Focus
Tottenham Baptist Church Magazine
April/May 2005
Dear
Friend,
Last month
when I wrote to you, we anticipated that the building work would commence some
time after Easter, but I am writing two weeks before Easter and the building
work is well under way. We now have
some very important decisions to make as we face the future.
There are
three parts to our moving forward, and each has to be balanced against the
other. There is the question “How
should we expand the use of our premises?”
Then we need to consider staffing, and in particular the calling of a
minister. Thirdly, we need to weigh the
income we have without a minister, against the cost we will incur when we call
such a person.
We know
that the premises will continue to be used by the Brigades, but what else
should the church be doing to serve the fellowship and the community? Should we have a luncheon club, or a
morning prayer meeting followed by lunch?
Should we have a monthly men’s breakfast on a Saturday morning? There are many possibilities. But we are confronted by the need for
volunteers to do the work, and the need for those who would take on the
responsibility of leadership, booking halls, opening and closing the premises,
etc.
Can we
afford to wait until the buildings are paid for before we call a minister? On the other hand, can we afford not to wait? These are all questions of balance.
Although
there are many practical difficulties, I believe that the most important factor
is having “vision”. The mark of the age
of the Spirit is that “Young men will see visions and old men will dream
dreams.” The whole church needs to
think not only of the great past, or the hard work of the present, but also be
looking to the future. I would like to
hear people saying, “Do you think it would be possible to……..?” The spirit of the age ought to be one of expectation. I do not know what the future for
Tottenham Baptist Church will hold, but I am looking forward to it with eager
anticipation.
In
Christian love,
Roger
Collins
February
and March may at first glance have appeared as sad months, as we have had to
say good-bye and until we meet again to valued members who are moving on. Yet we are taught in the Bible: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give
thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Indeed, we can celebrate and give thanks for
the service and the fellowship we have received from those who are leaving, and
we can rejoice that they will be a blessing to Christians elsewhere. First, we
bade farewell and Godspeed to long-time supporters of our church, Mr Verley
Hughes and wife Ruby, as they settle in Jamaica. We look forward, the Lord willing, to be
graced by your visits soon… Please do
continue with your prayers for our church, as they have surely helped in untold
ways and are much appreciated – praise be to God. We shall do the same for you and yours! Next, Mrs Shirley Peart settled in Jamaica as well and
likewise after many years with us. The
church will miss you and indeed pray that the Lord will build you up and bless
you at all times. A memorial was held
on March 10th for the late Miss Pauline Peart, which
helped to deal with these times tinged with sadness.
For
the many years that you have been helping us as an usher, Mr George Wheeler,
our congregation can be so grateful!
And for the hours upon hours practicing with Verley and Shirley in the
choir, and supporting the rest of the singers, we can be thankful to you
all. So it is our loss but another
church’s gain as we bid farewell to you too and as you retire in sunny Jamaica
also. Many had been looking forward to
having George hopefully arrange a talent night of children and of adults
singing – a useful vision, which the Lord has sparked in him and now us to
bring out more ministries in many of us… We’ll have to pray and act so that
someone will fill the gaps your departure leaves, George, and hope to see you
again soon!
Many
will be sorry to hear that Jaap and Louise van der Weerd and son Martijn
will be returning in April to The Netherlands…
Jaap and Louise have helped us so much with the music group and leading
the choir! Louise had also helped with
plans for the building works, including researching and preparing submissions
for grants, and by being our Churches for All contact. Thank you so much for all your work and your
fellowship! We will need volunteers to
take up directing the music group and the choir, so let us be prepared to lift
our hands up to volunteer for this if we can!
We
are being blessed by the arrival of Mrs Edith Nbubisi, a woman of faith
who was part of the prayer group and choir in her church in Nigeria. She has
been eager to find a good place to worship in, and has found that Tottenham
Baptist is the church to join, having recently moved here from South London. We celebrate with you, Mrs Nbubisi, and we
thank the Lord for you!
Let’s
pray for a successful recovery of Mrs Samuels, who has been poorly
lately; for Mr Melvin Priam, Miss
Vi Maddison and the doctors and staff involved with their eye operations
due in late March and early April, respectively; and for the Lord’s healing and support for the ongoing conditions
of others in our congregation, including Mrs Grace Tyzack, Mrs Kathleen
Hatchett, Mr Junior Deane and Mr Steve Cook. We will also want to have Jesus’ presence
and direction being sought daily for our shut-ins, including Mrs Ward
and Miss Olive Persson. Let’s
lift and support our Pastoral Care Team in prayer, as they have been trying to
address these needs as well as the spiritual needs of the rest of our
congregation.
As
we seek to serve one another, many of us will want to help out on Saturdays to
“wash each other’s feet”, so to speak, by cleaning the pews of the dust
generated weekly during the building works.
Any of us able to swipe is urged to help out by bringing some spray
polish and spending some spare time between 9-11 am on whichever Saturdays we
can for the next few weeks. As we seek out how we can serve the Lord in our
daily lives, this effort will help us to fulfil God’s Word in our lives: “Each of you should look not only to your
own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philpns 2:4).
