lord had not guided us through the many pitfalls purely for our own enjoyment and so we decided at a meeting to hold an 'Open Day'. This eventually became an 'Open Afternoon' when we would invite all the people of Stanningfield and Bradfield Combust. We set ourselves quite a large task in deciding to set up an exhibition on the history of the chapel, the schoolroom and the attached buildings. On the tables running the whole length of the schoolroom we had a good selection of hymn books dating back to 1899, several service books from 1902 to the 1970s and a vast selection of Bibles - the oldest of which was presented to the Primitive Chapel in 1863. In addition we had two very old books describing the 'Life of Christ (one of which was from the 1700s), accounts going back to the 1870s and pulpit notes from the 1920s. We also displayed the Baptism and Marriage Registers. On another table we had a beautiful bust of John Wesley, his framed picture, lovely polished copper urns and several other artefacts. All these together with three boards full of photographs made an interesting show.
During the afternoon between fifty and sixty people came, some of whom were from other Churches. They were given a leaflet prepared for the occasion, telling the history of the buildings with a page devoted to what the Church does today. Most of the congregation were there befriending the guests and encouraging them to find our more about the Christian Faith. A huge selection of cakes and goodies had been had been provided by our very able group of ladies
We enjoyed our 'Open Afternoon' and we hope our guests enjoyed it too We are soon to have a party of children from Hardwick Middle School in Bury to see our Church and exhibition We pray that the seed we sow will fall on good ground.
Norman Langridge
The Girl That I Used To Be
Author Unknown
She came tonight as I sat alone.
The girl that I used to be.
She gazed at me with her earnest eyes
And questioned me reproachfully.
"Hare you forgotten the many plans.
The hopes that were held for you:
The great career, the splendid fame.
And the wonderful things to do?"
"Where is your mansion of stately height.
Wjth its gardens surpassing fair?
The silken robe that was planned for you
And jewels for your hair?"
And as she talked I was very sad
For I wanted her pleased with me.
This slender girl from the shadowy past.
The girl that I used to be.
Then gently arising I took her hand
And guided her up the stair
Where peacefully sleeping my babies lay, -
Innocent, sweet and fair.
I told her that they were my only gems.
And precious they are to me:
That my silken robe is motherhood
Of happy simplicity.
That my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day within sheltering walls
The dear ones who need me so.
And as I spoke to my shadowy guest.
She smiled through her tears at me . .
For I saw that the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl that I used to be.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD.
CHRISTMAS SHOE BOXES 2008
There are two ways that you can become part of this venture.
1) Fill a shoe box yourself
2) Donate individual articles from the list provided,
so that shoe-boxes can be filled from these
gifts.
A basket for the gifts and a list of ideas will be in the church by the exit door to the link.
If you have any enquiries or would like knitting patterns for gloves, scarves, puppets etc. please see me.
There will be news in the September Herald giving more information and dates for collections.
If everyone in the church could have a small part in this great venture, many children will be very grateful
Thankyou
Daphne Harris
Do You Believe in Angels
One verse of the hymn "Now the day is over" says "Grant to little children visions bright of Thee", I can remember someone saying "When I sing that line, I picture my wee son asleep in his cot with a smile on his face. I think he is dreaming of his guardian angel".
My concordance says that angels are Messengers of God whose task is to do God's service in Heaven, or to aid and succour men on earth. They are not all in shining robes with out-stretched wings. There are many stories where someone has received help from an unknown person and later discovered that just at that very same time, they were being prayed for. They are sure God had sent an angel in answer to that prayer.
The Bible gives us many instances of God sending His angels with messages. In Matt.ch.28, an angel spoke to the women at the empty tomb. In Acts ch.10, God sent an angel to Cornelius telling him to find Simon Peter.
God says His Angels have charge over us: but do we miss them? They are the folk who come to our aid when we most need them. They are the people who give us a cheery smile and a word of greeting when we are depressed. They are God's helpers on earth. Do we always recognise them? In Hebrews ch, 13, it says "There are some who have welcomed angels without knowing them". Do we come into this category?
