We've just got back from the Village Church Weekend Away, physically tired but spirutally energised and encouraged. We're really grateful to God for a great weekend, and to Simon and Sharon Price for spending it with us and teaching us (adults and children) from the book of Philippians. Simon's messages were recorded and are now available on SoundCloud through the 'Listen' page. Enjoy!
As we continue reading and preaching through Matthew 24 and 25, here's a lightly edited Puritan prayer from The Valley of Vision about the second coming...
O SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN,
You were incarnate, did suffer, rise, ascend for my sake;
Your departure was not a token of separation but a pledge of return;
Your Word, promises, sacraments, show your death until you come again.
That day is no horror to me,
for your death has redeemed me,
your Spirit fills me,
your love animates me,
your Word governs me.
I have trusted you and you have not betrayed my trust;
waited for you, and not waited in vain.
You will come to raise my body from the dust, and re-unite it to my soul,
by a wonderful work of infinite power and love,
greater than that which bounds the oceans' waters,
ebbs and flows tides,
keeps the stars in their courses,
and gives life to all creatures.
This corruptible shall put on incorruption,
this mortal, immortality,
this natural body, a spiritual body,
this dishonoured body, a glorious body,
this weak body, a body of power.
I triumph now in your promises as I shall do in their performance,
for the head cannot live if the members are dead;
Beyond the grave is resurrection, judgment, acquittal, dominion.
Every event and circumstance of my life will be dealt with -
the sins of my youth, my secret sins,
the sins of abusing you, of disobeying your Word,
the sins of neglecting ministers' admonitions,
the sins of violating my conscience -
all will be judged;
And after judgment, peace and rest, life and service,
employment and enjoyment, for your elect.
O God, keep me in this faith, and ever looking for Christ's return.
It was great to have Andy and Kath Paterson with us for our first ever Village Church Weekend Away. On Saturday and Sunday morning, Andy opened the book of Esther with the adults and youth and Kath opened it with the children. We're really grateful for the glimpse of God's greatness that we got through their teaching. We did manage to record Andy's three messages - they're now available through the website or on our SoundCloud page - and so do listen or re-listen to them.