Funeral
service arrangements are being addressed by Mr Thornton Reid, leader of
our Pastoral Care Team, during our current pastoral vacancy. Anyone who would wish to arrange a service
for a loved one may contact Mr Reid on the telephone number below, or meet him
at our Sunday Services. You may also
want to keep or pass on a card, available in the lobby, introducing these
arrangements.
Your
prayers would be appreciated for our Boys Brigades Company, which has had some
challenges with the conduct of some of the children. Please remember the officers and helpers as they suffer to do
Jesus’ command: “Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these” (Luke 18:16).
Our
Pastoral Care Team is available to help and any member of the Team would be
glad to know of anyone in the fellowship who needs a visit or prayer or
spiritual encouragement. They are:
Thornton
& Leola Reid
George
Wheeler
Grace
Tyzack
Joseph
‘Kobe’ Appiah Danquah
Clare
Lee
Margaret
McGlynn
Gloria
Bipta
”
”
”
”
”
”
”
”
|
Sunday Preachers |
|
|
3rd April – am & pm: Rev Roger Collins |
1st May – am:
Mr Kilby |
|
10h April – Rev Roger Collins |
pm:
Rev Roger Collins |
|
17th April – Mr Peter George |
8th May – Rev Roger Collins |
|
24th April – Mr J Field |
15th May – Pentecost |
|
|
22nd May – Sunday School Anniversary |
|
|
29th May – Mrs Varnia Baptiste |
This
magazine is your magazine! Help shape
TBC whichever way the Lord leads you. Pass
on any articles, prayers, poems, or news about new arrivals, graduations,
anniversaries, and submit pictures also if you wish!
Jose
Jurado Aranda. E-mail: tbceditor@hotmail.com
Calendar
Editor: Kath Hatchett
Printer: Les Paskell
Webmaster:
Jim McGlynn
You can also read Focus
online at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/jamesimac.mcglynn/tbc.htm
Witness Walk
in Tottenham – 25th March
As
a testimony to how significant Jesus is in our lives, many Christians from the
area of numerous denominations will be commemorating the Lord’s painful walk
following a scourging for them on Good Friday, and for all those who would
believe in Him, before His crucifixion.
The Good Friday Walk of Witness
begins at 9 am from St Ignatius Church, off St Ann’s Road, and it will head up
the High Road to our church for a united Good Friday Service. As prompted by Sean Davis, Secretary of the
organisers, Christians Together in Tottenham, “Let us continue to pray for one
another, our community and Haringey, our leaders and good weather.”
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Good Friday
Joint Service & Holy Communion
Hopefully
we have all had the opportunity to worship the Creator of Heaven and Earth
together with Christians from other churches!…
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is
like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down
on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.” (Psalm 133:1-2). It’s a joy as we each worship Him in his or
her own way, after most arrive at our church at 11 am from the Walk of Witness
for this Joint Service.
The Tottenham Baptist Church
Choir, the Chapel Pebbles – our children’s music group – and our music group
will be helping to minister as we thank Jesus for His selflessness in offering
Himself with ultimate suffering for our sakes on this day.
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Easter Sunday
Service – 27th March
As
on any other day, we can celebrate on Easter Morning with the angels in the
Book of Revelation: ““Worthy is the
Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and
honour and glory and praise!” (Rev
5:12). Remember to set your clocks
forward an hour the night before for British Summer Time!
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Building our
Youth Work – Prayer Meetings
We
can be grateful that these intercessory meetings are now a monthly event. Anyone can join in these meetings, which
start at 10:15am on certain Sundays – stay posted for dates – to pray for the
Lord’s Will to be done in the lives of our children and youth, and for His
Guidance and Workmanship to be done in our Sunday School, Brigades and other
youth work.
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Girls Brigade Weekend Camp
Girls Brigades are lucky to have
fun, games and other activities all wrapped up for a weekend get-away on 20th-22nd
May at Gilwell Park, Chingford. Our
Company will be joined by 1st Enfield and 1st Ponders
End Companies, and if any other girls want to find out how they could become a
Girl Brigade to join them too, just see Captain Belinda Plunkett or one of
their Officers after our Sunday Services…
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Celebrating the Blessings of the Holy
Spirit
Even as we mark 15th
May this year as the day that the Holy Spirit came down on Pentecost to
"convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment"
(John 16:8), we can ask the Holy Spirit to fill us daily, again and again. Indeed, we can be grateful that Jesus’
promise is being fulfilled among believers:
“…the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you."
(John 14:26).
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Church Meeting
– Tuesday 17th May at 8 pm
As we get overhauled facilities
and improved access for disabled people, we need to consider how we can best
make use of the gifts God has given us “to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12). How can we get every Christian in our
church, from the youngest to the eldest, to bear fruit in keeping with
repentance (Mat 3:8)? All of us who are church members are urged to come together
to discuss these issues, organise dates in the calendar and plenty more!
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Sunday School Anniversary
On 22nd May, the
Sunday School will be leading the service and providing drama to mark the
founding of their (and our!) School 174 years ago, and the Youth Groups will join
in song. Come and celebrate that we can
say to the Lord that “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path” (Psalm 119:105) as we learn from Him either in Sunday School or beyond.
