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Jan/Feb 2010 Newsletter Mustard Seed Evangelical Church The For the people of Callington and the greater glory of God www.msec.org.uk
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Jan/Feb 2010Newsletter
Mustard SeedEvangelical Church
The
For the people of Callington and the greater glory of God
www.msec.org.uk
Welcome!I'msurethatwe’veallseenandheardabouttheHaitiearthquakewhichstruckearlierin January, and it’s victims; those who died or were injured, thosewho lost familymembers,andthosewhohavelosttheirhomesandeverythingtheyoncehad.
I had seen pictures of the devastation, for aboutaweek,andcasually reflectedontheir situation,yet I felt no real concern.Until, I suddenly feltGod hitme with thequestion:“whereisyourcompassion?”
God is a compassionateGod,He caresabout the victimsmore thanwe ever could,morethanwecouldevenimagine.Psalm145:8‐9says,
"TheLORDisgraciousandcompassionate,slowtoangerandrichinlove.TheLORDisgoodtoall;hehascompassiononallhehasmade."
God calls us to be His agents, taking care of creation,praying for, and supportingthosewhoneedourhelp,howeverwecangiveit.OuraimistogrowintothelikenessofChrist,topreachgoodnewstothepoor,tobindupthebroken‐hearted,toproclaimfreedomforthecaptivesandreleasefromdarknessfortheprisoners,toproclaimtheyearof the LORD's favor and the dayof vengeanceofourGod,to comfort allwhomourn,andprovideforthosewhogrieve.
Whenwe feelGod’scompassionforpeople,wewillwanttospendeveryhourofthedaydoingall we can.We will want to become like Jesus,who devotedHimself toshowingcompassiontopeople;whowasfilledwiththeSpirit,sothatHemightdoallthese things.We have the resources to help those inneed, sowhydon’t we?Whyaren't we filledwitha righteous anger when we see people down‐trodon, or notreceivingthemercythatwecanproclaimtothemthroughtheGospel?
TheMustardSeedofMatthew13bringshope,it is thesmallestseed,yetgrows intothelargestofthegardenplants.Perhapswetoo,asaChurch,shouldreallycommittodoingallwecantobringhopetotheworld,bysharingGod'scompassionforthelast,thelost,andtheleast.
SamaritansPurseAbig thankyoutoallwhofilledashoeboxforOperationChristmasChild. Inall28boxesweresentfromtheMustardSeed. TheExeterwarehousehasdispatched21,000boxestoneedychildreninKievandSerbiamakingtheirChristmasreallyspecial.
MonthlyActivitiesDate Time Event Location
Thursday11/2 14:30 SeniorHomesOutreach ApplebeeLodge
Saturday13/2 08:00 Men’sBreakfast FrankGray’s
Tuesday16/2 18:00 PancakeRace(inaidofHaiti) TownHall
Tuesday23/2 19:30 CallingtonCarnivalPlanning JeanGregg’s
Tuesday23/2 19:30 LentCourseBegins St.Mary’sCofE
Tuesday2/3 19:30 LentCourse MustardSeed
SundayMorningWorship
Sunday31stJanuary SimonWalsh
Sunday7thFebruary RogerParkyn
Sunday14thFebruary PeterCoombe
Sunday21stFebruary HennieGray
Sunday28thFebruary JohnCole
SeedlingsNewsSeedlingsfinishedthetermwithaChristmasparty.30children,Mums,GrandmothersandCarersallhadagreat time.Eachchildwasgivenabook of the Christmas story and an invite to the nativity service atDupath.Iwould liketothankDavidThomas,Tim,ValCumbersandValLawsonfortheirhelp.Seedlingswouldnotbethesuccessitiswithouttheprayerandpracticalsupportfromyouall.
Kath
CaradonSocialClubfortheDisabled
Driverswantedonceamonth,shortnoticeor
stand‐byContact:MrsSheilaBrock.
(01579)350894orseeJeanGregg
ChristmasNativityThe animals at Dupathgraciouslyhostedour Nativity in their barn. Cows, sheep,lambs,adonkey–theywereallthere.
In spite of the bitter weather and thehazards of ice and snow outside, about150people–nearlyhalfof them childrenwiththeir parents – came towitnessthere‐enactmentofthenativity, inwhathasbecomeanannualevent.
MaryandJosephdida couple of circuitsof the barn on the donkey which, co‐operated beautiful ly – if notphilosophically. The shepherds broughttheir lambs, and angels were there inabundance.
The atmosphere was palpable. Themooing of the cows, sporadic and un‐prompted, brought authenticity to thescene. The audience came face‐to‐facewith the harsh realities of that firstChristmas,completewithbabyJesuslyingina bedof strawwhile the calves, afewfeet away, continued to munchon theireveningmeal.
