Category: Thought for the week

The Same Hands

There are approximately one billion trillion stars in our universe. That’s one with twenty-one zeros on the end. On a clear night with a dark sky, the unaided eye may be able to see around three thousand of them.
Our nearest star (the sun) burns with the energy of eighty thousand trillion power stations. That’s eight with sixteen zeros on the end. It burns 4 million tons of fuel a second – the equivalent to four thousand NASA space shuttles. It holds enough fuel to burn for another five billion years. Without the protection of the earth’s atmosphere, heat and radiation from the sun (which is on average 93 million miles away) would destroy us.
The sun is known as a yellow dwarf, which as the name suggests means that its size is dwarfed by its rivals. Every star you can see in the night sky is bigger than our sun. The largest known star in the universe, VY Canis Majoris, is around one thousand times greater (in radius alone) than the sun. If placed in our Solar System, it would engulf all planets up to and including Jupiter.
In the account of the creation of the world, in Genesis 1:16, we hear that God, with his hands “also made the stars”. A work of physics that utterly eclipses the greatest of human achievements- yet it merits the briefest of mentions. For as vast as the skies are (and as vast as His creation is – I could have talked about the 25,000 species of orchids or the 10 million species of organism that currently exist on Earth, the majority of which have not been described yet), God created the world because He is a God of love and a God who desires relationship with us.
The same God who created the world, created us. The same hands that flung stars into space “created my inmost being; knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:16). We were created in His image – to love, to weep, to laugh, to show compassion, to walk with him, to know Him in the minutae of our everyday lives. The same hands that flung stars into space, the same hands stretched out and cruelly nailed to a wooden cross – the same hands reach out in love to ours. We have a choice to extend our hands to Him, to seek Him, to find our true place on this earth in relationship with Him.

Andy King
The Gateway Church, King Lynn

Sale! Declutter! Storage to rent. Buy the latest! Such messages are fired at us in the press and on TV. It seems that we cannot have enough goods. We want the latest innovation. To be old-fashioned or out of date is reprehensible. Often garages attached to houses do not house cars, but unwanted possessions.
The bible says: ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’
Earthly treasures are attractive, but they do not satisfy us. We are never satisfied with what we possess. If we are not careful we will always want more: the big lottery win, the right this or that. There is nothing as fickle and temporary as human taste. We obtain something, and before long we have tired of it, lost all interest in it. If earthly treasure is our priority takes most of our attention, time and energy, then what about the type of treasure Jesus talks about.
How do we store up treasure in heaven? Jesus said: ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” ‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”’

John Cairns
Kings Lynn Roman Catholics

Recent surveys show that the number of people living alone in this country has increased dramatically over the last decade to well over 7 million. Of those, 60% say they feel lonely most or some of the time. Loneliness doesn’t affect everyone living alone, but for those who do suffer, it can bring continuing heartbreak and despair with no end in sight.
While loneliness statistics simply show numeric proportions, they cannot begin to convey the extent of suffering experienced by every lonely person hidden behind the numbers.
There are many lonely people who would love to have more contact with family members, neighbours or friends, but making the first contact can be difficult for those who have had to cope with loneliness for some time. The good news is that God is in the business of turning lives around for the better; as many can testify; and it begins with us realising that God loves us and His love for us will never end.

God sent his beloved Son Jesus into a lonely world where he suffered extreme loneliness and rejection from his own people, even His friends betrayed him and left him to face false accusations and persecution, before suffering the most excruciating pain when he was crucified on the first Good Friday. Jesus was constantly strengthened in the knowledge that he was loved by his Father God, with whom He would soon be reunited.

Jesus knows all about your loneliness because he suffered far more than any of us could ever imagine. The Bible tells us in the book of Acts that God has his own special family which came into being just after the risen Jesus ascended into heaven and sent his promised Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of those who love and follow Him. God’s family is known as the Christian church, which has grown worldwide since it’s birth in the first century AD. Because the church is God’s new creation on earth, He gave it the mandate to share His love and truth in practical ways with everyone, and just as Jesus had a particular compassion for those who were sick, broken-hearted, anxious, lonely, bereaved or just alone, so God has handed the mantle of compassion to His church to care for those in need.
Being connected to God’s family can take you from a life of loneliness to being accepted and welcomed as new friends are made. Most Christian churches have
websites that you can browse to find out more information including contact details. So why not say goodbye to loneliness; take that first step and make a call today.

