page 1 responding to god s love...page 4 responding to god’s love messy church meets 4 to 6 pm on...

Responding to God’s love


Vicar Revd. Howard Wright. The Vicar-age, Four Marks, GU34 5AA (01420-563344)

howardwright.cogs @gmail.com

Youth and

Family Worker

Children's Worker : Lorna Littlewood

Jane Hughes (07711 407831)

Lorna.cogs @gmail.com

[email protected]

Admin- istrator

Matt Senior (01420-560622)

Cogsoffice @googlemail.com

Church- wardens

Lynn Vine (560672) Christopher King-Smith (564247)

[email protected]

c.kingsmith@

btinternet.com

Acting Treasurer

David Craigen Davidacraigen

@gmail.com

Synods Deanery: Janet Foster, Howard Short, Frank Maloney.

Diocesan: Kennett Westmacott, Janet Foster.

PCC David Craigen, Paul Dorey, Janet Foster, Alison Frater, Pip Hughes, Helena Hunt, Natalie Senior, Chris McGrath (Sec).

Licensed Lay Ministers

David Bush, Janet Foster, Robert Hughes, Christopher King-Smith, Jonathan Rooke, Alan Thain.

Keyholder Val Lucas, The Flints, Lymington Bottom, Four Marks. (561139) [email protected]

Safeguarding Officer

Paul Dorey (for the parish) cogssafeguard-

[email protected]

Magazine Editor

Robert Parker (563433) Contribu-

tions no later than the 15th of the month please

parker305 @btinternet.com

www.Goodshepherdfourmarks.org.uk

Other Ministries at The Good Shepherd

Rev. Howard Wright leads the Discipleship (with Val Lucas) and Pas-

toral ministries; Alan Thain: Prayer ministry; Chris McGrath: Worship

ministry; Nigel Pink: Mission ministry.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


The Vicar’s Letter We have nearly finished our parable series and are about to focus on celebrating and living Christmas. Just some of the things we have learnt are that those who belong to the Kingdom of heaven are those who:

Hear and act on Jesus’ words.

Give up everything for the life on offer.

Are recognised by the life they live and the godly impact on others.

Live like Jesus, in response to God’s love for them

Are moving towards Jesus, regardless of their starting point.

The massive challenge of Jesus stories is they include those who are “in”, contrasted with those who are not. And the “not” are most often the religious, who we might have assumed were in!

As we head towards Christmas, we remind ourselves of the exam-ple of Jesus.

He hears and acts on his Father’s words, and is the therefore him-self, the Word.

He gives up everything, not grasping onto his Kingship but risks it all to offer us life.

He is recognised by the life he lives and has an impact upon all hu-manity.

He lives a life of love reflecting the Father.

He moves in obedience toward God, challenging the institutions, mixing with societies outcasts and despite appearances, being the only perfectly pure and holy person to every live.

So, inspiring things to reflect on this Christmas as we seek to respond to God’s love and grow deeper in Him and lager in Mission. As we head towards our Christmas events, be praying about who you can bring to an event, and then subsequently come with to our Alpha course starting on Monday 13th January.

Howard’s Study Leave: I will be on Extended Ministerial Development Leave – Study Leave – from 3rd February to the 3rd of May inclusive (though actually on leave from the 27th January).

This is an opportunity for us all to stretch and grow. For us all to encourage and support one another as we step-up to fill gaps and manage without our vicar around. And for me, a chance to step back, reflect, be refreshed, and stretched through study and prayer, ready to go-again.


Messy Church

Meets 4 to 6 pm on the Second Saturday each month except in

August

Next: 14th December

Setting up normally at 9.30 am and preparation from 3 pm

Pray for

Ali Beckett, and for her work with the Starfish Malawi organisation.

Our link Church of the Good Shepherd

in Lotome, Karamoja.

The Wardens (Chris, and Lynn, up until the APCM on Sunday March 29th) will be the go-to people during the three months, along with Matt and the rest of the Ministry Leaders. Please be encouraging and supporting them and be alert to the need to we will have for a new warden and new PCC members at this APCM.

I will be away for some of the three months but also in the vicar-age at times. If you see me around, we shouldn’t ignore each other, but we need to try to respect the Study Leave process and give each other that space from the day to day issues of the church and parish. Yours

Christmas Events

Please see the weekly sheet for the full details .


Each Month in the Church

(You are welcome to attend any of our meetings)

Our Sunday Services are − in Church − at 8 am (a quiet style),

9.30 am and 7 pm (a celebration service); and Cell Church meets in

the hall, and occasionally in Nosh, at 11.30 am.

Children also come to:

Messy Church: 4-6 pm on the 2nd Sat-urday in the month (except in August). Kid’s Church: Sundays at 9.30

COGS Clubs during the year.

