St Luke's Church
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Great Crosby
Liverpool L23 5SE
England
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Reflections - Archive - 2003
These reflections are published most Sundays on the front page of our parish newsletter.
Current reflections may be found here.
Light in the Darkness
Every year as we come to celebrate Christmas, dark clouds surround us. This year on the international scene there is continued violence and terror, while millions suffer in silence with famine and sickness. On the national scene we struggle to understand how anyone could murder two lovely girls like Holly and Jessica.
It makes the words of John's gospel stand out more clearly.
"The light shines in darkness and the darkness has never put it out."
This is our hope based on a promise that has endured for over 2000 years and will remain till Jesus comes again.
In response to the coming of light, let us shine brighter than ever. In our small way, we can also push back the darkness.
Let the light shine this Christmas and may it be full of joy and peace.
David
Christmas Giving
Jesus said “Give to others and God will give to you. Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands - all that you can hold. The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you”. (Luke 6:38)
God gives us the greatest gift at Christmas - the birth of his son Jesus and to all who receive him the gift of life. So it is good to give at Christmas.
Today we thank all the children and young people who bring presents to be given out by Helping Hands to those in need in our community.
Thank you also for giving toiletries which will make a special gift to everyone resident in the YMCA hostel in Liverpool.
Thank you for those who have given to the Mustard Seed Christmas party in Uganda and to Alejandro and Doris and the children of Arequipa.
Finally this year our Christmas envelope giving will go to support the street children of Guatemala through Toy Box. Thank you for your generosity.
David
The Real Father Christmas
How did a Turkish Bishop who was born in 260 AD become the modern day Father Christmas? The facts are few - the legends are many!
St Nicholas, whose feast day is 5 December, was Bishop of Myra in south-west Turkey. According to legend Nicholas' parents died leaving him a rich young man and he determined to devote himself and his wealth to charity.
Supposedly, there were three sisters whose parents were too poor to give them dowries, without which they could not get married and so would be destitute all their lives. St Nicholas was humble and did not want people to know he was the source of the gifts, so he climbed on to the roof three times and dropped a bag of gold down the chimney. The bags of gold fell into the stockings of three girls, which were hanging on the hearth to dry!
There are many other legends about St Nicholas and he was a very popular saint. His reputation survived the reformation when many other medieval traditions disappeared. He became transformed into Santa Claus - and the stories associated with him were carried over to America by the settlers from the continent, As we bring our gifts and presents, he was easily mutated later into today's familiar and wholly commercial Father Christmas. In northern and central Europe, St Nicholas' Day is still celebrated with present giving and feasting leaving Christmas a quieter family time.
(taken from an article by Helen Harrison in the Church of England Newspaper)
Make it a Caring Christmas
Have a look around - is there a neighbour or friend on their own? Please
reach out to them with a card, a present, or an invitation to a cup of coffee or a meal. You could make someone's Christmas so special
this year. You could also invite them to a service. Please use the invitations on the 'Welcome Table' to invite family and friends
to our Christmas services.
There will be three Christingle services on Christmas Eve at 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Booking forms and collecting candles will
be available in the hall after the 11:00 am service today & 14 December. Book early to avoid disappointment.
A Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury
 |
|
Dr Rowan Williams 104th Archbishop of Canterbury Credit: Eleanor Bentall |
In 1871 John Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia, visited the Island of Nukapu in the Pacific Ocean. Prior to his visit a group of white men had arrived at the island, feigned friendship and captured five young people to sell into slavery. With local tempers high, Bishop Patteson prepared to land to comfort the islanders. Later that afternoon a canoe returned from the island with the bishop's dead body in it The uncle of the five kidnapped youths had vowed to kill the first white man to set foot on the island; Bishop Patteson was that man.
The bishop's death was not only instrumental in the abolition of slavery in the Pacific but also provided the impetus for one of my predecessors, Archbishop Tait, to designate an annual day of prayer at St Andrew's Tide for the mission work of the Church throughout the world.
This year's day of prayer comes at the end of a year dominated by conflict across the world. It therefore seems most appropriate that the theme of this year's resource leaflet is reconciliation. If we turn our attention again to the Anglican presence in Melanesia, we are reminded how Christian witness in situations of conflict can involve risk and acute personal cost. As recently as August this year, six missionaries from the Anglican order of the Melanesian Brotherhood were killed while being held hostage by a rebel leader.
I encourage parishes and individuals to continue this tradition of prayer around St Andrew's Tide (November 28th) praying for God's mission in the world and for the continuing work of the Anglican mission agencies.
+Rowan Cantuar
Once a King, Always a King
There are some things you can never change. Your Dad and Mum will always be your Dad and Mum. It doesn't matter if they grow old or move to Australia, they are still your Dad and Mum. In the same way once a king, always a king.
