OAKWOOD 2010

Dear Friend,

The countdown is on to the London Olympics, but we have two years less. In OAKWOOD 2010, we have given ourselves two years to review our life together and make sure everything we do is pointing in the same direction. That is, in the direction of Jesus, introducing everyone around us to him.

During the day we shared in prayer at the church, on Saturday 1 December, we had a strong sense of the presence of the Lord. We should not be surprised, since it is when he challenges his disciples to go into the world, he also promises them, ‘I am with you always’ Matthew 28v20.

Please pray particularly for the deacons at this stage, as we begin to discuss more closely what OAKWOOD 2010 will mean. We will begin to introduce the areas of change and activity which may be needed, in the next few church meetings.

At the first church members’ meeting of the year, Wednesday 16 January, I will bring a short presentation on ‘Evangelism In The Local Church’, to encourage our thinking together. We look to the Lord to give us a clear, shared mind and vision for the way ahead.

Meanwhile, you may notice a new Welcome Leaflet. These give an introductory picture of our fellowship, and have a loose form to leave contact details. Some copies will be always be available in the foyer and at the back of the church, and the stewards will pass them to new visitors. If you are speaking to someone new, do give them a leaflet, and encourage them that we would like to keep in touch.

We love to welcome people when they join us at church, but in OAKWOOD 2010, our focus must be on how we can go in the Lord’s name to the people around us. Please pray as I make contact with some of the local schools, that there may be helpful ways I can represent the Lord Jesus. Pray too for new leaders to take our weekly young people’s work forward, in the changes which are coming during this year.

I was very glad that Jackie Sibuns agreed to share a bit of her own story of trusting in the Lord Jesus, at the Carol Service this year. As she said, it is not the sort of thing she would naturally choose to do. It may not be the same thing for you, but OAKWOOD 2010 will mean for us all, challenge and change this year, and in the years God gives us to share his mission to the world.

Remember, OAKWOOD 2010 is not about planning for a mission in a couple of years, but about changing now, in any way we need to, so we can always be a mission centred church.

Your Pastor,
Gordon

‘HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL BRING IT TO COMPLETION’ Philippians 1v6