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One of the tasks of a Moderator is to help the church discern the will of God. We believe the Spirit guides us when we meet together, pray together, share together and earnestly desire to know the will of the Lord.  But we also believe that the Lord has given us minds with which to think, and has promised us wisdom if we ask for it.  I say this because I believe the church has come to the point where it will have to make some large decisions.

We, like every other Baptist Church near us, are seeking for a new Minister.  Each month the Regional Minister (the person we used to call the Area Superintendent) sends us names to consider.  But the names are not sent to us alone.  Some Ministers' names are given to four or five churches.  Despite the best effort of the deacons we have not so far been able to bring a name before the church.  Meanwhile we have been setting aside money each month so that we can have at least a year's salary in hand when we come to call a person.

While this is going on we need also to consider our buildings.  We have very poor toilet facilities, very difficult disabled access to the church, and no disabled access to toilets.  In this respect we are nearer the conditions of 1903 rather than 2002!  The architect has drawn up some excellent plans, which we have begun to discuss at the church meeting, but as is so often the way decisions require careful consideration of our finances.

If we were to embark on a refurbishment programme, we may not call a minister until the work is completely finished.  Even if we were to give the go-ahead for the building work today, it is unlikely that with estimates and pre-contract meetings and then the actual work, that anything could be completed for a year to eighteen months.  And we are a long way from being able to give the go ahead.

We need to decide on a matter of policy.  We need a clear vision for the next few years, and above all we need to be unified and then committed to that vision, whatever it be.  We need prayerful thought and Spirit led wisdom.  What a challenge the Lord places before us!
 

Roger Collins
 
 
 
 

Let's be thankful that Neil Honor has escaped a serious accident with his bike and a bus - another similar case to a second member of our congregation within two months!

Please hold in your prayers both Belinda Plunkett and Mrs Grace Tyzack.  Belinda will need to go for yet another operation for kidney stones;  Grace is still being treated for her thigh condition and may also need an operation.   Please give double prayers for Belinda, as she is just taking over as Girls Brigade Commissioner of the London North District besides!  Don't we hear the Lord of the harvest sending out more workers like you and me, besides Belinda, to help out with tasks? Mrs Evette Griffiths and Mr Verley Hughes are recovering from operations;  please sustain them in your prayers also for good recoveries.

One of our neighbouring churches, Woodberry Down Baptist, has just inducted a new American minister, Rev Barry King, on Saturday, May 17th.  Let us make prayers of faith that the Spirit will fall again and again on Woodberry Down, here and beyond!

Please support Mr Palmer and Mrs Douglas prayerfully in their caring concern to have a blessing on 13th April for Chelsea, aged four, and Crystal, eight months.

The church has accepted two new members into our church membership recently: Louise and Jaap van der Weerd.  They will be given the right hand of fellowship at the next morning communion service.  It's good to have you!

It was a delight to see a cheerful Mrs Ward at Easter celebrations recently.  Please remember her as well as those largely homebound, including Mabel Johnson in Hazel Whitehead's care, and Miss Olive Persson.
 
 

The Pastoral Care Team prays, visits, encourages and does what it can for anyone in our fellowship who may need it.  Care for the congregation is shared by different Care Team members but anyone on the Team would be happy to help.  If you have been ill or if anything is troubling you, they would be eager to hear from you.  Just call!

Thornton & Leola Reid
George Wheeler
Grace Tyzack
Hilda Gosling
Clare Lee
Margaret McGlynn
Gloria Bipta

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Sunday Preachers

8th June      am & pm:  Mr J Field

15th June    am & pm:  To be arranged

22nd June   am & pm: Rev. Roger Collins

29th June    am & pm:  To be arranged

6th July      am & pm:  To be arranged

13th July    am & pm:  Rev. Roger Collins

20th July    am & pm:   To be arranged

28th July    am & pm:  Rev. Roger Collins
 
 

This magazine is your magazine!  Help shape TBC whichever way the Lord leads you.  Write, tell, e-mail or dictate to the editor any articles, quips, etc. that you want to share, or speak to him about any issues you would want in these pages!

Jose Jurado Aranda
E-mail:  tbceditor@hotmail.com

You can also read Focus online at:
http://freespace.virgin.net/jamesimac.mcglynn/tbc.htm
 
 
 
 

Pentecost Sunday 8th June
Let the fire of the Holy Spirit descend on you and be filled with Him, transformed to speak the Word of God boldly (Acts 4:31) on this and every other Sunday also!  Come with a desire to impact our communities into becoming more God-fearing and Spirit-anointed!

