Stainglass window
Christmas 2011
3rd Dec Advent Party
12th Dec @ 2pm
Carol Service at Oak tree Court
16th Dec @ 2.30pm
Carol Service at Stratford Court
17th Dec @11am
Carol Singing outside Co-Op
18th Dec Nativity and Christingle Service and Carol Service
24th Dec @ 11pm (Service starts at 11.30pm
United Service at URC Etwall Rd
25th Dec @10am
Christmas Day Service
‘The Working Model’
Dear Friends,
This month (on the morning of Sunday 16th) we shall be renewing our covenant together as members of Hall Green Baptist Church(our NEW revised covenant), and every member will receive a new membership card, with the words of the new covenant printed on them. Two days later, on the Tuesday evening, is the Annual General Meeting of the Church. It’s a good opportunity for us to remind ourselves what the Church really is.
In a breathtaking sentence in his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul describes it like this: ‘God placed all things under Christ’s feet, and appointed him to be head over everything for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way’ (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Christians are that company of people that Christ has called out to follow himself (‘church’ in the Greek simply means those ‘called out’). To no other body of people has the Son of God promised to fill them with his presence, by his Spirit.
But we are to be Christ’s ‘fullness’ too! The popular image of Jesus Christ is frequently distorted. People have all sorts of wrong ideas about him. Yes, if someone takes the time to read the Bible, they still need to ‘see’’ him in flesh and blood terms.
That’s your cue and mine. It’s up to us, who have been called out and filled, to make Christ visible to as many people as possible.
If we are called out as Christians to make Christ known to the world, and to express his living presence in a convincing way, then the church is no optional extra for the believer!
If Jesus had come to find a new PHILSOPHY, then perhaps we could be excused for thinking that faith was a matter to be practised privately. But Jesus’ purpose was very different. He came to found a new COMMUNITY.
We cannot afford to be like the man who wanted to join the navy, but who refused to be assigned to any particular ship. That’s what church membership is all about. Becoming a Christian makes us take part of the universal world-wide church. But it is vital that we are also committed to a local church.
So as we approach Covenant Sunday, let Paul’s words about the church challenge you. If you are already a church member here, ask yourself: Am I playing my full part, making Christ visible through my life?
And if you have never become a member, then ask yourself why. What is it that keeps you back from committing yourself locally?
The church is placed in the world in order that it may fill out the picture of Jesus Christ for all of society, and make him real. We do this together as we worship, learn, serve and witness-doing all in our power (or rather HIS power) to place our Lord unmistakeably at the vry centre of our life and fellowship.
Your friend and pastor,
Jonathan Calvert