April 2015
No 638
THE MAGAZINE OF PETERSFIELD
& ST PAUL’S LISS
UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES
We wish all our readers a very
happy and blessed Easter
Page 2
Holy Week and Easter Services - Petersfield United
Reformed Church, College Street
Maundy 2nd April
Thursday
Good
Friday
Easter
Sunday
3rd April
5th April
7.30 pm
Joint Maundy Thursday
Evening Service with
Holy Communion
9.30 am
Walk of Witness from
Methodist Church to
the Square
11.00 am Good Friday shared
Service with Methodist
Church
11.00 am Easter Day Celebration
with Holy Communion.
There will be NO
Evening Service
At the
Methodist
Church
At URC.
Everyone is most welcome to join us at any of these services.
Page 3
From our Minister…
My Dearest Friends Happy Easter,
Let me share with you some really
amazing Good News –
Christ has died –
Christ is Risen –
Christ will come again. Alleluia.
Everyone longs for and needs to hear good news.
But it seems on the hour every hour, through the
media, we are bombarded with nothing but bad news.
And as the disciples try to make sense of all that had taken place since arriving
in Jerusalem it feels as if their lives are full of nothing but bad news. They had
just lived through the most horrendous week and had watch as their dear
friend and Master was nailed to a Cross and Crucified. Now Jesus lies dead in
a borrowed tomb.
These faithful followers of Jesus are despondent filled with defeat and despair.
There was no good news to be found in a graveyard – their world had fallen
apart.
Certainly the women followers of Jesus had no reason to expect to receive any
good news as they make their weary way to the tomb where Jesus had been
placed on Friday.
Why would they expect anything good? For this was a burial ground full of
grief, tears, sadness, and hopelessness. But God has a way of working and
bringing good news in the worst possible circumstances.
On that first Easter morning they heard the greatest news of all, "He is not
here. HE IS RISEN." Jesus is alive!
There is Good News from a Cemetery.
The greatest Good News ever.
And so on Easter Morning we will once more begin our celebration by singing
out these amazing words.
‘See what a morning, gloriously bright, with the dawning of hope in Jerusalem.
Folded grave-clothes, tomb filled with light, as the angels announce, "Christ is
Risen!" See God's salvation plan, wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in
sacrifice. Fulfilled in Christ, the Man; for He Lives, Christ is Risen from the
Dead.’ (Words of Stuart Townend Thankyou music)
Page 4
What joy, what amazement, what wondrous good
news. Can there be any doubt that this is the most
marvellous, amazing Good News that has ever been
proclaimed.
A very Happy Easter with all our love
Revd Peter, Lyn and all the family.
The First Easter
The grieving found their mourning turned to laughter,
Their tears transformed to deepest, joyful peace.
Reluctantly, they'd turned the fearful corner
To find not death, but life that will not cease.
The weak and wayward now became the leaders,
With power and vision entering new life.
The sick and sinful grasped a new beginning,
With wholeness, hope, and victory in strife.
In ones, in tens, in hundreds they were growing
As God's new Son-rise shone and warmed the earth;
And death, now fearful, slipped into the shadows,
Displaced and conquered by this bright new birth.
Joyce Perry
Easter Hymn
Slow goes the night in the anguish of mourning:
Hushed in its stillness the promise so new.
I shall arise in this day's bright Spring-dawning,
Climb to the heights through the fresh Easter dew.
Close round the Tomb is the mist, densely curling Hid from our eyes that Great Glory inside.
Then comes the Knowledge, like wind that is swirling,
clearing doubt's mist from the Tomb, empty-wide.
See in the gold that the sunshine is pouring,
One, who stands motionless, lit from above;
Calls us by name, as we kneel there adoring,
Offers us life in those scarred hands of Love.
Felicity Plumbley
Page 5
Women’s World Day of Prayer
The Bahamas
Friday 6th March 2015
A colourful theme decorated our church for the local meeting of the Women’s
World Day of Prayer on the 6 th March. Ladies from The Bahamas had written
this years’ service, ‘What have I done to you?’, taking the account in John 13 of
Jesus washing His disciples feet. Several ladies from local
churches took part in readings as we were asked to
consider how we can help others by involvement or
support for local or international charities. Over £300
was collected in the offering. This will be used by
WWDP national organisers to support Charities in the UK and abroad.
We ended the afternoon in the Church Family Centre with tea, coffee, cake and
fellowship. Representatives from local Charities – Winton House and Butser
Homestart – had been invited to join us, each presenting a visual display.
Donations for the fruits used in the church display came to £36.50. This will be
divided between the Petersfield Soup Run and Ukraine Christian Partnership.
Thank you to all who helped to bring the occasion together so that we were able
to enjoy this annual event as the service was celebrated around the world
Esmé, Janet & Catherine
See more on the Women’s World Day of Prayer website www.wwdp.org.uk
Page 6
EASTER MESSAGE FROM ST. PAUL’S
UNITED REFORMED CHURCH
Greetings to all from the congregation at St.
Paul’s and we wish you a happy and peaceful
Easter break.
Grateful thanks to Reverend Peter for his
Lenten lectures and Easter services and to Val
for the Agape Breakfast.
Taken from Bible Notes of the International Bible Reading Association: where
consent is given to copy.
There is a garden in Jerusalem where in one corner stands a first century
tomb. Whether it is the actual tomb where Jesus was laid is less important
than the fact the peace of the garden is a powerful reminder of that first Easter
morning. Pilgrims can enter into the dim lights of that tomb and see that flat
stone on which His body lay. It is a solemn experience filled with the presence
of God.
