**TEMPO**
Thursday 18 April Neil is starting a new group for 11 - 15 yr olds (boys and girls) aimed at those who perhaps have never tried one of the other groups or who do not feel the Friday night sessions are for them. Held in the chapel it will begin after adventurers and will run during term time. Lots of new stuff plus film nights discussions etc.
LIBRARY
The library is growing! If you have any books you would like to donate please see Carolyn.
FROM RUTH
Since the new year we have had two social events. On 19 January we had a wonderful evening at a belated Christmas party when James and Jayne had us all eating raw sprouts and sardines and shaving balloons! A sumptuous spread followed by entertainment (see Fred's poem) started, with so many volunteers we had to cut back on the number of things people wanted to do. The evening ended at 1015 with everyone standing to sing auld lang syne and a prayer of thanks. A very memorable evening enjoyed by all, and a huge thank you to everyone who took part.
I will hand over to Daniel to update you on the next event, don't forget skittles in April and a fellowship lunch in June (see diary) I do hope you will all be able to come.
On Friday 8 March fifteen of us went to Yardley Baptist church in Birmingham to see Adrian and Bridgett Plass perform. I have read some of Adrian's hilarious books so I had a good idea of what to expect. The evening was really good, he was very funny and in the interval he was signing books which were on sale. I bought 'The Theatrical Tapes of Leonard Thynn' which is the sequel to 'The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass aged 37 and 3 quarters' which is in the church library. Everybody that went enjoyed themselves and we are looking forward to the next time we can go and hear them.
Daniel Clements
PS A special thanks must go to the brave souls who volunteered to drive us there James, Jayne and Becky.
'Anyone having relatives buried in the churchyard is asked to be so good as to keep them in order'
This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs White to come forward and lay an egg on the alter.
Thursday at 5 PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All those wishing to become little mothers will please meet with the minister in his study.
On Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the expense of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet will please come forward to get a piece of paper.
The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing 'Break Forth Into Joy'
Don't let worry kill you, let the church help
Lest we take ourselves too seriously........................................
. . . . . to belong to a huge world-wide family of committed Christians and to feel on the inside, safe and warm, not on the outside looking in, uncertain and unsure.
. . . . . to belong to the family of the church in Harvington, to know that you're one of a team who will be there for you whatever your needs, and that you can be there for them.
. . . . . to give your family an insight, an anchor to hold on to, to see you as a beacon, and to be there for them whatever life throws at you.
. . . . . and personally to be at one with God, to find peace and security, to have no doubts and troubles that you know you can no longer deal with. To feel love never ending and that you've come home atlast, after a long and arduous journey......that's why Baptism.
Janice
My sincere thanks for all the love and support given to Vicky and I , during and following my recent stay in hospital. Knowing that you were praying for me, that I belong to such a caring church, sustained me during this time. Thank you for enquiries, cards and good wishes. The abscess on my neck was dealt with and is healing slowly. I missed being with you all on Sundays, and at the house groups and coffee time and look forward to being with you all again
Love Brian
Its good to see you back Brian!
A senior citizen is one who looks back with ease
He was here before oven chips and frozen peas
The smell of home cured bacon in his nostrils still lingers
Breakfast a'int quite the same with a couple of fish fingers
Before Bernard Matthew's turkeys, cakes Mr Kipling created
Before Tetley's tea bags and coffee decaffeinated
Few cheap foreign imports; fruit from Worcester and Kent
Fast foods were what people only ate during lent
Meat was expensive, Sunday beef a hopeful habit
When you can't afford a joint, out to catch a wild rabbit
Shopping - serving himself, queuing to pays a fiasco
He hates Safeways Sainsburys Iceland and Tesco
Can't afford central heating, in the cold has to light fires
Doesn't have many tools just a hammer chisel and pliers
Can't pay garage charges, so he has to do it
Without power tools he can't B & Q it
They gave names to their coins Joey? 3d made of silver
A tanner was 6p a shilling a B & B before he was a builder
Our children now have computers with windows and works
Will it make there discs floppy and their mega hertz?
What peaceful times they were, no radios videos or t.v.'s
No Wogan, Des O'Connor Anne Robinson or political sleaze
As we come to the end of my poem, I offer these pleas
Look after, care for, and pray for all OAP's
Fred
For our friends from Zimbabwe that they may come to know peace with their new life in England
For Neil and Vicky as they prepare for their wedding
You'll have to think twice about this one.............prizes as before, one for those under eighteen, one for the rest of us! And as its Easter one for visitors. Prizes given out on Easter morning, if you're not around and think you've got it, let me know beforehand and I'll put names in the hat! Send your entries to merrix@email.com
There are names of 21 books of the Bible mentioned in the paragraph below- (really!) See how many you can find.**NOTE** The answers are hidden somewhere on this page
I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts. For others it was a real revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books are not capitalised. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. It should be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there are some books that will be a hard job to find, but those are the most fun. Can a human being really find all twenty-one of them? At the worst, you should find fifteen. No defect in genes is required, although I will admit it usually takes a minister to find one of them and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. What will keep you from answering this challenge? A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. How long will you keep working on it only you can judge, so long as you try to compete. Remember, we've had fun seeking out 21 books of the Bible, but it is far more important to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness". It's always true, God love you.
For many years we have been hearing about the delights of Greenbelt thinking we were far too old to enjoy such an event - that is until Greenbelt 2001. We were 'gently persuaded by James and Jayne that we should go and take our 7 yr old step grand daughter Bethany. The deal was clinched when we were offered when we were offered four walls instead of a tent - our days under canvas are definitely over!
We arrived in time for the opening 'Party Event' Simon Thomas from Blue Peter was there - and narrowly missed being hit by a raw egg! Two of the Harvington lads took part in a sketch and it was great to see so many of the young people enjoying themselves. The weather was fabulous all weekend, and we were able to enjoy picnic lunches and an al fresco meal at one of the many eateries on site each night. Our favourite was the Olive Branch, fantastic meals, home made cakes and strawberries and ice-cream!
The programme is really varied with many things to suit everyone, the only thing we were short of is time. We heard John Bell on environmental issues, John James Bishop of Liverpool on the 'Character of Christ', Tony Compolo on third world debt and heard wonderful poetry and music. We met the creator of 'Wallace & Grommit' as well as seeing a musical based on the life of Paul (fantastic) and the amazing experience of all, attending a communion service with 10,000 people! It was wonderful to sing at the top of your voice and be part of worship to the King of Kings.
We hope to bump into you at Greenbelt 2002
Andrew and Margaret Nichol
The following poem written by Paul Gilbert is intended to encourage us as Christians to be persuasive flesh and blood testimonies for our saviour.
You're writing a "gospel" each day
A chapter each day
By the deeds that you do
By the words that you say
Men read what you write
Whether faithless or true
Say, what is the "gospel" according to you?
Is there any body out there who feels they may be able to help?
As Harvington continues to grow and new families move in to the village it has been suggested that it would be a wonderful idea to send a 'welcome' card from the chapel to all new residents. These are pre printed cards so it does not involve any letter writing, just good local knowledge of the village and a willingness to keep abreast of newcomers on a fairly regular basis. Could this be YOUR call to help YOUR church? Please see Peter Bowen if you can help.
Also, are there any social events you would like to see that are NOT on the diary list??? Whether its a repeat of an old favourite or something different we've not tried before, please let Ruth know your ideas.
Thank you so much for all your input and ideas, my apologies if lack of space means your article is not in this issue, they WILL all find there way in eventually, I have held this issue back to include a picture of a very special Sunday, I hope you'll agree its worth it!
March 2002