ASSOCIATE VICAR’S LETTER ...

Love Bade Me Welcome ...

Knowing that we are loved by God is vital for our lives. Here is a poem and meditation to help us reflect on the amazing love our God has for us. I hope as you read these words God blesses you and that His love grows all the more deeply in your heart. I know that as we receive His amazing love it will naturally well up and spring out to others. It is its quality that as we know we are welcome in God’s love, we will make others welcome to Him too.

Love ...

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in, Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

If I lacked anything.

“A guest,” I answered, “worthy to be here:”

Love said, “You shall be he.” “I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,

I cannot look on Thee.” Love took my hand and smiling did reply,

“Who made the eyes but I?”

“Truth, Lord; but I have marred them: let my shame Go where it doth deserve.”

“And know you not,' says Love, 'Who bore the blame?” “My dear, then I will serve.”

“You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.” So I did sit and eat.

… by George Herbert

Imagine you have been invited to a wonderful feast. All the important guests are gathered in the hall waiting to enter the banquet room. Wonderfully delicious food has been readily prepared and set out, fine silver, crystal glass and the bone china plates are all ready in their specific positions. The waiters are primed to attend on their guests’ every need. Importantly, there is a place for you to sit at the Lord’s table.

All Saints’ Church - St Paul’s Church, Strines …... JULY 2015

You are clutching your invitation as you wait in line to be greeted by your host, feeling uncomfortable that all the other guests seem to be wearing much finer clothes than you! Somehow rather than excitement there is a feeling of dread and unworthiness. All the while as the queue dissipates, you have a growing unease that you can’t be here, you shouldn’t take your seat at the table. You are not good enough. Finally, as you are greeted by your host, all you can say is, ‘Sorry I must return, I’ve made a mistake.’ Yet it is at this moment, your host catches your hand and holds it for just a moment. You don’t pull away and somehow the world stops. All you can do is feel the welcome and love that exudes from the knowing smile of the host whom you struggle to look at. You want to make excuses to leave. You protest, “I am shabby, unworthy, unkind. I cannot be here, I am not good enough to sit at your table.” Your host’s reply will live with you forever. “I know your shame and your struggle, for I have carried them for you. I know how your eyes have averted mine but I am the one who made them, who formed you in your mother’s womb. What other protests can you have left to not eat at my table?” Finally, you acquiesce “I will serve” but your host will have none of it, He leads you to your reserved chair and pulls the chair out for you to sit, which you do and eat. Every blessing in Christ ...

Daniel CurrieDaniel CurrieDaniel CurrieDaniel Currie (Associate Vicar)(Associate Vicar)(Associate Vicar)(Associate Vicar)

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All Saints’ Church All Saints’ Church All Saints’ Church --- Marple Marple Marple

Wednesday 1 7.00pm PROSPECTS MARPLE in the Bowyer Hall Thursday 2 2.30pm EVERGREEN GROUPS in the Church Lounge 8.00pm RELATIONSHIP MATTERS Saturday 4 10.00am “WHO LET THE DADS OUT” in the Bowyer Hall

SUNDAY 5 8.00am HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) Preacher: Daniel Currie

10.15am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Daniel Currie 6.30pm CELEBRATION Preacher: Keith Frost Tuesday 7 2.00pm MOTHERS’ UNION PRAYER MEETING at 71 Dale Road Thursday 9 2.30pm EVERGREEN SERVICE in Church SUNDAY 12 8.00am HOLY COMMUNION (CW) Preacher: Ian Parkinson

10.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Nadine Parkinson 4.00pm STANDING COMMITTEE 6.30pm HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Ian Parkinson

Thursday 16 12.45pm 12.45 LUNCH in the Bowyer Hall Friday 17 2.00pm SOUTH AMERICAN MISSION SOCIETY (SAMS) PRAYER MEETING at 7 Shirley Avenue

SUNDAY 19 8.00am HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) Preacher: Liz Shercliff 10.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Ian Parkinson 6.30pm CELEBRATION Preacher: David Hughes

Wednesday 22 9.30am HOLY COMMUNION in the Prayer Room followed by Home Communions Thursday 23 2.00pm EVERGREEN COMMUNION SERVICE in Church 7.30pm PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING in the Foyer

SUNDAY 26 8.00am HOLY COMMUNION (CW) Preacher: Lesley Currie

10.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Lesley Currie 6.30pm PRAYER CELEBRATION Preacher: Chris McComiskey Monday 27 7.45pm CHURCH’S MINISTRY AMONG JEWISH PEOPLE (CMJ) Prayer Meeting at Flat 11, The Beeches, 57 Stockport Road, Romiley

(BCP = Book of Common Prayer / CW = Common Worship)

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St Paul’s Church St Paul’s Church St Paul’s Church --- Strines Strines Strines

Wednesday 1 2.00pm REFLECTIONS

Sunday 5 10.30am MORNING WORSHIP & SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNIVERSARY Preacher: Christine Blodwell Wednesday 8 9.15am Mellor Primary School “WEDDING” Sunday 12 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Barbara Webb Tuesday 14 2.00pm BOOK GROUP in Church Wednesday 15 2.00pm REFLECTIONS Saturday 18 2.00pm STRINES’ SUMMER FUN DAY

Sunday 19 10.30am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Christine Blodwell Tuesday 21 2.00pm MOTHERS’ UNION MONTHLY MEETING Sunday 26 10.30am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Dennis Watson Tuesday 28 2.00pm KNIT & NATTER