Let us thank God for angels. Not just the ones we read about in the Bible, but the ones that God sends when we most need them. By the way - do you qualify?
Margaret Taylor
Glemsford News
Our Garden Fete this year will be held on Saturday 16th August in the Church garden. Beautiful weather has been ordered.
We now have lovely red chairs in the church. Please come and see. The chairs were from Woolpit which sadly has closed. We are most grateful to the friends there for donating them to us. Daphne Jay
RETIREMENT!
The Lighter Side
Working people frequently ask retired people what do they do to make their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day my wife and I went into a shop. We were only in there for about 5 minutes. When we came out, there was a Traffic Warden writing out a parking ticket. We went up to him and said 'Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?' He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him a bully. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tyres. So my wife called him a nerd. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windscreen with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes, The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote. Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus.
We try to have a little fun each day now that we are retired. It's important at our age
Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, 'Was I getting in or out of the bath?' The 94-year-old yells back, 'I don't know. I'll come up and see.' She starts up the stairs and pauses 'Was I going up the stairs or down?' The 92-year-old
is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, 'I sure hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood.' She then yells, I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door.'
True extracts from insurance claim forms
A- I started to slow down but the traffic was more stationary than I thought.
A- I pulled into a lay-by with smoke coming from under the bonnet. I realized the car was on fire so I took my dog and smothered it with a blanket
Q; Could either driver have done anything to avoid the accident?
A: Travelled by bus?
A Norwich union customer collided with a cow. The questions and answers on the claim form were:
Q- What warning was given by you?
A- Horn
Q- What warning was given by the other party?
A- Moo
A- I started to turn and it was at this' point I noticed a camel and an elephant tethered at the verge. This distraction caused me to lose concentration, and hit a bollard.
A- On approach to the traffic lights the car in front suddenly broke,
A- I didn't think the speed limit applied after midnight,
A- I knew the dog was possessive about the car but I would not have asked her to drive it if I had thought there was any risk
A- I collided with a stationary truck coming the other way
A- A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
A- The guy was all over the road, I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
A- In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole,
A- I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection a hedge sprang up obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car.
A- I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident
A- To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front I struck the pedestrian
A- My car was legally parked as it struck the other vehicle,
Q-.Do you engage in motorcycling, hunting or any other pastimes of a hazardous nature?
A-I watch the lottery show and listen to Terry Wogan *
A- coming home, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I don't have.
A- An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished.
A- I am sure the old fellow would never make It to the other side of the road when I struck him.
A- The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intention.
A- I thought my window was down, but I found out it wasn't when I put my head through it.
An advertisement in the Church Times
Diocese of Ely
50% PRIEST IN CHARGE
Presumably only half-wits need apply.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1. Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2. Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get .
3. When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4. You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5. It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions
6. Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7. Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.
|
THE CHORISTER'S CONFESSION |
ALMIGHTY AND MOST MERCIFUL CONDUCTOR, WE HAVE ERRED AND STRAYED FROM
THY BEAT LIKE LOST SHEEP;
WE HAVE FOLLOWED TOO MUCH THE
INTONATIONS AND TEMPO OF OUR OWN HEARTS;
WE HAVE LEFT UNSUNG THOSE NOTES WHICH WE
OUGHT TO HAVE SUNG; AND HAVE SUNG THOSE NOTES WHICH WE OUGHT
NOT TO HAVE SUNG;
AND THERE IS NO MELODY IN US.
BUT THOU, O MAESTRO, HAVE MERCY UPON US
MISERABLE SINGERS;
SUCCOUR THE CHORALLY CHALLENGED;
SPARE THOU THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT PENCIL;
RESTORE THOU THEM THAT NEED EXTRA
NOTE BASHING;
PARDON OUR MISTAKES,
AND HAVE FAITH THAT HEREAFTER,
WE LIVE A GODLY, RIGHTEOUS
AND SOMETIMES SOBER LIFE,
AND WILL FOLLOW THY DIRECTION AND SING
TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY,
TO THE GLORY OF THY HOLY NAME.
AMEN
