Monday Morning Mail, 31st December 2012

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Loving God | Loving Each Other | Loving our Community


Good Morning!


It's been a busy week – I can hardly believe that this time last week we were still waiting for Christmas! Many thanks to everyone who has needed a rest after serving in various ways this week – especially thanks to Val for all her hard work with writing, organising and leading the Nativity Service, which went really well! Sorry for any injuries caused by flying chocolate too – it can get really dangerous around Christmastime...


Yesterday morning we were looking at Simeon & Anna in Luke 2. Both Geoff and Dennis reminded us of the importance of ordinary people – not the kind of people who make headlines, but the kind of people who know their God, who spend time with him and who wait patiently for him. I remember hearing Bishop Paul mention them as well, and comment on what a privilege it was for them to be praying for Jesus, and for God to use their prayers for Jesus to accomplish his rescue.


One of the things I'm aiming to do this week is plan the St Jude's family slots for the next couple of months, and it would be great to hear stories of what God is doing in your lives, families and workplaces – maybe conversations that you had over or around Christmas, or whatever. If you've got something you'd be happy to share more widely, please let me know!


I find the new year is a great time to take stock – to look back on the last year and thank God for everything he has done, and to look forward to 2013 and recommit ourselves to follow him! For those of us who don't read the Bible regularly or who struggle with it, it would be a great time to start or to start again...


With that in mind, yesterday, Lydia led us in a prayer based on one of John Wesley's which I think is a great place to start the new year.


I am no longer my own but yours.Your will, not mine, be done in all things,

wherever you may place me,

in all that I do and in all that I may endure;

when there is work for me and when there is none;

when I am troubled and when I am at peace.

Your will be done

when I am valued and when I am disregarded;

when I find fulfilment and when it is lacking;

when I have all things and when I have nothing.

I willingly offer all that I have and am

to serve you, as and where you choose.

Glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

you are mine and I am yours.

May it be so forever.

Amen

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