GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021 May

Pastor’s Monthly message

Dear friendsLet me challenge you with a question: Are you still learning? I’m sure you are. Whatever stage in life you are at, there’s always lots to learn day by day. I wonder what you may have learned through the past 12 months or so of living through this pandemic… It might be too early to say for sure, but I suspect as we ponder, there will be plenty of things.

One of the joys of my journey in ministry formation over the past few years has been the constant learning. We are called, each of us as Christians, to be disciples. Disciple (the Greek word is mathetes) really means ‘one who learns’; but more than that: a follower too, so our learning causes us to change too: it impacts our behaviour.

We of course learn from the Master who is Jesus. And, through the Bible and the Holy Spirit at work in us, we can be attentive to Him and learn as we follow… Learning, listening, doing.. this is the stuff of discipleship.“This is my Son, whom I love”, said the voice of God from the cloud “listen to him!” (Mark 9:7b)

“Do not merely listen to the word…. Do what it says…” (James 1:22-25)

In other words, we don’t just learn in a vacuum, but we are called to put into practice what we have learned. And of course we also learn by ‘doing’, by works of service; and reflecting on things done well and not so well. When we get things wrong, though painful, we can turn round (repent) and learn from this, and do better next time. And our Lord is always gracious to forgive and encourage us back on track.. (think of the apostle Peter who denied Jesus at the crucial time but was reinstated in love… Peter seemed to put his foot in it rather a lot, but he was a learner, and was fruitful with it).What a joy to be a lifelong learner – of Jesus and His ways!

So maybe like me, you will make this your prayer:Lord, let me go on learning with You as my teacher, and help me to put into practice what I am learning – for your glory. Amen

And may God bless us as a church community as we continue on this journey of learning and discipleship togetherWith love and prayersMike

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021 May

Monthly Saturday Prayers May 1st 10:00am for an hour - all welcome

Join Chris Evans who hosts this prayer meeting

Services for May : (all 10:30am unless otherwise stated)

2nd May - Romans 8:18-27 Future Glory 9th May - Romans 8:28-39 God’s Love in Christ Jesus 16th May – BU Assembly Service (we join together on zoom) 23th May - The Day of Pentecost 30th May – TBA Mike preaching

GBC sign-in Numbers 415 367 2211 – Password is gbc2020

GBC Birthdays in MayThursday May 6 Gideon AyubaSunday May 16 Alan BaldwinSunday May 23 Maddie WilliamsWednesday May 26 Kelvin SmithSunday May 30 Joke Van Den Bersselaar

Jasyden Ebere

LIFE GROUP DetailsThese are the times of our Lifegroups, which are held via zoom

Day Time Leader Sign-inTuesday 10:30 Veronica GBC sign inTuesday 7pm Tricia GBC sign in Tuesday 7pm Polly Using WhatsAppTuesday 6pm Peter & Pat Paine

If you would like to join Peter and Pat Paine’s Life Group, please email Peter or Pat for their joining details.

TO CONTACT GBC

Gorleston Baptist Church, Lowestoft Road, Gorleston. NR31 6LY

TO LISTEN to past sermons or for more news: log onto our website at: www.gorlestonbaptist.org.uk

GBC is also on Facebook, Twitter and Google.

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021 May

Gorleston Baptist Prayer List

Marion & FamilyHeather & familyEurel and FamilyAnnie and Family

Jean Kneeshaw and son, KirkPeter Paine

Michael PhillipsAngie Best

David FarrowTony – Vera’s Hill’s GrandsonTanya – Jean Hoare’s family

God of peace, our thoughts fail us, Lord. We feel overcome by our anxiety over things in our reach,

but especially over things, we have no control over. Help us to lean on You by bringing our anxieties to You.

We pray that You will quiet the storms that rage in our minds. 

Please give us peace in what feels like chaos and increase our ability to remember that all things are temporary so that we may dwell in Your peace,

no matter our circumstances.In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Prayter courtesy of cec-na.org

Prayer Ministry

In recent weeks we have started a prayer meeting specifically to pray for the Well /Foodbank. We meet via zoom on alternate Fridays at 10am and all are welcome to join with us. Our next meeting will be on 14th May.

The prayer team continue to offer prayer support and prayer appointments to any one needing prayer with the team. In the first instance contact Pat by email or phone to request an appointment and then arrangements will be made via zoom.

If you would like prayer from the prayer teamyou can contact Pat on 01493-301898 landline or 0755 7683 217 (mobile)

or via email: paine.pat2706@gmail.com with your request.

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021 May

Remembering Arthur Butcher

Part of the eulogy to Arthur Butcher given at his funeral from his son Gary.

