August is traditionally the month for holidays, and certainly there were many church members away on holiday this Sunday. But for those who were at the family service, we looked at the theme of ‘Vacation Locations’. We often have unrealistic expectations of holidays, dreaming of perfect weather, food, accommodation and company. Our fantasies can, at times, be ruined by the weather…

… or by the accommodation…

… not to mention delays at the airport or ill-health. But for Jonah, the problems he faced when journeying were very different!

Jonah was a prophet called to go to Nineveh, about 550 miles from Joppa in Israel. He wasn’t keen on that idea, and so decided to set off for Tarshish instead, over 2500 miles away -‘as far by water, from Joppa, as Jonah could possibly have sailed in those ancient days, when the Atlantic was an almost unknown sea.’ (Father Mapple, Chapter 9, “The Sermon”) In other words, Jonah decided he was going to disobey God and go in completely the opposite direction.

The story is familiar to us: Jonah ended up being thrown overboard when a storm hit, but instead of drowning, God sent a large fish to swallow him (Jonah 1:17). Jonah found God even in that unlikely place (Jonah 2:1) and ended up experiencing God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace… and was enabled to have a second chance.

Jonah proves to us that God is a God of mercy, a God who doesn’t give us the punishments we deserve but instead offers us forgiveness and grace. Wherever we are on this journey of life, we will need mercy, grace and forgiveness, because none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes; we all mess up. He also shows us that disobedience is pointless, because God’s plans will not be thwarted, and that it’s always best to go God’s way. He shows us also, though, that mercy received needs to be given also. Jesus told His disciples, ‘Freely you have received; freely give.’ (Matt 10:8) We need to be people who show mercy and forgiveness to others and to live out the messages God gives us.

Despite not having any midweek meetings in August, there is still a range of activities happening in the area.

On Tuesday 15, 22 and 29 August, ‘Churches Together’ will be hosting family fun days at Houghton Road Centre in Thurnscoe (where Thurnscoe Pentecostal Church meets) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be the opportunity to take part in craft activities and play crazy golf; refreshments will also be served.

Prior to the first meeting on 15 August, there will be a ‘Churches Together’ prayer meeting at 9.30 a.m. Come along to pray and ask God’s blessing on our local communities.

Before then, there are craft sessions at Cherry Tree Court on Monday 7th August and at the Salvation Army on Wednesday 16th August (10 a.m. – 12 noon) as part of the Dearne Community Arts’ Festival build-up. Roxana Whiteman is leading these workshops which show how creativity can be good for our emotional wellbeing! Free entry and suitable for all ages. These workshops (which include one for children between 10 and 18 years of age on performing arts at the Dearne Playhouse on Thursday 24th August from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) lead up to the Dearne Community Arts’ Festival at the Dearne Playhouse on 1 & 2 September:

Many thanks to everyone for your continued generosity in supporting Bedline in Haiti and now Amshika in India. Last month we collected over £74 to support these two needy children.

Dave spoke this morning from John 12:1-8 on the subject of ‘True Worship’. In this familiar account (just before Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified), we see three main protagonists: Jesus, Mary, and Judas. Jesus is once again at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha (having raised Lazarus from the dead), and Mary’s response is to pour out an expensive jar of perfume on His feet, an action which elicits praise from Jesus and scorn from Judas. Our reactions matter enormously.

Mary was prepared to give everything she had to Jesus. The custom at that  time was to anoint the dead with expensive oils, and in pouring out the nard, Mary was committing everything she was and had to Jesus. In wiping His feet with her hair (symbol of her beauty and femininity), she was giving everything she was to Him. Whether this was out of gratitude because He had raised her brother or to symbolise His kingship or simply as an act of worship, we don’t know, but we see in Mary extravagance that gave everything to her Lord and Master.

Judas, despite being one of the Twelve and a trusted member of Jesus’s inner circle, clearly did not understand spiritual principles and was motivated by material lust. He needed the comfort of money, and John is trenchant in exposing his mixed motives (despite the veneer of care for the poor which his words had implied.) He had no understanding of sacrificial worship.

Jesus accepted Mary’s offering and realised this anointing foreshadowed His own death. He saw her heart of love and worship and accepted these, whilst He rebuked Judas for his mean-spirited attitude.

Our attitudes are crucial. Do we serve Jesus merely out of duty, doing only what we ‘have’ to do, grudgingly and without transformation in our inner beings? Or do we worship lavishly, pray frequently, come to God’s house with expectation and respond promptly to all He asks of us? Our attitudes are reflected in all our lives; we witness through our deeds as well as through our words.

Mary is remembered still for her devotion and her love for Jesus, whilst Judas is remembered primarily as a traitor. We need to ponder carefully how we will be remembered. True worship is always valued by God.

Having sorted the frame and flooring out, Bob has been working on doors today.

Disney made a popular film called ‘The Little Mermaid’ which featured the catchy song, ‘Under the Sea‘. This week, it has been a case of ‘under the stage’ for Bob!

Further work will be done on Friday.

Building work started under the stage today.

Once all the front pieces were removed, Bob could get under the stage to put in a framework for the new floor:

Tomorrow he hopes to start putting in the floorboards.