Refurbishing
the School Hall, Rooms, etc
At long last our building
work started on February 21st 2005. Already, big changes can be seen
and those who haven’t
seen the building for some time wouldn’t recognise the place! From the
entrance in the ‘old
kitchen’, to the double door main entrance in the hall, you would need a
map to find your way
around.
Our Building Committee has
worked hard on this project and it is good to see how the plans are working out
but there is still a long way to go.
Thank-you
to those members and friends who gave their time and energy on two Saturdays to
clear out rubbish that had pilled up over the years, and also to those who are
cleaning the church on Saturdays while there is so much dust about from the
building work.
Of course, the
main problem is still to meet the cost and we shall be in debt for some time so
any gifts for this work will be much appreciated, and a big thank-you to those
who have given to our Building Fund over the last month.
The cost of this
project will be around £135,000 so you can see our need.
Les
Paskell
The Lord Working Through May
How can the Lord work through
simple people? Isn’t it amazing that He uses people who are 74 to bless the
community raising funds for hospital equipment like the infusion pump pictured
in the foreground to assist in the relief of pain of sickle cell sufferers,
through a concert of beautiful music celebrating Him?
We can be grateful for the work that the Lord is doing
through Mrs May Richards, as she has raised £1,500 at her fourth
Broadwater Farm Family Gospel Festival last September. For her efforts, the local newspaper, The
Wood Green & Tottenham Journal, published an article, “Magnificent May’s
Boost for Sick Kids”, with her pictured (right) handing the cheque at the
Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Paediatric Unit of the North Middlesex
Hospital. Pictured also are Ward
Manager Caroline Hyatt, Paediatrician Dr Olu Wilkey and Haematologist
Dr Anne Yardumian.
“I don’t just want to sit in my
armchair at home turning into a cabbage!
God has been with me all through my life and I thought there was still
time to do something for others,” says May in the article.
In
total, May has raised £6,000 for the cause.
Thanks, May, for all that you do!
May we run the race with you in the Spirit and let the Lord deliver as
much love to the community through us as you do!
Going
for Gold – Duke of Edinburgh Award
Wednesday, 23rd
of February was a very special day for Vanessa Lee and her family. After a year of taking part in various
activities, two of these being mountain climbing and working as a team in
sailing the English Channel to France, over one hundred young people gathered
at St James’s Palace to meet the Duke of Edinburgh and receive their well
earned award.
If
any youngsters aged 14-25 wish to take the challenge, they can certainly do so.
Clare
Lee
For
further information, contact the London Award Office, Tel: 020 7928 8004
or visit www.theaward.org/london – Ed.
|
Please remember that your assistance would be
appreciated as you come and help those who Just
show up any Saturday between 9-11 am while the works are ongoing in April and
May. Ladies and gentlemen, please bring spray polish if you can, but don’t let
that stop you from coming… Thank you
for your help! |
Losing a Loved One
I pray to God night and day to
take control of things or, better still, take 
control
of me.
God has been more
than good to me. If it weren’t for Him,
I would have fallen apart. Sometimes,
we look at the outward appearance, thinking that this person is coping, but
some of us are still sad and heartbroken.
As
a little girl, I remembered my mother giving me the meal to take to my
grandfather. I always looked forward to
it. I would clean his house and tidy
up. He had nothing to give me, but he
loved me very much. He told me to
always read Psalm 27, and I never stop reading it.
I’ve been blessed
with my family and friends, who have shared my sorrows.
C.M. Parks said, “Grief
is the price we pay for love.” The only
ones who escape it are those who have never loved.
Mrs Gloria Bipta
|
Praying
Hands There are hands that help and comfort, Hands that plan and teach Hands that rest and hands that strive For a goal just out of reach… Hands that grasp and hands that give Hands that work and play Friendly hands and loving hands
But
praying hands are dearest
In the sight of God above For in
their sweet and earnest clasp Are reverence and love… No hands can do an unkind act Nor cause another’s care Nor sin against Our Father's love When they are clasped in prayer. Jean
Kyler McManus Submitted
by Kathleen Hatchett
|
~ Great Truths About Life That Little Children Have Learned ~
u
No matter
how hard you try, you can't baptise cats.
u
Never ask
your three-year old brother to hold a tomato.
u
You can't
trust dogs to watch your food.
u
Don't
sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
u
Puppies
still have bad breath even after eating a tic tac.
u
Never hold
a dustbuster and a cat at the same time.
u
School
lunches stick to the wall.
u
You can't
hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
From inchrist.ca
Bible
Society News
Motorcyclist’s
Manual for Life Success
The Christian
Motorcyclist’s Association and Bible Society have printed a further 4,000
copies of the popular Manual for Life following
its success. The New Testament, designed specifically for motorcyclists, was
first produced by Bible Society in 1997 on behalf of the CMA and was jointly
funded. The 5,000 copies originally printed have all been distributed.
The Manual for Life includes many powerful testimonies, as well
as a ‘Lifeline’ section giving advice about where to find help in the Bible on
a range of subjects, including loneliness, depression and bereavement. The
translation used is the Contemporary English Version, chosen for it
accessibility and readability. The cover illustration was also specifically
designed for CMA, and depicts a wide variety of images from the biking
community.
