"HERE IS MY SERVANT WHOM I UPHOLD"
A servant is one who serves others, and the vast majority of us spend much of our lives serving others. Service is the basis on which civilised society operates, the basis for employment is that we serve others and in return receive payment, then we use the pay we receive to pay others to serve us. It is a system that gives us incentive to work, and can and does work for mutual benefit.
It is also far, far better than the alternative that people find themselves in when civilization breaks down and when instead of the principle of service the principles of violence, oppression and coercion come into operation. Even in civilized societies, elements of fear and oppression can can creep into the worker- employer relationship, and that we need to guard against. It is far better to have a relationship between servant and employer that is based on fairness and goodwill than on selfishness.
Most of us would prefer to work for a good employer, one who will stand by you and uphold you when you faithfully and sincerely try to carry out your work. If you have a boss like that, work can be a good fulfilling experience, even if the pay is not all that wonderful.
It is quite significant that in the book of Isaiah, where there are prophesies concerning the coming of Jesus, he is often referred to as God's servant. When Jesus came, he came not as a powerful authority figure, but as a servant. He once said that he came not to be served but to serve. For Jesus however, his motivation was not just one of financial reward, rather he served out of a motive of love, love for God, and love for you and me.
He did not come to please himself, but to please God, being willing even to lay down his life for God's plans and purposes. Because of that God did uphold him. He raised him from the dead. He gave him greater power and influence than has ever or will ever be accorded to any other being. The blessing he provided for us through his obedient life of service and death are of untold value.
God also calls us to willingly accept the role of a servant. It is interesting to note that the original word 'minister meant either servant', or 'to serve and the word 'deacon also means servant, which really tells us that in the church we should seek to operate not as bosses but as servants. It is also interesting to note that in our government we use the term 'minister' and even 'prime minister' . I am sure that when minister and prime ministers remember what their titles really mean, they do their work far better.
The baby Jesus in the manger at Bethlehem came as a servant to bring peace and good will. When we are willing to be servants, servants who are willing to serve, not just for reward, but for love, then God's peace comes to us, and we bring his peace to others.
A happy and blessed Christmas to you all from Jane, Samuel and myself, yours in Christ, Peter.
DECEMBER 1998 - PROGRAMME
All services and meetings will be held on our church premises unless another venue is indicated in the programme below. Rev Peter Neale will be preaching at all services unless an alternative speaker is indicated in the programme.
Sun 6th 10.30 am Restoration - Isaiah 54
6.30 pm Water for the Thirsty-Isaiah 55
Lords Supper
Mon 7th 5.45 pm Girls' Brigade
Tues 8th 2.00 pm Tuesday Fellowship -
speaker - Mr Brownnutt
8.00 pm Alpha Course
Wed 9th 10.00 am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
7.30 pm Deacons Meeting
Thur 10th 10.00 am Minis and Minders Toddler
Fri 11th 7.30 pm Hispanic Bible Study
Sat 12th 10.00 am Church Cleaning
Sun 13th 10.30 am The Birth of John - Luke 1
6.30 pm Mary the Willing Servant-Luke 1
Mon 14th 5.45 pm Girls Brigade
Tues 15th 2.00 pm Tuesday Fellowship -
speaker Pastor
8.00 pm Alpha Course
Wed 16th 10.00 am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
Thur 17th 10.00 am Minis and Minders Toddler Group
Fri 18th 7.30 pm Hispanic Bible Study
Sat 19th 10.00 am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's
Sun 20th 10.30 am Cham Kaur Mann
Lord's Supper
4.00 pm Candlelight Carol Service
5.00 pm Tea and Mince Pies
Fri 25th 9.30 am Christmas Day Service
Sun 27th 10.30 am Presented to the Lord-Luke 2v21
6.30 pm Carols by Request
Thur 31st 8.00 pm New Year's Eve Social
11.30 pm Watchnight Service
JANUARY 1999
Sat 2nd 10.00 am Prayer Meeting at Margaret's
Sun 3rd 10.30 am Covenant Service
6.30 pm Covenant Service
Lord's Supper
GIVING TO THE CHURCH
Giving to the church during the month of November totalled £1009.53. Our target for the month was £1000. This year s anniversary gifts to date total £895. Thanks to all those who have given.
HISPANIC BIBLE STUDY
Since Pastor Guillermo Silva and his wife Dora have joined us, we have become aware of the large Spanish speaking population who live in London. The total is around 75,000 and although there are in excess of 300 Baptist churches in the capital, as far as we can discover not one of them has services or activities in Spanish.
Because of this lack, we are commencing weekly Bible study meetings in Spanish. Pastor Silva will be leading these meetings, they are an official part of the activities of our church and the mission of the group is the extension of God's Kingdom in London through the sharing of the Good News of salvation with the Hispanic community.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John 1 v9.
DEATH OF MR RON NEALE
My father passed peacefully away on Monday 30th November. I would like to thank all friends for their prayers, support and sympathy to my family and myself during my father's illness and subsequently.
Sincerely, Peter.
SHOEBOXES
Samaritans purse have thanked us for the Christmas shoe boxes containing children's presents that we gave to be sent to children in Eastern Europe, along with the money for their transport. This year 5 target of 300,000 boxes has been well exceeded, we managed to send about 36 boxes.
SHOEBOXES - Christmas 98
Just think of the wondorous delight
On many faces on Christmas night
Of boxes scattered far and wide
Carried on the Oceans tide;
To bring some unexpected joy
To many a little Girl and Boy
Nothing worth diamonds or gold
Just simple things so we were told,
A scarf a hat some gloves or toys
To lift the hearts of Girls and Boys;
In distant lands across the sea
Not even known to you and me
And yet this simple gift will mean
New joys that they have never seen;
And so we send with Christian love
And Blessings from our Lord above;
That they may know that some kind friend
A happy Christmas wish did send,
Sixty four thousand happy smiles
Across the sea for miles and miles
Pandora's shoe box with love and care
For all the young folk waiting there.
W.J Connington 16th October 1998
CUMBRIAN TALES (from Home Mission News)
The members of Abbey Road Baptist Church in Cumbria have been giving thanks for the steady growth, both numerically and spiritually that they have seen during the ministry of the Revd Terry Hepworth.
Terry moved to the church in 1992 and is supported by Home Mission. The six years of his ministry have seen the membership change from fifty-three with an average age of 65 to a membership of sixty with an average age of 55. During that period, fifteen members have passed on and seven have resigned. But, there have been seven baptisms, a number have transferred in from other churches and new people are regularly worshipping in the church.
Like other churches, Abbey Road were keen to meet the needs of the local community. A few years ago they undertook an AIM project (Action in Mission). Surveys were done within the church and locally as to what would benefit the church and serve the local community. The resulting report led to the formation of a parent/toddler support group. This group has around fourteen children regularly attending with their parents and/or grandparents. The church were grateful for a grant from the Against the Stream Fund which enabled them to purchase much-needed equipment. Glass doors have been installed at the front of the church to make it more inviting.
Many of the members have faced redundancy and the building has taken a great deal of maintenance. But, still the members have found the resources to support Home Mission, BMS, Bible Society, Operation Agri, Christian Aid and many others.
The church are grateful to all the churches that contribute to Home Mission for enabling them to continue their witness in the area.
Nov 1998