Jesus was as much a king at his birth in a stable, dying as a criminal on the cross, feeding the 5000, or reigning with God in heaven. Once a king, always a king.
We may feel Jesus is a king as we worship on Sunday, but what about Monday morning at work or school, Saturday night when we go out, or when we are ill in hospital.
At what point does Jesus stop being king? Never!! - but when we turn away from him and take our life into our own hands we declare a unilateral independence. That makes us a rebel, it doesn't stop Jesus being king. It may hinder his blessing and protection, it will never change his love.
David
Don't be surprised
As we approach Advent, we reflect on the end of the world before moving on to Christmas when we reflect on the first coming of Jesus.
It's good to keep the end in mind. Jesus tells us to be on watch, be alert for you do not know when the end will come. (Mark 13:33) He warns us that there will be a falling away of faith, there will be news of wars, earthquakes and famines. This reminds us that there won't be a smooth progression with everything getting better. While evil remains in the world, there will always be convulsions, there will always be conflict. Like childbirth there is a crisis before a baby is born. Jesus gave these warnings not to scare us but to warn us so when they come we do not lose hope. God is still working his purpose out. He will navigate the storm.
The same is true on a personal level. We can expect battles and crises of one sort or another. This isn't something that should surprise us, rather with the psalmist we should say, "Even if I go through deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me."
David
Remembrance Day
War comes regularly into our sitting rooms. Two or three programmes a week retell the story of a war or an act of heroism. This year the war in Iraq was broadcast live as it was happening!
We see so much destruction, pain and death that it is hard to appreciate the ongoing trauma for those who survive. One way might be to think again of the terrible tragedy at Hillsborough and how even after all these years peoples live are still deeply affected.
As we reflect on all we see and hear about war, two responses come to my mind that are central to Remembrance Day. First, we must pray for peace and work for peace. Second - we must show care and compassion for those suffering from the effects of war.
David
Light or Darkness
In our broken world there is a struggle between light and darkness, good and evil. All Saints Day gives us a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Now God’s home is with human beings! He will live with them, and they shall be his people…He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.
(Revelation 21:3,4)
We cannot imagine the good things God has in store, but we know the plans God had in the beginning of creation will be completed. What is utterly amazing is that all who put their trust in Christ will be his bride and share in his inheritance.
Why then with his hope before us does society celebrate Halloween instead of All Saints day? Why celebrate darkness and horror when Christ offers us light and healing? I find it perplexing but it does show how far as a people and nation we have drifted from our inheritance in Christ. The need to shine as a light in the world is now greater than ever.
David
A Fantastic Festival
The Crosby Herald called the Flower Festival Scent-sational. I thought it was a wonderful time of celebration. I think what inspired me most was the way so many people worked so well and so willingly together. When the flower ladies were decorating the church on Wednesday, there was a real 'buzz' in the atmosphere. That sense of joy and thanksgiving remained right to the end as we enjoyed the Parish Tea. Everyone seemed to really appreciate all we had done together. Thank you for your part.
History Book
A disappointment was the number of our History Books we have sold. We have 1000 to sell and the total sold is now only 300. Please will you do all you can to sell books to friends and neighbours and buy them for presents.
Chairs
You will have noticed our lovely new chairs in the North Transept of the Church. If you would like to give a chair or sponsor one in memory of a loved one, please could you let Shirley know and arrange payment. The cost of a chair is £60, if you would like a small brass memorial plate like the ones in the South Transept there will be an additional charge of £4, and there are forms in the office to complete for this.
A Big Thank You
Look around the church. Sense the warm welcoming atmosphere. Greet the people around you. Come, worship and give thanks to God for his great goodness to us and to past generations. Today we celebrate a major milestone along our journey. Let's savour the moment and fill it with thanksgiving.
A Team Effort
Many people have worked incredibly hard to make this weekend possible. I want to thank everyone who has contributed in any way - in prayer, in work, in giving, and by a word of encouragement or thanks that means so much. We have had the maintenance team painting and working in the grounds, the flower arranging team creating such beauty around us, the office team communicating in so many ways, the history team producing our wonderful new book, the 150th planning team drawing the whole weekend together, the Wardens and Welcomers making sure it all runs smoothly. Our children and their leaders, our singers and musicians, our worship leaders and preachers, our helpers with the refreshments, our helpers who clean and tidy and everyone who comes to support and worship.
I think that includes everyone. THANK YOU
David
The Lord said to Solomon: "I have consecrated this temple, which you
have built by putting my name there for ever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." What a wonderful statement. As we celebrate
together the 150th anniversary of our church, I pray that the Lord's eyes and heart will always be here and that his name will be for
ever lifted high. What always makes an impact on me as I approach Crosby is the Cross on top of our steeple, high up in the sky over
this community and
everything else underneath it, it is even visible from the Hightown bends, it reminds me of the verse in Psalm 8: "You put everything
under his feet."
