QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Issue 1 – June 2010

Church of God of Prophecy CROYDON

Issue 1 – June 2010

Our Mission Statement

‘Loving God and serving each other’

The purpose of our fellowship is to love God, to faithfully preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to commit ourselves to Christian service.

We are committed to:

Sacrificial service – within our fellowship and the wider communityExalting Christ – through our choice of lifestyles

Reconciliation – between God and man and with each other

Vibrant worship – inspired ministering of the Word and freedom for individual worshipExcelling in expressions of love – for God and each other

Quote for the quarter

“A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger”

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)

CALLING FOR BEZALELS...

Hello and welcome to our first edition of ‘Croydon Arise’

This is a quarterly publication and I hope that you will find it entertaining, informative and a source of encouragement. For future editions, I would like to include your prayer requests, answers to prayers, poems, articles, jokes, reviews of CDs/DVDs/books and any special announcements. I also welcome your feedback for how to improve the newsletter.

I’m so glad that our God is a God of creativity – for proof just look at the beautiful universe that He designed. It’s a shame that so often we put Him in the ‘Sunday Service’ box and close the lid, shutting Him out of all the other so called ‘non-spiritual’ things that we do all week. But the truth is that God is interested in every aspect of our lives. He doesn’t only inspire us to preach, teach, sing and play music at church but He also inspires to draw, paint, design and write. Notice in Exodus 31 verses 1–5 how God called a man named Bezalel and filled him with His Spirit so that Bezalel would know how to create artistic designs, make things out of gold, silver and bronze, cut stones, carve wood and work in every craft! It was God who gave Bezalel the ability to do these things for Him.

So are there any Bezalels out there? What has God given you the ability to do? Why not share it with us? 1 Peter 4 verse 10 reminds us to use our gift to serve one another. Do it for our Lord and He will bless you and use what you do to bless others.

If you want to get in touch with the editorial team, please contact:Angi: a_ewers@btinternet.com Laverne: lavgre@live.co.ukAudrey: saudreymay@yahoo.co.ukWinsome: winsomejoy@tiscali.co.uk

Abundant blessings to youWinsome(Editor)

We live in times of changeThe country has just gone through one of the most unpredictable elections of recent times. Even up to the last few days it was not clear what the actual result would be although the polls indicated a hung parliament. In the end we have ended up with a Lib Dem and Conservative coalition Government. No one knows how this Government will play out over time although the first signs are positive. But all this just goes to show how we constantly have to deal with change.

Change comes to us in many ways: moving home, children growing up and leaving home, starting a new job, bereavement - the list could go on. But we can all, I am sure, identify with the need to accept and deal with change.

The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The lines of a famous song state: “Change and decay in all around I see. Oh thou who changest not, abide with me.” God is the only constant in human history.

What do we need in times of change? We need to know God’s presence and guidance but we also need each other. God works in the world through his people. This fits so nicely with the vision of this fellowship which is to serve and to do so unconditionally. Service to God is fundamentally about serving each other. Not just serving those who we know well and with whom we are friendly but anyone that God brings into our lives. We must be prepared to stand with those in need.

Jesus came to unite people and to build a new community of believers. A community that would live according to his standards built on his values and principles. We notice that his ministry crossed cultural and religious lines to share his message of hope and life. Romans 12:6-7 reminds us to use our various gifts (faculties, talents, qualities and practical service) to help others.

In these times of change let each one focus on how we can help someone else to cope with the challenges change brings.Pastor Rochester

Elmers Hope and Care in the Community Organisation (EHCCO) is a community organisation which provides a place for the over 50s to socialise.

We offer a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. In fact many of our members have visited places and events that they probably would not have visited without EHCCO. During May, we visited the annual Christian Resources Exhibition in Sandown Park, Esher. This was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by the EHCCO members. We now have a dedicated vehicle and driver which enables us to plan regular trips. In the months ahead we plan to have more trips and a weekend away.

Sadly, one of our devoted and well loved members, Sister Ermine Deslandes, passed away in April. She will be greatly missed but we are comforted in knowing that she is with the Lord. We will continue to pray for the Deslandes family.

We are actively seeking new members and volunteers. If you would like to join or offer your help, please phone Sue on 07944986430 or Esmine on 07956092661.

Remember:“He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber”.Psalm 121:3 (ESV)

May God richly bless you.