Dad met mum in 1958 - she was with her best friend standing near the yacht pond in Gorleston and Dad was sat on the amusement’s windowsill opposite. Mum asked her friend who the guy was with the blond hair and she that’s “Butch” and that was the start of their beautiful relationship.

Mum and Dad were married in July 1961 and this year is their Diamond Wedding Anniversary - he really wanted to be here to celebrate the occasion as they were devoted to each other for 63 years. We still plan to celebrate as his spirit is and always will be with us. Mum has told me that they never went to bed on an argument but always told each other they loved them, which I believe is their secret to a long and successful marriage.

Dad was a master maltster for Guinness in Cobholm, but by trade he was a builder and that passion never left him. I believe there are many of you that can look at your home or garden and see something that has either been built, fixed or altered for them by Arthur. I know that Dad got frustrated when he couldn’t continue with his work during his illness, but even so he was still climbing on top of his shed to fix something last summer.

Guinness left the area in 1993 and Dad took early retirement, with thanks to Guinness who took good care of their staff nearing pensionable ages. This in my opinion was great for them both and it made mum decide to retire early too. We are so grateful that they have had so many years enjoying their retirement together. Well, I say retired, but Dad as you know still kept coming up with projects to do around the house and for his many friends and family. But moving to Bradwell enabled them both to create a whole new set of projects around the house and in their first garden, which took the place of their beloved allotment. I don’t think I have ever seen a better kept Garden and they received many compliments on it.

Dad was never one for wearing a suit or dressing up as he was more comfortable in his joggers and a t shirt or his boiler suit, but on their cruise holidays mum would be able to get him into a DJ, although I can only imagine that if he had been asked to fix something on a cruise ship, he would have got a boiler suit from somewhere.

Apart from mum, his greatest love and pride were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His love and bond with all of them was so special to see and they brought him great pride, joy and happiness. He was an extremely proud grandad all the way through their childhoods and then seeing what each of them has achieved into adulthood. He thought the world of them as he did his great grandchildren - they always brought a huge smile to his face whenever they visited them.

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021 May

I know that they will always remember their grandad with great fondness, love and respect.

I could go on for hours telling you about Dad, but Dad you are never far from our thoughts and you live on in our hearts forever. Rest assured Dad, we will look after Mum as you wanted us to. You have done your work here on earth and earned your eternal rest, reunited with family, friends and loved ones in Heaven. Sleep well Dad till we meet again.

Tribute By David Farrow

My wife Teresa has known Arthur’s wife Marion, since they were teenagers, when they attended the Gospel Hall in Gt Yarmouth but drifted apart as they grew older and both married.

They did see each other occasionally, but it was when Marion was invited to a Marilyn Baker concert at GBC in the early 1990’s that their friendship took off. Marion had drifted away from church but that night she’s re-dedicated her life to the Lord and started attending GBC. Because of this we used to see them both socially and I got to know Arthur quite well. We used to sometimes talk about church, and Arthur would listen, and little by little he became interested and said that he ‘did believe’. He started to attend GBC and regularly read his Bible (a practice he kept up until two days before his death) and it wasn’t long before he asked to be baptised. All of his family attended the baptismal service, which was a great testimony. Throughout his life Arthur was a practical man, very useful with his hands and he put this to good use both at church and at some members houses !

There are many things in my garden to remind me to him ! He also took great interest in the redevelopment of the church building and his advice was always helpful. He spent a lot of time ‘stripping out’ the old building ready for the builders to commence work. Arthur could speak to anyone and always had a friendly word for people after Sunday service, which I know was appreciated by many.

He had been ill several months before his passing and bore this with a minimum of fuss. Many of you will have your own thoughts on Arthur, and it good to know that though greatly missed, his suffering is over and he is in the presence of his Lord and Saviour. I will certainly miss him.

David

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021/May

Tribute to Arthur from Andy Wones

Arthur was a lovely warm and friendly man he would always give me a big “Hi Andy!” whenever we met, I can still hear his voice saying it now.

I guess we shared a lot in common in being practical people and would often talk over a coffee after church on a Sunday about the latest gadget/power tool he or I had just bought from Screwfix or Toolstation. I think Arthur had his own small branch of Toolstation in his well equipped workshop!

One Sunday after church we were talking about our families and Arthur mentioned a trampoline that his great grandchildren had outgrown and would we like it for our grandchildren. I said yes please and arranged to go and fetch it that afternoon after church. I emptied out my van and went round to collect it thinking there is plenty of room for a small trampoline in there.

