This Month's Pastoral Letter

I am amazed that this year’s Motto Text is my fifth since we moved here over four years ago.

In 2008 it was: “Seek you first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) I believe that was very apt as we were moving on to a new chapter in the life of the Church and needed to be reminded of our true priorities.

In 2009, we thought about: “Do not despise the Day of Small Things.” (Zechariah 4:10) We came to see how God constantly works in the everyday things of our lives and the life of His Church, and we saw a significant growth in our membership.

In 2010 we turned our attention to the opportunities which God gives us: “See I have placed before you an open Door.” (Revelation 3:8) In many ways, we saw the fruition of this a year later.

For 2011, we remembered that Jesus said: “You are the Light of the world. A City on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) In December, we saw this visibly in the Tree of Lights Service, Follow The Star and the Lantern Procession.

So to 2012: “For I know the Plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

We thought, during the Morning Service on 8th January, that God’s people are not forgotten. God’s promises are to be fulfilled. Pursuing God will result in finding Him. In the evening, we looked at the conditions of this promise, found in verses 12 & 13:

It is vital that, as His people, we actively seek to discover what God’s Plan is for our lives and the life of His Church. The vision I shared with you at the Away Day in November 2010 remains the same; that we will be “A United and a Growing Church.”

May we all do what we can to promote unity, not discord and to seek growth in our spiritual life and in praying, leading and seeing others come to faith in Jesus.

Anthony Orr