Esmine & Sue

How God Changed My Life

Before God came into my life,It was full of chaos and crime, But he didn’t give up on me,Like some other people did,

He carried on to try and change me,For good.

For instance,I was involved in a gang,

And to get in, I had to kill someone,

That was when God spoke to me and said,“Are you really going to do this?”

I didn’t know what to do,In the end I dropped the gun,

And ran, and ran, and ran,Into the fields.

I ran until I could only see grass,And sat down to think,Again I heard a voice,

“Go back into town and go to church,”It said,

I frantically looked around,I saw nothing,

I heard that same voice again,“Go on. Go back into town and go to church,”

It urged,So I did.

I went to the first church I saw, And O what an experience!

People cheering,Shouting and singing,

I felt moved,The pastor called me up to pray,

At first I was frightened,But then I said,

“Father, help us not to be led into temptation,Deliver us from all evil,

You are the almighty one…”That’s all I could say,

Before I started to cry.

After my first church service,People congratulated me,

They said I should come here more often,I listened to their advice,

And regularly came to church,And became an official member.

God has changed my life in many ways,But none like this,

He sent his son Jesus,To die on the cross for us,Jesus saved us from sin.

So I encourage you to go to church,And see for yourself,

How God can change your life,And just remember,

Jesus saves.Hallelujah Amen.

Be blessed.

By Ashleigh Clarke,age 12

(This is not auto-biographical)

Exercising does not have to be boring or a chore.

Imagine being able to run for that bus and not be out of breath, or playing football with the kids, or just generally having more energy.

Here are some tips: If you’ve not exercised before or you have but “many moons” ago, start by walking slowly - little and often is the trick but NEVER GIVE UP!! Go around the block or if you’re near a park that is ever better. Invest in a good, comfortable pair of trainers and comfortable clothing. Listen to music whilst you are walking or invite your friends to join you.

Aim to walk for about 30 minutes (or more) at least 5 times per week. When walking you should be slightly out of breath, sweating but not uncomfortable. It is very important that you stay hydrated. Drinking water is very important.

Try not to eat carbohydrates (e.g. bread, pasta, rice) for at least 3 hours before exercising. If you want to nibble try fruit, dried fruits, nuts and drink water!

Other tips: Use the stairs instead of the lift When possible, walk and leave the car

Make exercising fun… God bless and keep up the good work!

Joyce Drummond Advance Fitness Instructor

Find the following words from the Gospel passage:

Andrew: Galilee; John; Naphtali; synagoguesArrested; Gentiles; Jordan; Nazareth; Zebedee;Capernaum; Gospel; Kingdom; Net; Zebulun;

Curing; James; Men; Peter;Fishers; John; Mending; Simon

Exercise the brain…. Read the book of ‘Ruth’ and try this…

1 2 3

4

5

6

7 8

9

10

11

12 13

14 15

The first one to submit a correctly completed crossword will get a mention in the next newsletter!

ACROSS

4. One of Ruth's character traits (8)5. Ruth's original homeland (4)6. Something this book shows us about God (11)7. Name of one of Naomi's daughters-in-law (5)9. Name of Naomi's husband (9)11. One of Boaz's character traits (8)12. Ruth and Boaz's grandson (5)14. What Boaz is to Ruth and Naomi (7,8)

DOWN

1. One of Naomi's sons (6)2. Only this could part Ruth from Naomi (5)3. What Ruth did to Boaz's feet (7)8. Meaning of the name Naomi (8)10. Something Ruth did in Boaz's fields (7)13. What Naomi asked to be called (4)15. May Ruth be like this woman (7)

Thursday 24th June Summer Song Gospel Music Festival Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Saturday 26th June Talent night (Croydon)

Sunday 27th June Final payment for Great Yarmouth

Saturday 3rd July Netball training

Saturday 17th July Trumpet Sound Praise Ministry presents Janet Rochester in song @ CoGoP Croydon

Saturday 14th August Trip to Great Yarmouth

29th – 31st October National Convention @ Bethal Centre, West Bromwich, West Midlands

Thursday 16th December EHCCO Christmas Dinner Party

Saturday 18th December Church Christmas Dinner Party

Senior Pastor: Paul Rochester

Church Address: Church of God of Prophecy Elmers Road Woodside SE25 5RD

Telephone No: 0208 655 0071

Email: Cogopcroydon@onetel.com

Sunday Morning Service: 10.30 - 12.30