The audience shivered as they balancedonthe haybales,butwarmedupas theysangcarolsledbythechoirandband.
Finally– somethingthatwasnotonhandthat first Christmas – amince pie with acuppa!Awelcometreat.
–FrankGray.
MissionaryNewsFromAndyandCindyRich
Page5
Nowwe have had a shock,already thelittle three and a half year old girl wemanaged to write to some about whohasbeenabusedandhasabrokenlegiswithus.TodaywehadadayoffandwewerewokenveryearlybyNimar a localChristian lady who helps out withtranslating,tellingusthechildwasbackin Sangklaburi hospital after surgery inthe main provincial hospital two daysago,andNursessaidshecangohome.
We knew that could not happen. Wewere toldwewouldhave timeas she'dbeinhospitalforquiteawhile.WeaskedNelson our team leader to help us byringing the step father and explainingthatthechildneedsalotofcareetc.etc.This of course is very true as she hasbothlegsplastereduptothehip,cannotsitup forweeksandevenchangingherandpreventingsores isachallenge.Thestepparentswereverypleasedthatshewas being looked after. (They hadalready said they did notwant her andstruggledtocareforher)
In front of the step grandmother, shesaidshedidn'twanttogohome.WhenIwashed her she kept smelling the soapin delight. Her body has been verybattered her ribs have been broken atsometimetooandinduecoursewewillgetfurtherx‐raysasshehasevidenceofvertebralfracturestoo.SoIwillsleepbyher,shelookscosyandcleannowsheissleeping. We are in a dilemma for wehave todoavisa runtoMalaysia inoneweek,can youpraywewill find aplace
for her and someone to look after herwhenwego.
She will come with us to the clinic,church,etc.thechildrenwill alsotalktoher,currentlyshejustliesstillandstaresnoreactiontoverymuchatall.Anythingisanimprovementontheexistenceshehad,wehavethecomplianceofthestepparentssowefeelbetteraboutthat.Wealso learnedmore of her story,her realfather loved her but he was capturedandsoldasaslavetoafishingcompany.The real mother loved her too butmarried a horrible man who wasalcoholicandpresumablyill treatedher,sheranaway,leavingthebabywithhim.He last appeared 11 months ago andAimyet was very afraid when he came,she just looked in the other direction.Weaskedaboutsexual abusebut tobehonestwouldanyone really knowapartfromifshehasanexamination.
Shehasnolegalpapers,birthcertificateetc.We ask for prayer for her andhowto manage the situation. We really donotknowwhatthefutureholdsbutprayforwisdom tomake sure Aimyet has afutureoflove,careandhealing.
AndyandCindyRich
Please do remember all ourmissionary friends around theworld inyourownprayers, it isagreatwaytohelpthemandtobeapartofGod’sKingdom!
Dearfriends,Six‐yearoldAmyrecentlyremarked,'Timepassessoquickly...'She'snotwrong.
Novemberhasbeenamonthofill health.We've all taken turns to be unwell andsometimes it's taken a long time torecover. The air quality doesn't makerecoveringanyeasier.Never‐endingsmokefrom all the burning rice and sugar canefields,added to the yearlyritual of slowlymakingcharcoalisnoticeablyaffectingourrespiratorytracts.
Malcolm is facing many challenges in hisleadershipposition,toomanytobeabletodescribehere.He'stravellingalot,attimesgoing from Chiangmai one day and toBangkokthe following.We thankGodforprotection on the road. Do pray forwisdom inareas of building relationships,rebuilding trust, affirming the past,embracingthefuture.
Kerstin is giving more time tohomeschooling nowas Amy is growing abit older. I find I need to spend asignificant amount of time daily just toresearchandprepare.I'veneverdonethisbefore and there are so many things Idon'tknow!AmyandIweredoingallthe'‐gh' words today. At dinner‐time Malcolmread to us and I realised I had beenteachingAmythewrongpronunciationofthe word 'trough'. At least that mistakewas discovered and corrected. I wonderhow many things we haven't discoveredyet...?Today our team took part in theKamphaengphetPrisonChristmas service.
Therewasareallygoodatmosphereandawonderful opportunity toworship in thatplace.Malcolm shared aGospel message.Praise the Lord, some prisoners choseJesustobetheirSaviourtoday!Here are some personnel needs at themoment:
A field administrator would be such ablessingwithallthatisgoingon.Fromafieldperspective,we couldalwaysusemorechurchplanters.Wehavearealneedforpeopletomakeupa Hostel Ministry Team. The WEC hostelhouses missionary kids who live inChiangmai to attend schools there, whiletheirparentsministerelsewhere.Thisisanon‐goingneed,bothshort‐andlong‐term.FromAmy'smouth:Afterbeingaskedwhothekindestpersonis in the world she answered: “All thegrown‐upsintheJesus‐teamwhocometoconference.”