Geoff Duncombe
The Gateway church
King’s Lynn
1st March 2016

A Prayer of Welcome.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I read of a prophecy that you will return this year, 2016. When I mentioned it to a priest he said in a kindly way that it wasn’t for us to know when you would return. But when you do return, heal us, that we may welcome you.
I know that you are welcoming Lord. Recently I asked local church leaders to hold eight days of prayer for Christian Unity. This is an annual event which gives people the chance to visit other churches of other denominations and pray with their congregations. In previous years the Orthodox Church have hosted the Saturday meeting, but this year they were not able to do this so I asked the Revd Canon James Nash and he generously agreed to organise a thirty minute service at St Mary’s Church in the Woottons. When I arrived for the service I was welcomed by Revd James as was everyone else. I sat in a pew and the Revd James came up to speak to me. ‘There is a lady at the back of the church who says that you saved her life’ he said to me.

I took this to be your welcome Lord. Of course we all know that it wasn’t me but you who saved the lady’s life. We all know that you are the God of Hosts and countless people have made it possible for her life to be saved. All those who have suffered illness, researched illness, worked for the NHS or associated services, paid taxes to fund the NHS, or prayed for or visited a relative or friend who is sick. I was just part of a huge team.

In a way I am expecting you to come to King’s Lynn in 2016 Lord. A team of people under the Churches Together umbrella are organising an event called ‘Celebrate King’s Lynn’ http://www.celebratekingslynn.com/ to be held on Saturday 11th June between 10am and 4pm in the Walks in King’s Lynn. This event is an opportunity for churches in King’s Lynn to show the public what they do. There will be stalls run by the church people, music, sports, children’s games, food, prayer, information and a chance for people to ask church goers what church is all about. Above all I would like each King’s Lynn person to feel welcome and at home there because we are celebrating you Lord. We won’t see the resurrection there but our spirits will be lifted and our relationships renewed by you.
Peter Coates, secretary of Churches Together in King’s Lynn.

New Beginnings!

As we enter a New Year with thoughts of new resolutions, let us look forward to a year of new beginnings rather than resolutions.
I believe that to grow as a person we need to do new and exciting things. For some, this can mean backpacking to some far off country; for others it can mean taking up a new hobby. To really grow as a person you need to take risks. This can mean making new friends, moving house or changing career. In the Christian faith we like to call risk, steps of faith, because we believe that with God’s guidance you cannot fail. For every mistake there is the opportunity to get back up and try again; for every wrong turn there is another chance to head in the right direction. There is a much quoted scripture that brings Christians everywhere the confidence to try something new.
” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8 v 28 NIV.
To move forward in the hope that your plans succeed can be frightening, but with God at the helm we cannot fail. Failure to try anything new is the only time we fail, because without allowing change we remain in a place of stagnancy.
As I prepare this year for a new event for the churches in King’s Lynn, I am taking careful steps with God to move forward. To know that God is with us as we take steps of faith makes every challenge worthwhile. I am part of a team called “Celebrate King’s Lynn”. This is a new adventure for the churches in King’s Lynn; one which is exciting as it brings a festival style event into The Walks on the 11th June 2016. There will be games and activities for all of the family and the momentum is building as we gather our ideas for stalls, Youth and Children’s work.
This is something new for our churches as all denominations gather to enjoy a fun filled day together. For many of us, this has not been part of the church history in this area and so we are filled with expectation as we try something new.
Remember this as you enter the new year. Don’t allow yourself to remain in a place in which change is not on your agenda. Look at your life, allow the boat of your life to leave the safety of the shore. God has much in store for those who look to Him. He is a God who wants His children to try new and exciting things…

Alison Hill

It’s the time of year when being a mum of two young girls, I embrace cuddling on the sofa, hot chocolates in hand, watching wintery movies such as Home Alone, Elf and of course, Frozen. It was only the other day that the Frozen story stood out to me in a way I hadn’t seen it before. The younger sister Anna sacrifices her own life for Elsa, her older sister, turning to ice as she shields the sword. When Elsa realises her younger sister has stood in her place and breathed her last, she weeps over the statue of her now frozen sister. The ultimate act of love was for Anna to sacrifice her own life to save that of her sister.
As I thought about this I then began to reflect on the ultimate act of love Jesus made for us – it was the sacrifice of a brutal death on a cross just so that we might be saved. WOW! Could we ever love someone that much we would sacrifice our own lives? Could we give the ultimate act of love? Death? John 3 v 16 (The Message) says “This is how much God loved the world: He gave [sacrificed] his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”

What must have been going through Jesus’ mind when he knew he was going to die. In Matthew 26 v 38 Jesus tells his disciples “…my soul is deeply grieved…”. He knew what was coming, what pain he would have to suffer, yet it had to happen as God intended and he let the Roman soldiers take him under arrest without a struggle. How can we not be stirred by this ultimate act of love?