We have a beautiful church with a fascinating history of God's presence with his people through the years. However buildings are not indestructible as we well know from the events of 1972. God tells us: "Surely you know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you! So if anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you yourselves are his temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16) Just think that if God's spirit lives in each one of us, how powerful we must be when we come together as his church.
The wooden Cross in St Luke's is made from timbers of the burnt church and represents the new risen life for the church in Christ. As we look to the future and experience that new risen life, we can be excited about God's plans and purposes for his church here at St Luke's!
Toybox
Toybox was founded in 1991. It focuses on children living on the streets
of Guatemala City. The Toybox charity works with the
children on the streets and sometimes their families too. Toybox runs six homes for these children. The children go through a long learning
process before gaining a place in one of these homes but once there, they are cared for by 'parents' and have a 'family life'. The children
can go to school and learn to read and write.
In July this year the British Embassy in Guatemala has funded a bakery, in one of the boys' homes, so that staff can train the children approaching independence in business skills and a profession.
Have you thought about becoming a sponsor to a child in one of the homes? When you become a sponsor you receive a photograph and letter from the child/children every six months. The letters tell you how they are progressing and what they have been doing. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please take a leaflet from the back of church. You may wish to sponsor a child on your own or maybe share the sponsorship between a group of you. Please think about how you may be able to help. For more information about the Toybox Charity please see the notice board at the back of church.
There will be a craft sale to raise funds for Toybox after the service today and on 12 October. Please come and support this. Thank you.
Janette Burridge
Reflections
Divorce and remarriage were thorny subjects in Jesus' time just as they are now. Now, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. When the Pharisees came to Jesus to ask him about marriage and divorce, they didn’t come to discover anything about the will of God for human beings, but to test Jesus. "What God has joined together", said Jesus, "let no-one put asunder."
Jesus went on to say that all human beings who want to experience God's kingdom must receive God just as little children, receive whatever is offered them. Jesus implored the Pharisees to look for the heart of God, not to search for authorization for divorce and remarriage. We badly need to rediscover the sense that as Jesus' disciples we are to live distinctive lives, which witness to his values, not those of the world.
Barbara Chambers
Saying ‘Thank you’ unlocks a treasure chest …
The most important word in the world is “sorry”. It begins to breakdown the barriers that imprison us. The next two most important words are “Thank you”. They open up the flow of love, they nourish relationship.
Harvest Thanksgiving helps us recognize God is the source of all life and love. We turn to him and say thank you - for our world, for our resources, for our relationships. We don’t own anything. As Paul reminds us we bring nothing into the world and we take nothing out of it (1 Timothy 6:7). Everything is a gift, on loan to us, to use wisely in harmony with God’s plan and purpose.
Saying a big thank you to God draws us back into a relationship of trust. We begin to see the world through His eyes - the beauty stirs us to worship - the pain calls us to give.
In our services today we will be worshiping God in thanks and giving generously to the children of prisoners in Peru, through our links with St Luke’s Church Araquipa.
David
As we approach autumn we are aware of many changes around us. Some of us would like to hold on to the warm days and bright colours of summer and dread the cold dark days of winter.
The disciples of Jesus loved the mountain top experiences of being with Jesus as he healed many, and they saw the power and wonder of God at work. When he spoke of his death they were unable to take it on board and yet the message was so important that Jesus took time out to speak to them privately. They had a lot to learn about suffering and true service.
Just as in winter we learn to appreciate the wonder of God and his creation in a new way, we learn most about God and his faithfulness in our hard times. When things are difficult we are tempted to draw back but true faith draws us closer to Jesus. Just as children trust those who care for them because they have no other way to go and are helpless on their own, we must learn to trust in Jesus knowing that he will never leave us.
God uses us to reach out to those in need and if we truly understand what it means to serve him we will naturally be drawn to others in their dark times. If we come near to God he will come near to us. The way God does it will often surprise us and bring us again into the warmth of his love.
Alan Lewney
HOLY COMMUNION IN THE HALL
Today we are having a short Holy Communion service in the hall for the Scrambler parents and all the children. This will mirror the service we have in church and enable us to explain the meaning of Holy Communion. The children will be invited to receive a blessing. Let us know if you feel this helpful and we could do it occasionally, perhaps once a term.
David
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Our Harvest Festival Sunday is on 28 September. We will be supporting the SAMS charity this year. Invitations will be available next Sunday. Please invite friends. We welcome gifts of flowers and fruit which we share with the sick and housebound. We need people to deliver these on Sunday afternoon. Please let Shirley know if you can help. Thank you.
SAMS
Alejandro Mesco is our link partner in Peru. Alejandro, his wife Doris and their four children, Rolando 24, Alejandro 19, Carlos 17 and Helen 14, live and serve the Lord in Arequipa, Peru. Alejandro, as Regional Director, oversees the two churches, the school and St Joseph’s Children’s Home.