TheotherdayAmycarriedalitcandleintoherroomforustoenjoyasitwasherbed‐time.Carefullybalancing the candlewhileenjoying its light, she said: “This is likeJesus.Hell (thedarknessaround) istryingtosnuff the candleout,but Jesus'light isstronger. We follow it, do what Jesuswantsandwehavelight.”
Let'sdo just that: 'FollowJesus' light anddowhatHewants'.You really play such an important rolethrough your prayers and support. Wecan't thankthe Lordenoughforyou.May
MissionaryNewsFromMalcolm,KerstinandAmyGray
the Lord bless you, each and every onethisChristmasandalways.
We've had quite a few of our Christmasevents already. LastWednesdayMalcolmwas part of the group that went to theprison. They had a very good time withmany prisoners coming and hearing thegospelpresentedveryclearlyandstraight.LastThursday(twodaysago)wehadourchurch Christmas party outside of ourhouse. Every Christmas we've plannedquite big ‐ and thenhardly anyone turnsup.Thisyearweweretryingtonotmakeitso big and not create lots of work forourselves.But thisyearabout 100peopleturnedupandalmosthalfwereadults!!!!!!Itwassuchagoodtime!Wehaddeliciousfood,AmyandMarydida Thai dance, there was a drama , somesongstosing...Verysimple,butverynice!We're so encouraged! Todaywe're goingto Thamakheua to give out Christmascards and roses to share God's love withpeople. Yesterday Tao and I went to thelocal market giving out little presents tothevendors.Thatwasverysuccessfulwitha couple of ladiesallowing me to praywith them and theyw e r e o b v i o u s l ytouched by the HolySpirit.Veryspecial!Tomo r r ow we ' r ehaving the children'sChristmaspartyhere inKhong Wilai and thenin Tao's village. We'llplay drama, havegames and give outpresents. The childrenareveryexcited!Godis
really showing his grace and allowingtheretobeanatmosphereofexpectancy.OnWednesdaywe'll have ourmissionaryChristmas event. We thought we wouldinvitethenewworkersfromTaktojoinus.Others heard about it andwant to cometoo.Sonowwefindwe'relookingtohavealmost 30peoplehere atourhouse!!!It'sallhappening.I'menjoyingit‐as longasIstaywell.TodayI'm beginningto feelnotsowellagain.It'scometoourattentionthattherehavebeen a numberofe‐mails that never gottous.We can't sayhowmanyandwho...Wethinkthebestideaisforpeopletouseourgmailaddresses.We'reterriblysorryifanyone haswrittentousandnevergotareply.
Thesearetheaddresses:[email protected]@gmail.comThankyouforyourprayers.Prayfortheirprotectiononthe Thai roads at this timeof year – New Year especially – whentherearesomanyaccidents.
FairTradeFortnightCallington, as a Fairtrade Town,will becelebratingFairTradeFortnightbig‐time.Launch yourself into the this year’stheme , ‘TEA’, by treatingyourself to acup of tea, and cake atLangmans Fairtrade Tea Party onMonday 22nd February from 3‐5pm(Langmans Restaurant is in ChurchStreet).
For the more outrageous, join us for aMadhatter’s Tea Party at 11am on StMary’s Square on Saturday 27thFebruary. Bring your own flask ofFairtrade tea/coffee or hot chocolate,andumbrella!YoumayalsoliketobringsomeCake,andahatiscompulsory!
Join us for a Fair Trade Fun Day onFriday5thMarchintheTownHall.Localprimary schools and college studentshave been busy designing a logo orcharacter to spread the Fairtrademessage inCallington.Their crazy ideaswill be on show and winners chosen.Therewill bea raffle,quiz,games,fairlytradedcraftsonsale,plusrefreshments.
Come and find out more about FairTradeonSaturdayMarch6th,meetinginCallington library.We are honoured topresentNicholas,HeadofResearchandDevelopment for Kuapa Kokoo, aFairtrade cooperative in Ghana whosupply cocoa beans for Fairtradechocolate. This will be followed byQuestion Time, with Nicholas and ourforthcomingparliamentarycandidates.For children, there is chocolate tastingand African arts and crafts session inthelibraryonSaturday6thMarch,from2‐4pm. Come early at 2pm to meetNicholas.
Ifyoucan’tmakeeitherofthosetheCo‐ophasinvitedyoutomeetNicholas(anddo a bit of Fairtrade sampling) in theircafeonSaturdaymorningfrom11‐12am.
