Mapperley Monday Mail 5th November

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I'm experimenting with putting the Monday e-mail straight onto my blog - this is from 5th November


Fewer Ms this week - unexpected busy-ness on Monday Morning means I'm running a bit behind.

Loving God | Loving Each Other | Loving Our Community

We're in the middle of a season of remembering at the moment. In the last week, we've had Reformation Day when we remember all those who struggled to bring the church back to the truths of Scripture and All Saints Day when we remember all those who have gone before us in the faith – that "great cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12. Today is November 5th when we remember the Gunpowder Plot, and this coming Sunday is of course Remembrance Day.

Loving God

Yesterday morning, Andrew Stewart reminded us that God remembers us, as symbolised by the rainbow, and that he remembers us in Jesus. In the evening service, ably assisted by Ade, we were looking at the book of Micah, and I came back to the last verses of Micah's prophesy.

Who is a God like you,

who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

of the remnant of his inheritance?

You do not stay angry for ever

but delight to show mercy.

You will again have compassion on us;

you will tread our sins underfoot

and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

You will be faithful to Jacob,

and show love to Abraham,

as you pledged on oath to our ancestors

in days long ago.

Micah 7:18-20, NIV

God remembers us, and he remembers the promises he has made to us and to all the Christians who have gone before us. Even when times are dark, even when we are under God's judgement, he remembers us and will remember us.

But he won't remember our sins – Micah sees that God will take them away and put them where he "remembers them no more", because he paid the price for our sins on the cross. Remember that today, and be thankful!

Loving Each Other

This coming Sunday, the service pattern is a little different:

1045 Remembrance Day Service – children start in church.

1600 Remembering Service – please do bring friends / neighbours

1830 Evening Service – as normal.

It's also Joyce Jeffrey's funeral this week on Friday at 2pm in church. Many will know Joyce, as she was a member of St Jude's from about 1947 until about 2006. Do pray for the family – that they would really know God's love and power.

There are several jobs in church where we could do with more people to help out. Ones I know about at the moment are:

  • Someone to produce fliers / invitations on computer

  • Sound desk operators

Do let me or the office know if you would be interested. Training available!

Loving Our Community

Prayer for the week "Dear God, please help me to see the people I meet this week as you see them, to love them as you love them, and to help them to take one step closer to knowing you."


God bless,

John

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