If you are sat reading this in your warm, cosy home today, you may have questions, difficulties or sadness, you may be comfortable and happy in your life. Whatever situation you may be in, why not think about that sacrifice Christ made for you. The ultimate act of love. If you choose to believe in him, asking forgiveness for the things you’ve done wrong in the past, you too can have wholeness, unfailing love and an unlimited peace. Who wouldn’t want that?
Amy Jeffery
King’s Lynn Christian Fellowship

Yes, Christmas is an exciting time! So much to do and to think about; so much to prepare and plan. What expectation! What anticipation! When the day arrives, it is really exciting unwrapping a gift and looking inside. Very often we have no idea what is inside or under the paper even though we might try to guess. When I was a child, my Father would raise his present up and shake it to see if it would rattle; this only stopped when we would shout, “don’t do that, it’ll break!”. The reality of our Christmas gifts is that once you’ve looked inside, the surprise is over and eventually the initial excitement fades, the delight passes and in time, the item could even go out of fashion or sadly break. For very young children, the box or paper can be more enthralling than the toy its self as they climb in it or roll around over it!

The real message of Christmas, is to look inside a completely different kind of gift. To look inside the stable where you’ll find no sparkly wrapping, no glitter or twinkly lights, not even a Christmas tree. But what you will find is a baby named Jesus, wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger because there was no room for him at the inn. This humble birth in probably less than ideal conditions caused humble shepherds to look inside a simple dwelling place and to marvel at a small baby -‘The Saviour of the World’. This precious gift to mankind still comes to us today with the promise of everlasting love; a love that points to Calvary and beyond to eternal life; a love that forgives and offers new life into a living hope through Christ Jesus. Unlike our worldly gifts, God’s love for us never perishes, never spoils and never fades! His love remains strong and steadfast and will still be there when the season changes and the New Year starts.

This Christmas, look inside the real meaning of Christmas; look inside the stable and find the manger; look inside the manger and find Jesus. Look to him as his love for you will never perish, spoil or fade.

Rachel Osborne
King’s Lynn Christian Fellowship

What Church?

Churches Together links people who express the God given treasure within them. Over the past year Churches Together in King’s Lynn has been an umbrella organisation for works and meetings which highlight Christian activities. Anyone can join in. In October 2014 a talk by Rebecca Meyrick about end of life care in Norfolk highlighted the patients and workers in the new hospice building at Hillington and the Hospice at Home services. The Foodbank has moved into bigger premises at the Red Cross building, appointed a new full time manager and extended services to include Food in School Holidays.

Chris Lindley did some research into the levels of poverty in the King’s Lynn area and his report was subsequently published. Up to 38% of children in North Lynn are living in poverty. In January the week of prayer for Christian unity theme was ‘The Well is Deep’. Services of worship were held at 8 separate venues on 8 separate days and were well attended. On 11th February Revd Riaz Mubarak gave a talk entitled ‘Called to serve; Ministry from Pakistan to the UK’.

Annemarie and Mark Willetts continued to work towards the setting up of a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre in King’s Lynn. In March Rev Zoe Ferguson organised a quiz night for supporters of the Christian Aid collection which in May raised £5507.26. Bishop Jonathan Meyrick was the quiz master. The Good Friday Walk of Witness ended at the Minster with about 100 participants. Teams from the Open the Book project continued to go into schools to inspire the children with readings and stories from the Bible. Andy Moyle maintained the website at www.churchestogetherkingslynn.com and organised authors who contributed the ‘Thought for the Week’ in the newspaper.

In June Keith Morris and John Betts gave a talk about Network Norwich, a church media organisation, and Celebrate Norwich and Norfolk which is an annual event in the centre of Norwich showcasing what’s on offer in churches. Alison Hill, David Blacklock and Olivia O’Neil are organising a ‘Celebrate King’s Lynn’ event in the Walks on 11th June 2016. A group called Klimate Concern plans to raise awareness of climate change in the run-up to the climate summit on 30th November in Paris. In September Bob Wilson talked about prison chaplaincy.
Jesus said; ‘the kingdom of God is among you’; Luke 17:21.

Peter Coates, secretary of Churches Together in King’s Lynn.