Crèche: Sundays at 9.30 am.

Youth (Year 7 up) also come to:

Seeke:eR and Worship:eR (Sundays).

Deep:eR Three Small Groups on Mon-

days (7 pm).

Re:grouP on Wednesdays (7 pm).

“Soul Survivor” and “New Wine”.

Further information from Matt in the Church Office or the

diary on www.goodshepherdfourmarks.org.uk

Next Men’s event: to be advised

Tea and Praise 3 pm Sundays three times a year. Next: 15th Dec.

Prayer Ministry

This is offered at all 9.30am Services.

Holiday at Home

For the over-60s held three times a year. Next: Friday 6th December.

W? Worship Event

Next: TBA.

Next Alpha Course

Starts 13th January at 7pm. Contact:

Nigel Pink.


Prayer Meetings

Tuesdays at 7.30pm in Church

Next: early in the New Year

Tea and Chat

& Tea and Bowls

2pm 15th January

More information from the office (560622)

Coffee and

Communion

11 am 4th December

More information from the office (560622)

Toddlers’ Lunches 12.30 − 2.30pm 12th December

More information: Caroline c/o the Church Office

Prayer Chain If you have any urgent requests for prayer through the Prayer Chain, please email (or phone) Matt in the Church Office ([email protected], 01402-560622) ) or Howard Wright ([email protected], 01420-563344) or Alan Thain ([email protected], 01420– 85185).

Pastoral Care

If you would like a visit by a member of the Visiting Team or you know of someone who would, please contact the team leaders, Debbie Norgate (84534) or Gilly Cobb (544404), or Howard Wright (01420-563344) or Matt in the office (01420-560622)

Bumps and Babies

10am - 12 noon Mondays (except bank holidays)

for expectant and new parents

with babies aged under one

year. Contact: Jane Hughes


Care Homes Ministry

Westlands: 7pm, 11th December, carols.

Belford House: 2pm, 11th December, carols.

Contacts: Janet Foster, Rob Hughes or the Church Office (560622)

Small Groups

Groups meet during the week.

For further information contact Val Lucas, the ministry leader for

small groups (561139).

Litter Picking: Sat 21st December

10 - 11 am, third Saturday each month. Meet in the car park behind the garage at Oak Green. Further information: John Fowler-Wright (01420-563380) or the Church Office.

Coffee and Questions

Meets on the 4th Wednesday each month at 10.30 am in the Church Hall (except December). Next: 22nd January

Resource Sharing Network (RSN)

Email [email protected] to share the Church's talents and

other resources amongst the Church Family.

Over 60s Lunch Club at the Village Hall Next: 11th Dec, 1.00pm, £3.50 per meal.

Phone: 01420 769435 / 01420 562448.


Dear reader.

I wish you a very happy Christmas and that you may be blessed by the Saviour at this season. Not everyone will be living through happy times but the One whose grace can be relied on all the time is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Tomorrow, or even today, would be a good time to start planning for the new year, perhaps writing something for the magazine that is encouraging to faith in God. Or perhaps joining us in Through Faith Missions (TFM) working with other churches on a mission team.

2019 has certainly been totally different for me as I have worked in TFM teams in two cities and on an island in the sun. We have shared the gospel, attempted to share it, encouraged local Christians, or just talked Jesus in urban settings very new to me and with some extraor-dinary experiences and contrasts.

There’s been the multi-millionaire and the rough-sleeper; the fine public relations folk living on the edge of destitution and the prostitute; the rejected abused wives and the deeply-loving couples; the man who says, “I will not believe!” and the ones who say, “I will believe!”; the one transformed from dying of alcoholism and the one who wanted release from the demons left by drugs; the reformed drug addict and the one now with a job in a church; the ones receiving Christ joyfully and the ones refusing with disdain; the Hindu, Jew and Muslim − in fact, many Muslim men and their reticent women and sparkly children − and Russians and central and eastern Europeans.

We need team members for a mission in the Fens next May. Come and see what the Lord is doing there; training is provided, with a variety of venues.

Robert Parker (Editor).

Grace The free, unmerited, unearned, undeserved, unconditional, unlimited favour of God independent of my performance:

We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. Romans 5:2.

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith. Ephesians 2:8


Progress Report from the Treasurer

As predicted we have moved into deficit on a cumulative basis for the 10 months to end October.

Expenses continue to be slightly below forecast levels.

The last two months of the financial year will take the total 2019 deficit to around £12,000.

Despite this encouragingly better-than-budget outcome for the current year, the budget/forecast for next year shows a further deficit of around £29,000.