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Church Outing
Let's build up our families and edify our fellowship on this outing on Saturday, June 28th.  Frolic on the beach at our North Kent destination - to be determined - shop if you wish, and see a beautiful part of the country you may not have seen before!  Lots of fun to be had by all  A 49-seater coach is being booked and tickets are £8 for adults, £5 for children 14 and under - please see Claire Lee.
 

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Church Members Meeting - Tuesday July 15th
Do you have the Holy Spirit burning within you prompting you to begin a ministry?  to express how we should be doing things differently?  The floor is yours when you announce your concerns and plans as an item to be included.  Keep the fire burning vividly in our hearts by attending and contributing at this meeting, starting at 8 pm.

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Family Gospel Festival - Praise Him with your Community
Place this event in your calendar for Saturday, September 13th as music ministers from across Tottenham and beyond lead worship of the Saviour in this fundraising event.  Meet Christians from across the community and listen to our music group participate also.  The Haringey sickle cell and thalassaemia project will benefit.  So many musicians wanted to participate that staff would have been needed to organise a two-day event!  The event starts at 7pm at the Broadwater Community Centre.  To volunteer with the organising, or for further details please see May Richards.
 

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GIFT AID FOR TOTTENHAM BAPTIST CHURCH

I would like to bring to your attention again that our friendly Chancellor of the Exchequer has enabled charities ( and our Church is classed as a charity ) to claim back Income Tax paid by individuals on gifts they have made to the Church.

So if you do pay Income Tax the Church can claim back that Tax you paid on your gift(s).

All you need to do is request a form from the Treasurer, fill in your name and address, sign it and return it to the Treasurer.

You can give your gift by cheque or in our Offering envelopes.

                                                                                                                                                Les Paskell

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LONDON CHURCH ACTIVITY DATABASE
 
 

Are you thinking of getting involved in social action projects run by churches in our community? From the Baptist Union of Great Britain comes an e-mail circular:

'The Evangelical Alliance and Premier Radio have compiled a directory of around 3000 social action and community projects run by churches inside the M25 boundary around London.  The directory is available online, and it is also possible for churches to register the work they are doing if this is not already listed.' Go to:

http://www.premier.org.uk/lifeline/lifeline_socialaction2.htm
 
 
 
 
 

Holiday Club

MANY, many thanks to everybody who supported this year's "Lion King" Holiday Club - whether by coming along in person or in prayer - or both! We had a fun time singing, playing games (always a favourite!), hearing Bible stories, learning the memory verse and, of course, watching the Lion King story throughout the week (Phew!). The children took part in different craft activities every day such as making board games, snappy birds heads, caterpillar cakes, sewing crosses and making lion glove puppets. Apart from this, they contributed to our huge collage of an African Plain, which now adorns the wall in the hall. Please come along and have a look if you haven't done so already. (The adults made a wonderful contribution to this collage - what a creative group we have here at Tottenham Baptist Church!).

It was good to have some of the youth group come and help out as well as taking an active part in the Holiday Club Service the following Sunday. One of my personal highlights of the club was the Bible drama performed by some of the older youngsters. They acted with such enthusiasm and enjoyment - it was a joy to see! "Simba", the lion, also, made unexpected appearances throughout the week and the children enjoyed chasing him around the hall. Unfortunately, Simba came off a little worse for wear on a couple of occasions when the youngsters caught up with him and lost his tail more than once!! (Thanks, Anne, for coming to the rescue with needle and thread!).

We looked at different Bible themes which linked well with the Lion King story such as "Born to be King", friendship, facing our fears and making a new start. Our prayer then - and now - would be that through all we do and through all the fun and activities of Holiday Club, Sunday School and the Brigades, the children and young people would come to know the special love, power and presence of the Lord Jesus in their own hearts and lives now and forever. Please continue to pray this prayer with us. Thank you.
Janette Whitehead
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BMS
Birthday
Scheme

 JUNE
MRS A HATCHETT                                3rd
MR L PASKELL                                     4th
MR J HATCHETT                                   10th
MRS S HATCHETT                                12th
MR J JURADO ARANDA                        13th
MRS L REID                                          17th
MISS L STARLING                                 23rd
MISS K HATCHETT                               29th