However as pilgrims turn to leave a notice comes into view. It reads HE IS
NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN. The reminder comes again that the risen Christ is
no longer bound to Jerusalem or any quiet and holy place in Galilee but is
released into the world. The women who waited in Jerusalem were told to tell
the disciples to look for him in Galilee and there they found Him.
Easter is true because through many centuries men and women have
discovered Christ’s presence in their homes, churches, streets, shops and
factories, and we can find Him today in our midst if we only take time to stop
and listen and reflect on the scriptures.
“Hail the Lord of earth and heaven
Praise to Thee by both be given.
Thee we greet triumphant now
Hail the resurrection One” Charles Wesley
An empty tomb is not sufficient proof of the resurrection of Jesus. Mary is the
first to arrive at the scene and sight of the stone rolled from the entrance brings
her dismay and apprehension. She exclaims “have the enemies of Jesus
come and taken away the body of our Lord?” Next Peter enters the tomb,
notices the grave clothes but does not realise their significance. Then John,
who at first only glances into the tomb, goes in. He sees the same as Peter
has seen but realises what it means, and BELIEVES. (Just as Jesus had
predicted and the scriptures foretold .)
We may be critical of Jesus’ followers for their slowness to believe in the
miracle that was revealed. But they had seen Jesus die a cruel and brutal
death and with Him died all their hopes for the future. They were numbed,
fearful and despairing and the initial sight of the stone rolled back simply added
Page 7
to their confusion. But the risen Lord has a way of rolling away the stone that
blocks understanding and belief. Even to those who do not expect to find the
living Lord He comes and makes Himself known and loves all with no
exceptions.
Thanks be to God for His love, grace and sacrifice.
Tony (Phillips)
Hello everyone. It has been lovely to be back with the Church family after my
prolonged absence. And now it feels as though I have never been away!!!
Here are the forthcoming dates.
 2nd April, 7.30pm -Maundy Thursday service at the Methodist Church to
include communion
 3rd April, 9.30 am Good Friday Walk of Witness from the Methodist Church
to the town square, followed by a service at our church at 11.am.
 5th April, 11.00 am – Easter Sunday, which will include Holy Communion
 PLEASE NOTE – there will be no evening service on 5th April
 18th April, Saturday at 7.30pm – Free Radicals concert in aid of YUM
fundraising
 19th April, 11.00 am – there will be NO communion on this date due to the
extra communion service at Easter
 26th April, 11.00 am – Pathways service when we are hoping to have some
input from representatives from Christian Aid
Very soon I will be asking for reports from all the Church groups and activities to
go into the Church Annual Report which will be presented at the May Church
meeting. You have been warned!
God bless you all.
With love,
Carol Tubbs
Page 8
Petersfield Area Churches Together (PACT)
Petersfield is a town richly blessed with a number of churches all working
together to serve God in many different areas. There are a number of
organisations that fall beneath the PACT umbrella, and it is hoped that over
the coming months, it will be possible to highlight some of these
organisations so that we are aware of what is happening in Petersfield and
also so that we can pray for their work
PACT SOCIAL CONCERNS GROUP
How it all began: The co-operation and drive towards unity between the
churches in the Petersfield area has deep roots. Initially there was the
Christian Aid Committee, followed in 1968 by the Council of Churches and
then in around 1990 PACT was formed.
Several interest groups were set up as a result of this. Among them was Social
Concerns, a 'think-tank' for our town, a communication channel. The group is .
made up of representatives from most of the churches in PACT.
We meet bi-monthly to pray and talk through any issues that arise from our
churches and wider community. We regularly monitor the Food Bank and the
Soup Run. We discuss the many problems arising from homelessness,
loneliness and isolation. We have a supporting role and a communication link
with the churches in the organisation of the Christmas Day lunch, which plays
host to many people who would otherwise be on their own at Christmas time.
We also ensure that the Pact Christmas and Easter cards drop through almost
every letter box in the town.
Social Concerns also picks up information highlighted in the Petersfield Post
which may enable us to help in any way we can.
Something that has had a huge impact on our town is The FOOD BANK.
There has been some form of food distribution at the Salvation Army in
Petersfield for about 149 years(!!), though it was only on a very small scale. It
really got off the ground under the umbrella of PACT through Social Concerns,
when Brian Edwards moved here from the Southsea Salvation Army in 2010.
Brian felt very much called to take on the task and it has evolved over the past
few years to be a very well organised system, due to his hard work and
dedication to meet the growing demand to supply essential food parcels to
those families and individuals that find themselves struggling in the wake of
financial difficulty. It is well supported by the churches in the town, as well as
local food stores, particularly Waitrose, and other organisations, giving
donations of food and money. Although Brian is having to retire from running
the Food Bank, we pray that the work will continue to serve our town for as
long as the need is there.
Sue Bone
Page 9
My favourite Hymn or Song
Make me a channel of your peace
(Mission Praise 456)
This song is special to me as we sung it at our
wedding nearly 30 years ago, and I actually
swayed to the music! The words throughout the
song, express absolute contrasting sentiments in asking for the Lord's support in
trying to follow Him in so many differnt ways. The emphasis is on the desire to
help others rather than ourselves, so that we can show our love for one another
and for God. The final words about reaching eternal life are particularly
appropriate as this is our hope to end the song and our lives with eternal life. In
summary, the song is a blueprint for how we should lead our lives and the
conclusion this should bring.
