Harvest Thanksgiving Services 2022
Come, Join In Our Services of Thanksgiving!
Sunday 9th October at 11.30am
Very Rev Dr William Henry
Sunday 9th October at 6.30pm
Mr Mark Haugh
Special Harvest Offering to Renovation and Building Fund
Our faithful, unchangeable God provides seedtime and harvest to the earth. We have noticed changing prices and disruption to global supply chains, but we still have cause to be grateful for all that we have, and to return our thanks to the One who gives in grace.
During October we will also be able to share with others by collecting non-perishable foodstuffs for foodbank donation - these can be left in the vestibule on Sundays.
"I, the LORD, do not change. Malachi 3:6
There always are changes. An ancient Greek philosopher called Heraclitus said that change is the only constant in the universe. As of writing, the United Kingdom is coming to terms with a change which has impacted every level of society and people of all ages. The death of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II marks the end of an era, in many ways. Do pray for her heir and successor, King Charles III. Pray that he may reign with the same unchanging spirit of service, and the same unwavering Christian faith, that his mother displayed with such constancy over the past seventy years.
Other changes are taking place too. The remodelling of our meetinghouse annexe, and the replacement of our hall stage with a store, now are underway. It has taken quite some time - and a change in building contractor - for us to reach this point. Please pray that the work may be completed swiftly, safely and successfully. Pray too that the necessary finances will be provided, that further decisions concerning the projects will be reached with wisdom and grace, and that, when the renovations are completed, our buildings may be used all the more for the work of the Kingdom and to the glory of God.
In and beyond this temporary world in which we live, the LORD, our God, does not change. Our faith is in Him through His Son Jesus Christ, who is "the same, yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). And, as one hymn writer put it well, "How good is the God we adore - our faithful, unchangeable Friend! His love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure nor end."
Our faithful, unchangeable God provides seedtime and harvest to the earth. We have noticed changing prices and disruption to global supply chains, but we still have cause to be grateful for all that we have, and to return our thanks to the One who gives in grace. This year, we will use Sunday 9th October as a day for harvest thanksgiving. Our services that Sunday will begin at 11.30am and 6.30pm, and there will be an opportunity at each to contribute to the church's building and renovation fund. The Very Rev Dr William Henry will preach at the morning service, and Mr Mark Haugh in the evening. Please invite others, and bring them with you to these times together.
The LORD does not change. He inspired the prophet Malachi to remind His people of this. The prophet's message came as a rebuke to those who had forgotten to fear the LORD, and as a call to them to return to their God in faith. The LORD is still the same God: faithful and unchangeable, abounding in goodness and love. The congregation's Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for 2021 are testimony to God's faithfulness and goodness. He has provided for us as a church, through the generous and sacrificial giving of His people. We give the glory to Him now, as all His church will do forever when this passing world is done. In the face of change, He remains our Rock and our Redeemer. In the words of the hymn-writer again, "We'll praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that's to come."