JULY

MRS H WHITEHEAD                             29th

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Angola and South Africa Visit
'Hope and joy' - those were the emotions that BMS President Carol Murray witnessed most powerfully during her awareness visit to Angola and South Africa. Carol, who travelled with Sue Jackson, Training Manager at the BMS International Mission Centre, told the General Committee about how the two nations are looking to the future.
"We were able to affirm Angolan people in their mission and it was a great experience to have an opportunity to speak at a meeting at the Seminary in Luanda, and then on the Sunday to 3,000 people at one church. There was a great vibrancy."
Carol said that hope had arrived with the peace deal ending three decades of civil war in Angola. "We saw true worship amidst lives that were pretty difficult - just six weeks beforehand there was fear, but peace had come again. There was a palpable sense of hope in what will be." She went on; "The infrastructure is poor, education is difficult and the health service is broken down but the country is anxious to get itself together."
In South Africa, Carol and Sue visited a number of seminaries, including the Baptist Convention Seminary in Soweto to which BMS sends regular grants. "The young students we met were fired up and looking forward to the ministries ahead of them. It is great to be in partnership with them." Sue and Carol also met women and children with HIV/AIDS, visited a care home for abused children and Carol preached in one of the townships.
 

BMS World Mission is ready to increase its mission work in Africa, with plans to send more grants from its Relief Fund. BMS has recently been finalisinganother £21,000 grant to Angola for returning refugees.  Over the last several months, BMS has sent grants totalling £87,000 from its Relief Fund in response to the crippling famine and the devastation caused by war, which are both gripping many parts of Africa. These grants include: £35,200 to Angola, £17,100 to Zimbabwe, £15,000 to Sudan, £7,700 to Uganda, £7,000 to Zambia and £5,000 to Ethiopia.
 
 

Iraq Relief Response
Before the war began, BMS World Mission had planned to send an initial grant of £10,000 in emergency aid for Iraqi refugees which were to flee to the Jordan/Iraq border to escape the fighting. BMS set aside money from its Relief Fund ready to support and extend the Christian relief response to the growing humanitarian crisis as the war in Iraq intensified.
This first grant of £10,000 was being split in two ways. Half was being sent through BMS partner, Baptist World Aid (BWAid) and their established links with the Jordan Baptist Convention who were ready to supply aid to special camps set up in Jordan for refugees anticipated from Iraq. "Our churches in the Convention are also gearing up to welcome refugees and help them in whatever ways are necessary," said Rev Fawaz Ameish, President of the Baptist Convention in Jordan. "I can assure you that any money we receive will be used wisely and faithfully as we seek to help our Arab brothers and sisters from across the border."
A further £5,000 was set aside to be sent to partners in the Jordan Evangelical Committee for Relief and Development who, as well as preparing for an influx of refugees, were also planning for the post-conflict rehabilitation of Iraq.
 
 

Mizoram Centenary Visit
A group from BMS World Mission joined with thousands of Christians in Mizoram in March to help mark the 100th anniversary of BMS mission work in the Indian state.
The delegation, led by Alistair Brown, General Director, and David Kerrigan, Director for Mission, travelled to Mizoram - a mountainous region in the far north east of India - to share in the five-day celebrations.
Around 3,000 Mizo Christians converged on the town of Lunglei for a time of teaching and worship. Local people warmly welcomed the visitors, which included relatives of one of the first BMS missionaries in Mizoram.  "This is a part of our history like no other", explained Alistair. "We give thanks for the pioneers who laboured faithfully such that today the overwhelming majority of the one million people in Mizoram are Christians. Together with their Mizo colleagues, they participated in one of the most exciting and prolonged revivals in 20th century mission."
 "Today, Mizo Baptists have sent out nearly 180 workers into other states in north east India and another 150 elsewhere in India", reflected David. "Beyond their own country, in partnership with BMS, they have six working as part of our joint team in Nepal, and others in China and Thailand. These are a truly remarkable people who are fundamentally committed to holistic mission."
The Mizoram visit has paved the way for further discussions between BMS and the Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM). BCM General Secretary Dr K Thanzuava will be in the UK for talks with BMS in May.
BMS couples Tlana and Madini Hnamler and Ringa and Diki Pachuau, and BMS supported partners workers Enga and Ziri Vanchhong, are from Mizoram and are living in Nepal. You can read more about their work in the May/June issue of World Mission magazine.
The elders tell that on one occasion in the early 1920s, BMS pioneer missionary Rev Lorrain and others had stayed a while in the village and one night went out on the mountain with the elders to pray. "As they prayed the Holy Spirit fell upon them. There were many ecstatic experiences, and a great revival started that evening. Hundreds came to faith in the days that followed." Lorrain had used a cloth on the communion tablet that evening and it had been kept for over 80 years. "This reminds us of a most special time in our history", explained one of the village elders.
Mizoram is littered with such remarkable stories, and together they comprise one of the greatest stories of 20th century mission.
 
