Church News
Prayer: a beginner's guide
The good thing about prayer is that there's only one way to go wrong, and that's not to do it. The best way to do it is to just get on and do it. If prayer at its simplest level is listening to God and talking to him, you don't need long books to tell you how to do it, you just need a conviction that prayer is a good thing to do, that you're someone God wants to hear from and that he's worth talking to.
Is prayer a good thing to do? Never mind for the moment about whether prayer 'works' or not: Jesus prayed and he encouraged his disciples to pray too, so if we're following him, we need to be praying. Full stop.
Are you someone God wants to hear from? The message of the Bible is that however unworthy, sinful and useless we may feel as human beings, God can't wait to hear from us.
Is he worth talking to? He's the one person who knows us inside out, the one person with infinite power at his fingertips, the one who has the true perspective on an entire world's story. Not a slot machine to pay into in the hope of one day getting 'an answer to prayer', but a person. Who likes us.
How might you begin to pray? What sort of a person are you? Do you like a good gossip? Then gossip to God. Are you the strong silent type? Then be silent in his presence. Say hello... say the Lord's Prayer ... say 'Oh God' and mean it... deliberately be silent and still for one minute ... read a story from a Gospel and imagine what you would say to Jesus if you were there... tell him about what is worrying you or thrilling you ... copy the great pray-ers of the Bible and of the Church... write a letter to him ... listen and look for a few moments in a place you consider holy... You can't go wrong. Prayer is good. God longs to hear from you. He's worth it.
Lucy Moore, BRF's Children's Ministry Representative for the South of England
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OUR NEW YOUTH, CHILDREN & FAMILIES MINISTER
On Sunday 24th January it was announced that a new appointment had been made for this role. He is Gareth Crispin, in his early 30's, married to Sarah, with 3 young boys, Ben, Tom and Luke. He is currently in a similar role in a church in East Finchley, having completed a degree in Youth & Children's Ministry at Oak Hill Theological College. Before that he used to work for the Financial Services Authority with a degree in Politics from Durham University and an MA in International Political Economy from Warwick.
Gareth grew up in a Christian family, making that faith his own at an early age. For many years he was a leader in Crusader groups, and a leader in the Sunday School of his church, before going to theological college.
Gareth writes:
"Sarah and I are very excited to be joining all of you at St.John's and are looking forward to making our move north in the summer. It was great to meet some of you when we came up; we were so warmly welcomed, thank you. Ben (4), Tom (2½) and Luke (8m) are currently unaware of it all, but we are sure they will love being a part of the church family too. We pray that God would bless you all in the coming months, especially as Passion for Life approaches, which we hope and pray would be a fantastic time of sharing the Good News of Jesus in Wilmslow.
Colossians 1: 9 – 14"
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Homegroups
'Stirrings of the Soul: Being Spiritually Fresh'
Many Christians struggle to maintain a close walk with Christ, and will have known times of feeling spiritually 'dry'. What are the secrets of maintaining spiritual vitality?? Being spiritually fresh is one of the greatest struggles in the Christian life - that is what we'll be tackling in our homegroups this term!
Day Time Venue Leader
Thursday 1:30pm The Vicarage Simon Gales 583251
Thursday 8:00pm 32 Arlington Crescent George Perrin
(home of Paul & Paula Wells)
Thursday 8:00pm 21 Hawthorne Lane John & Alison Walsh
Thursday 8:00pm The Vicarage Simon & Dede Gales 583251
Friday 2:00pm 122 Knutsford Road Paul Kerry
Being Spiritually Fresh
April 15/16 1. Christ centred
April 29/30 2. Living by the Spirit
May 13/14 3. Filled with the Spirit
May 27/28 4. Word Hungry
June 10/11 5. Talking to the Father
June 24/25 6. Battling in Prayer
July 8/9 7. Encouraging One Another
July 22/23 8. Meeting together
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Divorce Recovery Workshop
Just over a year ago Kate Howsley had a vision. Four DRW courses later we are now beginning to see the fruits of that vision.
On many occasions Kate and I had discussed the lack of support that there was generally for people who were divorced or going through the painful process of a divorce. We then discovered a nationwide organisation – the Divorce Recovery Workshop who held workshops for people who were divorced or going through a divorce. After consulting with the organisation – we felt that we may have found the resource we needed to be able to hold the event here at St Johns in Wilmslow.
To be able to hold the workshops we had to trial a course as part of our training; we put feelers out and were very grateful to Rowena, Liz, Nicky, Dawn and Barbara who volunteered to be our guinea pigs! All the participants of our trial group are now firm friends and some close friendships have been formed.
Since our fledgling group we have facilitated three more workshops.
The main aim of the workshops is to help people to work through the various stages of a divorce or significant relationship breakdown as well as helping the participants to form a support network and make new friends.
Once the participants have attended the workshop (six sessions + a social), they can then help with the running of future workshops. We encourage participants to help out on future workshops as this can play a part in the healing process by helping others.