Nigel Cox
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow
love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is error, the truth; Where
there is doubt, the faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness,
light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that
we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
The above prayer is the Prayer of Saint Francis, also known as Make Me an
Instrument of Your Peace and is attributed to the thirteenth-century Saint
Francis of Assisi, although the prayer in its present form cannot be traced back
further than 1912, when it was printed in Paris in French, in a small spiritual
magazine called La Clochette (The Little Bell). The prayer has been known in
the United States since 1927 when its first known translation in English appeared
in January of that year in the Quaker magazine Friends' Intelligencer
(Philadelphia), where it was attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. Millions of copies
of the prayer were distributed during and just after World War II.
A popular hymn version, adapted and set to music by Sebastian Temple, is
"Make Me A Channel of Your Peace". It is an anthem of the Royal British
Legion and is usually sung every year at the Service of Remembrance in
November at the Royal Albert Hall, London. It has also been quoted on many
public occasions by well known people including Mother Teresa , Margaret
Thatcher, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and President Bill Clinton.
Page 10
Jean Dorman
Jean was one of our longest lived members who died recently. At her
thanksgiving service, her son, Peter gave a eulogy describing her very interesting
life. We are very grateful to Peter for allowing us to reproduce an edited version
of this eulogy below.
How do I put 94 years of her life into 5 minutes? Jean - my mother was
adaptable if nothing else This adaptability was achieved by always putting
herself second - you were always the centre and she would listen and then help
you to achieve your goals.
Jean was born into a privileged background with bicycle, hockey or polo, tennis
parties and, later, Hunt Balls. At 18 she was presented at court to King George
as a debutante. Only 2 or 3 years later she was in a factory on a production line
in Pontefract making aeroplane parts - a vital part in the war. This was done
against the wishes of her father. She later joined the ATS. She met Anthony
around this time and it was love at first sight. They met up a tree at Jean's
aunt's house!
Although it was love at first sight, because of the uncertainty of war and the fact
that Anthony became a POW, the wedding was delayed. Anthony was initially a
POW in Italy but as the allies advanced up Italy all POWs were marched out of
Italy and up to Poland where Anthony was eventually repatriated from Dachau.
From prison Daddy would send letters, when allowed, which were
incomprehensible to Mummy - she discarded them into the bin assuming Daddy
had lost his marbles. In fact the letters were in code that should have been
passed on to the War Office with information on troop movements.
Three months after the war ended in August 1945, Jean and Anthony were
married. The honeymoon was an interesting affair. Remembering that this was
1945, they set sail on a yacht from Lymington. In those days there were no
cabins, no heads (loos) and cooking was limited to a primus stove. Added to this
was that Anthony brought along his best friend to help out. Not an ideal
honeymoon for a person who had no sailing experience, but this is where Jean's
loyalty and adaptability came to the fore.
After this Anthony departed to India as he was involved in the Staff College in
Quetta, and Jean joined him with me in tow. Of course they enjoyed all the
trappings of a senior officer's life in the British Empire. Jean was the heart and
soul of the parties and on occasions taking Anthony home in the sidecar of a
motorbike.
Page 11
The next move was to Kinsale in Ireland - the family home. Jean quickly became
involved by arranging milk to be distributed to underprivileged mothers in the
slums of Cork and offered her car to ferry polio victims to and from hospital.
Jean was fiercely loyal to all her family and friends and so it was that when
Anthony became a Presbyterian lay preacher she supported him by playing the
organ. Jean found it difficult to remember the number of verses sung and yet
to go in a hymn. The answer was to have the correct number of marbles for the
verses and to move them from one level of the organ to another. On one
occasion, as Anthony was launching into his sermon, the marbles rolled into the
body of the church followed by Jean on her hands and knees.
Jean's last move was to Petersfield where she helped Muffy (my sister) in her
Infant school. She also worked in the Christian bookshop and for 15 years in
Scope.
Jean loved and was loved by her 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren along with 4 in-laws.
Throughout her life, she played bridge for the sheer enjoyment of the game and
I would like to thank all who played with her for giving her such enjoyment.
thank you. You notice that we avoided having this service on both a Monday or
Friday.
Jean's final move is to her heavenly home.
Magnificent beyond words.
Cheers, Mummy, well done.
Thank you to Eric Skipper for providing this eulogy for us.
From the Editors ...
Welcome to the April issue of the Messenger. - we hope you enjoy the read.
This month we are celebrating Easter, and this appears to have inspired some
folk to express their thoughts in poetry. You will also notice that we are taking a
break from the 'Spotlight' series, and have a new column - 'My favourite hymn
or song'. If you have a favourite and would like to tell us what it is and why it is
special to you, we would love to hear from you. As always, we are very grateful
to all our contributors - without you, there would be no Messenger. We wish
you all a very happy and blessed Easter.
Keith and Mary
Page 12
From Tiny Acorns: The Little Fishes Cafe Story
"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most
intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
I wonder if you know who said these words. Go on, have a guess. It
wasn't any of the biblical writers or the church fathers. It wasn't Aristotle
or Plato, neither was it Luther or Calvin. It was in fact none other than
Charles 'The Origin of Species' Darwin, himself. Now before you stop
reading and turn the page. Please, take a moment and think about that
statement.
What did you think? There is some truth in it isn't there? After all, I am
sure we've all read or heard about churches that maybe 10 - 20 years
ago where full to the rafters, which are now almost empty on a Sunday
morning. Not just the well populated ones either, but also churches that
once had large staff teams, innovative outreach and exciting ministries.
