August Update

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We’ve had a fairly quiet August overall as many of our normal activities ended for the summer period.

We had good numbers at the extra three weeks of Toddlers after the normal ‘end-of-term’ finish. This is something that we’ll look to do again next Summer.

Our main event this month was our BBQ for our neighbours and friends which was held on 14th August. Unfortunately the weather was somewhat inclement (it didn’t stop raining!) and attendance was down on what we had hoped. We still had a good time with food etc served inside and the BBQ cooked underneath a marquee. It was good to meet up with some new friends through Twitter as well as seeing some old ones again.

We also had a good afternoon over at Henley for our annual outing on 21st August.

We’ve been enjoying a series of Bible Readings from Mark this month on Tuesday evenings.

We have much to look forward to in September as many of our activites start up again for the Autumn. We kick off with our Family Service and BBQ on Sunday 5th September and also resume our series on Tuesday evenings on ‘Practical Issues in my daily Christian life.’

We also start a series on Sunday nights on the subject of ‘The Lord Jesus’. The first is on on 19th September with ‘Is the Bible the Word of God?’ as the title.

We’d love to see you at any of these.

July News

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July has been another busy month for us at Parkside Christian Fellowship.

We had another good Coffee in the Park on the 17th and a great turnout for the Toddlers Teddy Bears Picnic in the park on Wednesday 21st July.

We’ve also enjoyed some excellent teaching on subjects as diverse as Giving, Worship and Prayer.

In addition we’ve been making plans for the first Community BBQ which will be on the 14th August for our near neighbours in St Lukes Road and surrounding area.  Invitations will be going out this weekend and we’re hopeful of seeing a good number joining us.

We’ve now got the first of our new signs up following our name change earlier this year – see the attached photo.

Over the next few months we’ll be investing in a new noticeboard as well as making further changes at the front of the building.

Operation Brotherly Love Report in Tweets

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Tonight we have a report on the work of Operation Brotherly Love in Romania, starting at 8pm.

Things more expensive in Romania since joining EU. Countered by improved infrastructure. Economy affected by downturn.

Simple houses made by hand of clay and straw bricks. Poorly insulated and cold in winter.

Very little money to buy clothes sold in second-hand shops. Family helped out by OBL with kitchen sink and stove. Poor hygiene.

Two small families in remote village dependent on help from assemblies. Very poor and in very small houses. Have to dig own bricks to extend.

Who cares? Govt has no money and no facilities. Family’s responsibility to look after old relatives. Many don’t care.

Need for somewhere to care for old believers and those unable to look after themselves. Medical system appalling in Romania.

OBL care with medical, financial and practical help. All medicines have to be paid for.

Romania’s economy suffering. Introducing austerity measures. 15% cuts for pensions and child benefit. 25% cut for public sector workers pay.

Now 1500 assemblies around Romania. Quadrupled since fall of Communism in 1989.

Much work to do and prayer needed.

Reading from Luke 23:50-56. Four things about Joseph. 1 Character – secret disciple. Came out of shell to ask for body of Lord.

2 Just man. Deep concern to learn from scriptures and live life accordingly. 3 Honourable Man. Stuck to his principles. Challenge to us.

4 Joseph had a concern for dignity of the Lord. Are we concerned? Contribution – bought fine linen and gave own tomb. Gave best he had.

Tomb was available. Challenge for us – are we available for the Lord?

Brian and Robert’s baptisms in tweets

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We had a great night witnessing Brian and Robert being baptised.  Below is how the evening developed in live tweets:

Full house for tonight’s baptism. Opening with singing of ‘I stand amazed in the presence’ and prayer

Second hymn is ‘What kind of love is this’. Around 100 here tonight. A powerful witness.

Victor welcomes the family and everyone to the service. Victor explains, from the Bible, the reason behind baptism using the example of Philip and the Ethiopian.

Three things before baptism: 1 Must trust Jesus Christ as Saviour. 2 Must ask to be baptised. 3 Being immersed in water.

Baptism doesn’t ‘do’ anything to us. It’s a picture of what has happened to them when they become a Christian and witness to all.

The baptisms take place with Alan and James baptising and interspersed with ‘O Happy Day!’

Singing of ‘All I once held dear’ before David Hall comes to speak about Belief.

David uses stories of Paul meeting Lydia and the slave girl to bring out gospel message. Changes in their lives still true today.

Too hard for Christ? David uses story of jailer coming to Paul and Silas in prison. ‘What must I do to be saved?’ ‘Believe on Lord Jesus’

Final words of encouragement. Find simple things to do for God to serve him. Can’t be too good, too insignificant or too tough to be saved.

Closing with singing of ‘In Christ Alone’ and prayer.