This is the text of the vicar’s report given at the APCM earlier today.
“Don’t be in a rush to return to the church you once were, when God is calling you to be the church you’ve never been before.”
I begin my 2021 report with thanks to all those who have served the church in some way during 2020. I approach this with some nervousness, as I am aware that I could easily miss people out; if I miss you out, many, many apologies.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, NIV)
Something changed Peter and John. They were “unschooled, ordinary men”, yet they taught about Jesus. Only a few weeks before, they had run away from those arresting Jesus, yet now they stood boldy in front of the rulers, elders and teachers of the law. What had changed? Everything - Jesus is Alive!
I hope you’ll be able to join us either in person, or online, as we look at how the the resurrection of Jesus changes our lives.
Wednesday Prayer @ 10am
This Wednesday, at 10am, we'll meet via Zoom for a short time to pray together. We'll take the first few Wednesdays as they come, and see what pattern works for us. I'd love for you to join us via Zoom, please email me for details of how to join.
We'll be no more than 20 minutes, which will give enough time to make a hot drink before joining the Virtual Coffee Shop.
I hope that this email is useful, and that you are able to spend a few minutes at noon each day, as we pray together as a church family. Please do keep sending your prayer suggestions to me, so that we can make sure we are praying around the needs, burdens and encouragements of our whole church family.
“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:15-16, NIV)
As we look at some of the book of Acts over the next few weeks, one of the big themes is that Jesus is alive - it is Jesus who heals the man who couldn’t walk. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no church for us to be a part of.
I hope you’ll be able to join us either in person, or online, as we look at how the the resurrection of Jesus changes our lives.