SHOULD HAVE ASKED EARLIER!

We had a good service at Church today but it was a long stint for us as we were there before 9 o’clock to get breakfast ready for 9.30 a.m.

The first hurdle to overcome was that our fobs didn’t work so we couldn’t get in, so Mark volunteered to go round to the front of the Church, and put in the code so that he could then let us all in at the back.  Once we were in, we got going and I soon had the pastries and croissants in the oven ready for the first influx just after 9.30.  We were also on coffee duty after the service with Mike and Christine so a very busy morning and Mr. HCB did sterling work loading and unloading the dishwasher - no dish-pan hands for him!

The service was good with some great worship songs and it was wonderful to hear the pipe organ (at least I think that’s what it’s called) playing in some of the hymns/songs too.  We then had a great sermon based on the story of blind Bartimaeus, with Richard asking us at the end to think how we would answer if Jesus asked us today “What do you want me to do for you?”  In the story, Jesus does not assume that he knows what Bartimaeus wants. He asks him a question, using exactly the same words that he had spoken to James and John earlier in the chapter.  

Just as Jesus gives dignity and respect to a blind beggar, who was probably not used to someone speaking to him like this, Bartimaeus told him what he wanted, and his sight was restored, because of his faith.  Richard told us that we need to give that same dignity and respect to those we are trying to help.  This resonated with me because we deal with people from all walks of life at the Community Fridge each week, so we need to take them seriously and be gracious to them when they tell us what they want from us and how we can help and work with them to achieve what they want out of life.

I’m sure if we had gone round and asked the question of those present, there would be answers as varied as the those attending Church this morning - but it’s good to know that we have a big enough God that He is able to do “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine”.

Because there was a lot to do afterwards, I didn’t have as much time to take photographs, so just popped in after all the clearing up was done - someone was having great fun playing the organ, so it was great to hear that, then I chatted to one or two people, but sadly all the Nepalese people in our congregation had left by then, so I have no idea what the Nepali translation is of the banner at the front of the Church, so as I said, I should have asked earlier, but will certainly try and find out - because I hate not knowing!  The teddy bear was sitting happily with the tambourines at the foot of the cross and the middle shot shows the flags and instruments left lying around by the children.  The fourth shot at the bottom left needs no explanation - that’s what we do when we come to Church - worship - and hopefully, we are now set up for the week ahead.  

So thanks for asking the question, Richard - and I will remember this when I am in the café at the Community Fridge tomorrow - and will certainly try to give out more of the prayer booklets because as Christians, we believe that prayer changes things.

“To be a Christian without prayer 
     is no more possible 
          than to be alive 
               without breathing.” 
Martin Luther