June 2018
The Bottom Line!
But let’s start at the top line! Jesus said “GO” (Matt.28:19) to His disciples - and this wasn’t a proposal, a discussion topic, or an invitation, but a command! The disciples were commanded to go and preach the Gospel and make disciples. What was required then and is required now to obey this command is not “rocket science” (i.e. you don’t have to have an academic degree or a scientific mind etc.). a) It means simply going out to where people are and proclaiming to them in the language they understand the unchangeable truths of who Jesus is, what our needs are, and what God has done in Jesus to meet those needs. The reality of the seriousness of sin and of judgement is followed up by an explanation of the finished work of Christ on the cross for those who are convicted of their sin. b) It means having a Church programme that meets the needs of those who respond and come along to our collective gatherings; sound expository preaching supplemented by more personal Bible study, something for families, something for children and teens; these are the needed facets that a fully functioning Church of God should strive to include. Are these not achievable goals? What holds us back, then, from fulfilling these two vital aspects of obedience to the Lord? Are we going out on a regular, sustained basis, house to house, in the street, visiting schools, seeking opportunities wherever a door opens (see Matt. 10: 5,16 and Luke 10: 1)? Your Assembly may need help to do this, so pray to the Lord of the harvest for labourers - men and woman who are willing to give of their time. Do we need to examine our practices to see whether we are imposing “shackles”, or “traditions”, that are not of the Lord when it comes to what we organise at our collective gatherings in our halls - shackles and traditions that put people off? And the bottom line for our encouragement? “...and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20) He has promised to be with us, and it’s only by His Spirit that we will see results in the work He has commanded us to do. (Zech. 4:6) Gilbert Grierson
Inside this issue
Some newcomers want to try other services at Shiloh Hall, Glasgow Our Coffee Morning on Saturday 21 April brought the breakthrough we’d hoped for with previous ones: two women independently said they’d like to come to other services. One said she felt so welcomed, and that she preferred a smaller church. This time we were supporting Autism Scotland, and found it easy to get people in the street to take our leaflet, saying such things as “Something for Autism”. Shops readily take posters when they hear it’s an event that supports a charity. But in this case people stopped, or even turned back, to say they had a family member or friends who are affected by the demands of a young sufferer. So we got 20 visitors, and several significant conversations. It’s too early to know if the ladies’ interest translates to action, and we ask for your prayers for this - with its potential. The day collected £215 for Autism Scotland, with more to follow. The next week we had a joint ‘Family & Friends’ with Barrhead, addressed by Ally Fotheringham, after a quiz session from David & Norma. Three of our long-standing contacts came (two belonging to a Georgian family who have been attending since last Spring’s campaign with Karl Smith)—all needing adjustment to a clear view of what we preach, since they come from quite different backgrounds. They enjoyed the befriending game-slot and heard another clear message, while Gilbert got the chance to renew acquaintance with the Glasgow scene. Both these events were a prelude to a week with Gilbert Grierson, followed by Karl for three weeks, and John Black to close the month of May. We plan to do more with our stall in the nearby main road, from which we got our contacts last Spring. Otherwise, we’re following the same pattern of using our normal services, so that the programme is sustainable after our skilled and dedicated helpers have gone. We pray the Lord of the harvest that He may use them and us in winning souls and making disciples. Another bond with the immigrant family is that they’re keen to have a Thanksgiving Service for their youngest child, newborn on 1 January this year. We have already worked out with the District clear guidelines for helping all to understand the Scriptural limits of this occasion—being exactly as the title suggests: thanksgiving to God for a new life being granted to parents. Again, please pray that the parents, and perhaps other visitors, will find this further assures them of the care of the Church and its ministry to the community. A. Osborne; M. Archibald
Using Web and Social Media Whitemoor 2018 Harvest Festival
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