Some forty people gathered for our latest Family Service and BBQ today.

With the planned speaker being unable to attend at the last minute it fell to Alan Michael to take up the baton in his place.

The service was once again chaired by David Hedges and began with the singing of Come and see followed by prayer.

Those present were tasked with choosing new team names for the Sunday Club teams and decided upon Bangers and Mash.

We then had a number of children’s choruses as usual before the memory verse for the month – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies”. – John 11:25.

Alan then came to speak on the subject of the raising of Lazarus, taken from John 11, and introduced Lazarus, Mary and Martha.

Lazarus then becomes ill and dies and Alan brought out the question as to why God allows suffering and bad things to happen to people who love him.  Lazarus died that God might be glorified through his death.  The Bible tells us that when Christians die it is like sleep as we have a great hope to look forward to when Jesus returns.

Jesus proves that He is the resurrection and the life by raising Lazarus back to life.  Many believed in Him as a result.

Jesus met the needs of Lazarus, Mary and Martha in different ways.

• Remember – Look back and know that God loves you.
• Review – Look at present circumstances.  God is with us.
• Re-focus – Do we need to change our direction?  Are we disciples?  Remember that Jesus said ‘I am the resurrection and the life’.

We finished the service by singing Low in the grave and prayer.

The planned BBQ and games in the park had to be somewhat scaled back due to monsoon rainfall that fell during and after the Family Service.

We had earlier set up a marquee to cook under, but ended up serving food in the back room and putting round tables in the main hall rather than in the park.