We thank Simon, who has been fully supportive of this initiative,
Gwen Stanley / Kate Howsley
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St John's Holiday Club 2010
'Super Sleuths'
Plans for this years holiday club are underway! As last year its the week BEFORE the August Bank holiday.
Tuesday 24th to Friday 27th August
We will be recruiting eager young detectives (anyone currently in primary school) to embark on a major investigation, We'll leave no stone unturned as we examine the evidence for the mysterious case of the empty tomb! All in all, a chance to discover why Jesus is such good news! There'll be lots of fun, games and crafts, with a full range of afternoon activities including an outing.
Once again the week will be led by Mark Tomlinson, from Cheadle and a regular visitor to our local schools.
If you, or someone you know is interested, the registration forms will be available later this month in the porch or the parish office. Numbers are limited and places will be available on a first come, first served basis so please book early!
There will be a team meeting on Monday 21st June, 7.45 for 8.00pm in church - please speak to Simon (583251) if you would like to help, or sign up for various jobs on the board at the back of church to suit whatever time you have available.
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Farewell to Paul and Gabby
12 noon Sunday 18th July
It is with mixed emotions that we will soon be saying farewell to Paul and Gabby, and baby Joseph. Paul has served so willingly and faithfully as our lay assistant over the last 3 years here at St John's. He has done a superb job as a stand-in youth worker over the last 12 months, teaching and discipling many of our young people. We will be sorry to say farewell, but delighted that Paul has been accepted for ordination training in the Church of England, and so Paul and Gabby will be moving to Oxford in early August for 2 years of study at Wycliffe Hall.
Paul's last Sunday will be on 18th July (before he heads off to the Mandwell CYFA venture) when he will be preaching at both main services. We have already planned a summer picnic for that day on the vicarage lawn, which will now be the chance to express our thanks to them both. Please join us for a bring and share picnic on the vicarage lawn - even if you come to the evening gathering we hope you will be there!!
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Homegroups for the autumn
This autumn our homegroups will be using a DVD based course featuring Rico Tice and others, looking at the letters to the Thessalonians.
The return of the Lord Jesus from heaven is the heartbeat of these letters written to the young church at Thessalonica. If they live their hopes clearly and fruitfully on their wonderful resurrection future with Jesus then they would be able to withstand the pressure of living for Jesus now - and its the same for us!
The start of a new homegroup series is always a good time to join, and this course is sure to be a great spur to our faith!
Thursday 2.00pm The Vicarage Simon Gales 583251
Thursday 8.00pm Moor Lane George Perrin 528637
Thursday 8.00pm Hawthorn Lane tbc 530739
Thursday 8.00pmRostherne Road Simon & Dede Gales 583251
(home of Mandy & John)
Friday 2.00pm Knutsford Road tbc 523622
(home of JeanThomas)
25 September 1. What are you waiting for?
7 October 2. Who are you trying to please?
21 October 3. How are you going to live?
4 November 4. What does the future hold for you?
18 November 5. When will the suffering end?
2 December 6. How long are you going to wait?
Dates given are for the Thursdays.
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The World We all Want
We all dream of a better world - a world of security, peace and plenty. The good news of Christianity is that God promises just such a new world, although the church hasn't always seemed too excited about it! The Bible is the story of what God had done and what he will do to keep that amazing promise!
"The World We All Want" is a six week course for anyone who is interested in the message of the Bible. It is an introduction to the Bible story - the story Christians believe to be the story of our world and it's future!
The course come with an easy to use booklet, will be relaxed and informal in style, with plenty of time for questions, and to discuss what you've heard.
It start on Monday 27 September 8pm at the vicarage. Please speak to Simon (583251) if you'd like to know more, or wish to book a place, If you can't make a Monday evening, please still get in touch as there may be other courses running.
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Alive and Kicking
A ten week course focusing on how to live and grow as a Christian
Topics that will be coverd include:
The person of Jesus
The Bible
Prayer
The Holy Spirit
The Church
Assurance
The Christian Hope
It will run on Wednesday evenings, starting 22 September at the Vicarage. Please speak to Simon if you are interested.(583251)
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Prayer Breakfast
Saturday 11 September
8.30 - 10.00am
In the church rooms
With coffee and croissants!!
We begin our autumn programme with an opportunity for the church family to gather together in prayer, humbly aware of our need of God's blessing on all we seek to do. Prayer is a great privilege which God has given to his people - and He is delighted when we come together to pray.
You don't have to be an expert "pray-er" - this is for every church member!
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Men's Breakfast
8.15am Saturday
25 September at
Alderley Edge Golf Club
A Life Spared!
Our speaker, Ian Ferguson was an operational fighter pilot for 18 years with the RAF, flying Phantoms and Tornado jets. He has some nail-biting experience to recount, whilst explaining how God has been at work in his life!
Tickets (£6), for a good cooked breakfast, are available from the church office or by contacting one of the following:
Ian Lawrence 526732 Alan McDonald 529937
Ian Moffitt 250756 Nick Vaughan 536799
and at the back of church.
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