Bible Society is
delighted to be reprinting this important publication, which has proved a vital
resource for the Christian Motorcyclist’s Association’s mission (http://www.bike.org.uk/cma). CMA
is an international organisation working to spread the Christian Gospel specifically,
but not exclusively, amongst the motorcyclists’ community.
The new edition
includes powerful testimonies from members of the CMA. 
One of these is
the story of Larry, who began “taking drugs like sweets” at the age of just
nine years old. The story continues, “At 22 years old the homeless rebel had
become a dealer and he moved into the criminal underworld”. Today Larry’s life
has been completely transformed through his Christian faith. Instead of living
day to day, feeding a drug habit, he “penetrates the hardened provinces of
London with the gospel, frequenting the busy biker haunts to touch the often
blighted, perilous lives that once resembled his own.”
The
Word Being Shipped to Detention Centres
"Most of the
people are on their way back to their country.
There’s an opportunity within these walls to sow something positive in
their lives." Erik Lundberg, Senior Chaplain at Tinsley House Detention
Centre near Gatwick, is talking about asylum seekers who had been detained. He
continued, "A few of them will be genuinely fearful if they are going back
to a hostile regime. Most people are angry, frustrated and bitter."
Fleeing
persecution, torture, war and death – this is the reality for some of the
thousands of asylum seekers who arrive in Britain hoping for sanctuary. They
are so desperate they will take any risks to get here – even face death as they
cling dangerously to trains, squeeze in lorry containers or brave rough seas in
dinghies as they cross the Channel.
When Jesus grew up
and began his work, those who were excluded from society were important in his
ministry. Bible Society wants to follow Jesus’ example or compassion and love
for all and wants all people to be able to hear the voice of the Bible for
themselves. That’s why they are supplying Bibles to asylum seekers in detention
centres around England…
Bible Society
visited Tinsley House and Erik explained that over 5,000 people pass through
the Centre each year and 1,500 take part in chapel activities. Many come from
spiritual backgrounds so religious life is flourishing, with up to seven chapel
services a day. With the population always moving, someone may re-commit their
life on Sunday, be given a Bible, and be gone by Monday. "We respond to
demand for Bibles and they are thrilled," said Erik.
In the last few
years, demand for Bibles has outstripped supply and Bible Society is committed
to helping provide as many Scriptures as are needed. Philip Poole, Bible
Society’s Assistant Chief Executive, says, "It was a privilege to be shown
round and discover the Christian activity there. And when we heard of the
desire for Bibles, we knew we had to respond. We hope to provide a Bible free
of charge to every person at the Centre who wants one."
Likely Last Port of Call at
Heathrow
James Catford,
Bible Society Chief Executive, recently visited Harmondsworth Detention Centre
at Heathrow and was thrilled to see the joy with which about a dozen African
Christians were worshipping God one Monday morning. Using drums and
tambourines, singing and dancing, they praised the Lord. Then they gave their
testimonies. All could be summarised very simply as "God is at work in our
lives."
The Hammondsworth
Centre houses up to 550 men, women and children at any one time. Opened in
September 2001 as part of the new generation of detention centres, external
security is comparable to a prison but detainees have relative freedom of
movement within the Centre at all times. Once they reach here though,
"it’s likely to be their last port of call before deportation." The Detention
Centre is made up of many nationalities so there are gatherings for other
faiths as well, 24-hour prayer rooms, and a team of four chaplains on site
along with visiting ministers for services.
Scriptures had
been requested from Bible Society, who supplied over 200 Bibles in English,
Tamil, French, Russian, Albanian, Romanian, Polish, Swahili, Yoruba, Arabic and
Gikuyu. Mr Catford relates: “On this
visit we took a box of Scriptures with us and when we brought them into the
service, there was a cheer and a rush as everyone wanted to receive a copy.”
“One of the men
from Uganda announced, ‘It’s really great that God is with us whatever we are
going through. Thank you for all the Bibles you are sending. The Bibles are
ambassadors of Christ and wherever we are moving, the Bibles are the first
items to be packed, so we are really grateful for that… Others also thanked us
for providing Bibles. All these people have gone through a great deal but one
after another they stood and movingly thanked God for his goodness, his
miracles in their lives.”
“The faith of
these people I met is a challenge to all of us. Please join us in prayer that
God will bring spiritual freedom to all asylum seekers.”
Seeking the Answers – Part IV
Sporting words and phrases
Why is scoring three goals
called a “Hat Trick”?
This is cricket term from
the 1800's. When a player would take 3 wickets in three balls, it entitled the
bowler to receive a hat from his club commemorating the feat. By the early
1900's it was being used in other sports such as ice hockey, baseball, or
football.
Why do Americans say “I’ll
take a rain check”
when putting something off?
If you buy a ticket for a baseball game and the game is rained off, you
are given a ‘rain check’, which allows you to attend another game for
free. This is now used in any situation
where you want to put something off until later.
Southpaw
This term for a left-handed
person originated in the late 1800's. Baseball diamonds were arranged so that
the batters face the east to avoid looking into the afternoon sun. This meant
left handed pitchers were on the southern ("South") side.
"Paw" refers to their pitching hand.
