Some of the men at GPCC went go-karting at Barnsley Tyke Racing yesterday, thus fulfilling the competitive streak they possess!

Checking in

Practising and racing (they went for the ‘Grand Prix Plus’ package):

They had enthusiastic (?) support from cheerleaders:

Coming to an end…

On the podium (Roger and his son are clearly the ones to watch…!)

Fredrick sent us photographs today of Amshika, whom he and Reeba visit regularly. We are very pleased to be able to support this little girl who is severely disabled and are grateful for your generosity in making this possible.

October promises to be quite a busy month. In addition to our usual services, some of the men will be going go-karting on Saturday 7th October, enjoying a competitive Grand Prix at Barnsley’s Tyke Racing.

On Tuesday 17th October at 7:15 p.m. we will have our next ‘Churches Together’ prayer meeting at GPCC. Please come along to that if you can and pray for our local communities and the different outreaches each local church is involved in.

On Sunday 22nd October, we will be having a Christian bookstall at church – a great opportunity to buy Christmas cards, calendars, diaries, books, CDs and other gifts and contribute to church as well (CLC gives 10% of sales back to the church.)

On Saturday 28th October, there will be a special coffee morning to raise money for Barnsley Hospice. Refreshments will be on sale and there will be the opportunity to take part in raffles and tombola stalls. All proceeds will go to Barnsley Hospice.

Our activity tonight involved collecting ‘sheep’ (black and white balloons to the rest of us) using a shepherd’s staff (aka hockey stick!) and ushering them into a pen (made from church chairs.) This was not as easy as it sounds, perhaps reminding us that a shepherd’s job is not as easy as we may think!

Ultimately, the Bible talks of us all being like sheep who have gone astray, each turning to our own ways. (Is 53:6) The essence of sin is independence from God, thinking that we know best and ignoring His advice. We need a good Shepherd who will lay down His life for us, and Jesus has done that for us all. (John 10:1-12) God is our Rock who is tough and strong, and though the crucifixion does not look like a display of strength, Paul reminds us that God’s weakness is stronger than our strength. (1 Cor 1:25) Ultimately, we have a God who is strong and mighty to save, a good Shepherd who will lead us through the darkest valleys and guide us safely home to Him. (Ps 23)

The family service tonight had the theme ‘Flock To The Rock‘, looking at Ps 100. This psalm of thanksgiving tells us that we are all God’s flock (Ps 100:3), ‘the sheep of His pasture.’ God made everything we see from nothing, and did not just make the world and then abandon it, but continues to show an active interest in it. We are God’s handiwork and just like sheep on the moors may need a shepherd to guide and protect them, so we too need God as our good shepherd.

Our rightful response to this news is to give thanks to God, coming before Him with thanksgiving and praise. God is not only our shepherd; He is our Rock. A rock is a symbol of something enduring and unchanging, and as a metaphor for God reminds us of the constancy and faithfulness of God.

The story of David and Goliath reminds us that tremendous victories are possible with God’s help. With God, nothing is impossible; nothing is too hard. (Luke 1:37, Jer 32:7) David’s victory was possible because his eyes were firmly fixed on God. He did not allow his own smallness or apparent insignificance to define him. He did not allow others to define him. He did not allow the circumstances before him to define him. Through his shepherd days, he had learned to ponder the majesty of God more than anything else and he had come to appreciate God’s love and care for him. The victory he won that day was won because he had learned to put his identity firmly into God’s hands and allow God’s power to work through him. When we do that, we will be surprised at the victories God will bring.

Rend Collective sing,

‘Every giant will fall, the mountains will move
Every chain of the past You’ve broken in two
Over fear, over lies, we’re singing the truth
That nothing is impossible with You.’ (‘Every Giant Will Fall’, Rend Collective

The secret to victory is that nothing is impossible with God and every victory we can ever win will come through His power, for the battle is the Lord’s (1 Sam 17:47):

‘No greater name, no higher name
No stronger name than Jesus
You overcame, broke every chain
Forever reign, King Jesus.’ (‘Every Giant Will Fall’, Rend Collective)