In July, classes 3, 4 and 5 moved into their new classrooms in St Luke’s School. Alejandro, with the help of volunteers worked very hard to get things finished on time and the good news is that now the church is no longer needed as a classroom. The next stage is to get good plans drawn up for primary and secondary schools and a new church, plus all the necessary administrative facilities for the growing school and parish.
Alejandro and Doris thank everyone at St Luke’s for their support, both prayerfully and financially. They ask for prayer that ‘The Lord will guide and strengthen them in everything they do as they seek to minister and serve the people of Arequipa.’
Joyce Fell
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Our Harvest Festival Sunday is on 28 September. We will be supporting the Toy Box charity this year. Invitations will be available next Sunday. Please invite friends. We welcome gifts of flowers and fruit which we share with the sick and housebound. We need people to deliver these on Sunday afternoon. Please let Shirley in the office know if you can help. Thank you.
NEW CHAIRS
We are buying 40 new chairs for the North Transept of the Church as part
of our refurbishment programme. Each chair will cost £60. If you would like to give a chair or sponsor one in memory of a loved
one, please could you let Shirley know and arrange payment. It will be possible to have a small brass memorial plate like the ones
in the South Transept. Shirley
has a form for that and there will be a charge to cover its cost.
Welcome and Farewell
Welcome back everyone, we hope you have had an opportunity to relax over the summer. Our children's and young people's groups start up again today. In our 11:00 am service we will have a special time to pray for them and ensure them of our prayers and support.
We will also be saying farewell to Jan de Villiers who leaves us to begin training as our new CMS partner. We will be praying for Jan and also another former church member, Geoffrey Firth, who begins his training for the ordained ministry.
David
A note from Jan
As I begin a new chapter in my life by going to Crowther Hall, I would like to thank all the church family of St Luke's for all their love, support and encouragement over the past years. Although I grew up in the Methodist Church, I became a Christian through the "Your Choice" Youth for Christ mission to Crosby in 1984, and always enjoyed coming to evening worship at St Luke's, before, after and during the ten or so years I was away from the Crosby area.
Since being "full-time" at St Luke's, I have been involved with Brownies and Alpha, with the music and singing and in the home/prayer groups. As I have been sensing God challenging me to step out of my boat and leave behind my comfort zone of job, house, church, and the inherent security within all those, I have been very aware of the prayerful support of so many at St Luke's. Once again, I thank you, once again I pour out my life in his service.
Jan
Let's work together
The youngest member of St Luke's present at out meeting of parishioners summed up the evening when she said, "As Christians we should be working together." Certainly young people expect it and so does everybody outside the church. It's time to put what we know to be right into practice.
The meeting unanimously agreed that we should seek to work closely with the other churches in Crosby, Blundellsands and, if possible, with Thornton and Sefton as well. This would mean sharing the paid clergy, so instead of five clergy for six churches we would have four, or in the case of the Blundellsands and Crosby churches, instead of four clergy for four churches we would in future have three.
If this goal is agreed, then we will have to work out how it is achieved. We will be having more consultations with the other churches in the next few weeks.
David
End of an Era
The old Crossroads Café closed its doors for the last time at 4:00 pm on Friday 29 August. This week the staff and volunteers will be preparing for the new Crossroads Centre. Its doors will be open to customers on Friday 5 September.
The official opening and dedication will take place on Saturday 20 September at 11:00 am with refreshments served in the Centre. Do come to this big event and join your prayers with Christians from the other churches of Crosby, asking for God's blessing and protection.
The future is full of exciting possibilities. The first Churches Together in Great Crosby Alpha course will be held in the Centre. We hope eventually to organize a youth café on a Friday and/or Saturday night. What other programmes could we run in the Centre? Let Peter Dobson or Barry Fell know what you think.
Last, but not least, we need a paid cleaner for six days a week, hours flexible and to be agreed, and volunteers to help run the daytime café. How you an hour or two to spare? Let Viv Pierce know.
David
Looking Ahead
September is start up time. Our children will be starting a new school year. Some will be changing schools or going to university. All will have programmes of work and targets to fulfil.
What about the rest of us? We are certainly in for a busy autumn with our 150th anniversary celebrations, the new Crossroads Centre opening and major decisions to make about the deployment of clergy in Crosby. But what about your personal goals? One challenge is always to grow closer to God and allow his Holy Spirit to transform us and then to invite others to explore his way with us.
Look inside for the main events this Autumn. Please pray for them and think how you can be involved. Finally if you are not in a home group, why not make joining one your goal for the months ahead.
David
As we "wind down" and relax through the summer months, we have more time to read and do the things we enjoy. Considering the following, isn't it good to realize that we have the most powerful book of all.
