Our meetings this Sunday were led by Major Ian Payne
The theme of the Sunday morning meeting was ‘One night, one chance for a new life’.
We watched a trailer for the new film of the musical ‘Cats’ which included the lines ‘This December you will believe’, and ‘are you going to try for a new life’.
Major Ian made the point that as Salvationists, it is easy for us to focus on being busy, especially in the run up to Christmas, but we need to focus on our relationship with Jesus
Song 528 A Light come out of Darkness
Tune 216 Festive Carol
Song 104 Come thou long expected Jesus
Tune 362 Calabar
Prayers
Our Bible reading was John 3:16-21
The Singing Company sang ‘All there is of me’.
Song 459 God forgave my sin
Tune 621 Freely, Freely
Message ‘One Night, One Chance’
In his message, Major Ian repeated his theme – one night, one chance. This December you will believe. He reminded us of the words ‘go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live’. The truth challenges us and gives us an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Our Bible reading reminded us that Jesus came, not to point an accusing finger, but to put the world right again.
We were told about a man called Nathan, who had said that praying made him feel better, but didn’t actually do anything. He was told that he had to believe. Once he started to believe in Jesus his praying became different and made a difference in his life.
God’s light streamed into the world – but men and women run for the darkness. Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world’.
If we remember the Christmas story and the Shepherds who were visited by Angels – one night changed their lives.
The trailer for Cats didn’t say use the words might or could – but that this December we will believe. We need to believe in what God can do this December and allow others to see that too. We shouldn’t just rely on memories of Christmas past – an overheard conversation that Christmas isn’t what it used to be. Anyone can have a whole and lasting life and this Christmas we have one life and one chance for a new life or a new direction in our life.
As Christians, people who believe in Jesus Christ, we should commit for something new to happen.
Are you going to try for a new life?
The Songsters then sang ‘Bow the knee’ as we contemplated on God’s message to us.
Song 565 All I one held dear (Piano)
Tune 725 Knowing You
Song 566 All my days
Tune 543 “ “
5pm Café Church In the Bradbury Room
For Sunday evening, our meeting took the form of a Café Church, where we gathered for thoughts, prayer, videos and reflection on the theme of light. These are some bullet points from the evening.
’I am the light of the world’
We were reminded that God’s first commandment, recorded in Genesis ch1, v1 was ‘let there be light’.
‘It’s ok to be broken – it means that God is still shaping you’
Sometimes, all it takes is a spark to be the light in someone’s life.
In a challenging video presentation, Troy Black said that sometimes Christians look like they are following Jesus but take His light and reduce it to a glimmer. We need to believe that the good news of Jesus really is good news and act like it.
Matthew ch4, v16 “The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine”
Ephesians ch5, v8 “You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you are the Lord’s people, you are in the light. So, you must live like people who belong to the light.
Thanks to CSM Tim Scott for this report