Back
to square one
Meaning “back to the beginning”, this idiom was first heard on football
radio commentaries during games. Football isn't easy to commentate on, on the
radio, so they had the idea of splitting up the field into notional numbered
squares so that listeners could be told where the ball was. Whenever the game
restarted after a break it was 'back to square one'.
Mexican wave
The 'Mexican Wave', or as we know it today, just 'The Wave', is when
crowds at 
sporting events rise up and
down from their seats in a continuous pattern all around the stadium. Although 'The
Wave' was popular in the late 70's/early 80's with colleges, it became
internationally known during the 1986 Soccer World Cup, which was held in
Mexico.
Three strikes and you are
out
This phrase has its basis in baseball.
If a batter misses three balls, he is automatically out. This phrase was
used by US President Clinton as a slogan for his policy of long-term jail
sentences for three-time offenders, and has recently been put to similar use in
the U.K.
Why are the small weights
used in physical exercises
called ‘dumbbells’ or ‘barbells’?
The origin of this name
dates from the Middle Ages, when bells with their clangers removed (hence,
mute, or dumb, bells) were lifted in strength competitions.
Antone Matysek (1893-1963) designed shot-loadable dumbbells with holes
in the handles so that the 'bells would double as "plates" and could
be slid on to long bars to form barbells.
Allan Bennett
For really young
ones – Blessings from Heaven at Pentecost
Seven weeks after Jesus was
crucified at the Passover, the Jewish people would celebrate the Day of
Pentecost. Something marvellous
happened to the disciples then! Would you
get someone to read you the story? It’s
taken from the Bible, in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2. Listen carefully; there
will be a wordsearch puzzle after – you can colour the picture of the
disciples also!
When the
day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly
from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled
the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared
among them, and a tongue 
rested on each of them. All
of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages,
as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there
were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at
this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them
speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked,
"Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear,
each of us, in our own native language? …Residents of Judea… Asia… Egypt… Visitors
from Rome… Arabs —in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds
of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
"What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are
filled with new wine."
But Peter,
standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of
Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to
what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine
o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
"In the last days it will be, God 
declares, that I will pour
out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even
upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
Peter continues to quote
prophet Joel, saying that there would be “portents” which means a sign of
something important or of a calamity about to occur:
“And I will
show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and
fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to
blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Peter explained that people
in Jerusalem had Jesus put to death, but that God the Father raised Him up, and
then He sat at His right hand… Jesus
then poured the Holy Spirit on His disciples, and this is what was happening!…
Now when
the people in Jerusalem heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to
Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter
said to them, "Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all
who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he
testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save
yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his
message were baptised, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
They
devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs
were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all
things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute
the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time
together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad
and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.
And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Wind Holy Spirit Amazed Tongues God Heaven Jesus House Peter Joel Sound Language Repent Astonished Three thousand Generous Glad Pentecost Fire Filled Baptised Sneered
Here’s a jumbo-sized wordsearch! How many words will you find in the puzzle? They’re written
across or down! Never mind if you can’t find them all, but do try!
Finished?
You’ll find the words shaded out below!
You can do some abseiling, canoeing,
swimming or archery with your family and the Boys & Girls Brigades for the
Spring Break Holiday! It’s at a music
festival called Firm Foundations, organised by the 
Boys Brigades.
You don’t even have to be a Boys or Girls Brigade for this! It’s happening 27-30th May at
Felden 
Hall, the headquarters of the Boys Brigades, near
Hemel Hempstead… Check out ff.boys-brigade.org.uk,
phone the Boys Brigades Headquarters on 01442 231681 or telephone the Girls
Brigade Headquarters on 01235 510425 pressing option 4.
For 11 year olds
and up – Add your two pennies
"And
there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two pennies...."
"And
He (Jesus) called to Him His disciples, and says to them, 'Verily I say to you,
that this poor widow has cast more in, than all they which have cast into the
treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did
cast in all that she had, even all her living." (Mark 12:43-44 KJV)
So often I
catch myself thinking: "What do I have that is worthy to give to God? What
can I possibly contribute that will add souls to the kingdom? So many people
have more charisma, more speaking skills, more stage presence, and more smarts
than me; yet God wants to use me?"
The above
verse reminds me that it is not about how much or the appeal to men of 
what we have to offer God,
but the heart that is behind us when we offer what we do have. Jesus said that
the widow above gave more than all else, because she gave all she had.
Also, in
the story of Samuel searching for Israel's next king, we see that God rejected
all the sons of Jesse, despite all the stature, charm, or strength they seemed
to offer. Yet He chose the least and youngest, David, whose only skill was
being a dedicated shepherd boy. And He chose him because of the willing heart
that was behind that small and seemingly insignificant talent. And we know that
David went on to be the greatest king who ever ruled Israel, he was used by God
to judge His people, and even wrote the majority of the Book of Psalms.
What you
have to offer God may not seem like much to you, or may seem insignificant in
the eyes of man, but if you give all you have, you will be used in a big way.
It is the heart behind what you have to offer that matters, and your dedication
is enough to make Jesus Himself stop what He is doing and honour you.
