Christ Church Moreton Hall

2009 is another year, but also marks the end of the first decade of the new millennium and the new century. Yes, it is ten years since we all celebrated that event together. We have seen many changes and it looks like there are more changes yet to come.

As a nation we face many challenges as we all hope and pray that the recession will be short and the economic downturn will not destroy the lives of too many. But at the time of writing nobody knows the answers to these questions and it may be that 2009 marks the beginning of a long period of hardship and suffering for many across the planet.

For many churches and charities 2009 and the years following will be equally challenging. If the cathedrals of this land cannot find enough money for repairs what are the prospects for smaller churches and the ordinary charities that we support in various ways from animals to hospices, from third world issues to the lifeboats?

It is at times such as these I find the stories in the Bible inspiring. The people of Israel and the children of the church have passed through some pretty tough times, Noah and the flood, Moses and the escape from Egypt, Joshua and the conquest of the promised land, the trials and anguish of David, and those who went into exile in Babylon and returned, and also the difficulties that Jesus faced in His ministry and the hardships of the apostles as they established the churches across the New Testament world. But there is a common pattern to all these stories and that is this, at the darkest of moments when things were seemingly beyond all hope, it was then that God acted. He repeatedly says, “I hear the cry of my people. I have not turned my ears against them and I will act” and He does and usually He does very spectacular things to save and help His people.

However, those people who cried out did not just pray and do nothing. They acted upon the promises of God. Moses set out to save his people. Joshua crossed the river Jordan. David took up arms. The apostles got in boats and undertook long journeys and only when they had begun to travel or begin to fight did the miracles begin happen.

At the beginning of a New Year, after perhaps many years of disappointment, it is hard to start a new project or to take charge of your life or to move into a new area. But I have learnt after all these years that it is never a good time to start something new. However, if we commit our way to God, read and learn His promises and trust enough to listen to His voice and set forward great things always happen. After all, we built Christ Church, Moreton Hall in the middle of a recession and we did the same with the hall six years later.

In terms of this, Christ Church, Moreton Hall will be doing some new things this year. Our All Age act of worship will be on Sunday 11th January when we will have an exciting time learning about God through magic.

At the end of January and in February and March we will begin our rehearsals of the Passion Play which will happen on 10th April, Good Friday, this year. This is a spectacular event and if you would like to be involved please contact us.

In March we will do our first Alpha course of the year which will begin on 4th with the topic “Who is Jesus?” And in May we will welcome our Bishop for a Baptism and Confirmation Service when people who have just been converted will be immersed totally as a sign of their Christian faith.

So at the beginning of this year, when things seem so dark and gloomy, please remember that God has heard your prayer, because you are never far from His heart, never far from His gaze. He wants you to be set free from whatever holds you back. Why not turn to Him in prayer, ask for His help, listen to His voice and do what He suggests? To be sure you are hearing from God why not join with us at Christ Church, Moreton Hall where many hundreds of people have turned to God in recent years and found it made a real difference to their lives and where we have learned to help each other on the journey that lies ahead. It is also my prayer for you all that you would make right choices this year and find your way to Him and that peace of mind which you desire,

With every good wish

Jonathan Ford