No surprise then that some have gone as far as to say that it doesn't
matter how strong a church is financially or numerically; it is how it
responds to the shifting social landscape outside its front door.
One of the biggest changes is the breakdown in the relationship between
the local community and the local church. Once upon a time, the church
was central to the community. Now, this is not the case. Those in trouble
know that the local church is there for them in a crisis, but so is the CAB,
isn't it? And most parents know that their local church has a warm and
friendly mothers and toddler group for them, but so does the children's
centre. There is of course something that the church can offer people
that no other organisation can. It can offer them Jesus. But do they know
that? And more to the point, how do we let them know?
Granted that there are still some people who are interested in attending a
church for the first time who just come through the front doors on a
Sunday morning. But research shows, that more and more, these people
are usually already Christians, or have had some kind of strong church
involvement in the past.
Back in September, I approached Peter with the idea of starting a new
group aimed at the parents currently attending the Little Fishes. Much as
Bible Babes began, the idea was to provide a safe, comfortable
environment in which to hold a bible study for the adults, whilst their
children were looked after in a crèche. The idea was given the green
light, we advertised it, we even got some funding from Wessex Synod;
everything was ready for an autumn start date. In short, it was a
Page 13
catastrophic failure. I ran the group for two months. No one came. Not
one.
However, as Winston Churchill once said, "success is going failure to
failure with no loss of enthusiasm", and so back to the drawing board I
went. It was whilst I was investigating what to do next, that I happen to
visit an FIEC Church in Reading, whilst I was there some friends told us
about a community program that they had been running for some time,
which they called 'The Mum's Cafe'. The group was essentially a coffee
morning for mums coming back from dropping their children at the
infants school opposite the church. Suffice to say, it was a lightbulb
moment. Upon returning home I began sketching out the idea,
developing and changing it to suit our church and location. I took the idea
to Peter, we talked it over, it went to the Elders and Little Fishes' Cafe
was born.
Little Fishes' Cafe runs on a Wednesday afternoon from 2pm-3pm.
Parents can come along, stay for a coffee, a slice of cake and chat before
heading down to the town to pick up their children from school. For those
who have children at home as well as at school, Little Fishes' Cafe also
has a crèche. Meaning that parents can get a much needed breather
before heading out for the school run. That I think is what makes the cafe
different to Little Fishes on a Tuesday morning. It isn't a playgroup, it is a
drop coffee afternoon offering an hour of respite, as well as safe social
space for hardworking, often tired, parents. Admittedly the Cafe has
gotten off to a slow start, but from tiny acorns come mighty oaks.
Nevertheless already there have been conversations about Christianity
and I look forward to many more as the group continues to grow by
God's grace. After all, they can get a coffee anywhere, but there isn't a
coffee shop in Petersfield that is offering Jesus.
After all this talk of change and success and failure, it is worth
remembering however, that 'success', is not a good idea well marketed,
but a work of God's unmerited favour to us through the death and
resurrection of Jesus. As Paul reminded the Corinthians, "I planted,
Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So
neither the one who plants nor the one who
waters is anything, but only God, who makes
things grow." (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
If you would like to find out how to support
the work of Little Fishes Cafe, please contact
Liam by. speaking to him on a Sunday, giving
him a call or emailing him
([email protected])
Page 14
Thank you
To all who supported me and came to Betty's Memorial
Service - Thank you - especially our minister, Peter, and the
Norris family. The ladies who laid on the lavish food
afterwards (almost another 'Feeding of the 5,000') The
amazingly generous donations to the YUM fund. Certainly
not least to Peter and Dee Crane for long time friendship
and help.
George Taylor
I am so much indebted to receive such a cavalcade of kindness, by way of
your prayers and visits, cards, books, magazines, chocolates and wonderful
help as a result of an ankle sprain and fracture. I am so very grateful to many,
but first in dispatches is to Peter Cotton for his support for me to reach the road
from the marsh, where the injury happened and for the long term help from Mo
and Rog Pendell for the rest of the day, by ferrying me 70 miles to and from
three different hospitals for A and E attention. Now for the follow up visits to
the fracture clinic with the grateful and willing help from Geoff Hanna is just too
good to be true.
The orthopaedic surgeon was satisfied that the healing would not need surgery
and just time in a Össur Rebound Air Walker leg device is best for repair.
Thank you and grateful blessings to you who have cared.
Robin Hart
In our February
Pathways Services, we
thought about Jesus - I
am the gate of the
sheep and the models
shown below were
made in the "create"
session.