By Matt Crawford
From www.tddm.org
Start your day off great with
some words from the Bible and encouragement from other young 
people. You can read devotions daily at www.eattheword.net to eat God’s
Word. Try some toast there today! The
Lord Jesus says, “I am the Living Bread that came down from Heaven” (John 6:51)
and 
“…the one who feeds on Me
will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your
forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live
forever” (John 6:57-58). When He says ‘manna’, Jesus is talking about the food
that people got in the desert a long time and, even though God gave it to them,
it wouldn’t make them live 
forever, like Jesus can…
The Bible also says “The Word
(meaning God’s Word) became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
That Word is Jesus! So you can grow more in Jesus by taking in God’s Word as
your daily diet… The eattheword.net
devotional website is run by Underground (www.od.org/oduk),
the youth division of Open Doors (an organisation that fights for the rights of
people through the world who are being abused for being Christian) and by
Wynet, the Wycliffe youth network which uses young people like you to bring the
good news of Jesus to others in the world (see www.wynetonline.org)!
|
An
Invitation to A-Maze |
Can you find a way out of the maze?
(There is no way out, so don’t spend too much time trying! –
Ed.)
Submitted by Jaap van der Weerd
Meeting
Nicodemuses today
The
Lord reveals Himself to different people in different ways, according to His
plan. Indeed, Peter on the Day of
Pentecost echoed Joel 2:28 about these days – “Your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17).
Mrs Muriel Grant, a member of our church who has been serving our Master
for many years, testifies how He revealed Himself in a dramatic way on the
crucifix in the sanctuary of her church, being transformed for her: “I was nineteen years old, and the family
always looked forward to the Good Friday Service. We would always go…”
“During
the sermon, I could see Jesus hanging on the cross. You could see the crown of thorns laid on His forehead, the blood
dripping from His forehead, the palms of His hands and His feet pierced
together… I was in a daze during the
sermon because I kept looking 
at
Jesus on the cross. I felt very
emotional. I started to cry in
church; I was sobbing… Mum and dad wanted to ask what was the
matter. I couldn’t say; I kept praying. At the end of the sermon, they asked if someone wanted to come
forward as an altar call, and I did.
“On
the way home, I was crying; I was still
sobbing and very emotional. The thought of God loving me in such a way that He
gave His only Son for us moved me as a loving God. I couldn’t understand how God could love us so much that He could
give His only Son’s Life for us. Father
looked very tearful, and mum came up to us.
This lasted for one week. Within
a month, I decided to be baptised and give my life to my Christ.
“I
started to go to the classes within the church and made my mind up to serve the
Lord. One thing I can say is that being
a Christian means you have to be committed to Christ. It’s a challenge, but we should press along because it's a long
road; we are not on our own. I’ll always remember the passage in St John
15:5: “I am the Vine; you are the branches.” We are the branches of Christ and we have to
carry on in His Holy Name. He loves us
and He wants His presence to be with us at all time. He is a comforter and He can do all things.”
Mrs
Grant is confident, as she corroborates Romans 8:33-39, that “nothing shall
separate me from the love of God with Christ Jesus.” When asked for evidence of God’s blessings in her life, Muriel
volunteers: “I can tell you of an
experience I’ve been through. It had
been a sad episode in my life; it had
been an upheaval. I went to bed and
dreamt that I was going through a rough ride.
I stopped and asked the Lord to help me during the time of my
distress. Then I looked up... I saw two roads facing me.
“I
did not know what to do. I remember
saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on me!’ And
when I looked on the left road, I saw a star shining, and I decided to follow
the star. And from then on, my life was
transformed.
“These
are some of the things which I can say that the Lord has done for me. These are the events by which I can say that
God is my Lord and my Saviour. I have
proven Christ in many ways and we just have to trust in Him, and be patient
because He says, ‘Wait for the Lord’ in Psalms 27:14.”
Let’s encourage each other to witness and share the Good News of the
Lord! You are welcome to tell your
witness stories or thoughts!
BMS Birthday Scheme
APRIL
MISS JESSICA ROSE HATCHETT 11th
MR T BENTLEY 20th
MISS V MADDISON 26th
MAY
MS JANETTE WHITEHEAD 27th
☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻☻
Developments in Brazil
IT
volunteer helping to bring gospel to favelas
A BMS volunteer in Brazil is using
her specialist computer skills to provide crucial behind-the-scenes support for
one of BMS’ best-known mission projects. IT graduate Harriet Pellereau is
making full use of her college degree in the UK by working for three months in
São Paulo with BMS partner Abiah-Oasis on their pre-school education programme
(PEPE).
As described earlier in Focus,
PEPE is a strategic church-based programme that provides young children with
vital life and educational skills and also gives their parents the opportunity
to connect with the local church and in many cases come to a personal faith in
Jesus. The project was initiated by BMS more than ten years ago and has since
spread out of São Paulo across Brazil and to other parts of Latin America, and
to Africa.
Harriet’s role is to provide
much-needed IT support for PEPE, so enabling it to be better resourced and
ultimately to reach out to even more poor families. Harriet’s initial project
was to work on altering and adapting several hundred teaching sheets used in PEPE
training sessions. It involved scanning images, drawing characters and typing
in Portuguese, which proved an excellent way of learning the language. The
packs will be photocopied and used not only in Brazil but worldwide, and
Harriet felt very privileged to have been involved.
