Living in Freedom: I Am the Gate
Monday 16th February
Good morning CCB, (urgent request for help with soup at the end!!)
We start a new week, and my prayer for us as we wake to a new day is that we would know God and experience more of Him in our daily lives this week. I pray for blessings and encouragement as we seek to live for Him.
Recap from our Sunday service
It is good to be reminded of some of the key points from yesterday's service, so we can continue to reflect and pray about those things God has spoken to us about.
So far in our series, we have looked at:
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I am the Good Shepherd - and how and where God wants to lead us.
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I am the Bread of Life - how we need to search for spiritual growth and nourishment.
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I am the Light of the world - asking questions about our own walk with God.
Yesterday, we were looking at I am the Gate (John 10: 1-21).
Our main thoughts were that as we come into a relationship with Jesus, we are set free. Freedom in life is ours because of everything Christ has done for us.
We looked at what that life looks like and then finished with a number of points from our reading about, about how we might express this freedom.
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V3 - keep listening to God's voice
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V4 - keep Christ at the Centre of everything we do
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V9 - live in the freedom that we have
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V10 - remember that God wants the absolute best for us
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V11 - it is a life of sacrifice as well
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V14 - Live with the freedom knowing that God knows us and chooses us
Some of the other Bible readings referred to yesterday were:
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Colossians 3: 1-3
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Joshua 1:9
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Galatians 5: 1, 13, 14 and 16-18
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1 Peter 2: 4-10
Maybe have a look at some of these readings and hold onto them as we journey through this week.
Next Sunday: we will move onto John 11: 17-44 - I am the Resurrection and Life
LENT
We begin our Churches Together Lent course next Tuesday (24th February). All the dates are as follows:
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Tuesday's 11.30 a.m. . @ All Saints led by Andrew and Matt (starts 24th Feb for 5 weeks)
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Thursday's 7.30 p.m. @ Saint Benedicts led by James and Diana (starts 26th Feb for 5 weeks)
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Saturday's 10.15 @ St Mary's Church, Apsley (starts 28th Feb for 5 weeks)
The material we will be reflect on is: 24-7 Prayer by Pete Greig
It would be great to support this if we are able to, as we continue to build on the good relationships between all the churches in Kings Langley.
URGENT need (and please let me know in the next few days) is there anyone willing to come and help me provide soup and rolls?
We do not have to do all 5 sessions, but would be good if we could offer 2 or 3. Please let me know ASAP, otherwise I will have to find alternative options.
THANK YOU
UPDATES
It has been encouraging to see people book into ministers' surgeries on a Monday morning (10.00-Midday).
Pastoral work does take place at other times. Please do let me know if you would like time with me at any point. The pastoral surgeries are to enable us to do more one-to-one pastoral work in a safe environment for all.
We are in the process of enlarging our pastoral care team, so that we can continue to give the best pastoral care that we are able to as a church - this is a priority.
Next Monday (23rd) I will have the joy of going to meet the manager and residents at Garrad House, exploring what ways we as a church can support both the staff and residents in this lovely home.
We are excited that the new website is not far away. We will provide the support that is needed to help all of us get the best out of this website. It is easy to use, and we pray will be a good tool for communicating effectively with our community.
The safeguarding and leadership team are also working hard behind the scenes to update all our policies and procedures - please pray for the team in this important area of church life.
PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK
As we journey through this week, let us hold one another in our prayers (those needs that are known and those that are unknown). Let us pray:
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For our world and our community
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For all those in the workplace (we have quite a few in our church, it is a place of mission)
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For all those who are in the medical profession and emergency services
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For opportunities to share our faith
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As it is half-term, a few of our groups are on a break - so rest for all who volunteer at CCB
I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement, and may we continue to see God doing amazing things this week, and I finish with the prayer I closed yesterday's service with:
God bless you all,
Matt