We were privileged to welcome Joy Gascoigne from Grimethorpe Pentecostal Church this morning to speak at our Communion service. Joy spoke from Genesis 49 on ‘Keeping A Steady Hand.’ Here, we see Jacob wanting to speak blessing to his family. When it came to Joseph, he said that ‘his bow remained steady‘ (Gen 49:24). Archers attacked him, but his bow remained steady – a reminder to us that life has its ups and downs and often we feel overwhelmed by the tragedies around us, but we are called to stability in God at all times.

If we want a steady hand, we have to remember that God has not changed and is with us still. Joseph suffered much in life; his brothers’ betrayal when he was young radically affected all his life, but he found God was with him in the pit, in the prison and in the palace. The righteous may have many troubles (‘afflictions’, Ps 34:19), but God is still there with us through them all.

If we want a steady hand, we must learn to do what is right, even under pressure. Joseph is an example to us of doing the right thing (‘being made holy’) in potentially difficult situations, such as that with Potiphar’s wife. He retained his integrity at a difficult time. God is more interested in our character than our comfort. The world celebrates talent, but God celebrates character. We have to understand that God is at work in every situation in our lives. Joseph learned to recognise this, saying, ‘But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’ (Gen 45:7) He knew that God had been working for good in every terrible situation in his life. 

Joseph’s story reminds us that God is not interested in the ‘quick fix.’ What he has started, he will complete (see Phil 1:6). It took time for Joseph to see and understand God’s purposes for his life, but in the end, he realised that God had been in it all. God is still at work in our lives. He’s not finished with us yet!

Our reading today (John 12:20-26) looks at Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Jesus took this opportunity to teach about the need for death to precede life; He was not about to be distracted as He prepared to make that final journey into Jerusalem. We might feel that this was not what people wanted to hear, but as always, Jesus focuses on what is truly important rather than on what we consider to be important.

Today is Palm Sunday, when we remember that Jesus chose not to enter Jerusalem in triumph, but chose the path of humility, riding on a donkey, ‘aligning himself with the outcast, those on the edge, sharing every part of our lives – the humdrum as well as the glamorous.’ (‘Sharing The Easter Story’, P 188) Love is not always seen in the spectacular or the remarkable. It is seen more often in meekness and humility, in service and in selflessness, in the ordinary acts of kindness and help which so many people demonstrate daily.

We were pleased to hear the following report from Fredrick and Reeba in India concerning Amshika, the little girl we sponsor.

‘Today we were able to meet Amshika and her mother again, they both looked good. They been to the doctors for more treatments. We are still praying for them. They conveyed a big thanks for all your support regularly. Thank you so much for all your prayers for them and helping them.‘

Here are the latest photos.

As always, a community event couldn’t take place without the many people who work so hard, often in voluntary capacities, in our area. Thanks to Pete Davies for these photos:

Goldthorpe Railway Embankment is one of my favourite local places, a haven of beauty away from the bustle of the main road. The daffodils looked magnificent there today.

There were plenty of colourful Easter bonnets on show:

We had both real rabbits and the Easter bunny present:

Dearne Churches Together told the Easter story and did Easter crafts:

Our Easter activities start today with our involvement in the local Spring Fair, held at the Railway Embankment between 12 and 3 p.m. Dearne Churches Together will be running Easter crafts and giving out Easter comics as well as telling the Easter story at 12.30 and 2.00 p.m. There are lots of other activities on – check out the poster for details.

Tomorrow (Palm Sunday) we have Joy Gascoigne from Grimethorpe Pentecostal Church speaking at our morning service at 10.30 a.m. and we also have an evening service at 6.00 p.m. (refreshments served after the evening service.)

There’s no Parent & Toddler group this week, but we are involved in the Family Fun Day on Wednesday 13th April, which comprises 3 activities:

1. Flower planting at Thurnscoe Park (10-11 a.m.)

2. Flower planting at Goldthorpe Railway Embankment (11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.)

3. Lunch & Easter crafs at Furlong Road Methodist Church in Bolton-on-Dearne (12.30-2.00 p.m.)

Book in for one or more of these activities by messaging Julie on 07729 421405 or emailing julie@gpcchurch.co.uk

Our Good Friday service (15th April) will start at 5 p.m. with a fellowship meal followed by a service with Holy Communion. We have 2 services on Easter Sunday (17th April) at 10.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. You’re welcome at all these services!