I Am the Gate

Our series of Jesus' "I am" statements from John's gospel at the All Age services continued this Sunday. This time it was "I Am the Gate" or as some translations put it "I am the door." Steve made it clear that this was not like a 5 barred gate or the large metal gates outside a mansion. It was the gap into the sheepfold and the Shepherd lay across it – protecting the sheep from robbers or wild animals. The sheep knew him and his voice. They were his and he would protect them, just as he wants to protect us too. It was a message that children could understand. But it was equally true for us as adults

Jesus Said: I Am the Light of the World

Today's All Age Service was the 2nd of our series in which we are considereing
the "I am" sayings of Jesus. Today this was: "I am the light of the world." We saw how different the attitude of Jesus was to the people around as he dealt compassionately with the woman found to have been in adultery. We realised how Jesus was light compared to the darkness of the world around, the sorrow and evil and how he wanted to change his followers so that they too would be lights.

We continued this theme into our time of prayer as we wrote prayers on pieces of paper for the things that troubled us and brought them with a candle to a larger candle representing Jesus, the light of the world.

The series will continue on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Do come and join us.

I Am… The Bread of Life

This morning the congregation entered the church with the aroma of freshly baked bread in their noses. It has been decided that at All Age Services (held once a month) we will be considering the seven occasions recorded in John’s gospel where Jesus said: “I am…”

This morning we were considering Jesus’ saying: “I am the bread of life.” (John 6.28-35). Our rector, Steve Bailey, who had once been a pastry cook had revisited his former profession and cooked a loaf of bread. He showed us all the constituents (flour, water, milk, sugar salt and yeast) and described why they were needed and drew parallels for our Christian life.

Just as bread is a staple in our diet, so too should be our belief in Jesus and dependence on him for our forgiveness; and prayer and praise to him are essential for our spiritual life.

Mothering Sunday

Sunday 6 March was Mothering Sunday. At our All Age Worship, one of the younger members read the passage from St John’s Gospel where Jesus asked John to care for his mother and vice versa. This was also the theme of the sermon, in which our vicar, Steve, reminded us of the great love of Christ, particularly in his care for his mother. He challenged us to show that same love in our relations, particularly within our families, between parents and children and children and parents.

Our prayers were led by a mother with her children and all the ladies in the congregation received a Primula.

How thankful we are for the love of our mothers, whether alive or now dead.

Walking with The Needy

Sunday morning was our All Together and Parade Service, when we welcomed the Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides to our Family Service. After some very enthusiastic Christian songs led by Doug Tincello, our youth worker, Lou McGoldrick, spoke about how Jesus approached people in need, especially the father of a child with convulsions. She encouraged us to do the same.

In our prayers, Angie Bailey encouraged us to walk in prayer with those in need. Everyone had a cut out of a foot and was asked to write the name of the particular person or group of people in need on one side. On the other, we were asked to write what we were praying for. All the “feet” were placed on a strip of carpet and we offered these requests up in prayer.