Our assistant treasurer Tim Wettone, who well over a year ago signalled his departure after 11 years but has nevertheless loyally con-tinued to do the books and produce reports in the interim, is now defi-nitely handing over the reins to me at year-end. All claims and enquir-ies regarding finance matters should henceforth be directed to me, face-to-face, or via e-mail or using the pigeon-hole at the back of the church.

One positive piece of news from the treasurer function is that Hel-ena Hunt has agreed to take on the role of payroll clerk, which is won-derful news. Thank you so much, Helena.

Meanwhile we continue to seek from within the congregation a possible candidate to take over from me as full-time treasurer, but so far with no luck. Please consider whether this is something you would be interested and prepared to take on.

TOTAL 2019

Budget Forecast

£'000 £'000

Income 230.9 239.7

Expenses 255.8 251.7

Surplus/- -24.9 -12.0

Year to Date to October 2019

Jan - Oct Budget Variance

£'000 £'000 £'000

Income 205.2 194.3 10.9

Expenses 209.8 213.9 -4.1

Surplus/-Deficit -4.6 -19.6 15.0


Acorn Christian Healing Foundation - Update

A full programme of Acorn healing events are held at different locations under the leadership of director, Wes Sutton. The services of healing and the evening healing celebrations are free and open to all without booking. The worship is very profound and inspiring as well as having healing prayer for body, mind and spirit always available:

Tuesday morning service of Healing and Prayer at St Albans Church, Hindhead, GU26 6RB, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30. Coffee before-hand. Note that it is not held in the week when there is an evening celebration at Hindhead.

First Wednesday of the month at Emmanuel Church, Shepherds Lane, Guildford, GU2 9SJ, there is an evening healing celebration from 7:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Third Wednesday of each month at St Albans Church, Hindhead, there is an evening healing celebration from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The School of Healing is held in the Lady Chapel of Guildford Cathe-dral monthly, generally on the first Saturday of the month from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. Suggested donation £20 per person

Saturday 1st February 2020 - Healing in The Steps of Jesus is a day conference at Guildford Ca-thedral from 10:00 to 4:00 p.m. It is open to all wanting to ex-plore the Christian healing minis-try. £25 per person booking via the website. The two keynote speakers are Bishop James Newcombe (patron of Acorn Christian Healing Foundation) and Rev Paul Harcourt (national leader of New Wine), the day will be accompanied by three TED style talks focus-sing on the church and disability, emotional well-being, and support-ing children and young people and their mental health.

A service of healing and prayer led by Bishop Andrew Watson will bring the day to a close. This promises to be an excellent day of teaching, sharing, worship and healing prayer.

Refreshments provided throughout the day but bring a packed lunch. Plenty of free parking


For more information on events/dates and book-ing where required: www.acornchristian.org.

Roger and Colette Buckley.

Thy Kingdom Come If you would like to be a part of a Thy Kingdom Come event in 2020, but would like a bit more con-fidence in your ability to share your faith with oth-ers, then BCM Evangelism could be for you. BCM Evangelism aims to envision those who have a heart to share the good news, as well as building your skills in evangelism. During the course of the training we will look at questions such as:

What does it mean to be an evangelist?

How can we be evangelists in today’s culture?

What is the role of the local church in evangelism?

There will also be a chance to explore, and use, some of the tools available to people involved in this work.

For more information: www.winchester.anglican.org/bcm

The Methodist Covenant Prayer (in part) I am no longer my own but yours.

Put me to what you will,

rank me with whom you will;

put me to doing...

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.

http://www.acornchristian.org


People and Places Mentioned by Christ in the Old Testament

Mark 10:6-8 for the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapters 1 and 2.

Luke 11:51 for the murder of Abel by Cain in Genesis chapter 4.

Luke 17:26-27 for the corruption of Noah’s day and the flood in Gene-sis chapter 6.

Luke 17:28-29 for the corruption of Lot’s day and the fire in Genesis chapters 18 and 19.

Luke 17:32 for the worldliness of Lot’s wife in Genesis chapter 19.

Luke 20 for Moses and the burning bush in Exodus chapter 31.

John 6:31 for Moses and the Heavenly manna in Exodus chapter 16.

John 3:14 for Moses and the bronze snake in Numbers chapter 21.

Matthew 12:3-4 for David and the consecrated bread in 1 Samuel chapter 21.

Matthew 12:42 for Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in 1 Kings chap-ter 10.

Luke 4:25-26 for Elijah, the widow and the famine in 1 Kings chapter 17.

Luke 4:27 for Naaman and his leprosy in 2 Kings chapter 5.

Luke 11:51 for the murder of Zechariah in 2 Chronicles chapter 24.

Matthew 24:15 for Daniel and the abomination of desolation in Daniel chapters 9, 11 and 12.

