Archive - 01/14/2008 - 01/20/2008
01/14/2008 - 01/20/2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The Good Shepherd
At the moment I am aware of a number of people who are facing really hard times in their lives. For many, their battles have been going on for a very long time; for some, they will not get any easier in the future. I am struck by the depth of care and love that others are showing to these people in their suffering. Indeed, some of them have said to me how they have been overwhelmed by the concern shown to them. Long-term suffering is, of course, extremely hard to bear and to make sense of. More often than not, no sense can be made of it at all; it is a mystery, to be endured not explained. And many of us, I know, are profoundly inspired and challenged by the way in which our friends do face their troubles or suffering with remarkable patience and endurance; and yet also with great honesty, acknowledging the exhaustion, the temptation to despair that the struggle with suffering so often entails.
In the season of Lent we remember particularly the sufferings of Jesus: not just the 40 days in the wilderness without food, but the suffering that characterised the whole of his life on earth and that culminated in his death on the cross. His was a persistent, long-term suffering: the sinless one, devoted to serving all whom he encountered, yet bearing the pain of insult, rejection and hatred year after year; all the while knowing that his suffering would not lift but only intensify; the gathering cloud of Calvary steadily growing over him.
For those whose daily walk is a battle with pain or trouble or despair, there can be deep comfort in the knowledge that he who said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’, is one who knows what it is to suffer and to go on suffering; that he is the Good Shepherd who offers to walk with us through the darkest valley, his rod and his staff to comfort us.
But his experience of those 40 days in the wilderness also has much to teach us about how to deal with suffering and the temptations of mind and body that assail us because of it. Jesus met his temptations by standing on the solid ground of Scripture. He found strength and perspective in the words of God in the Bible. It is far from easy to do this when you are suffering; but then I don’t think anything is easy when you are suffering.
The apostle Paul, who also knew what it is to suffer, wrote of those same Scriptures, ‘everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’ This is where Jesus found his hope, in the Scriptures. It was a hope that enabled him to endure the cross; it was the hope of Easter.
May God bless you this Lent.
Tim
Holy Communion with time for pastoral prayer.
At our 6.30pm evening service of Holy Communion we are going to introduce an opportunity for anyone who would like a brief time of prayer. This will begin at the service on 3rd February. If you would like someone to pray with you, once you have taken communion we invite you to remain at the rail. If you do not wish for prayer, you would simply return to your seat in the normal way. Tim or one of those available to pray will then come to you at the rail for a brief word of prayer. We hope that this will be of help to anyone going through hard times and wanting prayer; but it is also for those who wish to give thanks to God for blessings in their lives. Please do let us have your feedback as we begin this new expression of pastoral care for one another.
Prayer and Praise Evening on Wednesday 23 January. 7.45pm ‘til 9.00pm.
The evening will be the first in an occasional series looking at the Person and work of God the Holy Spirit with a chance to sing, discuss together in groups and pray for the ministry of St. Swithun's and our mission partners. It would be great to see you there!
London Men’s Convention
Sat 29th March 2008 is an excellent day out at the Royal Albert Hall for some fantastic singing and teaching. This year the subject and speakers include, what is the gospel? - Vaughan Roberts, The truth about Heaven and Hell -Alan Stewart & How do I share the gospel? - Rico Tice. Stuart Townend will be leading the singing during the worship. The cost of the day including coach travel will be £35 or £40. If you would like to go please let Tim know or sign the list by the door.
Celebration and HOPE08 Launch event this Sunday at 7pm at The Forum, Bath
We are invited to attend this celebration to discover plans for the year of HOPE in and around Bath. This is a national initiative, for more information visit www.hope08.com.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Starts this week on the Friday 18th. Meetings are Monday to Friday 12.30pm at St Johns Batheaston (except Wednesday which will be at the Church of the Good Shepherd) followed by lunch together. Bring your own sandwiches but drinks will be supplied. Jerry will be leading the service on Tuesday 22nd.This year the joint service is being held at St Swithuns on Sunday 20th at 3.00pm. The speaker will be Rev Audrey Simpson from the local Methodist group. It would be lovely to see as many people as possible at this service.
Stewardship Sunday and Sermons
Our annual Stewardship Sunday is on Sunday, 27th January. The sermons in January will be looking at how the subject of money and giving is treated in the Bible. The three sermons are: 'Money - how to regard it.' Jan 13th .'Money - how to use it.' Jan 20th 'Money - how to give it.' Jan 27th. At the services on 27th January our Treasurer, Ian Matthews, will be giving a short presentation of our financial position as we begin the new year.