Sunday 23 November 2014

Today John preached on the faith of Moses, continuing in Hebrews 11. The point that really struck me was that the Lord equips us and prepares us through our circumstances for the work He wants us to do. Actually I have been meditating this all through the week so it was good to have it confirmed in church!

This past week we have had news of both life and death. On Thursday Audrey went Home to be with her Lord. We can only be happy for her and yet our thoughts and prayers are with Bert. We pray he will come to know the Saviour as he reflects on this crossing over.

We rejoice with Joe and Gemma on the birth of their baby son, Joel Azariah. Congratulations to you all. :)

We have decided to go ahead with our centenary carol service on 21st December at 4 pm. Do please spread the word particularly in the surrounding villages. Leaflets are to be printed and the organ is about to emerge from the dust!

Monday 17 November 2014

We were the fewest ever this morning but numbers aren't everything! John preached from Hebrews 11 with our little church at the forefront of our minds.

By faith Noah. There had not even been any rain before but Noah still acted in faith. He did as he was told and ventured into the unknown.

By faith Abraham. He took the son of promise and was ready even to kill him. He too acted in obedience.

By faith Moses. And the faithful mother, who believed she had borne a deliverer of her people, placed that special babe into the river of death and left him there.

We are not sure what God has planned for the church in Upper Combe. If anything. But at the moment we just have to go along in faith and seek His Guidance. Lee closed in prayer so beautifully at the end of the service.

We talked through the possibilities of holding a centenary carol service on December 21st at 4pm. This just needs to be finalised now and some invites printed.

Sunday 9 November 2014

Not many of us today but a lovely morning service on Remembrance Sunday. John preached on the baby Moses and what a delight it was to have Luke and Laurie in church with their very special baby daughter. Exodus 2 (as well as Hebrews 11 and Acts 7) tells us Moses was a beautiful baby, the very words I used to describe little Millie after the service! John stressed the faith of the mother, leaving her precious babe in the place of death, inside an ark which was covered with tar, a symbol of sin. He reminded us of how her thoughts maybe turned to another previous story where the occupants were kept safe in an ark.

It was a lovely happy atmosphere, we sang our third song acapella and it went amazingly well, and everyone enjoyed homemade chocolate brownies and coffee after the service!

Sunday 2 November 2014

There were 15 of us this morning and John lifted our thoughts to heaven in his message. He preached on the last two verses of Psalm 17. Citizenship, certainty, salvation and satisfaction. It is always good to be reminded that this world is not our home; we are pilgrims and strangers here. And that our loved ones who have gone on before have seen the Lord's Face and are in His Presence, safe for all eternity. As I write this the sun is shining straight through the trees in Tiddleywink in dazzling splendour. What will it be like to at last see His Face?
"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness."

It was particularly encouraging to talk with Christine this morning as she has managed to find our facebook page, and enjoyed looking at the pictures. You can try the link here:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Combe-Congregational-Church/1512271682354593?fref=photo

Gemma, we are thinking of you lots with the baby due this week!