 

Sharing

Nobody has everything, but everybody
has something.
Use what you have now.
Use it wisely, freely with love.
Give all that you have to make sure that you will get all that you need.

Submitted by Norma Smith
 
 

A Glass of Milk

A True Story

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school found he had only one dime left, and he was hungry.  He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.  However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.  Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.  She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.  He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"  "You don't owe me anything", she replied.  "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness".  He said, "Then I thank you form my heart".  As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also.  He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later, that young woman became critically ill.  The local doctors were baffled.  They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.  Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation.  When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.  Immediately, he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.  Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her.  He recognised her at once.  He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.  From that day, he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.  Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.  He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.  She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all.  Finally, she looked and something caught her attention on the side of the bill.  She read these words:  "PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK".

Submitted by Lena Starling
By Dr Howard Kelly (from Stanmore Baptist Church Magazine "LinkLines" June 2002)

Reaching Out,
Meeting Needs in Our Community

To be able to reach out to the needy in the world who are not experiencing the Good News being preached, we would like to see a few more services being conducted over the summer in the forecourt - about 2-3 or more, while the weather is sunny - as a clearer witness to the community, as well as an invigorating service for attendees.  We are grateful for efforts for this done in the past and we hope this will be now kept as a yearly practice!
It would be ideal to have the music group minister its repertoire then also.  This has been and would remain a good way to outreach to people:  one lady passed by while we held a service outside last year and said she had always been passing by and never came in, but when she saw us worshipping outside, she came in.  She was interested enough to join us for three services but, after that, our ministry must have been insufficient as she did not return;  so let us turn and face our shortcomings in that respect now!
To be able to minister to more of our visitors' and regulars' needs, could we show the congregation that it can take a more active part in shaping the services, as led by the Spirit?  This could be done as we have done before and as has worked to the satisfaction of many:  each week, have one person announce one or two hymns which he or she believes the Lord wants us to worship Him with.  Could we also make the opportunity for any volunteer to give testimonies - up to 2-3 people, led by the Spirit, as the preacher will judge adequate - and give the opportunity for another person to lead us in a prayer?   We believe this would help to better touch the needs of fellow members of the congregation.
By giving opportunities for people to witness what has happened to them over the week, or over some time, we are enabling the congregation to let the Lord show what He is achieving in our lives, so that the congregation could be edified further.  By giving a place during worship to witness, it could set an example for others in the congregation to witness also, which is a good thing (Eze 3:17-21, Rev 12:11).
One of these practices, that of having members of the congregation choose a song, was discontinued at about the time the pastoral vacancy began.  Were we tiring the only person who kindly organised this?  Let us volunteer to take turns organising a rota and be bold to volunteer choosing songs!  We feel that the practice is being missed.
These practices we have written about, we believe, are expressions of praise to the Lord of Lords that are not given place as much as they could be at the time being; people are coming for spiritual nourishment and direction, and people are not able to witness to the whole congregation how good the Lord has been to them at present.  The opportunity to reach out to those in need of this type of encouragement is lost - as it is an encouragement in well-attended churches, in our experience.  We believe that, if adopted joyfully, these forms of worship would touch more people where we are, here in Tottenham, and thus help meet the spiritual needs of the community.

Gloria Bipta, Alva Ricketts, Norma Hernandez

"Play Up, Play Up, and Play the Game"
 

For those of you who don't know, the above quote is to be found around the frieze adjacent to the entrance to Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
It is my subtle way of informing you that the annual challenge to a Cricket match against Campsbourne Baptist Church has again been made.
The date will be Saturday, July 19th at the usual venue of Grovelands Park, Southgate.
All are welcome to "apply for selection" - young or not-so-young, men, women, girls and boys.
If you would like to join us, please let either myself or Steve Turner know as soon as possible.  If we have a lot of applicants, trials may have to be held!!!
Remember, last year we did double over Campsbourne, beating them at football and cricket, so they will be out for revenge!

            Allan Bennett

Girls Brigade News

In February, Kelly joined nine other brigaders from the district for young leaders' training.  We spent a very cold weekend at All Saints Pastoral Centre, St Albans.  I am pleased to say that she passed her Grade I and was present with her chevrons at the District Church parade in March, by Jo Critchley Mission Co-Ordinator from GB headquarters.
Thank you to everyone who has given towards GB week;  we have collected £81.00 so far.  If you still have an envelope or would like one, please just speak to one of the GB staff.  We shall not be going to camp this year due to lack of support, but hope to have a sleepover in July to celebrate the company being 70 years old this year.

Congratulations to Charlotte and Tony Sear on the birth of their baby son Benjamin Mark, born on 16th April 2003 weighing at 6 lb 2 oz!