Page 15
Petersfield Rotas April 2015
Sunday
Stewards
April 5
Maureen Gilbert
& Tony Crew
April 12
David Darling &
Janet Clemmy
April 26
Sylvia Bressey
& Gwen Peake
Sue Bone
April 19
Lyn Norris &
Volunteer
needed
Catherine
Adams
Carol Tubbs
Welcomer
Val Hart
Grace Fountain
Elder
Communion
Servers
Flowers
Keith Evans
Keith Evans &
volunteer
Easter
Jean Collins
Carolyn Barton
Peter & Dee
Crane
Liam Maguire
AV
Keith Evans
Janet Adams
Jo Oru
David Darling
St Pauls’ Rotas April 2015
Sunday
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Elder
Anne Glenn
Elizabeth Phillips
Tony Phillips
Anne Glenn
Welcomer
Tony Catmull
Tony Phillips
Val Torrance
Betty Parsons
Flowers
Elizabeth Phillips
Betty Parsons
Elizabeth Phillips
Birthday greetings are sent to all those who celebrate their birthdays in April
including:
3rd Jenny Herridge
5th Jean Colvin
15th Felicity Plumbley
24th Cora Bullock
Page 16
Petersfield Church Calendar – April 2015
Wednesday
Maundy
Thursday
Good Friday
1
2
2 pm
7.30 pm
3
9.30 am
11 am
Saturday
4
Easter
5
Sunday
Tuesday
7
Wednesday 8
Friday
10
Sunday
12
Monday
13
Tuesday
Thursday
14
16
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
Tuesday
20
21
Wednesday 22
Sunday
Monday
26
27
Tuesday 28
Wednesday 29
Thursday 30
8 am
11 am
7.30 pm
7.15 pm
*3 pm
11 am
8 pm
7.30 pm
7.30 pm
Little Fishes Cafe
Joint Communion Service at Methodist
Church
March of Witness
Shared service with Methodists at College
Street
Menunited Men's Breakfast
The Minister (Holy Communion)
There will be NO Evening Service
Elders' Meeting
Home Fellowship Group
Tea on the Terrace
Peter Jolly
Prayer Time
Women's Fellowship
Home Fellowship Group (see Liam or
Esme for details)
8 pm
Home Fellowship Group
10 am Dads' Club
7.30 pm Free Radicals concert in aid of YUM (see
page 21)
11 am The Minister (Please note this is NOT a
Communion Service)
11.30 am Ladies Bible Study
9.30 am Little Fishes Toddler Group
2 pm
Connie's Handicraft Group
2 pm
Little Fishes Cafe
7.15 pm Home Fellowship Group
11 am Pathways Service
11.30 am Ladies Bible Study
8 pm
Prayer Time
9.30 am Little Fishes Toddler Group
2 pm
Little Fishes Cafe
7.30 pm Home Fellowship Group (see Liam or
Esme for details)
8 pm
Home Fellowship Group
CFC
Methodist
Church
Petersfield URC
CFC
CFC
30 Marden Way
CFC
CFC
CFC
12 Geddes Way
CFC
CFC
CFC
CFC
CFC
30 Marden Way
CFC
CFC
CFC
CFC
12 Geddes Way
*Please note later start of 3.00pm for Tea on the Terrace Friday 10th April
Page 17
St Paul’s Church Calendar – April 2015
Wednesday
1
Maundy
Thursday
2
10 am
NCT Meeting
7.30 pm Joint Communion Service at Methodist
Church
6.30 pm NCT Meeting
Church &
Church Hall
Petersfield
Methodist
Church
Church Hall
Good
Friday
3
11 am
Shared service with Methodists at
College Street
Petersfield URC
Saturday
4
8 am
Menunited Men's breakfast
Petersfield URC
Easter
Sunday
5
Wednesday
8
Sunday
Tuesday
12 9.30 am Morning Worship
14 7.30 pm Elders' Meeting
Wednesday 15
Thursday
7.45 am Agape Breakfast
9.30 am Morning Worship with Holy
Communion
10 am NCT Meeting
16
10 am
NCT Meeting
Sunday
Holy Communion at Rother House
(combined service with Anglicans)
19 9.30 am Morning Worship
Monday
20 9.30 am Little Fishes
Church &
Church Hall
The Minister
Church Hall
Church &
Church Hall
10 am
Tuesday 21 9.30 am Fiddlesticks
Wednesday 22 10 am NCT Meeting
Sunday
Monday
Church Hall
The Minister
26 9.30 am Morning Worship
27 9.30 am Little Fishes
Tuesday 28 9.30 am Fiddlesticks
Wednesday 29 10 am NCT Meeting
Ted & Pam
Dowdeswell
Church &
Church Hall
Church Hall
Church &
Church Hall
The Minister
Church &
Church Hall
Church Hall
Church &
Church Hall
Page 18
For your information and prayers, there will be news from several
Missions each month. If you support a mission that has any
information and prayer updates, please send these to the editors so
that they can be included
The people of Vanuatu are reeling after Cyclone Pam brought mayhem and
destruction to their Pacific Ocean nation.
Winds of up to 180mph slammed into the 65 islands making up the archipelago,
flattening homes, crops and knocking out bridges and roads.
Vanuatu’s president described the damage as ‘unprecedented’ and up to half of
Vanuatu’s 277,000 population are estimated to have been affected by the disaster.
Tearfund is sending emergency support through a group of Christian agencies
called the Integral Alliance, which are committed to working together when
disasters strike. Assessments are underway by alliance member TEAR Fund New
Zealand and initial priorities are likely to include drinking water, food and
shelter.
CHRISTIANS KILLED AND ABDUCTED
At least 18 Christians have been killed in a recent wave of violence in Central
African Republic (CAR). In an attack in the capital Bangui on 11 February, 16
Christians were killed, some by beheading. The following week, in the Nana
Grebizi province, Fulani herdsmen killed two Christians and abducted another
Christian, Kondremunju Philippe, and his son. Pastor Enza Vincent from Kaga-
Page 19
Bandoro, the provincial capital of Nana Grebizi, says: "We want peace... There
are thousands of Christians who are suffering."
PLEASE PRAY:
 For bereaved families to experience God's comfort and provision
 That Kondremunju Philippe and his son will be released safely
 For those displaced by the recent violence, and that aid organisations will
be able to deliver relief to them soon
 For breakthroughs in the battle to restore peace in CAR, and wisdom for
the government.
We hope you will find this Prayer Alert helpful as you pray for your
persecuted church family.
