Look!

On Sunday night we had one of the best nights in ages! We had around 50 come to the meeting which in itself bucked the trend of struggling to have 30 there on a regular night. The most exciting element was the spread of ages represented - we had a good MIX! We challenged the teens on Friday night to come and many did. We had a family come too! It was refreshing and gives hope!

Alex and I have been planning and working behind the scenes for the past two weeks. We are committed to the idea that we need more fellowship and time to talk as the body and not simply come together for "Meetings." Rather than going straight into the meeting we started with a cup of tea and doughnuts. We wanted everyone to feel closer to one another before coming together to worship. When we began the service many commented about how good the singing was. Alex and I shared a 10 minute lesson each. We based the whole night around the theme of two games shows, "The price is right" and "Play your cards right." Alex took the "Price is right" and talked about God paying the ultimate price in order that our relationship with God might be restored and enjoyed. I took "Play your cards right" and talked about how we need to live life depending on God's unchanging promises and not live as if we have no control of what comes next. When the meeting was over we then stayed behind for some time enjoying good company and some fun. We had re-created some of the games from the shows. Cliffhanger, Hole in One, Ready-Aim-Fire and Higher or Lower. Everyone had a great time and it was especially encouraging to have such a spread of ages sharing the same time and space together!

As you can see from the photo's there were plenty of smiles all round! Alex did a fantastic job keeping things going and I got a surprise to discover how natural he was in the "Games show host" mode - he was brilliant! Everyone was game for a laugh which meant there was never a dull moment. I have no doubt MUCH good was done to bridge the gap from young to old.

I must make a closing comment about our Friday nights. The past two have been something special and I am confident the Spirit is active in bringing about what is best. The group have been a joy to teach and on the 1st Friday we shared the things we struggle with most. The group, anonymously, wrote their struggles on a piece of paper and I collected them in and as a group we discussed some at random. We talked for ages and the group were honest and real as they openly shared the reality of their worlds. In the end I pulled everything together with commenting on the fact that without Christ living in us we will always be dragged down by our failings and it's only when we have Christ that our focus can be set on something pure and powerful. This past Friday I put a slide up with all the sins the group had confessed the week before and in the following slide I put up the many things that Christ does and accomplishes for us and in us. The impact was good and I know the seeds are going deep - Praise God!

We have much to be thankful about and I ask for your continued prayers! It is because of prayer we are seeing these precious times.

God bless!