Good News Reports

GOOD NEWS REPORTS

Richard's Message:

As I potter around the Circuit it would be so easy to be weighed down by talk of numbers, level of assessment, lack of people to hold certain roles and I know these concerns are real.
Instead, I would much prefer that these weekly offerings allow us to focus on the positives and build our awareness of where our God is at work. We all need to hear of where the new have arrived and helped transform, where faith has been deepened, where music has touched, where the Gospel is being lived out or a reminder of where God has touched in the past which then informs our present.
What stories can our people share?
It would be great if Pete Honeyball, who collates these weekly offerings, was inundated with suggestions of who to ask or even better with a piece of proper good news.
There is so much good news happening in our church which too often we do not share.
So, a few signs of good news in our midst:

• An ecumenical Christianity Explored course.
• New people arriving and staying in some of our churches.
• Times when the church acts through lunches, coffee mornings and such, and brings love and hope into lives.
• Where the church speaks for justice.
• Rooms full of excitement at Messy Church or toddler group.
• Any time faith is discussed.
• Where worship touches, where words inspire, where prayer is shared, where meaning is discerned, where tears or laughter are shared.
• Where we know Christ in our midst.

What good news is there that it would do your family in the Circuit good to hear?
Could you pen a few words to share with others?
Blessings
Richard


Previous 'Good News' reports are now archived and will be kept for 12 months.
see January February March April May June
July August September October November December

The focus of our prayers this Sunday, 12 October is on Princes Risborough

Dear All,

David shares his journey with us. For most of us our journey with Christ is not a Damascus Road experience but a gradual understanding or realization of the love of God. Please pray this week for all the lovely folk at Princes Risborough and also for those who journey along, searching for the love of Christ.

Jane

David writes:
My connection with the Methodist Church commenced in my early days in a small village seven miles north west of Banbury. The village had a strong Methodist community and I attended each Sunday service with my parents. Sunday school was in the morning and I remember doing the Scripture exams. One of my duties at the service was to pump air for the organ.
My real beginning into the Christian faith came when we had a team from Cliff College visit the village for a week. From this visit it increased my understanding of the message within the Bible and the love of God. From this point my Christian life grew. I became a King's Messenger, helping taking reading services in the Banbury circuit.
My journey of faith continued when I married and moved to Risborough in 1970 to share in the fellowship and witness of the Church here in Risborough and share in many aspects of the Church life and fellowship.
Looking back over the years my faith has been increased by the fellowship and the message of the Church, and the infinite way that the hand of God has guided me through good and bad times of life.
God moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.

David Robbins

#This Sunday, 7 September, the focus of our Circuit Prayers is on Chinnor

Dear All

Sally shares her story with us. Sally says that "her move has been made easy thanks to friends at the church". Our prayer is that everyone may feel that same warmth when they step inside a holy place where we meet to worship God, but sadly it is not always so. Jesus always welcomes us with love and we are tasked to do the same. Next time someone steps over that threshold into our midst, please take time to welcome them and make them feel among friends, it means so much!

Pete

Sally writes:

I came to Chinnor from Princes Risborough just over 2 years ago and found a church family ready to welcome me at the Chinnor Methodist. The Sunday services led mainly by lay people are mostly very helpful. I sometimes read the Scriptures at home and at the moment all the familiar passages I know seem to come alive and are fresh almost as if I'm reading them for the first time.
Following Jesus Christ and His teaching has been quite a challenge. The church has always been very important to me to help and encourage me to keep persevering and, perhaps over the years, I might have done the same for others. I was converted around the age of 21 and feel privileged to have eventually encountered God through Jesus Christ, His life, death and resurrection. My move to Chinnor has been made easy thanks to friends at the church.
The last verse of William Cowper's hymn 'Hark my soul! It is the Lord' is a good ending:

Lord it is my chief complaint
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love Thee and adore;
Oh for grace to love Thee more. Amen.

Thanks
Sally

#T