Every year in Atlanta, a Christian student conference is held at this time of year called Passion. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, this event (attended by approximately 65,000 students aged 18-25 from all around the world) can be watched online as well. The link below takes you to the sessions, which are available to watch for a day or so after they take place.

If you want to see what God is doing in the lives of many young people, want to learn new worship songs, want to hear the word of God being preached by renowned Bible teachers, then this is a great way to participate in something that has touched thousands of lives over many years. It’s always interesting to me to see how God can speak through so many different people on the same themes! As we seek God’s direction and guidance and wisdom in 2013, maybe we can hear His voice speaking to us, even as He speaks to all those students.

Passion 2013 livestream

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Before we reach Twelfth Night, I had to share this lovely video with you! It’s entitled ‘Bethlehemian Rhapsody’ and is a parody on the Queen hit ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, with Christian lyrics which tell the Christmas story fantastically and a puppet show that certainly brought home the story in five minutes in a way that I doubt any sermon of mine ever could! If you have the time to spare, click on the link and enjoy!

‘Bethlehemian Rhapsody’

A party’s not a party without party games. So as usual, Mark kept us on our toes with a variety of party games.

Musical chairs is something we always play, but for the adults, it’s not just a question of finding a chair to sit on when the music stops. Instead, we have to find someone to sit on us as we sit on a chair!

This one had two people sitting on them!

Children’s version:

The men’s version:

We also played charades in teams:

Then we played a game where, if the music stopped and you were on a mat, you were out:

For those that were less agile, a game of Catchphrase/ Pictionary was played.
Being told the catchphrase:

Drawing the catchphrase:

Drawing phrases like ‘under the microscope’, ‘not to be sniffed at’ and ‘a storm in a teacup’ is not always easy!

We also got to celebrate a birthday:

All in all, then, a great start to 2013 and hopefully the first of many such celebrations.

As always, we had a great turnout for the New Year’s Day party:

It was particularly good to see one member who is due to give birth within days:

There was lots of food to eat:

…though some of this seemed to be available only to certain people!

We had lots of people taking photographs:

Before the entertainment started, some people practised their skills on other games:

Many of you will have followed the adventures of Igor the iguana last year (you can read about him here and here if you are new to the blog – in which case, welcome!) Here he is on the tank of Garry’s new motorbike, welcoming you all to 2013!

I am sure we will be seeing more of Igor this year and hopefully he will have more spiritual lessons to teach us. He has heard of a restaurant in Meadowhall called ‘Las Iguanas’ and is hoping to venture there very soon…! In the meantime, remember what he taught us last year:

1) we live in the world, but we are not of the world (he’s not from round here!)
2) we need to avoid blending in with the world around us. Camouflage is not part of the Christian’s clothing! We are to be distinctive and visible!
3) life is an adventure with God

Welcome to 2013! Don’t forget the New Year’s Day party this afternoon at church, starting at 4 p.m. This is always a great time of fun and fellowship and is a great opportunity to bring along your friends and family.

Midweek meetings resume this week. We will be starting the month of prayer and fasting with a prayer meeting on Thursday 3rd January which will start at 7.30 p.m. Do come along to this and remember to sign up to the dates you can pray at home as well for all the items the leaders have identified as being crucial to our spiritual growth and development this year.

Pray that we will see:
1. the community regeneration scheme put back on schedule (this involves schools, housing, refurbishment, street regeneration etc.)
2. the people of Goldthorpe of all ages coming to know God, their lives being impacted by the Holy Spirit
3. God’s blessing, guidance and protection as we prayer walk the streets
4. the empty chairs in church filled (with families, with old people, and with young people alike) so that there is an increase in the congregation
5. God’s direction on the spiritual and practical outreach that He wants us to do (so that we have wisdom to do the right thing & put on the right events)
6. the development and training of people into their calling and ministry
7. Pray for wisdom, vision, strength, protection and health for your church leaders and their families
8. signs and wonders in God’s house; the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be present and active in us!
9. people who have backslidden return to God and to church
10. continued blessing on our outreaches (Mother & Toddler, Youth, badminton & food scheme)

The Prayer Walks mentioned in (3) above will start this Saturday (5th January) at 12 noon, after the coffee morning. We will be walking the streets of Goldthorpe and praying every Saturday at 12 noon throughout January. Do come along to this and join us in praying for every street in Goldthorpe. Remember God’s promise to Joshua: “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.” (Josh 1:3)

Other midweek meetings involving the youth outreach and Mums & Toddlers will start again next week (on Monday evening and Friday morning respectively).

Don’t forget also our Sunday services: the Communion service at 10.30 a.m. and the Family Service this Sunday (6th January) at 6 p.m.

Hope to see you there!