Matthew 12:40 and 16:4 for Jonah and the fish in Jonah chapter 1.

Luke 11:30 and Matthew 12:41 for the repentance of Nineveh in Jonah chapter 3.

[Source: Cover to Cover Complete by CWR.)


Famous Last Words

I have fought the good fight.

2 Timothy 4:7

Due to modern medicine and hospice care, fewer people die now with “famous last words” on their lips. But in days past, friends would sit with pen and paper to record the final statements of dying Christians. Evangelist D. L. Moody said, “This is my coronation day! It is glorious!” John Nelson Darby, a British evangelist, said, “Beyond the grave comes heaven. Well, it will be strange to find myself in Heaven, but it won’t be a strange Christ. One I’ve known these many years. I am glad He knows me. I have a deep peace, which you know.”

Contrast those with the last words of French writer Francois Rabe-lais: “Bring down the curtain—the farce is played out.”

The reality is Jesus Christ gives us a merry heart in life and a con-tented heart in death. His grace is sufficient for every hour, and for the believer death is but the moment we pass from the land of the dying to the land of the living. Henceforth there is laid up for us the crown of righteousness.

Jesus, Himself, has swallowed up death with victory.

“A life spent in the service of God and in com-munion with Him is the most comfortable and pleas-ant life that anyone can live in this present world.” Last words of commentator Matthew Henry.

[Source: Dr D. Jeremiah.]

A clear translation of Matthew 6:13 shows that Jesus actually directs us to pray, “Father, should we at any point be led into any temptation, test or trial, we want to come out delivered and victorious.”

Jack Hayford in Walking the Path of Prayer.

Temptations are more easily overcome if they are never allowed to enter our minds. Meet them at the door and do not let them in.

Thomas á Kempis, 1380-1471.


Mission of the Month:

Christians Against Poverty For Christians Against Poverty, faith is very much at the core of their work. Every member of CAP’s team, from the founder to the frontline volunteers, would tell you that following Jesus and trusting in God has made a big difference in their lives. Some weren’t brought up in the Christian faith and have found it for them-selves; others were raised as Christians. Either way, they all have joy, hope, peace, love and compassion in their hearts − believed to be the fruit of knowing and following Jesus.

Of the charitable objectives of CAP, one of them is the advance-ment of the Christian faith, which can cause some people to ask deep-er questions and create the opportunity to explain why their faith is so important to them.

Beautiful Remembrance Memories

Thank you to the creative team(s) involved in treating us to profound remembrance opportu-nities.


When you go beyond simply reading your Bible and take the time to meditate each day on its truths, you begin to think like God. And when that happens your life changes for the better. Peter was so dependent on the words of Jesus that he said, “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). And Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12).

Question: How often do you set aside time to meditate on the Scriptures? As you meditate on God’s Word you develop a mindset that enables you to rise above your fears. “My word … will not re-turn to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Did you get that? God’s Word will accomplish God’s purposes in your life! That’s why Satan will battle you over finding time to read your Bible. The truth is, you don’t find time, you make it!

The prophet Isaiah said, “Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will” (Isaiah 50:4). In a world that’s often devoid of commitment, God promises: “I won’t give up on you. I’ll keep working on you until you’re clear in your perceptions, strong in your faith, and balanced in your spiritual walk. As you meditate on My precepts, you’ll start to move in a new direction. And when that happens, your life will begin to prosper.”

So beginning today – meditate on God’s Word.

Bible in a Year

Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 2

A sample from UCB’s Word for Today

Meditate on God’s Word

“In His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalm 1:2

Copies of The Word for Today are available from www.ucb.co.uk


www.trypraying.co.uk:

We pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who are enduring poverty, hostility, threats, violence, in-justice, loss of their earthly family or possessions, imprison-ment, torture or even facing martyrdom.

May they stand firm in the faith. May they know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to sustain and strengthen them in all that they are enduring for the sake of Jesus, Lord and Saviour, in whose name we pray.

Amen

[Source: Barnabus Fund]

Pray for

wisdom in how to give and receive praise.

those struggling with fear, that they would rely on God.

those who are feeling overwhelmed with guilt and shame.

a loving attitude to all those you see today.

more grace in your interactions with other people.

vision that focuses on God, not the obstacles coming up.

Looking for God? www.lookingforgod.com or talk to us.

Find us at GU34 5AA and On-line at:

Web: www.goodshepherdfourmarks.co.uk

facebook.com/COGSFourMarks

facebook.com/Messychurchcogs

and

twitter.com/COGSFourMarks

http://www.trypraying.co.uk/

page 1 responding to god s love...page 4 responding to god’s love messy church meets 4 to 6 pm on...

Documents