Belinda Plunkett
Captain
 
 

Meeting Nicodemuses today

Can you think of the effect the Lord's miraculous release of the apostles from prison must have had on the jailers in Acts 5:19, as well as Peter's in Acts 12 and that of Paul and Silos in Acts 16? Truly, if we accept His offer, Jesus has come to save us from bondage, and a lot of imprisoned people could appreciate more fellowship also:  "Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured." (Heb 13:3)  A lot of unbeliever inmates are not visited and told of the Good News.  Shouldn't we be concerned for them?

Jesus can liberate all prisoners from a terrible kind of bondage - the bondage of sin and death - and we can visit with that message to prisoners.  I hope someone in our church will start a ministry to prisoners (perhaps some people are quietly doing this already!).  I would be glad to join such a ministry in our church and I'm persuaded others would join also.  There are various such ministries in London:  Prison Fellowship England and Wales, Oasis, Kairos, among others.  Can someone lead this in our church, please?  Humbly, let us remember Jesus' words: "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me." (Mat 25:43).

Let's help each other to witness about the Lord and encourage each other by writing about any mission inspirations or thoughts, or by telling some of the witnessing you have done in your community or beyond on these pages.  Please write or tell your witness stories or thoughts on evangelism to the Focus editor.
 
 
 
 
 

For really young ones - Moses finds out God wants him to lead his people
Can you read this story, or would you get a grown up to read it to you?
There once was a mean ruler, the Pharaoh of Egypt, who made the Hebrew people work very hard as slaves.  The slave drivers were cruel as they forced them to make bricks and do all kinds of work in the fields.
Moses was a little Hebrew boy and, in the Book of Exodus, the Bible tells us his story.  When he grew up, he saw an Egyptian beating up one of his people.  He decided to kill him - but God hates that.  Moses then tried to stop two Hebrew people from fighting:  He asked the one who was doing wrong, 'Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?'
'Who made you ruler and judge over us?' the man replied.  'Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?' Moses became afraid about what he had done and decided to leave the country when King Pharaoh found out.
Moses fled to a country called Midian, near Egypt, and got married there.  While he was tending his family's flock, Moses saw something amazing:  he saw the angel of the LORD appearing in flames of fire inside a bush.  And the bush would not burn!
God told Moses from inside the bush:  "Now I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt." He also said: "This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you"  The Israelites were Hebrews like Moses, and 'I AM' is one of God's names
Like most of us might have been, Moses was afraid.  But the Lord told him that the elders of his people would listen to him.  Moses still asked God, 'What if they do not believe me or listen to me?'  God told him to throw his shepherd's staff on the ground.  It turned into a snake!
Moses ran away from it but it turned back into a staff when he took hold of it!  God explained:  'This is so that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob - has appeared to you'.
In spite of all these miracles, Moses still argued with the LORD.  God then became angry with Him because of his stubbornness.  God told him that He would help him and his brother Aaron to speak and that He would teach Moses what to do.
Moses returned to Egypt, and he and Aaron met with the elders of the Israelites.  The elders believed what they told them had happened, just as God had assured them.  So Moses and his brother Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:  'Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.'"
But Pharaoh became stubborn in heart:  'Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go?' he said.  'I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.'  He became so mean that he ordered the Israelites to do the same hard work - making bricks - but this time, without the straw to make them!
So the LORD God commanded the two brothers to appear again before King Pharaoh.  In front of the king, Moses and Aaron did as God had commanded them to do:  Aaron threw his staff to the ground and, this time, his staff turned into a snake!
King Pharaoh called on his magicians.  Lo and behold, each of them threw their staves to the ground as well and, using their magic spells, the magicians' staves also turned into snakes
Things might have looked scary, but the LORD God, who created Heaven and Earth, holds everything in His hands.  He looks after His people:  Aaron's snake then went over and swallowed the magicians' staves!
Look out in one of the next issues (or read it in the Bible in Exodus Chapters 7-12!) - how Egypt's large river, the Nile, turns to blood, the land is punished with plagues of frogs and with other judgments as king Pharaoh remains stubborn!