The thrust of this year's Christian Aid Week fundraising is to help the poor to
help themselves and particularly the women of Ethiopia. Funds raised will help
to buy cows for these women, The cows not only provide source of
nourishment for the women and their families, but they are also able to make
dairy products to trade to obtain their necessities of life. Christian Aid is also
working with this community to fight against girls being sold off in marriage at a
young age and it is now illegal for girls to marry under the age of 18.
See Robin Hart's article on page 22 for information on how we can help raise
funds for Christian Aid during Christian Aid week in May
Information on the above Christian organisations may be found on their
websites. In addition, there are a number of leaflets in the rack in the church
vestibule for you to read.
Page 20
The Lord’s Prayer ( Matthew 6.9-13)
The Lord answered the question the disciples had asked Him concerning prayer.
This question follows the sermon on the mount that we should not be
hypocrites by using words to impress rather than saying them from the heart.
We must have repeated the prayer the Lord gave to the disciple many times,
but there is a real danger in just repeating the prayer. Other religions have set
statements that are repeated all the time and can become meaningless. The
Lord wanted the disciples to not only repeat the prayer, but to use it as a
framework. He intended that we should communicate with him like any contact
we have with our close friends.
The prayer is divided into 6 sections and half is directed to the Lord and half
concerns the way we live.
“Our Father” The prayer is for the believer as we call Him “Father”, we are in
His family and therefore part of His kingdom. We should remember too, that all
those who love the Lord worldwide are our brothers and sisters.
“Hallowed be your name” Our God is Holy, so we should not rush into His
presence but prepare ourselves.
“ Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. We
should be looking forward to the day when there will be a new heaven and
earth, the devil and all his works in this world will be judged and cast into outer
darkness.
Do we really want His will and not ours, basically our natural self is concerned
with doing what we want, but the Lord’s will is the best for us, although it is a
very big step for us to take.
“Give us today our daily bread”. The wonderful promise the Lord has made that
seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter and day and night will
never cease while the earth remains (Genesis 8.22) There is even now enough
food for everybody, but sadly there are a lot of greedy people that cause
starvation and poverty to millions of people. The Lord desires us to just require
enough for our daily needs to be effective in our service for Him.
“Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors”. The Lord will not
forgive our sins if we cannot forgive others. Have we really forgiven that person
Page 21
who has done us wrong? This is not an easy thing to do, but is essential for our
own forgiveness. The Lord reiterates this thought following the prayer.
“Lead us not into temptation , but deliver us from the evil one”. The first part
needs clarification and should read, grant that we may not fail in the test. We
are all tested in this fallen world, but with Christ’s presence by His Spirit we will
be able to overcome the Devil’s guile.
Let us continue to repeat this prayer from our hearts.
Robin Ive
Free Radicals
" Songs of April to Summer"
7.30pm Saturday 18th April
URC, College Street , Petersfield
Donations for the YUM/ UCP
funds
Refreshments in the hall
afterwards
Page 22
A message from Emsworth
Jesus said to her, “Mary” John 20 verse
16
Whilst working in the Health Service it seemed that
every five years or so we were “reorganised”. With
each reorganisation, although the actual job and the
patients we treated remained the same, our name badges, Trust logo, headed
notepaper etc etc changed, often quite radically. With each change too we
would have another organisational chart to look for our name on. Always at the
top of each chart was the Chief Executive. Under he or she were all the various
officers in human resources, finance, estates and so on. Under these persons
there was a chance you might find your name. After one such organisational
change we were asked at a board meeting what we felt about the new
organisational chart. Having by now suffered many reorganisations and
probably feeling at the time quite “Bolshie” I proposed some changes. My
colleagues were quite open mouthed when I suggested that at the top of the
chart, and therefore the most important in the organisation should be “The
Patient”. The next tier should include the doctors, dentists, nurses and all the
other health Care Professionals with responsibility for treating the patient. The
next tier down would be finance, Human Resources etc whose task would be to
look after and support all those above with patient care responsibility. Under all
of these would be (you’ve guessed it!), the Chief Executive. Well was I brave or
was I brave? My alternative organisational chart was obviously not adopted.
Jesus, our Servant King said in John’s Gospel “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you should was one another’s feet. I have set you an
example that you should do as I have done for you.” Do we really take those
words to heart?
In my own service I always tried to impress upon my staff that the most
important person was the patient. Each member of the Dental Team was
important but all were there to serve the patient. Before dentists could assert
that they were more important than dental nurses I tried to take everyone
through the new patient experience. I asked the question what would the
patient notice first? A variety of answers but I suggested that the patient would
first notice how clean and tidy the surgery was. I sometimes stayed behind after
work to greet the cleaners at the health Centres and praise them for their work
and tell them how much I appreciated them and how much they were valued
members of the Dental Team. I never had a problem with dirty surgeries! The
next thing the patient would notice would be the welcome they received. That
Page 23
initial welcome would often set the tone for the whole appointment. Often
unsung heroes of the Dental Team, I always rated most highly the role of the
dental receptionist.
How much do you value the role of “Welcomer” in our Churches? Cora and I
have been trying to attend Sunday worship at some of our local churches in
Emsworth just recently. It would be quite wrong to single out individual
Churches, but the welcoming experience differed widely. At one Church we
were not really welcomed at all but then it was a joint Anglican/Methodist
service and there must have been several people the “welcomer” did not
recognise. At another Church the welcome was warm but the church was not,
the heating had broken down! The welcomer at this church went out of her way
to see the pastor who came over to introduce himself, whereas at another, the
minister just shook our hand at the end of the service not realising that this was
our first visit to the church.