"We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." [John 1:45]
It is possible to understand much about the Bible yet not understand its central theme Christ. Everything else is marginal, he is central. The whole of the Bible's message relates to God's plan of redemption through Christ, and without a knowledge of him it cannot be understood. Just as there is a road in every village and town in Britain that eventually leads to London so there is a path in every book of the Bible that leads to Christ. All the Old Testament truths converge upon him; all the New Testament truths emerge from him. Just take a few moments to reflect on the following.
In Genesis he is the Seed of the woman,
in Exodus the Passover Lamb,
in Leviticus the Pillar of Cloud by Day and the Pillar of Fire by Night,
in Judges he is the Great Deliverer,
in Ruth he is the Heavenly Kinsman,
in Kings the Promised Sovereign,
in Nehemiah the Restorer of his People,
in Esther the Great Advocate,
in Psalms the All-in-All,
in Proverbs the Great Pattern,
in Ecclesiastes the Answer to the Search for Meaning,
in the Song of Songs the Great Lover,
in the Prophets the Prince of Peace,
in the Gospels the One who Seeks and Saves,
in the Epistles the Great Redeemer, and
in Revelation the King of kings and Lord of lords.
He is the Word bigger than men's words.
Jesus is the key to everything, the more we come to know him and the deeper our knowledge of him becomes, the more we will understand the Bible.
In my newspaper this week a headline caught my eye, "Financial Security for Life". It reminded me of a phone call I had received a few months ago from a Pensions Company. The caller asked me if I had "secured my future up until death", I asked him if he had "secured his future after death"!
Jesus says "I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of my hand"(John 10:28). God has "anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come". So we know that death is not the end but a new beginning. Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us and he will take us there to be with him, we need not fear death, we need not fear growing old, and since there’s no need to fear we can get on with the tasks the Lord has for us to do, secure in Him.
A Big Welcome
Today we welcome members of the Prom Praise orchestra to lead our worship and the Revd Philip Baskerville from Pensby in the Wirral as our guest speaker. Thank you for coming to share with us.
As we praise God for his greatness and love we welcome him. The Bible says "God lives in the praise of his people" (Psalm 22:3). In a wonderful way we become aware of his presence in our midst and we can truly offer him not just our praise and worship but also our lives.
God also offers us a big welcome. He looks into our lives - right through all our pretence and defence. He sees in us a precious child he loves. He sees all the potential of our lives, we so often overlook. He says welcome, I chose you to go and bear much fruit. (John 15:17).
Let's give everyone a BIG WELCOME
David
Please Help
Peeling paint, holes in the driveway, no easy access for wheelchairs, no adequate provision for families with young children, hall windows looking dilapidated beside the new Crossroads building, the list could go on. We want to attend to these and other needs before our 150th Anniversary and before the Disabilities Act comes into force in 2004.
Every church member will have received information in the post seeking a gift in thanksgiving for all the blessings of God received through St Luke's and to help us do this work. If you have not received the information, it means you are not on our mailing list. Please would you take the leaflet from the back of church and if you would like to be on our mailing list please give your name to the person on the welcome desk.
Thank you for your help. Please continue to pray for God's guidance, protection and blessing as we prepare for this great event in the life of St Luke's Church.
David
Reflecting the Father
If you take a walk on the Formby dunes and pick up one grain of sand, it is like looking at our planet in the vastness of the universe. God our creator is great beyond our imagination, but he is also our Father.
Creation was an act of withdrawal, a letting go, to give us space to be able to love. From the first moment of creation God our Father has been calling us. The final invitation is Jesus's great act of love on the cross. He has given us himself.
Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes, 'I kneel before the Father from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth derives its name.' (Ephesians 3.14)
On Father's day, do we as dads and mums reflect the Father's love? Are we both letting go to give our children the space to be able to love, and are we calling them back to love through our actions, as we love, care and guide them?
We can only begin to reflect God's love if we first come to know his love for ourselves through our trust in Jesus and being filled with the Spirit. Perhaps then our families will reflect the Trinity. There's a thought for Trinity Sunday.
David
A Free Gift
God has promised to give us a helper to be with us always. He comes to us and fills us with his Holy Spirit. God comes to dwell in our lives.
What does he bring?
- assurance of forgiveness
- knowledge that God is our Father
- understanding of the Bible
- help in prayer
- transformation into the likeness of Christ
- gifts to perform God's work
- power to defeat the enemy
- love for everyone
- a fruitful life full of joy
Jesus promises 'Your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.' (Luke 11:13.)
St Paul urges us to 'go on being filled with the Holy Spirit'. (Ephesians 6 :18.)
This Pentecost Sunday ask God to pour out his Spirit afresh so we are all filled anew.
David
Conservation Sunday
June 5th is World Environment Day when organizations around the world encourage us to become aware of the need to conserve our fragile planet.
