Do we have rest for now, and assurance for the future?
Geoff Sowden
The story goes of the cobbler’s son and the girl of noble birth. They were friends and grew up together, and as children made a pledge to marry, and exchanged rings. But as he got older the cobbler’s son began to worry, will she really want me, just a cobbler’s son. The girl on these occasions always reassured him and said yes. But this was not really enough, he wanted to be able to prove something, to be seen to be worthy of that love. So off he went to the army, but he proved to be a coward and had to leave in disgrace. Business was next, but here life proved difficult as well, he had no head for business and went bankrupt. His last effort to prove himself worthy of the love of the girl was to go to university and become a scholar. But here too sadly things did not work out, and he had to leave college for being incompetent.
As you can imagine, all this took a number of years, and as he made his way home, imagine his surprise when he found that his girl still wanted him, she said, ‘Look I’ve still got your ring, nothing has changed from all those years ago, we made promises to each other.’ But I am afraid our tale does not have a happy ending because the cobbler’s son still felt unworthy and so the marriage never took place. So for those of us struggling to fully understand God’s love this season of lent, I thought I would look at three aspects of that love from Isaiah 55 verse1:
"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters,
and you without money, come, buy and eat,
come buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
Secondly, ‘Come all you who have no money, come without cost’. What an offer, can it be true, after all nothing today is for free. I remember being struck many years ago on a holiday to Canada, by the provision in the national parks of facilities for barbecues, and not just the bricks and the grill, but the wood for fuel as well. How rare this is, but God’s gift is precisely for those with nothing, in fact those who think they have something to offer, often find this free gift the hardest to accept.
Thirdly, is this party then going to be a bit of a plastic cup affair, No, ‘Come buy milk and wine’, symbols at the time of abundance, ‘your soul will delight in the richest of fare’, so this is no soup kitchen, but a lavish and abundant banquet.
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Some thoughts on prayer Diana Furness |
 Faith Building |
Why is it so important to pray?
To pray means the living soul comes into contact with God
Put bluntly and simply - nothing. Where there is an absence of prayer, there will be an absence of power. If we do not pray then we will not receive strength from God to grow in our knowledge of his love for us, nor will his kingdom come on earth. It is our lifeline with God, and Jesus went through an excruciating death to unite us with him - we do him great dishonour if we do not meet with him after all that he has done for us.
Why is it often so hard to pray?
People of all religious persuasions pray - it seems to be an inherent part of our human nature but it is sometimes the hardest part of our own Christian life to put into action. What are the reasons for this?
First and foremost, it is because we have an enemy, Satan, who does all he can to stop us from praying because he knows how powerful it is. Do we? If we are not Christians, then he isn't very bothered but once we have turned away from him and become his enemy then he is very interested in doing all he can to stop us growing, and prayer is as much our tool for growing in our faith as is reading the Bible and worshipping God. So if you find that your mind starts wandering as soon as you try to pray, remember, Satan is out to distract you.
Aspects of prayer
There are a number of different aspects to prayer and I will cover two of them in this month's newsletter, with other aspects in following ones. The first is:
Waiting before God
This is one of the hardest parts of praying because so often we only think of prayer as us talking to God, and even ore than that, asking God to do things for others or ourselves. We find it much harder to sit and be quiet and wait for him to speak to us or make his presence known to us. This comes only with a bit of effort on our side and using our imagination.
Try to see God enthroned. In your mind put yourself in front of Him, or see yourself holding His hand. Imagine yourself as a small child confidently holding your parent's hand and enjoying just being with them. That is what God wants us to do with Him. Remember that if Jesus needed to spend time with his Father, then so do we.
If you have ever been to a picture gallery, you will know that people stand and look at a picture trying to appreciate the colour, the form, the design, the image, the meaning, Try doing this with God.
To help you in your understanding, try reading some Bible verses from Psalms, or the Gospels, a hymn or a scripture song.
Be still, and know that I am God (Ps. 46,10). They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, (Isaiah 40.30)
Another important aspect of prayer is PRAISE.
Praise comes next because we need to centre on who God is and who Jesus is and what he has done for us. By considering God's nature and his attributes we know to whom we are coming and why. Reading hymns or scripture songs, Bible verses from Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels or one of Paul's letters will give us plenty of reasons for praising God. Think about the natural world and what it depicts of God's nature - the immense variety of every living thing, the uniqueness of each human being. God's sense of humour.
Praise God because he dwells in our praises. (Ps. 22.3) "You are enthroned as the Holy One, the one whom Israel praises."
In the next newsletter I will be writing some thoughts on confession, meditation and intercession.
Christians Together in Ware
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 Bridge Building |
 Body Building |
| Family History Group |
Body Building |
The next meeting will take the form of a visit to HALS (Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies) at County Hall in Hertford on Tuesday 27th March. We will meet outside the Local Studies Centre at 5 p.m.
