WHAT A WONDERFUL SERVICE!

We had a great service at Church this morning when the theme was giving thanks for all that the Stepping Stones Project had accomplished throughout the last year, both with the distribution of the Bags of Hope and at the Community Fridge.  We also have several adult learning classes;  one for those whose first language isn't English, Money management, a Slow Cooker class, and another helping parents and children to understand maths - I could have done with one of those when our children were younger! 

I apologise for the length of this - but it was such a great morning and wonderful to hear how our faith goes out into the community in many different ways so I wanted to share it with you.

Hilary S read to us from the Bible the parable of the Good Samaritan - and most people will know the definition “a person who helps other people and especially strangers when they have trouble.”  Many of the people who receive the Bags of Hope are not known to us in the Church, although the people who distribute the bags get to know them when they are delivered.

Hilary W then told the story of the Feeding of the 5,000, which in fact, was probably many more, because the Bible only mentions 5,000 men and I doubt they would have been there listening to Jesus speaking on their own - so with wives and children, there could have been lots more. She told how Jesus blessed the meagre lunch of 5 loaves and 2 fishes, brought by a little boy and then the disciples distributed the food throughout the crowd.

She then asked the children to find the 250 “fish” which had been distributed around the Church - under chairs and in many other places.  There was a lot of noise as they raced around the Church looking for the fish, but they soon found them as we do have lots of children, which is great - so she then asked them to make a long line up one aisle and across and then down the other aisle.  Some children were very inventive, as you can see in my collage and even did a little detour with their fish.  We also had some of our younger children on the platform at the front of the church, making all sorts of patterns with the paper fish.

I think the children thought that was the end of it once they had gone back to their seats, but Hilary then asked them what happened.  Someone said that the disciples collected up 12 baskets of leftovers so Hilary got a basket out and asked the children to collect all the fish they had put around the Church - there was a lovely buzz and lots of smiles from those sitting down whilst the children were doing this, and it really got the point across.

She then asked us to guess how many Bags of Hope were distributed in December and I was amazed when she said it was 250 bags denoted by the fish.  On the table you can see some of the things that go into those bags, along with lots of other goodies.  It’s a major task getting 250 bags ready for distribution and all done by volunteers, who give of their time and energy to this worthwhile project.

Hilary also told us that 1,291 people had come through the doors of the Community Fridge during the 27 hours we were open in December, so another 1,291 families were helped by us.  When I prayed, I thanked God for all the opportunities we have to listen, chat and encourage people who come into the café when they visit the Community Fridge, along with all the other agencies in the town who come to help those who are finding it difficult to manage at the moment.

Our children bring their gifts of money each week and these go into "Bob the Cow" - don't ask(!)  and I believe they have now collected enough money for 3 goats to be bought for the Leprosy Mission and of course, this helps people who are finding life difficult in other countries and for whom these goats are a lifeline.

There are many banners in our Church as you know, and this was the one that caught my eye this morning - we have a great God who has blessed us in so many ways and especially by giving us such a wonderful creation and hopefully we will soon see some butterflies, once the warmer weather arrives.

Everyone who took part in the service did an excellent job - it was a dual sermon with Heather and Julie “unpacking” the story of the Good Samaritan and then relating it to how we should behave today.   We are commanded to love everyone - not just those who are easy to love, but those who irritate us, those who are different and those who “rub us up the wrong way” - which is why I have put the quote at the top left which is one I remember finding many years ago.  I think I need to print off a copy of this and stick to my back door so that I see it before I go out every day!  

Thank you for reading all this - and DO REMEMBER TO BE KIND because you don’t know what someone else is going through - and maybe you will even feel better yourself - you may not get your reward this side of heaven, but hearing the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” is something to aim for.

Vicki read a poem about the Good Samaritan, by Lucy Wall, which finishes like this:

“May I show the heart of God, let nothing blur my vision;
Let me love as Jesus loves, let nothing stop this mission!
Extending grace to everyone, responding to his call,
May I use my life for Christ and show His love to all!”

Have a great week!