This is the latest blurb that is published on the front of our weekly bulletin
Last week, when I wrote about starting a pastoral care team, what activity came to mind? Some of us might think of a hot drink and a chat, perhaps some prayer for what is needed. But does your mind go to God’s word for pastoral care? Pastoral care comes from the imagery of a shepherd … Read more
As a church, we learn from 1 Corinthians 12-14 that the Holy Spirit gives the members of Oak Flats Anglican gifts for the common good. These gifts are is to be used with self-giving love, so that the church is built up. One important task in the church is that of pastoral care. In this area, … Read more
When we talk about Grace we mostly mean the special favour God shows in mercifully forgiving a person’s sin. However, the Bible speaks of a more general love and kindness that God shows to everyone. This is sometimes called Common Grace, and while it does not make everybody a Christian, everyone benefits from it. Common … Read more
Often in life there are many things which we want to become or do, but cannot because we are held back by something else. The same is true for Christians. This might particularly be felt by those who have been Christian for a while. Early on, you are in awe of everything that God has … Read more
The first chapters of Acts are remarkable in many ways. The risen Lord Jesus reaffirms to the apostles his teaching on the kingdom of God (1:3). He promises the Holy Spirit, who will empower them for the work of testifying about Christ from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Then he ascends to heaven … Read more
It is a tough world. Humanity’s fallen nature, a self-centred and materialistic culture not to mention COVID-19 are all having a powerful effect on a vast segment of the population, and nowhere is this more evident than among young people. Even with the best intentions in sharing the gospel to others, it is not enough. … Read more
This week we start our month-long series on prayer. We will be considering the Who, Why, How and What of prayer. It will not cover everything, but is intended to both have us reflect on our prayer life and be an encouragement to pray more frequently, deeply and widely. All of us at church need … Read more
Thank you for the way in which you all have continued to respond to the challenges COVID19 presents to us as a church. It seems as though each fortnight brings new changes to how we do things. Nevertheless, I continue to see in you all a good spirit in facing these trials so far. Whether … Read more
Remember 31/12/2019? New Years Eve – a time of celebration, resolutions often broken by 12.01AM on the 1st and optimism or was it “The Day the Music Died” for those who recall that classic line. None of us imagined what 2020 held. CV19 was already in play with suggestions the first deaths in China occurred … Read more
These are not words we often hear in our current circumstances! Indeed, even when our lives are ‘normal’ there are always lingering “What if….” questions. “What if I get a serious health diagnosis?” “What if I fall into some really bad sin?” “What if……….?” We like to know, we long for certainty and predictability, but … Read more