(Picture from http://www.piechowskiglass.com/RELIGION/STCAT/MOSES.HTM)
 
 

For 11 year olds and up - Available to serve now
When we hear of social workers making sure that elderly people get the shelter they need and nurses taking care of patients, young people sometimes wonder: "What can I do in the meantime to improve this world?"  Some of us might even think, "I can't say I have ever been the smartest in my class!"
Well, as a Christian, a lot of teachers could say that God's got great news for you!  Some people might have big intelligences, or great style, but He may not necessarily be all that impressed by their behaviour.  What He is really looking for is our availability - people who will serve Him and worship Him in spirit (that is, not worrying about whether you have the fanciest gear or worrying about other things on the surface) and He is also looking for those who will worship Him in truth - whether you're honest with Him (see John Chapter 4:23-24).
The master, Jesus, valued that a young boy made his food available to Him - even seven loaves and two small fish.  You know He fed about five thousand people plus women and children with that (see John Chapter 6:1-14).   He looks at our hearts, our decisions, to see how we are loving our neighbour.
Ever noticed how Jesus made himself so available to the people He was sent to by the Father in Heaven until He had to withdraw to pray?  He made himself available over and over, to crowds being healed and pastored.  Jesus made himself available even though His disciples thought He shouldn't be troubled to bless children (Luke 18:15-16).
See how Peter was available for the Lord?  He and his brother Andrew immediately gave up their work fishing and followed Jesus as soon as He called on them, "Come, follow me" (Matthew 4:18-20).  This was what happened to James and John as well (Matthew 4:21-22).  These four disciples were available to the Lord, even though it meant giving up what they were doing.
Availability often means changing our plans, our expectations if God sends us a young person who needs help.  Maybe a word of encouragement, maybe just to listen quietly to until they've finished chatting about what's bothering them.  Let's not just stick to our friends - reach out to other youngsters in need!
So it's not your intelligence that's most important to Him.  It's not our cultural background, and it's not even our family background.  Our availability to serve Him is.  Availability to listen to a classmate who has just lost a family member or just looks sad Availability to spend time alone with the Master, listening to Him and working out what He is telling you as you pray quietly to Him;  availability to study His Word to get to understand Him better...  You can work out what He is telling you because it will never go against what the Bible teaches.
Taking our minds off of ourselves and being available to help others - that's behind the Golden Rule.  When you are ready to sacrifice your time, effort, talents, and patience for other kids in your school, club, or other kids you come across, you are showing Christ's love in you.  God's kind to let us be in service to Him.  So we can say that young people can help without being a nurse or social worker!
 
 

A few years ago, I had a most enjoyable holiday on the Isle of Man;  this hymn is based on the traditional Manx fisherman's prayer.  This was said not before sailing, but just before the nets were cast into the sea.  It reminds us of the strong link Jesus had with the Sea of Galilee, and the time when the disciples had been fishing all night and caught nothing.  At Jesus' suggestion, they cast their nets on the other side of the boat and the catch was so huge they could hardly bring it ashore (John 21.  See also other occasion:  Luke 5 - ed.).  William Gill also includes a reference to the stilling of the storm, thinking perhaps of the strong winds of the Isle of Man, especially in the south of the island, and prays that when the gale is 'furious', the Lord will remember what happened on that night when all the fishermen of Galilee feared for their lives.
Although William had very strong ties with the Isle of Man, he was born Sicily and worked as a civil servant in London for forty years.  It is not surprising that he needed a hobby that was totally different from the work that took up most of his life, and researching the old songs and other music of the Isle of Man, must have been a welcome respite from the bustling city.  'Hear us O Lord' was included in his 1896 book 'Manx National Songs'.
Christianity came to the Isle of Man before 600 AD, probably from Iona, and the Celtic influence can be seen in the differing styles of small chapels with their stone crosses.  On the west coast stands Peel Harbour, famous for its kippers, and joined by a causeway to St Patrick's Isle where there is a Thirteenth Century castle.  It's this beautiful ruin, which still attracts many visitors, that gives its name to the tune of this hymn.  Peel Castle is a landmark to sailors that signals that they are almost in the harbour and safely home. Then, as often, a prayer from the Manx Book of Common Prayer would have been fulfilled:  "That it may please Thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, and to restore and continue to us the blessings of the sea, so as in due time we may enjoy them".

Vi Maddison
(adapted from 'More Hazel's Hymns')
 
 

Bible Society News
 
 

