Church News – September 2024
Happy New Year! No, I haven’t gone crazy but the month of September heralds a new year in the Church’s calendar and also for children who are about to start in a new class with a new teacher, or a new school or college entirely, with all the uncertainty that brings with it. Our good wishes go with you all.
We have heard recently of two of our young people who have done so well in their exams this summer: to Jacob Rigney who has achieved a wonderful result in his German examination and to Jacob Flint (Susan and Bill’s eldest grandson) who is off to Durham University on the back of his wonderful A level results. Congratulations to you both.
For the rest of us, it is business as usual and we are still without a minister. This is one of the reasons why we have welcomed Br Eddie Inglis’ very generous offer of taking four out of five of our services in September. Br Eddie is a good friend to this church and to many individuals within it. I am sure that we are in for some interesting and thought-provoking services over the next few weeks. Please come along if you possibly can.
Our Harvest Service will be led by Sr Dorothy Evans and I am sure this will also be one to remember. We will be asking for donations of tinned and packaged food items which will be donated to our Food Hamper Appeal.
If anyone would like to submit an article for inclusion in this Newsletter, then please let me have your submissions so that I can slot them into future issues.
With God’s blessings,
Sue Selby
Education Sunday
Education Sunday takes place on 8th September, and it’s good opportunity to ask what God thinks of children and how we can reflect this in our schools, churches and families.
Children are valuable to God:
‘Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ (Matthew 19:13-14).
Jesus’ action shows the importance of children to God. In many cultures around the world, children are often abused, exploited or disregarded. God is committed to caring and protecting them and calls us to do the same.
Children need nurture and guidance:
‘Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Proverbs 22:6 ESV). Gardeners will often attach plants to a pole or trellis to guide their growth. Children also need solid structure to keep their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth on track. We can support them in their growth and development, and we can be a godly example to them.
Children need discipline:
‘Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.’ (Proverbs 29:17). This is not easy and requires the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Discipline is a sign of love, reflecting how God deals with us (Hebrews 12:7). In this way, they’ll become adults who fulfil all that the Creator wants them to become.
As Jesus said, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me’ (Mark 9:37).
Prayer for September 2024
Lord, here we are in September – a beautiful month at the end of the summer, but before the autumn has taken hold. A month of excitement and new starts for many, a month when courage is needed for our children and young people.
And Lord we pray for courage, compassion and integrity for our new Prime Minister and our new government. We pray for justice and peace in our country and in the world.
Help us Lord, to know that you are Lord of September; you are Lord and giver of every new month, every new day, every new minute. Help us to put our trust in you for our adventures and for our mundane everyday routines.
You are our generous, loving Father and promise that you will never leave us or forsake us when we trust in you, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
By Daphne Kitching
