FROM THE MINISTRY TEAM
Dear
Friends,
When I was
reminded that I was due to write this article for The Envoy I was standing at
the back of the church looking through the narthex and on through the glass
doors to the view outside. The view
brought to mind strongly two things.
First, the thought of an open door, with exciting possibilities through
the door of new and wonderful things to come.
And secondly, the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2
and 3. The penultimate letter is to the
Church in Philadelphia, the Church of the Open Door. In Revelation chapter 3 verse 8 John is told to write, “I know
your deeds. See, I have placed before
you an open door which no-one can shut”.
The June
edition of The Envoy included a letter from Father Marcus which he sent to
coincide with the announcement that he is to be our new vicar. You will probably have heard that his
Induction as our new vicar is to be on Thursday 4th October, with his first
Sunday officially in the Parish our Harvest Festival Sunday of October
6th. His coming will be for us a bit
like going through the open door to new things beyond. It is very much my prayer, and I hope yours
too, that the Lord will give him a clear vision of God’s purposes and plans for
the Parish Church and its impact on the people of Midhurst. And by Church, I mean the people who make up
the Church, for that is what the true church is - the people, God’s family here
in Midhurst.
What can
be more exciting than seeing where God is at work and joining him there? And that is the consequence of praying that
Father Marcus will be given God’s vision for Midhurst and believing that our
prayers are answered. We won’t then
expect him to do what we want, but rather we will look expectantly to where God
is leading us through him and delight to join him there. And so, while we wait
for his arrival, pray, pray and GO ON PRAYING for him.
This is
where the letters to the seven churches are important. Are we going to be like the Church in
Ephesus, who are commended for their
perseverance and hard work, but are told to repent because they have lost their
first love of God; or like the church in Laodicea, who think they are rich and
well off, but are warned that God is
about to spit them out of his mouth because their love for him is
lukewarm; or like the Church in Smyrna, who are spiritually rich despite the
afflictions and poverty they are suffering; or...., one could go on through all
the seven Churches. But I like the idea
of being the Church of the Open Door, with opportunities ahead waiting to be
seized and acted upon because that is what the Lord wants us to do.
The great
thing about an open door is that it allows movement both ways; members of the
church family going out into the community and bringing the love of Christ to
that community, but also others from the local community coming in to the
church family because the Lord is there and his presence has drawn them
in. So let us pray, and often, for
Father Marcus. But let us also pray
that each member of the church family grows deeper in his or her relationship
with Jesus so that his presence is clearly with us and we become aware for
ourselves of the possibilities the open door provides.
May the
love of God enfold and bless each one of us.
Jonathan Watson
~~0~~
Many thanks to all who helped to make Noel’s ‘book
launch’ such a success, including Molly Stringer and Ali Bayliss with their
poem ‘Diary of a Woolbeding Church Mouse’.
We are very grateful to Noel for all his hard work and generosity in
producing such a beautiful and informative book, a real historical record. Many copies were sold and if you haven’t yet
purchased one, they are on sale in various places as well as at the church.
Volunteers please, for the working party on Saturday, 14th
July. Meet at the church at 9.30am
bringing garden tools, i.e. secateurs and trowels, or cleaning materials for
inside the church. Any time you can
spare will be appreciated. We usually finish at 12 noon with a drink. If it’s a lovely day you may like to bring a
picnic.
The following Sunday 22nd we have our second
summer Evensong, when we welcome the choir from Midhurst. Please do join us if you can.
Diary
1st July 8am Holy Communion 14th
July 9.30-12.00 Working Party 15th July
8am Holy Communion 22nd
July 6pm Evensong 29th July
8am Holy Communion 5th
August 8am Holy Communion |
Astri
Sharp