House Groups
Groups meet throughout the week to study God's Word and to discuss its relevance to our daily lives in the relaxed atmosphere of members' homes.
From Candlemas (29 January) to Palm Sunday (1 April), House Groups will be using material by J John (website www.just10.org). This material will link with the Sunday Sermons.
John Barr writes (in the February magazine):
In a rapidly changing world, what enduring values do we treasure, and how do they shape our lives? Last December, our Prime Minister David Cameron spoke about this in an address he gave at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, marking the 400th anniversary year of the King James Bible. After pointing out how the Bible has helped to shape the Christian values that define our country, the Prime Minister went on to highlight the importance of living by a shared moral code:
"Let's be clear. Faith is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for morality. There are Christians who don't live by a moral code. And there are atheists and agnostics who do. But for people who do have a faith, their faith can be a helpful prod in the right direction. And - whether inspired by faith or not - that direction, that moral code, matters. … Whether you look at the riots last summer… the financial crash and the expenses scandal… or the on-going terrorist threat from Islamist extremists around the world… one thing is clear: moral neutrality or passive tolerance just isn't going to cut it anymore.
Shying away from speaking the truth about behaviour, about morality… has actually helped to cause some of the social problems that lie at the heart of the lawlessness we saw with the riots. … Put simply, for too long we have been unwilling to distinguish right from wrong. 'Live and let live' has too often become 'do what you please'. Bad choices have too often been defended as just different lifestyles. To be confident in saying something is wrong… is not a sign of weakness, it's a strength. But we can't fight something with nothing."
Amen to that! And, in the Bible, we have the God-given key to finding a framework for life, one that can relate to everyone, whatever their situation. Over the coming weeks from Candlemas (29 January) to Palm Sunday (1 April) - including the season of Lent - we shall be using material by J. John (website www.just10.org) which explores (in reverse order!) how the 10 Commandments (just 10) continue to be vitally relevant to individuals and society alike. Further details about the Sunday 10.30 sermon series, and weekly showing of the just 10 DVDs, are shown below.
In the light of Jesus Christ, may you and I come to discover more of how God's 10 laws of love can come to shape our lives, and to transform our world.
Wishing you every blessing in Jesus Christ,
John Barr, Vicar
Sunday 10.30 am Sermon Series
29 January Find Contentment (Exodus 20.17)
5 February Hold To The Truth (Exodus 20.16)
12 February Prosper With A Clear Conscience (Exodus 20.15)
19 February Affair Proof Your Relationships (Exodus 20.14)
26 February Manage Your Anger (Exodus 20.13)
4 March Catch Your Breath (Exodus 20.8)
11 March Take God Seriously (Exodus 20.7)
18 March Keep The Peace With Your Parents (Exodus 20.12)
25 March Know God (Exodus 20. 4 - 6)
1 April Live By Priorities (Exodus 20. 2 - 3)
Wednesday lunchtime showing of DVD of J. John's live just 10 Presentations
Starting at 12.30 pm in the Choir Vestry each Wednesday from 1 February to 4 April. Each presentation lasts between 30 - 45 minutes, and no tickets are required - just turn up!
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