Fredrick shared with us some of the amazing things God is doing in India. The talking bibles are a way of evangelising in remote areas where literacy levels are low and the electricity supply is not reliable. God has provided money for these bibles (which cost £15 each) in amazing ways (sometimes through the unexpected arrival of visitors bringing ‘just enough’ money to purchase what is required – ‘where there is a vision, there is God’s provision’) and Fredrick shared stories of giving these out – for example, to a doughnut vendor who plays the Bible on his stall, giving all who come to buy the doughnuts opportunity to hear God’s word.

He reminded us all that God is mindful of us (Psalm 8:4), caring about each one of us individually. Ps 115:2 tells us that the Lord remembers us (is mindful of us) and will bless us. God’s goodness and mercy follow us (Ps 23:6). We need to be aware that God knows each one of us and cares about each one of us. He is able to use each one of us and His care for us is personal because He is interested in each one of us and has made us all unique.

Reeba encouraged us all by singing for us again, a song reminding us that God is both father and mother to us and His grace is sufficient for us.

We were privileged to pray with Fredrick and Reeba and very grateful to receive gifts of key rings for church members.

The quiz tonight had different sections about God’s wonderful world. First of all, we were given flags and had to name the country and its capital.

Then we had to identify famous landmarks and name the country in which they were found and finally had to identify countries from flags with no colour (surprisingly difficult!)

There were some wonderful prizes, including chocolates from around the world and puzzles and geographical prizes for the children who had been busy colouring flags during the quiz.

Our thanks to J-P and Herlen for their work on the quiz and to all who took part enthusiastically.

Answers:

Brazil (capital Brasilia)/ Switzerland (capital Bern)/ Sweden (capital Stockholm)

Tonight’s family service had the theme ‘God’s Wonderful World’ and Mark spoke about the wonders of creation. God’s creation was pronounced good and HIs creation of mankind very good (see Gen 1:1-31); when we think of some of the amazing places we can visit or the latest photos taken by powerful telescopes, we are staggered at the size, diversity and wonder of creation.

Ps 8:3-9 looks at how God made creation for humanity, giving us charge to ‘run the earth’ under God’s authority. We have a responsibility towards creation, but though this task may seem very daunting – particularly in the light of modern industries and the damage these can do to creation – God is still firmly in control. (Ps 104:5-9)

The physical world is a beautiful place, but God is a spiritual being and has blessed us with every spiritual blessing too. (Eph 1:3) The physical and spiritual worlds interlock. We live in both worlds and God has blessings for both worlds. Our times and our worlds are in His hands (see Ps 31:14-15). We can’t begin to imagine the blessings God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9), but we can be glad for the wonderful worlds He has given us.

Fredrick spoke from Judges 9 this morning. God uses many metaphors to describe His people (we are sheep; people are also described as fish, for example) and in this chapter, God gives us the analogy of trees talking! The context is of Israel seeking a king, but the trees are personified here as being asked to be the king: the olive tree, fig tree, vine and thornbush are all mentioned.

The olive tree is content to stay in its God-given role, providing oil for God and people alike. An olive tree can live for over 2000 years and is stable and fruitful, even when there is little rain. Ps 52:8 says ‘I am an olive tree, flourishing in the house of God.’ God wants us to remain where He has planted us and He wants us to bear fruit for others, not only thinking about ourselves.

The fig tree too produces good, sweet fruit and is content to be itself. Sometimes, we look for solutions everywhere, forgetting that Christ lives within us and that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. (1 Jn 4:4) We need to learn to depend on Christ and not to seek for solutions in the world. Those whose confidence is in God, Jeremiah tells us, are ‘like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’ (Jer 17:7-8)

The vine brings forth fruit in season. Jesus described HImself as the true vine and us as branches. (John 15:1) When Jesus healed the blind man, he said he saw men ‘like trees walking around.’ (Mk 8:24) God anoints each one of us with no favouritism, enabling us to fulfil His purposes for our lives. Unlike the arrogant thornbush which wanted others to take shelter in its shade, we are urged to bear fruit that will last (see John 15:1-17), serving others through the power of God’s love and learning to abide in Christ.

Vineyards in the north of Madeira

Fredrick and Reeba gave us an update of the work that is going on through their ministries. In January, 58 women graduated from the tailoring programme and there are currently 55 women on the programme which runs in Bangalore and in Andhra Pradesh. These women, mainly widows who have no means of support, are taught how to sew over six months so that they can become self-supporting to help their families. One lady at the January graduation confessed she had been on the brink of suicide when she heard about the programme because she could see no way of supporting her two children; through the programme she has come to faith in Christ and she brought gifts from her first pay packet to the programme as an expression of her gratitude.

Fredrick has recently been in the north of India distributing talking bibles to the gypsies there. The talking bibles are made in Israel and then shipped to India so that the Bible can be recorded in any one of the almost thousand languages spoken in India. The bibles have a solar panel on them and so 2 hours’ charging in the sun means up to 10 hours of listening time – crucial in areas which have no reliable electricity sources. One bible is given per family so that the whole family can listen each day; street vendors often hang these on their carts so that everyone can hear!

The vacation bible school (at which some church members helped last year) was attended by 125 children from the slum area around Bangalore and many HIndus attend services at Fredrick’s church, often coming to faith in Jesus as they see miraculous answers to prayer.

We are so grateful for the privilege of supporting these ministries and Fredrick and Reeba thanked the church for their support and urged us to continue praying and to visit again!

Fredrick and Reeba from Bangalore, whose ministries we support as a church, are with us this weekend. Come along on Sunday morning (10.30 a.m.) to hear Fredrick bring the word of God to us and on Sunday evening (6 p.m.) to hear about their ongoing work in Bangalore and other parts of India as we celebrate ‘God’s Wonderful World’ in our family service. Reeba leads the Tailoring Empowerment Programme which helps women to learn to sew and thus to acquire a skill which can help to support them and their families and Fredrick is busy with many church ministries, including giving talking bibles to those who cannot read.

On Wednesday 16th May there is the ‘Churches Together’ prayer meeting at the Salvation Army at 10.30 a.m. Join with Christians from other churches to pray for our communities and outreaches.

On Saturday 19th May we are having our church Annual General Meeting at 6 p.m. Come along to discuss the work of the church and to look back over the past year and ahead to all God has planned for us. Please do join with us if you can.

The postponed Dinosaur Day will be on Sunday 20th May (12 noon – 4 p.m.) after the morning service, at Phoenix Park, Thurnscoe. Parking is limited on the street there, but please do come along to support this BIg Local Thurnscoe event. Local churches will be involved in crafts and digging for ‘fossils’ as well as giving out 3D printed dinosaurs and pens and leaflets. We see this as a way of connecting with our local communities and having lots of dinosaur fun!

Throughout May and June, the Tesco stores in Wath and Bolton-on-Dearne will be running their ‘Bags of Help’ scheme to support local projects including the Dearne Community Arts’ Festival. If you shop there, it would be great if you could use the blue tokens for this project as this helps to secure funding for the festival. This community event will be on Friday 31st August and Saturday 1st September at Dearne ALC and the programme is looking exciting – lots of local people exhibiting artwork, photographs, crafts, woodwork and so on and performances in music, dance and drama as well as workshops for all the family, including circus skills, crafts and creative writing. The Tesco scheme is only for May and June, however, so please do support us if you can.