The theme fits easily into our Christian understanding of creation. Everything in all creation was made through Christ (John 1:23) and now everything in all creation is under his authority after God raised him from death and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly world. (Ephesians 1:21)
We pray for God's Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Everything in all creation is included. Everything we do and every moment of our life is included. Nothing will be excluded from the reign of Christ. He will be Lord of all.
So caring and conserving the world around us is part of our Christian responsibility. We should willingly join hands with other groups in this important task. For more information on how we can do this have a look at www.arocha.org and read our notices.
David
Open Doors
Today I listened to the news about the reduction of people seeking asylum in the UK. For the next 10 minutes 'experts' were interviewed to cast doubt on the figures. Right and proper I can hear people say - you can't trust the Government spin doctors. But are we slipping into such a cynical attitude, that we are incapable of believing good news?
If that is the case, we are losing something of inestimable value. Belief opens doors.
Cynics may feel safe and even superior, but they have lost an opportunity to discover truth. Belief doesn't mean being gullible, belief opens doors, but then it demands hard work, seeking the truth and the courage to change.
As Christians we are believing people. We believe in the good news of Jesus and that really does open doors and lead us out into a journey of discovery.
David
Confirmation 2003
On Wednesday 21 May at 7:30 pm we welcome the Dean of Liverpool Cathedral, the Rt Revd Rupert Hoare to St Luke's for our Confirmation Service.
This is an important occasion in the life of St Luke's and especially for those being confirmed.
Please will you support them in your prayers this week. You would also be welcome at the service. If you have never been to a confirmation service come and take a look!
The following are being confirmed from St Luke's Church. There will also be three adults and seven young people from all Saints'.
Adults: Gillian Croft, Suzanne Eggington, Graham Hignett.
Young People: Amy Curwen, Maria Harris, Sophie Howes, Francesca Moffatt, James Oliver, Faye Redfern, Rose Shepley, Hannah Sonne, Thomas Sutherland, David Tickle.
David
No other name
We live in a 'pick and mix' society. The proliferation of TV channels, the variety of foods, multitude of holiday destinations, all give us endless choices that can enrich our lives.
In this culture of choice the words of Peter stand out in stark contrast: "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
When it comes to searching for the way back to God and discovering the gift of life, there is only one way.
This is offensive to many, but that has always been the case. If Jesus was God's son, if he died and rose again, if he gives us the Holy Spirit, there can be no other way. There has never been anyone else offering us life in his name.
Jesus name above all names
beautiful Saviour, glorious Lord.
Emmanuel, God is with us
blessed Redeemer, living Word.
David
At the Annual Meeting David shared three new goals for this year.
- Refurbish the North Transept of the church with comfortable chairs and a carpet to match the South Transept, have a ramp for buggies and wheelchairs and a special toddlers area - see plan at the back of church - what do you think?
- Develop our Home Groups with help from St. Mark's Haydock, who currently have 60 groups with over 600 people attending.
- Become more effective in Mission by working more closely with All Saints and Moor Lane Methodist Church. At present we are 3 independent churches all doing the same thing. If we combined we could release resources and share ministries. Leaders from the 3 churches will explore the possibilities and report back.
We are entering a time of change with many challenges and opportunities. Thank you for your prayers and support.
David
Jesus' resurrection heralded a new dawn. A broken, divided world now has new hope. God's kingdom had come.
The challenge we face is how to work with God to see creation renewed and the rule of God permeate every aspect of society. The first step is to give our lives to Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit - but then the work begins.
What is the role of St Luke's in this great work? How can we bring the light, love and life of Christ to Crosby and beyond?
We want to share some new ideas with all the members of St Luke's at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting at 8.00 pm in the hall next Wednesday April 30th.
Please come and help shape the work of St Luke's as we move on from our 150th Anniversary. This is an important meeting.
David
New Life
Opinion polls constantly record over 70% of the population believe in a God. For many this includes a longing for life beyond death. They hope to be with their loved ones in heaven, but death still seems an impenetrable barrier.
The resurrection of Jesus opens a pathway through this barrier. His victory over death allows the floodlights to heaven to shine upon earth. We are not left in the dark with only vague hopes. Eternal life comes to meet us as we look to Jesus with faith and trust.
Our hope is based on the solid evidence of the resurrection - the empty tomb - the witness of the disciples in their changed lives, the experience of Christians through the ages as well as our own experience. When we ask Jesus to forgive us and fill our lives with the Holy Spirit, we receive the gift of eternal life now in this life and so have the assurance of heaven in our hearts.
David
The Way of the Cross
The story of Palm Sunday holds together three strangely different characteristics: humility, triumph and conflict and together they mark the way of the cross.
Jesus chose a donkey as a sign of humility. Yes he was a king, but a king in the role of a servant. He had come to serve and give his life as a ransom for us all.
Hundreds of people surrounded Jesus on his journey shouting 'Praise God'. Palm branches were waving. This triumph was a fleeting thing - like the morning dew it would soon pass - but it heralded the greatest triumph of all when Jesus would rise again.
