Vicar's Report from the APCM on 25th May 2025
These notes formed the basis of the Vicar's Report at the APCM on Sunday 25th May 2024.
Photo by Joshua Olsen on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
Nehemiah said to the king, ‘May the king live for ever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?’ (Nehemiah 2:3, NIV)
We're beginning a short series looking at the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah is part of the exiled Jewish nation in the Old Testament. He longs to see the city of Jerusalem rebuilt after its destruction. He prays, he plans, and he trusts in God's provision for him. As we look at the reordering of St Andrew's, and hold our annual meetings, why not join us as we pray, plan, and trust in God's ultimate provision for us?
Photo by Joshua Olsen on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34-35, NIV)
Acts chapter 10 is one of the pivotal moments in Luke's account of the early church. Until this point, the vast majority of Christians were Jewish. The assumption appears to have been that it was supposed to be that way. However, that was never part of God's plan of salvation. Jesus' command was to go into all nations (Matthew 28:19 & Act 1:8), but it hadn't happened yet. This is where the gospel going out into the whole world really begins. Why not join us this Sunday, and see why this is such good news for the whole world?
Photo by Joshua Olsen on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
[Peter] took [Tabitha] by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. (Acts 9:41-42, NIV)
The apostle Peter arrives in the town of Joppa, and heals a man names Aeneas and brings Tabitha back to life. Except that it isn't Peter doing it, but Jesus. The living Jesus is still active and at work in the world! What is the purpose of Jesus' miracles? They are the same as they always have been - for people to believe in the Lord Jesus, to know him, and to be saved by him. Why not join us on Sunday morning and find out more?
Photo by Joshua Olsen on Unsplash
All services are now in St Thomas.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. (John 21:4, NIV)
At some point after the resurrection appearances, Jesus appears to his disciples, while they were fising. As he stood on the shore, they didn't recognise him - even when he spoke to them. It wasn't until he created a miraculous catch of 153 fish that they realised that it was Jesus. Jesus is really alive! Why not join us this on Sunday, as we see more about the joy of Easter.