WEEKLY EVENTS: Mondays … 2.00pm GUITAR GROUP Thursdays … 10.30am “POP IN” for coffee and chat until 12Noon

OFFERTON NEWS - GLO (God Loves Offerton) Faith, Hope and Love in Offerton

www.glochurch.org … 0161 456 2727

Weekend Away, Living Life to the Full, and Statistics …

This month Glo Church went to Staffordshire for our very first whole church weekend away! Fifty-four of us headed out to the fabulous Whitemoor Lakes Activity & Conference Centre for a weekend to grow in our relationships with God and with each other. The theme was ‘Love’ – love for God, each other, and the world we live in, all a response to God’s love for us. There were great times of teaching, worship, small group conversations and learning to use the gifts of the Spirit together. A highlight was seeing some of our young people begin to hear the voice of the Lord for others and praying for people sometimes three times their age.

Some had signed up for activities on the Saturday afternoon: archery, zip wire and abseiling, whilst others went in search of the local coffee shop, still others made sure their little ones got a good rest! Those in primary school were led by Andy Jones and his team – the son of a couple in our church who do an amazing job with our children.

The weekend was such a joy; five years ago Lizzy and I had just moved back from the USA to plant Glo Church, and there were three people interested in joining our team; now, ten times that original number, people from all walks of life, new and mature Christians together, going away to spend time with each other and Jesus. God is good!

Huge thanks to those of you who generously gave so that some who couldn't afford to come could still be there.

Back at Glo Central in Offerton, Lizzy has been hosting a course called ‘Living Life to the Full’ (LLTTF) which is aimed at helping people use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in everyday life. CBT, whilst not being specifically Christian, provides amazing tools to help people change the way they think and act, developing what is known in some circles as ‘Emotional Intelligence’ or EQ. Those who are participating in the course are finding it both challenging but also helpful. Lizzy is being trained to deliver the course herself so we are hoping to be able to offer it again.

Lizzy and Sharon also completed a mental health training course this month, which will prove helpful because many of the people we encounter in the drop-in are struggling with mental health challenges of one sort or another. In Greater Manchester the expected wait-time from diagnosis of a mental health condition to professional help is from six to eighteen months – and sometimes people are struggling, but not quite enough to qualify for help. So having more tools to help is a wonderful thing.

Another great encouragement is that as we come to the end of a particular grant, we have had to pull together some statistics. Usually I’m not a fan of this, but was thrilled to see in black and white the growth that the Lord has given in this bit of His vineyard: people coming to faith, worshiping on Sundays, joining small groups, taking responsibility in teams.

We’re so thankful for all those who have worked with us, supported us, and cheered us on over the last five years. May the fruitfulness multiply over the next five!

Thankful to God for your support and prayers,

Gareth & Lizzy Robinson Leaders of Glo Church

SUMMER TERM 2015 SUMMER TERM 2015 MORNING SERVICESMORNING SERVICES

Becoming Like Jesus ... God’s Key To Abundant Living

May 3rd God’s Great Offer - Baptisms Romans 8:12-21 May 10th What Does It Really Mean to Follow Christ? Matthew 11: 25-30 May 17th Dead to Sin! Made Alive in Christ Romans 6:1-14 May 24th Pentecost - Be Filled Acts 2-1-21 May 31st Gifts of the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 & 27-31 June 7th How to Discover my Own Calling? Luke 10:1-12 Preacher Gareth Robinson June 14th Preacher: Andy Hawthorn June 21st Baptisms June 28th A Call to Radical Living? Matthew 16:13-28

Ruth ... July 5th Ruth Chapter 1 - Learning Faithfulness July 12th Ruth Chapter 2 - God’s Faithfulness July 19th Ruth Chapter 3 - Learning Trust and Obedience July 26th Ruth Chapter 4 - God’s Blessing

Parables of Jesus ... August 2nd Two Houses (Call to Decision) Matthew 7:24-27 August 9th The Good Samaritan (Neighbour Relations) Luke 10:25-37 August 16th The Labourers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16 (Good News for the Needy) August 23rd The Parable of the Talents Luke 19:11-27 (Great Day of the Lord’s Coming) August 30th The Wicked Tenants Matthew 21:33-46 (Bad News for the Establishment)

SUMMER TERM 2015 SUMMER TERM 2015 EVENING SERVICESEVENING SERVICES

May 3rd Prayer Celebration - General Election

Exodus ...

May 10th The Call of Leadership Exodus 3:1-17

May 17th Living in God’s Presence … Accepting God’s Challenge Exodus 6:1-12& 7:1-13

May 24th Pentecost - Be Filled Acts 2-1-21

May 31st PRAYER CELEBRATION

June 7th Living Under God’s Judgment and Grace Exodus 12:1-40

June 14th Grumbling Against God … How does God deal with our complaints? Exodus 15:22-16:20

The Ten Commandments ...

June 21st The Ten Commandments: Loving the Lord Your God with All Your Heart Exodus 20:1-7

June 28th PRAYER CELEBRATION

July 5th The Ten Commandments: Getting a Good Rhythm in Life Exodus 20:8-11

July 12th The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbour as Yourself

July 19th Living in the Presence of God Exodus 33

July 26th PRAYER CELEBRATION

NO EVENING SERVICES THROUGHOUT AUGUST