The servant king was a contradiction. The rulers wanted a servant. The people wanted a king. Nobody seemed to want a servant king. The way of the cross would be hard and lonely for Jesus - and it is still a hard path to follow - but it remains the only pathway to life eternal.
David
We wish to see Jesus.
This was the request of some Greeks. Jesus replied 'The hour has come for the son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.'
You can look at a single grain in the palm of your hand or in your mind's eye see a vast field of golden wheat swaying in the wind.
The hour had come for Jesus to die and be lifted up so he could draw everyone to himself.
We begin by seeing the man. If we follow his steps, dying to self and living for Jesus we will enter his glory. We will truly see Jesus in all his majesty and power.
David
Thank you
Mums have a very special bond with their children.
There is the nurturing of life all through pregnancy and during a child's early life.
There is the longing for growth as Mums eagerly watch for the first smile, the first step and on into school and the big wide world.
There is the seeking for protection. A loving mum would instinctively risk her life to save her child.
These are the characteristics of love and reflect God's great love. And of course it's not just Mums who love in this way - every carer, everyone who reaches out in love to another reflects God's love.
Today we want to say thank you to Mums and all who care as they reach out with God's love and enrich our lives.
David
Prayer for Peace
How do we pray in a time of war?
First we cry to God for mercy. God loves every man, woman and child. No one stands outside God's love. When nations resort to war, however just the cause, it is a failure. We come into his presence in penitence seeking forgiveness.
Second we pray for wisdom.
There is a pathway through the conflict that will achieve the goal with minimum destruction, death and traumas. We pray for everyone making decisions that they will walk in this way.
Third we pray for healing.
When we look at the cross, we know God stands in the place of pain. We know he longs to bring this light and hope to the places of darkness and despair.
Let us pray for peace in our world.
David
Co-workers with God
Thank you for your generous support to St Luke’s Church. Last year £155,250 was given to St Luke's and of this £35,550 was given to overseas and local charities.
Your financial giving enables St Luke’s to minister to many people in a whole variety of ways.
God calls us to be co-workers with him. We fulfil this call as we worship and pray, as we work day by day, as we serve others and also as we give money.
The pressure of life is increasing for many people in work. They just don’t have the time to help others as they would like, but giving money enables people to be co-workers with God in many different situations. Their gift could be used to support youth work, provide worship, care for orphans, pay for a nurse in Malawi and so on.
God freely gives to us. All we have comes from him. If we are going to be co-workers with him, we too must learn to be generous givers. The attitudes, values and actions of Jesus must increasingly be reflected in all we do.
The response form in the news-sheet, gives you an opportunity to be a co-worker with God. The form can also be downloaded from here as a 58 kB pdf file.
Thank You.
David
After his baptism Jesus stood at the beginning of his life's ministry - teaching, healing, loving people and eventually dying for us. But first he needed to know who he really was. And the answer came at his baptism - the sign of a dove alighting on him and his Father’s voice - "you are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
What a difference that must have made. God's own Son. Do we feel we are really God’s children? What a difference to us if we believe and accept God has chosen us. Jesus was soon to experience life - tested in the wilderness where he learned to rely on God alone.
And Jesus calls us to repent and believe the Good News. For our ministries can only be effective when they flow from our encounter with God on whom we rely.
Lent is a time for looking at ourselves, our life style, temptations and hopes. However young or old we are, each day we stand looking forwards to a new beginning - through Lent and beyond. And as we give our time and talents in the service of others, then we will receive so much of God's power and his blessings.
Bill Pierce
God's Word
God's Word is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) Everything about God's Word speaks of life. In it we find a living God as Father. We find the Son of God who pleads for us before him and promises us eternal life. We find the Holy Spirit who indwells us.
Without the Bible we could never understand God's plan for us. In the Bible we learn about a living God who wants to fill our lives with his love. Every part of God's word is inspired and, if we read it properly in the right context, we can all find something to guide us, inspire us and teach us. To those who believe, it offers nothing less than forgiveness and new birth.
Read it every day, pray about what you read and apply it to your life. God's Word is alive and God will speak to you through it!
Alan Lewney
In these critical days we pray for our leaders to have wisdom. What are we asking for?
The old testament reading for today is Proverbs 8:1,22-31 where wisdom is compared to a master worker helping God in creation. Verse 31 goes on to say 'I was daily his delight rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.'
In Proverbs 9:10 we read 'To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord.' James 3:17 says 'Wisdom from above is pure first of all, it is also peaceful, gentle and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds.' So we see that wisdom is a gift of God and is God coming to us so that we work in harmony with his purpose.
To receive wisdom we must be open to God, humble and pliable in his hand.
Both Mr Bush and Mr Blair acknowledge God - let us pray they will know true wisdom.