Please contact Stan or Gill Bruce (01920 422527) if transport from Ware is required.
 Walk - 12th May |
Bridge Building |
There will be a meeting at the back of Christ Church on Tuesday 6th March at 8pm for the present committee and anyone else interested in finding out what is involved!
£5 - £10 - £15 - £20 - £25 ... £15,732 - Yes! This is the staggering total that the Christian Aid Walk Committee has received so far from walkers in sponsorship from last May's Walk, And the money is still coming in.
This is a heartfelt 'thank you' to all, for your contribution to helping the World's poor.
Christian Aid Walk 2001
Saturday 12 May – please note in your diary.
The Committee is starting to organise the Walk for 2001. This is no small job. We ask you to pray for more volunteers to join us in this ecumenical exercise to raise money in East Herts.
If you can help please contact Susan Swaile on 01920 465842 or Liz Horner on 01920 465714. Read more about Christian Aid at www.Christian-Aid.org.uk
| Home-Start East Herts |
Bridge Building |
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes, helping to prevent family crisis and breakdown and emphasising the pleasures of family life. Home-Start provides a breathing space for parents and elbowroom for professional workers who can refer any family with at least one child under school age to the Scheme.
Volunteers will spend normally between two to three hours a week with their Home-Start family. The provide a listening ear to depressed mothers, or may give exhausted new mothers or parents of special needs children a well-deserved break. They will help ill parents and support those going through relationship breakdown and those whose children display behavioural problems. Sometimes volunteers help parents attend hospital or court appointments, or simply assist them with their shopping.
People of all ages are welcomed. The only stipulation is that they have had parenting experience themselves. They need no specific qualifications, but they do need the ability to listen with understanding, to maintain confidentiality, and bring with them commitment both to the Scheme and to the families they visit. Parents who have been visited sometimes become volunteers themselves.
The volunteers receive ongoing training and support, and individual support is given by the organisers who regularly assess the volunteers' and families' progress. Social events are also held for volunteers.
All our volunteers are extremely valued and feel very much part of the Home-Start team.
Volunteers are always being sought and a new preparation course is planned for the Spring. For further information, please contact Home-Start East Herts, Sucklings Yard, Church Street, Ware, Herts, SG12 9EN. Telephone/Fax 01920 464883.
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Mike is struggling to look after his two young children whilst going out to work and frequently visiting his seriously ill wife in hospital. He is putting on a brave face, but desperately needs someone to give him a break.
Could you visit a family similar to this for 2-3 hours a week?
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| Hertfordshire Convalescent Trust |
Bridge Building |
For further information contact Wendy Tucker - 01920 464826
Do you need a holiday?
If you need a convalescent or respite holiday but are on a very low income, we may be able to help
Are you a carer who needs a break?
If you are caring for somebody who is chronically sick; need a holiday, but can't afford to get away, we may be able to help.
Are you worn out?
If you are at the end of your tether, but don't have the money to pay for a break, we may be able to help.
Do you need information or advice?
We can help you with details of where to go for convalescence.
We can put you in touch with other charitable organisations who may be able to help, even if we can't.
Then the Hertfordshire Convalescent Trust can help you.
Just give us a ring on 01992 505886
| CHIPS |
Bridge Building |
Support to families with children with special needs. Weekly and Summer holiday play schemes in Hertford, Ware & Bishops Stortford.
For further information contact Sally Ilott - 01920 411915, or go to www.EastHerts.gov.uk/servdir/ltplay.htm
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Faith Building |
Mulberry House was founded a few years ago “To be a place of excellence where through prayer, service and the environment people will find faith, encouragement and ministry towards wholeness in Christ.” (Mulberry House Mission Statement)
Here are some of the activities provided by Mulberry House and the Pastoral Centre.
P.A.L.M. Days (Prayer and Listening Ministry), Leisure Breaks, Retreats, Ladies Days (with speakers like Jennifer Rees Larcombe and Faith Forster), Craft Dats, Singles Evenings, Over 55 Lunches, Private Functions, Counselling (adults, children, couples), Parenting Skills, Creative Therapy and ‘Drop-In’ Times.
If you would like further information, please see Maggie Reid.
You can also find out about them on their very comprehensive website at www.mulberry-house.com
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Bridge Building |
| Flowers for Church |
Body Building |
Do please think about whether you would like to arrange them for one Sunday perhaps to commemorate a birthday or a bereavement. Money is available to pay for the flowers from a fund and there are skilled arrangers who can give you advice about choice and arrangement of flowers. Please sign your name(s) at the back of church or phone Marjorie Brain, 462785.
| Line Dance |
Bridge Building |
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£7, Proceeds to NCH Super included but bring your own drinks Contact: T. Gubb 01920 426540, C. Hudson 01920 464942
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