Please join us this Saturday for a MANDELA CENTENARY CELEBRATION FUN DAY!
There will be fun and games for young and old, pancakes and coffee available for only R10!
The entry fee to the event is one item of non-perishable food for our Pastoral Pantry.
Funds raised on the day will go towards a new home for Gladys.
ALL WELCOME at this family fun day!

(Seven Questions HMC study for the week of 16TH – 22ND July 2018)
ICE BREAKER: How good are you at navigating; how good are you at allowing someone else to read the map/directions to direct your journey?

FOCUS SCRIPTURE PASSAGE/S: READ John 7:1-2,14; 8:12-14; Exodus 13:17-22

Some Context: It was time for the Feast of Tabernacles also known as the Feast of Booths. A time to remember their journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. This feast reminded them that life is a pilgrimage – we’ve never fully arrived. Jesus initially doesn’t intend going, but then changes his mind and goes to teach in the Temple. The Sanhedrin, that didn’t usually meet during the Sabbath and Festival Days, is meeting to discuss Jesus. Nicodemus, who previously met Jesus under the cover of darkness speaks up on behalf of Jesus. It’s during this meeting that Jesus – outside – says, “I AM the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1. In the desert the Israelites were guided by the pillar of cloud (day) and the pillar of fire (night). They moved when the pillars moved. Thinking about life as a journey/pilgrimage I’m sure you’ll agree that sometimes you find yourself in unwanted places – a ‘stopping place’ instead of a ‘staying place’? Has there been a time in your life when you were grateful that a ‘stopping place’ wasn’t a ‘staying place’?

2. The Israelites journey was following God. When Jesus says, “I am the Light of the world.” What do you think he meant? What does it mean to trust Christ as the source of light in our world? Have you experienced a deepening faith through Christ’s guidance in your life?

3. How has Christ’s direction helped you to take a step of reconciliation in a relationship, or to take a step of honesty and speak truth, or step towards a dream or goal?

4. When Jesus uttered this ‘I AM’ statement the religious leaders were plotting against him. Think about this – how did darkness work there? Nicodemus, who’d had a new revelation in his time with Christ, spoke out – a rather courageous thing to do. In Jesus is truth. When we let him be our light, he exposes what needs to change or be brought to a newer understanding. Have you come to a new understanding on matters, especially in spiritual matters? Share with our group.

5. Rob Fuquay, shares a story about his grandmother’s windows that needed cleaning. The afternoon sun showed up his lack of zeal in cleaning them for her – they were all streaky. He says, “no matter how challenging, Jesus’ light always brings me to a better place.” What within you needs cleaning?

6. Sometimes darkness is not always of our own making, sometimes it is as a result of our own actions. Either way our path loses it’s illumination. What do you think needs to happen to light our path brightly? What does it mean for us to be a light for the world?

Light a candle as a symbol of Christ’s presence in your midst.
Isaiah 57:18
“I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them.”
• Thank God for Mandela and the peaceful transition he orchestrated on his release from prison, thank God for his ability to forgive and his tireless work to rebuild our nation.
• Pray for our economy, that government may be inspired with ways to turn it around that will benefit all our people
• Pray ongoing against crime, corruption and the land issues
• Pray for our health Crises, that there will be great wisdom in decisions made regarding the NHS plan, that the government will listen to the professionals, take advice and develop an effective and workable plan
• Continue to pray against racial divides and all those that are determined to perpetuate this for their own gain.
Amen.”

This Sunday evening, 15 July, we’ll be hosting guest speaker, Barry Haley, who will talk about the vital ministry provided by the Sailors’ Society. It’s the ideal way to spend a winter’s evening with mugs of hot soup and rolls served before the service.

This week the theme is – I AM the Bread of Life: Knowing God’s Satisfaction
Join Reverend Peter Crundwell as he provides some fascinating insight on this theme, based on the book by Rob Fuquay.

Guests at this month’s Friendship Club will be entertained with a Celtic Dancing display. Bring your family, friends, children and grandchildren. ALL WELCOME!

Seven Questions HMC study for the week of 9th – 15th July 2018)
ICE BREAKER: Share about a time when you ate, felt full, but not satisfied. Why was that and how did you feel (other than not satisfied)?

FOCUS SCRIPTURE PASSAGE/S: READ John 6:27-59
1. We experience and chase after different kinds of fullness: Communication and Stuff being 2 examples. Perhaps you can think of others? The drive for fulness can leave us feeling a little ‘blue.’ What in your life can you not live without? How do you react/feel when the power goes out (load shedding), or the phones and Internet go down? Do you enjoy what you have or are you always striving for more? An insidious nature for hunger makes you a consumer more than an enjoyer? Do you agree?

2. Think about the people in the story – less than 24 hrs have passed, they follow Jesus looking for another miracle. What similarities do you see in yourself or even in others, in the way that they follow Jesus today?

3. If people in this story represent all of humanity, past and present, what does it say about us that we receive a miracle, answer to prayer, etc. one day and on the next we say to God, “What will you do for me/us now?”

4. CS Lewis made the statement: “I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are substitutes for joy?” Reflecting on this and that Jesus said: “I am the Bread of Life” (v. 35) – What do you think Jesus meant by this?

5. Some ways we can get to satisfaction is to follow some spiritual disciplines. Fasting comes to mind. Not everyone can fast from food. What other ways could one fast, remembering that it is a practice of self-denial?

6. Rob Fuquay, makes the suggestion that “we move from Expecting to Accepting.” What do you think this could mean?

7. He also says, “Focus more on feeding than on being fed.” Quite powerful words that remind us to focus on making others full instead of making oneself full. This is part of our call to Discipleship. In offering yourself or your resources to others have you ever experienced a sense of being fed when you focussed on feeding the other? Share this experience with your group.

Light a candle as a symbol of Christ’s presence in your midst.

Mathew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Please Pray:

• All Christians in South Africa to be “salt” in our Country. Pray that every Christian hears God’s call to be obedient and trust Him no matter how small or insignificant they feel God’s call is.
• All Children in South Africa, where there is a great divide between rich and poor. Pray for children from wealthy and privileged homes to not view money as their God, to not be spiritually poor but to be humble and sensitive to others needs. To seek ways to help those less fortunate than them. Pray for children from poor homes to not despair, to look to God for provision, to hear God and follow him.
• Ongoing prayer against corruption, that more will be exposed, and our country will be able to heal and prosper.
• Continue to pray for the land issue, that it may be resolved as God requires, to enable us to move on as a Nation.
• Pray against racism, pray for acceptance of each other, and to see each other as all God’s children, loved equally by God.

Amen.

“Love to pray. Feel often during the day the need for prayer, and take trouble to pray. Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself. Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and keep him as your own. [From A Gift for God by Mother Teresa]