David
John said Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Spirit to all who believe and when we receive him we are born again of the Spirit. His presence makes Jesus real to us and through his work in our lives we can become like Jesus in our character and in things we do.
There are many images in the Bible of the work of the Spirit. Baptism speaks of drenching and being overwhelmed. Rivers of living water speak of the release of the flow of the love of God. Being covered and clothed speaks of the Spirit surrounding us with the presence of Jesus. Filling speaks of his complete indwelling of our hearts and minds.
God promises his Spirit in abundance to those who truly repent and obey him. We need to have a thirst for God and be open to him as we ask him to fill us. God promises to respond and is longing to release his power into our lives.
Alan Lewney
Jesus seemed to cope with any and every situation. He never changed the gospel message to suit different people or situations.
Jesus spoke the truth to people and if they didn't like what they heard, he allowed them to go away. When Jesus referred to Simon Peter as "Satan" (Mark 8:33), Peter took it, continued to follow him, and eventually became the head of the Christian Church.
Jesus always showed that love must be based on honesty. Christianity is a religion of repentance, forgiveness, compassion and understanding, where God constantly picks us up and starts us over again.
St Paul said, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). He changed himself not the gospel message.
Today, let us recommit ourselves to living the Christian life and proclaiming the gospel message of Jesus Christ in all its fullness to those around us.
Barbara Chambers
The greatest discovery
'God is love.' The whole purpose of creation was to express and fulfil this love. In Jesus we see the love of God in person. Jesus says, 'If you have seen me you have seen the Father.' (John 14:9.)
Every word and every deed of Jesus was focused on bringing life, light and love. He would heal, teach and welcome the outcast. He gave everything and finally died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sin.
What does he want in return?
- A child's love. (Mark 10:45) A recognition of our relationship to our heavenly Father and an open, trusting, yielding of ourselves into his love.
- A united life, (John 15:4) so that we abide in Christ as he abides in us - and in this relationship of love we find fullness of life.
This is the treasure beyond all price, the greatest discovery in all the world and it is given freely to all who believe and trust in Jesus - God's Son, our Saviour.
David
Signs of Glory
The tragic death of Stephen Oake revealed to the world his life and his love. For a moment the light of Christ was seen. Here was a sign of glory - a glimpse of what could be - a hint of what is to come.
When Jesus turned the water into wine (John 2:1-12) the sign was transformation - taking something ordinary and adding a new dimension. This is what he longs to do in our lives when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We have that extra dimension that becomes a sign of glory.
The challenging question is to ask if our lives are a sign of glory? Is there just a hint of something different? Do our lives give people a clue about God's love? Do we shine with the light of Christ?
Lord forgive us and fill us afresh with your life, your love and your light. Amen.
David
Christian Unity
The week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins this weekend. Jesus prayed that his followers would be united and love each other in the same way as he was united to God the Father. Our failure to obey his command has been a scandal and disgrace. It has made a mockery of our witness to a God of love.
Prayer is the vital first step on the pathway back to unity. Christians on Merseyside will meet this week on Thursday 23 January 7:30 pm at Blundellsands Methodist Church, Mersey Road. See the leaflets at the back of church.
On Monday 27 January there will be a Churches Together in Great Crosby Service in Moor Lane Methodist Church at 7:00 pm when we will renew our Covenant, welcome new council members and pray for our work together, especially the new Crossroads project.
Please make every effort to attend these services.
David
The Way to Life
He was just like any other man. He took his turn and stepped down into the water. As he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.' [Mark 1:10,11] The public ministry of Jesus began with his identification with those seeking John's baptism of repentance. Jesus stepped down into the waters of death. As he rose up, the Holy Spirit filled him with new life. The Father assured him of his sonship and love.
The first moments of Jesus's ministry were a shadow of his final descent into death on the cross, his resurrection to life and his ascension to the Father's glory.
A pathway is established that we must all follow. Our baptism is one of repentance, of dying to self that we might rise with Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit. This pattern must then be lived out each day of our lives - a daily dying that we might daily live in the presence and power of God. Then we will also hear the Father's words - 'You are my child, with you I am well pleased.'
David
Looking ahead
2003 will be a challenging year in the life of St Luke's. Here are three special events:
Going Deeper
Launch of the new course as a follow on from the Alpha Course.
Here & Now
Presentation on the Beatitudes in Holy Week - a follow on from 'Hopes & Dreams'
150th Celebrations:
Flower Festival from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 October 2003 with special services to give thanks for all that God has done.
The Bishop of Liverpool will be preaching at both the 9 am and 11 am services on Sunday 21 December 2003, when we plan to invite
leaders of our community to share with us.
But don't forget the regular activities where we worship God, find personal strength and renewal and service others.
- Worship Services
- Homegroups - do take a new brochure from the back of church.
And finally all the other activities that offer fellowship and service.
this page was last modified on 7 November 2003