Thisyear,forFairTradefortnight,wearebeing asked to swap something wenormallybuy(suchastea,coffee,sugar,chocolate…) for the Fair Tradeequivalent.Whatcanyouswap?Findoutmoreatwww.fairtrade.org.uk.
22ndFebruary–7thMarch2010
PrayerPoints•PleaseprayforNoraasshesettlesinchinafor3months,thatshemayknowGodshandonherandforherhealth.
•Faith Mission Summer Camp at Great Potheridge House nearOkehampton.PrayfortheyoungkidsandTeensthatgo.
•Please pray for Michael Wener; for his health, the granting of aworkingvisa,theinternationalschool,andthePapuanschool.
•PleasealsoprayforallthecontinuingMinistriesattheMustardSeed,mayGodbreatheHisSpiritintoallthatwedo.
WeeklyActivitiesMondays
19:45 HomeGroupatGrace’s.Comeandspendsometimeprayingforeachother,worshippingGodandstudyingJohn’sGospel.Allarewelcome.EveryMonday,exceptthefirstinthemonthwhenwehaveaprayermeetingattheChurch.
19:45 YouthGroupintheHall.Achanceforalltheyoungpeopleaged14‐18togettogetherandhavefunplayinggames,poolandtable‐tennis.
Wednesdays
09:15 SeedlingsintheHall.Forpre‐schoolersandparents/carers.
15:15 SplashatCallingtonPrimarySchool.Anafter‐schoolclubforpupilsattheschool.
Thursdays
10:00 LadiesBibleStudyintheParlour.
Sundays
10:45 MorningWorshipattheMustardSeed.Joinusforatimeofprayer,worshipandteaching.Therearegroupsforchildrenandyoungpeople,throughwhichtheywilllearnmoreaboutGodandenjoyfindingoutmoreaboutHim.
18:45 EveningPraisewithworship,sharingandprayingtogetherbeforeaninteractivestudyfocusingonwhatGodissayingthoughthepassage,notjusttryingtogainmoreknowledge.WearecurrentlystudyingtheBookofRevelationtogether.
LentCourse2010StartingonTuesday23rdFebruary,theCTiCLentCoursewillberunning
eachweek,throughtill30thMarch.Pleasecheckthelocationeachweekinthenewsletter,orintheMustardSeed.
ContactsLeadership
PeterCoombe(Elder)
(01579)[email protected]
JohnCole(Elder)
YouthandChildren’sWork
TimCadoux(YouthWorker)
GeraldineParkyn(Splash)
(01579)[email protected]
Outreach
MaureenLloyd(Women’sMinistry)
(01579)351853
KathyCole(Seedlings)
GeraldineParkyn(ResidentialHomes)
(01579)[email protected]
OtherActivities
JohnCole(HomeGroup)
Contributionsformonthlynewsletter:
Deadline:21stFebruarySpeakto:TimCadoux
Email:[email protected]
TheBackPew
An architect, a surgeon and an
economist are discussing the creation.
The surgeon says: 'Look, we surgeons
are most important. God's a surgeon
because the first thing he did was to
extract Eve from Adam's rib.' The
architectsays:'No,waitaminute,Godis
an architect. Hemade the world in six
days out of chaos.' The economist
smiles:'Andwhomadethechaos?'
A distraught farmer finds all his cowsfrozen in snow. He prays to God forhelp,andawomanappears,whoputsher arms over his icy cows. Theyimmediately defrost. “Thank you!”saidgratefulfarmer,“areyouanangelsentbyGod?”“No,”saysthewoman,“I'mThoraHerd!”
Q.WhatkindofmanwasBoazbeforehegotmarried?
A.Ruth‐less!
Q. What do they callpastorsinGermany?A.GermanShepherds.
WhodesignedNoah'sark?
Anark‐itect!
Onedaythepastorstoodupintheserviceandsaid,“I’vegotgood
newsandbadnews.Thegoodnews isthatwehavethemoneyto
completeournewbuildingproject.Thebadnewsisthat it’sstill in
yourpockets!
WhoWeAre:
TheMustardSeedisafellowshipofChristianscommittedtodiscoveringGod’sloveandtruthfortoday.Duringourworshipandstudytimes,inourfamilyandsocialevents,andthroughourcaringandOutreachMinistriesweexploreandshareGod’sgraceandguidanceasHehelpsusbecomeandgrowasHisfollowers.
WhatWeBelieve:
•Godisreal.•JesusisLord.•TheHolySpiritgiveslife.•GodspeaksthroughtheBible.•Godforgivesus.•Jesuscaresforus.•Jesusiscomingback.
Mustard SeedEvangelical Church
The
For the people of Callington and the greater glory of God
www.msec.org.uk
Wewarmlywelcomeyou,oranyoneelsetomeetwithus!