Harriet has also been working on
two further projects. One is to create a 3D animation of the PEPE logo, again
using animation skills gained as part of her degree. She is also working on an
interactive digital map/game of São Paulo for a training exercise. This
involves Harriet learning to use a new computer programme, but she is rising to
the challenge! This project will give people an opportunity to navigate their
way around the city’s favelas and learn what it is like to live there without
physically having to visit. It’s hoped that the game will eventually be
reproduced for the other cities with favelas in Brazil and beyond.
Harriet has been living in the
BMS centre in Vila Sônia, and working in the office underneath. She’s been
going to church in a favela close by – it’s an enthusiastic congregation with
lively worship. The church has given Harriet the opportunity to see a local
PEPE in action and its pastor has given Harriet tours of favelas to give her
experience of what they are like – and this has in turn has aided her computer
work.
Harriet has recently graduated
from the Arts Institute, Bournemouth. She is in Brazil until April and one of
27 volunteers currently working worldwide with BMS.
Please pray that the projects Harriet
has been working on will improve the training and implementation of PEPEs in
Brazil and beyond, and ultimately transform lives. Also, for Harriet as she
continues to adapt quickly to a different culture, and for continued energy in
a hot climate and that Harriet comes away from her three months in Brazil with
her own life changed and with a new perspective on Christian mission.
Handing on work to pioneer new mission in Latin America
Later
this year, experienced Brazil-based mission workers John and Norma Clark and
Margaret Swires are taking up the opportunity to move to Ecuador and Peru to
partner mission in those countries. This is a new, exciting chapter not only in
their lives but also for BMS.
Pray for John, Norma and Margaret
as they complete their work and hand it over to others in the coming weeks –
John and Norma in their church work and lay leaders training programme in
Fortaleza and Margaret in her social work and evangelism in Natal.
Primary School Volunteer helping preschoolers have a good start
BMS
volunteer Laura Jackson, a primary school teacher, has recently been helping
put together a manual and preparing resources for the next training programme
for PEPE teachers. She has been working on the pre-school education programme
(PEPE) in north Brazil since the autumn. Please pray for plans with BMS to
spend March/April assisting a co-ordinator in Rio de Janeiro, and as she then
moves to Peru for six months to help establish PEPE work in that country.
* *
*
Pioneering gas project honoured
BMS World Mission partners are
being honoured for their service to ordinary Nepali people. One of BMS' partner
organisations in Nepal, the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) has been honoured in
the Nepali press for pioneering revolutionary bio-gas power plants 30 years
ago. An article in the Nepali Times celebrating the anniversary of bio-gas in
1975 has called the introduction of bio-gas power "the best thing that
ever happened to rural Nepal". BMS is a member body of UMN, an umbrella
organisation for Christian mission and development agencies in Nepal. UMN's
focus in Nepal for the 50 years it has existed has been to benefit poor and
marginalised people in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ. This has involved
many development projects over the years, but one of the most important has
been the development of commercial "gobar" gas plants.
First exhibited in Nepal as part
of the celebrations for the coronation of King Birendra, at an agricultural
fair in 1975, the gas plants were developed by John Finlay, an engineer at the
Butwal Technical Institute (BTI), a UMN project. UMN took Finlay's design (a
development of and improvement on previous bio-gas plant designs) and set up
the private sector Gobar Gas Company (GGC), which started building affordable
biogas plants for the mass market.
GGC was not just a development
project but a self-sustaining enterprise that was financially realistic while
providing a cheap source of power to rural Nepalis. With UMN, the Agricultural
Development Bank and Fuel Corporation as major shareholders, GGC built 10,000
plants in ten years: not surprising considering that the design proved to be
more efficient even than models in China and India, where biogas technology has
existed for 100 years.
If GGC reaches its goal of
providing over 200,000 plants by 2009, Nepal can claim $30 million every year
from the International Clean Development Mechanism project, thereby further
benefiting Nepal as a whole.
Prayer Calendar for April
2005
I
live by the faith of the son of God
who
loved me and gave Himself for me
Gal.
2 v.20
Pray for or about:
Friday 1st Give thanks for the beauty and wonder
of Spring
Saturday 2nd Farmers working all hours
Sunday 3rd Gather around the Lord's Table this
evening
Monday 4th Builders working to improve
facilities at Church
Tuesday 5th Vi Maddison having eye surgery today
Wednesday 6th Shirley Peart now back in Jamaica
Thursday 7th People still recovering from the
Tsunami disaster
Friday 8th Thanks for the recovery of Grace
Tyzack from surgery
Saturday 9th Animals suffering abuse worldwide
Sunday 10th Those mourning the loss of a loved one
Monday 11th Thanks for the service of George
Wheeler now in Jamaica
Tuesday 12th Deacons as they meet to discuss Church
matters
Wednesday 13th Mid-week Prayer Meeting and Bible Study
Thursday 14th Students and Tutors at Spugeons College
Friday 15th Jaap, Louise and Martyjn returning to
live in Holland
Saturday 16th 10.15am Prayer meeting and Spurgeons
Student tomorrow
Sunday 17th Bring your petitions to the Lord's
Table with grateful hearts
Monday 18th Pastoral Care Team meeting tonight
Tuesday 19th Christian Unions in Parliament and
elsewhere
Wednesday 20th All patients and Carers in Hospices
Thursday 21st Our Queen on her birthday and her
family
Friday 22nd BB Boys and all Officers meeting tonight
Saturday 23rd St George's Day. For all Saints who from
their labours rest
Sunday 24th Our visiting Speaker
Monday 25th Give thanks for all the work achieved
at church so far
Tuesday 26th Dial-a-Ride Service and all they help
Wednesday 27th Northern Ireland - that there may be
lasting peace
Thursday 28th GB Girls, Belinda and Helpers meeting
tonight
Friday 29th Baptist World Mission and their work in
many countries
Saturday 30th Thanks for all Mr Perrin does in our
church
In
all the little things of life,
Thyself,
Lord may I see;
In
little and in great alike
Reveal
Thy love to me.'
