Advent Challenge Day 10

Luke 10

Again, just as in our previous chapter, we have Jesus sending out his followers to preach and heal in his name. This time, 72 are send out, showing the widening of those called to follow Him. Again the message is “Keep it simple”. Humility, love and commitment to the Gospel will always win more converts to God than anything we could ever say or preach.

Upon their return, they too are rejoicing in what they have witnessed. Verses 21-24 are some of the most beautiful recorded words that Jesus ever prayed or said. Just as in John 17, Jesus gives thanks to the Father for his disciples, prays for them, then prays and gives thanks for all those who see His truth and power and believe because of them.

The parable of the “Good Samaritan” shows us exactly who our neighbours are – all those in need at any time! Jesus then heads to the home of his closest friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. While Martha runs around working so intently to create a happy experience for Jesus, Mary chose to sit in Jesus’ presence, enjoying his words. This is perhaps a major warning to the today’s church – that while we work so diligently to create a “nice atmosphere” for people to come into Jesus presence, perhaps we need to remember Jesus’ many warnings about ministry – keep it simple, and remember that Jesus is already there and we too need to sit down and relax on his presence! When we do, our busyness shows itself as pointless labour, when we should just look to God, and glory in his presence.

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AccessNI Check process

Hi folks Please see the following pages for the process of getting our AccessNI accreditation for our Sunday School and GFS leaders and helpers. You will need to print out the pages and keep a special note of the long number provided to you by email and let me know as soon as possible. We require an Enhanced check for everyone - and use the PIN number 918066 as detailed on the first page. The second page details the forms of identification you will need to provide - one from the first group, and two from the second group. The quicker we can all get the checks completed, the sooner we can get everything back to normal and put this whole process behind us for another three years! If you can photograph yourself (by smartphone or tablet) and email (revdjohnny@gmail.com) or WhatsApp (07488371680) them to me, that'd be great. I will also be available at the Parish Hall on Monday evening from 7pm to 8pm to help you with anything you would like assistance with! If you need any help at all

Pray for Peace

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 The Holy Land, the place sanctified by the presence of prophets, poets, and priests, crying out for justice, urging on towards hope, and seeking after peace, has been, and continues to be a place sacred to millions of people around the world. We have watched with horror the appalling violence that has been unleashed over the last few days around this sacred place. We have seen families devastated, communities shattered, and countless lives lost. We, as followers of Jesus are called in this time to pray. Pray for the end of hostilities, pray for the protection of the most vulnerable on both sides in Israel and Gaza, and pray for a recommitment to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. We also pray that God might grant comfort to the afflicted, healing to the broken, strength to the weak, and courage to those in authority to lay down the instruments of violence and destruction and stud

Back to the BCP!!

Hi folks It’s been a long time since the pandemic started and the lockdowns - and Covid hasn’t really gone away! I had the dubious honour of getting Covid for the second time just before Holy Week, giving me the chance to think about ministry direction, both my own and in the parish. One of the original responses to the pandemic was to limit our use of the hymn books and our Prayer Books. At the beginning I produced a service sheet with all the relevant liturgy - which we used in the car park and when we returned to the church. Our “temporary measure” lasted almost three years - and it’s time to move on! Our Book of Common Prayer contains our unique identity - in fact the word “Common” doesn’t mean ordinary but that it shows our unity - the liturgy we hold in “common”. We will be returning to our BCPs from this weekend, the Second Sunday of Easter. We will be using Morning Prayer Two - and we will guide us through the service. We look forward to seeing you in church or online via Fb

Aghavea Parish Church

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