Monday, June 30, 2014

News of the Fellowship


On the 18th. April we were pleased to welcome Rev Mark Stocker from Spring Road Evangelical Church, Southampton, to preach at our Lord`s Day Services. The morning sermon was from Paul`s letter to the Philippians 1:3-6 with the theme, “The Thankful Christian”. 1. The apostle Paul was thankful to God for His grace and mercy, even through the most trying circumstances. Paul was able to call the true God, his God at all times, and this is the experience of all the Lord`s people. 2. Why Paul was thankful to God. God had begun a good work in his heart. Paul had been saved from his sin, and now can enjoy fellowship with other believers, especially those in the church at Philippi. Not only had God saved him, He has kept him, and will keep him all his earthly days. He will never fail us who love him. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Our 163rd. Church Anniversary was held on May 10th. Our guest preacher was Rev William Macleod, BSc. ThM. from the Church of Scotland Continuing in Glasgow. On the Saturday his text was taken from Zechariah 4. The prophet lived in dark and difficult times. The true Church of Christ is to be a light in this darkness. The Church will be maintained by God`s power and Spirit, and not by the feeble efforts of man.

On the Lord`s Day morning Rev Macleod took his text from Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. And in the evening he preached from Colossians 3:11, “…but Christ is all, and in all”.

We are thankful for further opportunities to go down into Ringwood and make known, the glorious Gospel of Jesus, in the open air. We pray for all who have heard, took Bibles, and other literature. Do continue to pray for those who preach along with our Minister, also for those who hear.

Once a month we also take a table down to Ringwood where, Bibles or New Testaments and Psalms, are placed. A number of New Testaments are being picked up by young people from Ringwood School. In April, 400 John's Gospel's along with a Gospel card written by our Pastor were delivered in the parish.

At the end of May, over the Bank Holiday weekend, we were again pleased to welcome a number of visitors from different congregations around the country, including many from Spring Road Evangelical church. Over the last few years, a camp in our Church field, has been organised by friends from Spring Road, which has grown in numbers. It was a joy to see the Chapel filled nearly to capacity both in the morning and in the evening of the Lord's Day.

We value such fellowship in these difficult days, and look to the Lord to strengthen His cause.