Prayer
Calendar for May 2005
Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before
men,
him will I confess also before my Father
which
is in heaven
Matt.10 v.32
Pray for or about:
Sunday 1st Pray for the Holy Spirit to come into
your life
Monday 2nd Our Music Group as they meet regularly
Tuesday 3rd Moderator and Deacons as they meet to
night
Wednesday 4th Anyone you know suffering from
Arthritis and any pain
Thursday 5th Give thanks for past Ministers and
their wives
Friday 6th Christian Premier Radio and their
outreach
Saturday 7th Paramedics and those they transport
daily
Sunday 8th Revd Roger Collins Conducting the
Service today
Monday 9th Those tending sick or disabled
relatives
Tuesday 10th People preparing the Wayside Pulpit
Messages
Wednesday 11th Those recovering from the Boscastle,
Cornwall disaster
Thursday 12th SS Children and all teachers
encouraging them
Friday 13th Your nearest neighbours
Saturday 14th Stephen Turner and all he does for the
football team
Sunday 15th PENTECOST. Communion Service come and
give thanks
Monday 16th Taxi Drivers taking children to
Chessington
Tuesday 17th For all the work done by fellow
Christians everywhere
Wednesday 18th Our Moderator and all at the Mid-week
meeting
Thursday 19th Thanks for paper delivery boys and
milkmen
Friday 20th Belinda and GB Girls away at Gilwell
Camp this weekend
Saturday 21st Give thanks for the past 174 years of
our Sunday School
Sunday 22nd Janette Whitehead leading our SS
Anniversary & all visitors
Monday 23rd Children everywhere suffering from
malnutrition
Tuesday 24th Secretary, Treasurer and Deacons and
all they do for the Fellowship
Wednesday 25th Lay Preachers and all they do for the
churches
Thursday 26th Salvation Army and those they help
Friday 27th Young Christians living away from home
for the first time
Saturday 28th Safety for all travellers this Bank
Holiday weekend
Sunday 29th Our Visiting Speaker
Monday 30th All Emergency Services on land or sea
Tuesday 31st Bible Translators helping to spread The
Word to new lands
Lord,
let me through this busy day
Conduct
myself in such a way
That
every one I meet may see
The
Spirit of the Christ in me
‘Coming events‘ Jesus carrying
cross clipart from:
‘Coming Events’ Good Friday and
tomb at Easter clipart from:
members.tripod.com/~jagnow/galerias/gallery_clipart.htm
‘Coming Events’ children clipart
from:
‘Coming Events’ tent clipart from:
‘Coming Events’ dove clipart from:
‘Coming Events’ child speaker
clipart from:
’75,000 Clip Art Images’ CD-ROM by Focus Multimedia
‘Refurbishing the School Hall,
Rooms, etc’ clipart from:
‘The Lord Working Through May’
clipart from:
‘The Lord Working Through May’ photo
credit:
Wood Green & Tottenham Journal
‘Going for Gold – Duke of Edinburgh Award’ mountaneering and
sailing clipart from:
‘Please remember…’ aerosol
animation from:
‘Losing a Lost One’ flower clipart
from:
‘Praying Hands’ clipart from:
‘Bible Society News’ bikers photo
credits:
‘Bible Society News’ Harmondsworth
photo credit:
‘Seeking the Answers’ hat, check
and stadium clipart from:
‘Seeking the Answers’ baseball,
football and dumbell clipart from:
‘Specially for Young People’
pentecost colouring picture from:
www.calvarychapel.org/children/site/curriculum_n.htm
‘Specially for Young People’ Firm
Foundations banner from:
‘Specially for Young People’ Firm
Foundations canoeists and swimmer clipart from:
‘Specially for Young People’
shepherd boy David from:
‘Specially for Young People’ toast
clipart from:
‘Specially for Young People’
eattheword logo from:
‘An Invitation to A-Maze’
www.jimos.com/banners/banners-reg/banners1.htm
‘Meeting Nicodemuses today’ Praise
the Lord banner from:
www.fillthevoid.org/clipart/free-christian-graphics-main.html
‘Baptist Missionary Society News’
photo credits:
We have tried not to
infringe any copyright and to acknowledge any known authorship. If there are any errors or omissions please
notify the editor.