St Andrew's Church

Really – September Already!, Kids going back to school (can I get a Hallelujah from the parents), getting back into the rhythms of the regular working week and only a few weeks to Christmas – Oh joy! Already?!

All too soon the year will begin to turn again, leaves will fall and nights will draw in, goodness only what the weather will be like after the year we’ve had – I wouldn’t be surprised if it snowed in October and was 25 degrees in November. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the sunshine and have a bit of a break over the last few months, rest and play are so important to our well being. In the rhythm of our week and in the rhythm of the year we are made for, what the bible calls, Sabbath rest. A time when we stop……………. and rest mentally, physically and emotionally. You might associate Sabbath with Sunday’s – that’s fine. In ancient Israel the Sabbath ran from Friday evening to Saturday evening – for you it might be another time in the week – it doesn’t matter when – but take the time to stop, rest, play and enjoy life in the moment.

I know that for some of you it will have been a hard summer – perhaps family tragedy, difficulties at work or home, or maybe you’ve been on the go all the time, just trying to make ends meet – but do take the time to stop and be kind to your body and soul. We are made for a pattern of work and rest –when we forget to rest, we will forget what we are working for, when we forget to rest and play we will miss the world around us, we will miss our children growing up and we will miss the joy of one another’s company.

We’ve got some opportunities coming up to stop and give thanks for the world around us

On Sunday 30^th September, 10am we have our Harvest service at which we’ll be collecting non-perishable food for distribution to a local refuge.

On Sunday 11^th November from 10.15am we will be stopping to remember those who gave their lives in service of their country in our Remembrance Day Service

On Sunday 2^nd December at 6.30pm we will be stopping to give thanks to God for the live of those we love and see no more at our Annual Memorial service

We also have some opportunities to have some fun together:

On Friday 28^th September 6.30pm we’ll be singing along at our Mamma Mia film night

On Friday 5^th October 6.30pm we have a Pudding evening with entertainment by The Accidentals vocal  Harmony Group

And of course we’re there every Sunday at 8am and at 10am for our main service to stop, be still and meet with God as together we all try and learn more about him, to worship and pray together for the needs of the world and ourselves. You are of course always welcome – no matter what age, no matter whether you’ve been a hundred times or never been before and no matter whether you’re full of faith or full of questions. God welcomes us all when we come to him. So come, be still, rest and learn more of the one who created us for work and for rest.

Many blessings to you and those you love,

 

 

Chris Ramsey