Forty years of socialism under Castro More religious openness
In recent decades, the people of Cuba have been denied Scriptures and have suffered from a great shortage of food, medicines, fuel and other important items. The Bible Societies' presence in Cuba is unique - they are the sole agents for imported Scriptures, channelled through the Bible Commission of the Cuban Council of Churches.
Father Manuel Hernandez, director of the Evangelism 2000 programme in Cuba, explains how Bible Societies' work is making a difference: "This Bible is very important for us because for years we had no Bibles. We went through years of making hand copies of chapters and verses and sharing them with one another. Now, thank God, through the Bible Societies, we are receiving God's Word. Now people have to make the Bible their friend: take it with them. Because as soon as they get into God's Word, we see their lives change." He added, "Please remember us and send more Bibles."
Antonia Carrasco worked 12 hours a day to buy dolls and other paraphernalia of her pagan religion. A follower of the Cuban syncretistic religion, Santería - which mixes African spirit worship with veneration of the Roman Catholic saints - she believed she must placate the many gods and goddesses, and ward off the spirits that would do her harm.
But Antonia could not find peace and was beset with problems: "When I went home at night, I couldn't sleep. And I was always angry with everyone and with everything."
Then, one day, her life was changed forever. She visited a nearby church and was introduced to someone who taught her faith direct from the Bible. Antonia recalled, "As I began to understand the Bible, I realized that Santería was wrong. I threw away the dolls, the flowers, and the cigarettes that were supposed to be keeping away the evil spirits. After that, I never again had to take a pill to help me get to sleep. Now I sleep soundly and feel great."
"I felt sick inside when I realised I had wasted all my money for so many years on dolls and cigarettes and things, and still I did not find health or happiness. Today, my life is so beautiful - Jesus helps me. I still have problems, all people have problems, but now I have confidence in God."
 

How you and I can help bring the Gospel through Action Groups
The Bible Society has different approaches to evangelise our community and beyond.  Action Groups are made up of everyday people in local churches to raise awareness of the Bible as well as funds for Bible Society work.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire us to get up and do works like these!

Non-stop 77-hour Readathon
An MP, the Carnival Queen - even two men walking home from the pub - all wanted to get involved with Margate Action Group's massive continuous Bible Readathon.
In the end, 178 readers aged between eight and eighty, from all walks of Thanet life, covered 309 fifteen-minute slots to complete the reading - in seventy-seven hours and two minutes!
The local media got behind the event, while sixteen churches from various denominations took part. Roger Gale, MP, started on Sunday 30 July at 8pm and a core of people remained through the night until dawn. Action Group Secretary Deborah Scott enthuses, "It was a wonderful experience as the sun rose shining through the stained glass windows in a way I have never seen before."
A steady stream of readers flowed through the church that day, some who had never read in Church before. Deborah continued, "All who came seemed to be caught up in the excitement of the event."
On Monday night they handed over to the Thanet Churches Youth Project, who had organised an all night worship event to run concurrently with the Readathon.
And at 1.02 on Thursday morning the last word of the Bible, 'Amen', was sounded, and with it came mixed emotions. "There was great joy that we had successfully completed the challenge but it was twinged with sadness that a unique time had come to an end," Deborah said. "It was a great experience being part of something which seemed to be capturing the imagination and touching the lives of such a cross section of our community in many different ways was a privilege.
"If just one person, here at home or in the Third World, comes closer to God in whatever way and by whatever means as a result of our efforts, by hearing or reading his Word, feeling his presence, seeing his light shine in others, then it was all worth it!"
Money raised went towards Scriptures for Zambian street children and Sunday school students in India.
 
 

Where are you now?

When I wrote my report for the last issue of Focus rejoicing that WINNIE REED's gastric problems had cleared up and she was feeling fine again, I didn't expect to receive a phone call within a week from her brother Laurie telling me she had been rushed to Harlow Hospital on Sunday morning, 30th March, suffering from a suspected mini stroke.  This was confirmed after various tests and scans, but she recovered sufficiently to be allowed home after nearly two weeks, though she was and still is extremely tired.

A further worrying problem had also arisen - she now had double vision and was unable to focus.  Eventually (after waiting another month), she was able to see an eye doctor at Harlow Hospital on 9th May and you can imagine the "lift" to her spirits to be told it's not uncommon for eye muscles to be affected in this way after a stroke but usually it's only temporary and the eyes "go back to normal" within about six months.

Winnie has been amazingly cheerful through all her problems - even going round the ward while in hospital, encouraging the other patients, I'm told - but I know she'll value our prayers for a complete recovery May it be soon!

