A LIVING SAVIOUR

Cafe Church spent their time on Easter Sunday praising the name of a risen Saviour!

See what a morning, In Christ Alone, How deep the Father's love for us, When I survey, There is a Redeemer and Come people of the Risen King were all sung with enthusiasm.

Brian Lincoln and Peter Shire did their usual thing producing video footage for the big screen. Words and pictures always increase the impact of any message and I told the story of a twenty year old Muslim man who came to faith after hearing the Christian message for the very first time at a Good Friday meeting.

One of the greatest proofs of all, that Jesus is alive, is the way in which He revealed Himself to the early disciples and the fact that He still does it today. So I asked permission of a friend of mine to quote from her recent experience.

Sue used to work with me on the Maranatha Ministries Team some years ago. She has always had the heart of an evangelist. Here she shares some of the way in which Jesus has been with her recently. She writes: "I have been praying about the forthcoming Graham Kendrick concert and trust that plans are going well for that and that many will attend and be blessed by it.

I've just come out of hospital, having had a pituitary tumour removed at the Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool. I'm feeling amazing considering I only had the op. ten days ago and I feel a bit of a fraud as everyone knows I've been through fairly major surgery but don't have a visible scar on me and everyone is telkling me I look better than I have for ages! (they removed the tumour through my nose)

The experience I had leading up to the op. was truly amazing. So many people were praying for me and I could feel a tangible presence of God in a way I never have before. I literally felt as if I was being held in His arms and as I was being wheeled to the operating theatre I had an incredible sense of joy bubbling up insiode me. I was struggling not to laugh and I know I had a stupid grin on m y face. The staff were probably thinking "Ah, bless her, she's gone a bit odd because of the tumour."

When the surgeon came ouit to speak to me before I went into surgery, he held mny hand and said surgery is always a risky business, but he said "I think you and I both acknowledge that there'll be a greater hand than mine guiding me today". I couldn't believe what he had just said!

I have been told there's am 80% chance that I will need radiotherapy following the surgery and I will be re-scanned etc in a couple of months to confirm this, but I am praying for the 20%.

I am so grateful to God for the peace He gave me, as I met other patients in the hospital who were awaiting similar surgery to mine and were unbelievably fearful, one lady was writing her will the night before her surgery. I really believe that He will complete the healing that He has begun and I would ask you to join me in praying for this. I am determined my faith isn't going to waver even though the recovery process is going to be long and probably frustrating at times (I can't drive for 3 months now).

The experience of God's presence has been so real I've just loved it and basked in it and I don't want it to end!

Next Cafe Church event is from 5pm on Sunday May 22nd

Yes, Jesus is alive!

All our love

Derek and Pam

An Afternoon in Chaupine

AN AFTERNOON IN CHAUPINE, When we first came to France in the summer of 2006, Pam and I had a sort of dream that we would hold a worship service in our own home. Actually we thought of holding it in the garden and calling it “Church in the Garden”. Well we couldn’t have used the garden last Sunday because it was raining, but we did have a lovely time of worship and praise in our home. It is always a blessing to meet with other people who want to say “thank you” to the Lord for His goodness to them. Jacky, who led the singing for the first time, had several strange things happening during the previous week. It always seems to be more than a co-incidence that when someone steps out to do something for God, then some odd niggles happen in their lives, but we have seen it so often over the years. We were blessed by her leadership and choice of songs. My talk was based on Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The letter was originally written in the Greek language, which was the most widely understood language of the day. In English we use the same word for “you” whether we mean “all of you” a whole group, or just “you” as a single individual. So in English Bibles it isn’t easy to know whether some promise or command in the Bible is for an individual or for the whole room full. But in the original language two different words are used for the singular or plural. So we read three statements “God who has begun a good work in you will complete it.” Philippians 1: 6 Paul is talking about God’s work of salvation. “Rejoice in the Lord and let your gentleness be known to all” Philippians 4:4 there he is talking about sensitivity. “The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 in that section the theme is security. We learnt that in all those three examples the “YOU” is the plural one. We are meant to be the together people. Salvation and sensitivity and security together. NEXT CAFE CHURCH EVENT IS SUNDAY APRIL 24th Sing some great songs on Easter Day – one of which is linked with a powerful Video and then share in a simple act of Communion around the tables. Tea and Cake from 5pm with Cafe Church from 5:30 for about an hour. GRAHAM KENDRICK CONCERT FRIDAY JUNE 3rd Such has been the interest in this event, from far and wide, that we have now made it an all ticket event. Tickets are free, but need to be ordered soon please, the cut off date being the end of April. Please be realistic in your order for tickets and send your total (if possible with email addresses of those coming) as soon as you can. Why not place your first order this week and then send in fresh orders as others say that they want to come. The free ticket will gain admission on the night but seats will be on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 7:15pm for a prompt start at 8pm Isn’t it exciting! Praise God with us! With our love, Derek and Pam