It is always lovely to have your names remembered. My Lesley had this most
amazing gift of being able to remember peoples’ names. Not only could she
remember your name but she could also remember how many children you had,
their names, and what school they went to! Welcoming is a gift and is such an
important part of our Church life. Finding out a person's name and then using
that name greatly enhances the welcoming experience.
I started out in my dental career as a Dental Officer in the Royal Navy. I will
always remember a lecture by a certain Surgeon Captain (D). In this lecture he
emphasised the importance of knowing a person's name. He told the story of
Able Seaman Jones who attended his ship’s dental officer with toothache. The
Dental Nurse took down the patient’s details then called out to the dental
officer saying that his ten-thirty “pain case” had arrived!
No longer Able Seaman Jones but a ten-thirty “pain case”.
That first Easter Day, a distraught Mary Magdalene did not recognise the risen
Lord Jesus. It was not until Jesus called her by her name “Mary”, that her eyes
were opened.
Jesus, who welcomed sinners and outcasts. Jesus, who came to serve rather
than be served. Jesus who calls us and knows us by name. Jesus, who loves each
one of us and wants us to love and serve Him. O come to my heart Lord Jesus
there is room in my heart for You.
Love, Alan (Jones)
Page 24
Our fathers who art in the church centre on Saturdays
WITH the importance of male role models high on the social agenda, a special
club in Petersfield is ticking the right boxes. And the Dads’ Club at the town’s
United Reformed Church is also providing a safe, fun space for fathers,
grandfathers and other male carers to spend quality time with their youngsters.
The only one of its kind in Petersfield, the club is a preschool playgroup run by
men for men. Held on Saturday mornings, it offers a male take on the usual
craft and free play activities, allowing for important weekend bonding time with
children, grandchildren or foster children. It also gives men the chance to meet
up, find support, chat about childcare, unwind and make friends. It is also free
to attend, with free tea and coffee, and bacon sandwiches.
The Dads’ Club was set up two years ago by Liam Maguire, a development
worker at the church in College Street. He says that although it is a thriving
group, it seems to be little-known in the community. He would like to raise its
profile in Petersfield and encourage more men to attend the sessions. He feels
it has an important function in supporting fathers through the early years of
parenting.
Running from 10am to 11.30am in the church family centre, there is an hour of
play and craft followed by a healthy snack and drink. An age appropriate story
follows. Current favourite reads among the little-ones and the adults are Lost
and Found and Where the Wild Things Are.
Club dates for men to put in their diaries are: March 14 and 28, and April 18.
For more information, telephone the church
on 01730 266475. Also visit the
website www.petersfieldurc.com/dadsclub.
The above article by Sue Gilson appeared in
the Petersfield Post on Wednesday 25th
February and is reproduced her by kind
permission.
.
Page 25
Just for fun ...
Page 26
Christian Aid week 10th to 16th May 2015
Christian Aid Week is seven amazing days of fundraising campaigning and
worship. It unites 300 thousand people in the UK’s biggest house-to-house
collection.
It inspires hundreds of events, brings together thousands of churches and
reaches millions of people with messages about poverty.
Most importantly, it helps people in poor communities around the world
improve their lives.
What can we do to help? The answer is by being part of our church team
distributing envelopes and collecting from houses raises the greatest proportion
of funds for this charity. In addition, to give an hour or
so of your time to hold a collecting tin in Petersfield
town on Saturday 16th May. If any reader wishes to join
our regulars in this action, then please make contact
with me.
Robin Hart
Page 27
Imagine with TLS
Training for Learning and Serving (TLS)
is launching its new period of
enrolment by encouraging people to
take time to imagine – a different
world, a different church, and a
different you – as part of a practical
learning experience.
By engaging with these ideas TLS aims
to explore creatively how some of
these possibilities may be a positive
influence in a person’s life, church and
community.
Stanley Jackson, TLS coordinator, said:
“In October 1971, John Lennon
released his record ‘Imagine’. While
some find the lyrics paint an oversentimentalised, unrealistic and
unachievable ideal, others view them as offering a hopeful and inspirational
vision for the future. Whichever way you see it, the song highlights the potential
of human imagination, touching upon one of the most creative forces of
existence.”
“Imagine... a different world... a different church... a different you. If you can
catch the vision and potential of such thoughts you will understand why Training
for Learning and Serving is launching its new period of enrolment by focussing
upon what possibilities there are if people start to use their God-given
imaginations.”
TLS offers opportunities to:
Examine your faith
Enrich your discipleship
Explore your calling
To make a difference in your life, your church and your neighbourhood
Page 28
WHAT IS TLS?
It is
 A spiritual journey
 A variety of courses on subjects related to Christian life and discipleship
 A diverse learning experience with opportunities for
o Reflective and practical work
o Personal and group study
o Local and residential gatherings
 A fellowship of friendly people
YOU CAN DO TLS
 Just out of personal interest, to help you be more understanding and
effective in your Christian discipleship
 To explore opportunities to serve God in the future
 To help you acquire United Reformed Church Assembly Lay Preaching
accreditation
 Because it doesn’t matter whether you have some academic experience or
none.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
Watch the video at http://tinyurl.com/TLS-Video and then follow the adjacent
links for more details, including this year’s Prospectus
OR
Contact the TLS Administrator, Mrs Heather Skidmore, at 27 Yew Tree Road,
Elkesley, Retford, Notts. DN22 8AY
Tel: 01777 838634 E-mail: [email protected]
who will be happy to send to you the TLS Prospectus and Application Form
Page 29
WESSEX SYNOD - News and items from the
March edition of 'Share the Vision' - the Wessex Synod
Newsletter
Lay Preachers’ Gathering on Saturday 25 April 2015 at London Street
URC Basingstoke, 10.30am – 3.45pm.