Lena Starling
 
 

'Coming events' clipart from:
http://dgl.microsoft.com ©2003 Microsoft Corporation

'A glass of Milk' clipart from:
http://www.fci.crossnet.se/

'Sharing' clipart from:
http://dgl.microsoft.com ©2003 Microsoft Corporation

'Holiday Club' crayon clipart from:
http://www.freeclipartisland.com © - 2000 - ClipsAhoy

'Holiday Club' girl clipart from:
http://www.freeclipartisland.com © - 2000 - ClipsAhoy

'Reaching Out, Meeting Needs in Our Community' flower clipart from:
http://www.hellasmultimedia.com

'Especially for Young People' Moses and snake clipart from:
http://dgl.microsoft.com ©2003 Microsoft Corporation

'Especially for Young People' Boy helping clipart from:
http://dgl.microsoft.com ©2003 Microsoft Corporation

'Especially for Young People' boy and girl image from:
 http://www.clip-art-gallery.com © 2001-2002 Clipart Gallery
 
 
 

Prayer Calendar for June 2003

Praise the Lord, my soul! All my being, praise his holy name!
Psalm 103 v.1

Pray for or about:
Sunday 1st Come and give thanks for all your blessings
Monday 2nd Taxi drivers as they take children on special outing to BP
Tuesday 3rd Shirley Peart and family mourning loss of Pauline
Wednesday 4th People of Iraq who have suffered so much
Thursday 5th Give thanks for the safe return of all forces personnel
Friday 6th For families who lost loved ones
Saturday 7th Thanks for our daily food supplies
Sunday 8th Pentecost Day. Remember our Lord's message at Pentecost
Monday 9th Jaap and Louise as they lead Music Group
Tuesday 10th Revd Collins, our Moderator, and the Deacons as they meet tonight
Wednesday 11th Mr Reid and folk meeting for Prayer and Bible Study
Thursday 12th Hazel Whitehead our BMS Birthday Secretary
Friday 13th Future plans being made for our Church
Saturday 14th Fathers Day tomorrow.Their influence for good in family life
Sunday 15th Communion .Come to the Lord's Table with grateful hearts
Monday 16th Jose our 'Focus' Editor
Tuesday 17th The on going work of the London City Missionaries
Wednesday 18th Give thanks for the coming Summer sunshine and warm days
Thursday 19th Andrew Kilby quite happy now in Cambridgeshire
Friday 20th BB Officers and Boys meeting weekly
Saturday 21st Prince William on his special birthday
Sunday 22nd Visiting speaker and all visitors to the church today
Monday 23rd Plans being made for Summer Camps everywhere
Tuesday 24th Give thanks for the beauty of flowers
Wednesday 25th All sufferers of AIDS and their Carers
Thursday 26th Belinda Plunkett,GB Captain and now Commissioner of the District
Friday 27th Journeying mercies for the outing tomorrow
Saturday 28th Church Family outing today
Sunday 29th People with birthdays who give to the BMS
Monday 30th That God may be able to mould and use you in His service

Praise the Lord, all his creatures in all the places he rules, Praise the Lord, my soul!
Psalm 103 v.22
 
 
 
 

Prayer calendar for July 2003

They said to each other, 'Wasn't it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'

Luke 24 v.32

Pray for or about:
Tuesday 1st Deacons and Revd Collins discussing Church future plans
Wednesday 2nd Lifeboat and helicopter crews on permanent standby
Thursday 3rd Give thanks for our GB but pray for more members
Friday 4th The Family living at Mill Grove House
Saturday 5th Refugees of the world looking for homes and love
Sunday 6th Come close to the Lord and give thanks at His table
Monday 7th The Pastoral Care Team and their interest
Tuesday 8th Students of Spurgeons College looking for placements
Wednesday 9th Home Mission Fund and churches they support
Thursday 10th Your own family and friends
Friday 11th LVCF for Sunday Schools as they meet tonight
Saturday 12th Drug addicts who need care & Hope UK who help them
Sunday 13th Our visiting speaker today
Monday 14th Taxi drivers 75th Ann.outing to Southend with under privileged children
Tuesday 15th Church Members meeting and items to be discussed
Wednesday 16th Elderly members who cannot get to church now
Thursday 17th Mr Perrin and Mark our building maintenance helpers
Friday 18th Workers of 'Tear Fund' and their on going help
Saturday 19th Thanks for Hospital Car Services
Sunday 20th This is the day that the Lord has made -- come and give thanks
Monday 21st Specialist Baby Units saving young lives
Tuesday 22nd Christian Police Association members who witness while they work
Wednesday 23rd Surgeons conducting eye operations
Thursday 24th Missionaries working in war-torn countries
Friday 25th Thanks for TV and Radio Religious programmes
Saturday 26th Gideons and their constant witness and work
Sunday 27th Prepare to Worship the Lord your God on His day
Monday 28th Salvation Army & their Officers & Workers
Tuesday 29th Past Ministers who gave us dedicated service
Wednesday 30th Donors of human organs who save others
Thursday 31st Our Queen and members of the Royal Family
 

The two then explained to them what had happened on the road, and how they had recognised the Lord when He broke the bread.
Luke 24 v.35