At Cherry Tree Court, we looked at the subject of wise words. As Christians, our rule of thumb for speech is found in Eph 4:29: ‘Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.’ Our speech is one area which is hugely important in living well; we need to learn to listen more and speak less (James 1:19), think before we speak (Prov 12:18) and learn to avoid gossip, slander, name calling, ridicule and mockery. Bad language is unnecessary and we should also avoid grumbling and complaining (1 Cor 10:10).

Eccl 12:11 says, ‘The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.’ A goad was a long spiked stick used to drive cattle and other animals. It was used to prod it and move it forward, even when it didn’t want to! The Message version of this verse translates it, ‘The words of the wise prod us to live well. They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd.’  We often don’t like being prodded, but we have a responsiblity to spur each other and encourage each other through our words (Heb 10:24-25, Eph 4:13-16).

James reminds us that our tongue is only a small part of our body, but is hugely influential. (James 3:9-10). We need to learn to think before we speak:

If we do this, the words of the psalmist will be true of us also: ‘May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.’ (Ps 19:14) 

We think every coffee morning (Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 12 noon) is special, but we do have some even-more-special coffee mornings coming up!

On Saturday 30th September (10 a.m. -12 noon), we are hosting a Macmillan Coffee morning, when all proceeds will go to the Macmillan charity which provides support for families coping with cancer. Home baking available.

14th October is during Volunteer Week, so there may well be extra information about volunteering available at that coffee morning.

On 28th October, the coffee morning will raise funds for Barnsley Hospice. This amazing organisation provides specialist compassionate care for those who are terminally ill and offers great support to patients and families alike. Please come along to support this fund-raiser.

Tonight, after a summer break, our mid-week meetings resume with the prayer meeting starting at 7.30 p.m. It is crucial to the health of a church that we join together regularly in prayer and that we make the most of this opportunity to come together and pray. We are urged to put on our spiritual armour and learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions (see Eph 6:10-16); Jesus warned His disciples to ‘watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ (Matt 26:41) We need to learn to persist in prayer, not giving up when we do not see answers instantaneously, but pressing on: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.‘ (Matt 7:7-8)

It’s always good to begin a new season of prayer with thanksgiving, remembering the many kindnesses of God (see Ps 106:7). Yesterday, I was given a vivid reminder of God’s faithfulness and kindness to us. My son started work at Sheffield University a few years ago and we rejoiced at God’s provision of a job he found interesting and fulfilling. Within months, however, he began having difficulties, with his line manager constantly criticising his work and telling him he was not, effectively, ‘cutting the mustard.’ There followed a long series of ‘tests’ to see if his work would improve and a period of deep unhappiness at work. We prayed for a peaceful resolution of this situation, trusting God to work, though it seemed nothing happened for a very long time. About a year ago, his line manager was changed out of the blue (a very unusual situation at the university) and things began to improve. Yesterday, he received the written report from his annual review, and it was amazing to see the difference! His new line manager affirmed his valuable contribution to the department, recognised his hard work and said that on completion of his current training, he should receive the promotion he has been asking for. We are so grateful to God for His faithfulness and kindness. It is sometimes hard to wait for God to move, not to retaliate when we are criticised unfairly, and to believe that God is working behind the scenes, but we are more than grateful to God for His answers to prayer.

Come along and pray! There is so much we long to see God do in our communities and churches, but He is waiting for us to seek His face. See you tonight at 7.30 p.m.

Please note that the day for preparing goody bags for the Christmas events (Winter Wonderland and Goldthorpe Christmas Market) is Wednesday 11th October, not 8th October as stated previously. (10.30 a.m. start)

We have been working closely together with other churches in our area, and here are some more dates for the diary for ‘Churches Together’ events.

‘Churches Together’ Prayer Meetings

‘Churches Together’ prayer meetings will be held on Wednesday 20th September at 10:30 a.m. (at the Salvation Army), on Tuesday 17th October at 7:15 p.m. (at GPCC) and on Wednesday 15th November at 10:30 a.m. (at Houghton Road Centre, Thurnscoe.) We would encourage all who can from our churches to attend these meetings. Prayer is so crucial to everything we do and it’s so good to pray with other Christians. We are hoping to have a special prayer day in December; arrangements are still being made for this.

Crazy Golf Fun!

Following the success of the crazy golf family fun days in August, we are hosting more sessions of crazy golf throughout the autumn. The first session is on Saturday 30th September at Houghton Road Centre, Thurnscoe from 11 a.m. until 12 noon, and other sessions will be on the last Saturday in the month at the same time: on Saturday 28th October and Saturday 25th November.

In addition to this, a family fun day will be held at Houghton Road Centre on Wednesday 1st November from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (during the half-term holidays). Lunch will be provided on this occasion.

Community Events

‘Churches Together’ will be having a stall at the Winter Wonderland event in Thurnscoe flower park on Saturday 18th November (times to be confirmed). We hope to give out Christmas goody bags at this event and be available to talk with local residents. If you can help with this event or just want to visit, please make a note of the date in your diary! Prior to the event on Wednesday 8th November from 10.30 a.m., we will be preparing the goody bags, so please come along to help with that if you can.

The Goldthorpe Christmas Market is on Friday 24th November from 4-8 p.m. As we have done in the past, we will be open for refreshments during this time and will also be hosting a range of activities from Christmas presents being wrapped (get organised, buy your presents and we will wrap them for you  – 50p per present) to craft items to games and activites, with proceeds going to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. This is usually a great event and although it is earlier than usual this year, we hope you will all get preparing and helping for this event!

Please pray for all these events which we see as opportunities to connect with our local community and serve people in practical (and fun!) ways.

Pray also for:

• the Macmillan Coffee Morning (at GPCC on Saturday 30th September from 10 a.m. until 12 noon)
• the local ‘Prom Project’, hosted by the Salvation Army and Dearne Area Team, which aims to help Barnsley Y11 pupils to go to the ball through the donation of prom dresses and formal menswear
• the Christmas Appeal at the Salvation Army (helpers are needed to pack food parcels on Tuesday 19th December from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m.) Prior to this, we will need donations of tinned food, Christmas chocolates and biscuits, mince pies, Christmas cakes and puddings and other Christmas-themed food (e.g. turkey gravy, cranberry sauce etc.)

We also had a birthday to celebrate!