Growing the Church on Saturday 16 May 2015 at London Street URC
Basingstoke, 10am – 4pm. Cost: £10 per person.
Theme: ‘encouraged by God, encouraging one another’.
Come and find out how we can grow our churches through our encounters
with God. Our inspirational keynote speaker is Michael Harvey, founder of
Back to Church Sunday. Our worship and workshops will include different
styles and approaches to enable us to be encouraged by God.
AREA GATHERINGS
Dates for the next round of area gatherings, at the
September/beginning of October have now been set as follows:
21 September – South West
22 September – North East
28 September – North West
1 October – South East
end
of
Mersey Synod has produced a new study booklet which is particularly
suitable for Women’s Groups. It is entitled Praying and Learning
Together’ and has been created by a small group of Women from Churches
in Malawi and from Mersey Synod. There are readings, suggestions of
hymns, prayers and questions for discussion. It can be downloaded from
the
Resource
Section
of
the
Mersey
Synod
Website
www.urcmerseysynod.org.uk
The articles contained in this magazine do not necessarily represent the views
of Petersfield URC and St Paul's URC, Liss leaderships.
Important - Sensitive issues
Now that the Messenger is included in the Church Website, it is important that
all the content is suitable for public exposure. When composing an article, if
there is anything at all that you consider should be removed before publishing
on the website, please inform the editors, Keith and Mary Evans.
Page 30
Petersfield Area Churches Together (PACT)
Items from the PACT March Newsletter ...
“Evangelicals Now” magazine delivered in Petersfield area
(message from Robin Ive)
The magazine is just £1 per copy and particularly of interest for all
denominations linked to Evangelicals. Contact me direct on 01730 710582 or email me on [email protected]
Advance notice: Coach Holiday to the Southern Lakes – Abbot Hall Hotel (4th 11th July 2015)
The price per person for an en suite room is £595 and this includes return travel,
seven nights half board accommodation and five full day excursions. Further info
can be obtained from Gordon Churchill (01730 260454) but all bookings must be
made direct with the hotel (01539 532896).
Spiritual food for thought:
“Where the revolution happened without the involvement of the church... it
ended with the shedding of blood... We took Jesus at his word and showed that
there is more [to life] than money, army, economy and media; there also is God’s
blessing and power, which changes things without the shedding of blood. No
window was smashed; no-one was beaten, tortured or hanged, as is the norm
during revolutions. “Peaceful revolution” is really nonsense, as both concepts do
generally not fit together in history... But because Jesus’ spirit was at work, they
fitted together...” (Christian Fuehrer, 1980-2008 reverent at Leipzig’s Nikolai
church and one of the founders of the Peace Prayers)
Everyone is welcome to attend all PACT events. Full details available on the
PACT website or from David and Carolyn Barton who can give you information
on any aspect of PACT. Please use the PACT website for more information
and also if you wish to advertise an event www.pact.org.uk
Deadline for next Messenger is Sunday 12 April 2015. Please e-mail, post or
hand deliver articles to Messenger Editors, Keith & Mary Evans, 12 Geddes Way,
Petersfield GU31 4DJ tel 01730 235922 e-mail [email protected]
Page 31
Lectionary Bible Readings
for April
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians
15:1-11; John 20:1-18; Mark 16:1-8
Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48
Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
My faith has found a resting place,
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that he died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul, I come to him,
He'll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's name,
Salvation through his blood.
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost he came to save;
For me his precious blood he shed,
For me his life he gave.
by John Piper. ©2015 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org
John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of
Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist
Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books
Thanks to Tony Phillips for providing this song.
Page 32
Church Contact Details
Minister: Revd Peter Norris
24 Moggs Mead, Petersfield GU31 4NT
tel 01730 266922
(Day off Wednesdays)
Development Worker: Liam Maguire
Church
Church Office
Telephone
Website
E-mail
Sunday
Services
Secretary
Treasurer
Petersfield URC, College
Street, Petersfield GU31 4AG
Administrator Mrs Esme Kelly
Office Hours 9am-12noon
Tuesdays to Fridays
Church Family Centre
01730 266475
www.petersfieldurc.com
[email protected]
Mornings at 11 am with Junior
Family Church and Crèche
Evening Worship at 6.30pm
(1st Sunday in the month only)
Mrs Carol Tubbs
39 Rotherbank Farm Lane
Liss Forest
GU33 7BJ
Tel 01730 893489
Mobile 07766 412160.
Mr Jim Cleverly,
4 Crundles,
Petersfield GU31 4PJ
Tel 01730 300558
St Paul’s URC, Hillbrow Road,
Liss GU33 7PX
Mornings at 9.30am
No evening Services
Mr Tony Phillips,
Whiteways
Malvern Road
Hill Brow
Liss GU33 7PY
Tel 01730 892407
Mr Steve & Mrs Anne Glenn
Hillbrow Lodge
Hill Brow
Liss GU33 7NY
Tel 01730 894262
Petersfield United Reformed Church Mission Statement
“As a congregation worshipping God: we seek to reach out with the love of Jesus; to
worship God in our daily lives; to draw others into the knowledge and love of Christ;
and to make disciples”
Printed at Petersfield United Reformed Church Office