Arthur was there waiting with the said small trampoline which it was but would it quite go into the back of my van NO! Only half in however we tried. So Arthur being Arthur said no worries we can put it on my car roof rack and I will bring it round to you, which we did. This is just typical of his generosity and willingness to go the extra mile.

Because of the last year with Covid etc it’s been a long time since we had one of our little Sunday morning chats and I am going to miss that when we do get back into the building.

Arthur always had time for anyone and will be sorely missed.

Andy

IDENTITY YOUTH PROJECT

'Our last update for FNS was back in January and since then, we are pleasedto say that our groups are now meeting back in-person. We have re-engagedwith a few young people who were not taking part in our zoom programmewhich is encouraging!

Over the Easter holidays we had seven young people attend our LYN (Loveyour neighbour) programme, which took place over two mornings at All SaintsChurch, Belton. The young people helped to remove a massively overgrown ivytree and endured snow, wind and hail, whilst enjoying the occasional ray ofsunshine! Their effort truly did make a huge difference, and this was agreat opportunity to catch up with the young people in person.

Central, our main group for inter-church fellowship, is now running onevery 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at St. Mary Mag. If you’d like moreinfo regarding this group, please do contact Matt onmatt@identityyouth.co.uk.

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021/May

For those of you who missed our Celebration Night, you can catch up on ourexciting vision by watching the video titled ‘Our Vision for 2021’ byvisiting our YouTube Channel. Also, you can catch a glimpse of the workwe’ve done this past year by watching our ‘Celebration Video 2021’ which isalso available to view. One of the main point’s detailed within the visionvideo is that we would love to be able to recruit a second youth worker tofocus primarily on outreach work and support churches to get their youthgroups back up and running, post Covid. For more info on this and to seehow you could help to make this dream a reality, please do check out thevideo.

As always, your prayers for the ongoing work are most appreciated and ifyou would like any extra info please do get in touch.'

Thanks, Matt AshpoleYouth Work Leader - Identity Youth Project [07477905770]

Prayer breakfast is twice monthly and takes place on Wednesdays at 7am for an hour. If you would like to join, please email Matt Ashpole for dates and sign in numbers. matt@identityyouth.co.uk

As Christians, we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.

Heroes of Faith Join us on 14 May 2021 for a prayer event like no other, as we partner with people around the world to create a global wave of prayer. 

Heroes of Faith is our biggest prayer event ever, marking the 18th birthday of Leah Sharibu, the Nigerian schoolgirl abducted by terrorists who refused to renounce her faith in exchange for her freedom.  Nigerian Gospel singer Panam Percy Paul has written a song especially for Leah, ‘Heroes of Faith’ (featuring Sinach, Muyiwa, Lou Fellingham, Noel Robinson, Steph MacLeod and other artists) which will be released exclusively at the event.

Commit to pray for one hour on 14 May (individually or with a small group or church). Imagine a prayer baton being passed from person to person, church to church, country to country, as people around the world cry out for breakthrough, justice and freedom. Our aim is for at least 2,400 people to sign up to pray – 100 for every hour. 

https://www.csw.org.uk/globalprayer

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021/May

SHORT COURSES BEGINNING ON LINE THIS WEEK

On Wednesday 5 May, Soul Winner Boot Camp

begins intensive 5 week online trainingcourse in soul winning.

This is a free coursefor more information and to register, please go to:

https://soulwinner.co.uk

Soul Winner Boot Camp Dates & Times:

Week 1: Wednesday 5th May 2021 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Week 2: Wednesday 12th May 2021 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Week 3: Wednesday 19th May 2021 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Week 4: Wednesday 26th May 2021 - 7:30pm - 9:00pm Week 5: Wednesday 2nd June 2021 - 7:30pm – 9:00pm

SHORT COURSES BEGINNING ON LINE THIS WEEK

On Thursay 6 May at 7pm for an hour

‘thewayofthespirit’ will begin it’s weekly journey through

the book of Revelation.This is a free course

for further information, and to register, please go to:

Thewayofthespirit.com

On Thursday 6 May, Derek Prince Ministries begin a five week course ‘Entering God’s Presence through Prayer & Worship’

This is a free coursefor more information and to register, please go to:

https://www.dpmuk.org/resources/courses/course-gods-presence

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021/May

Passion for the Nation

Elections

We declare You desire our nation will not only succeed but carry Your Glory, so we decree and declare over all elections taking place this May, the increase of life changing Godly wisdom and leadership, that from the Scottish Parliament to Local Councils, Your Kingdom will be established. We decree honour, righteousness & integrity, will increase and a new level of Godly statesmanship arise, transforming personal and political agendas, that men and women across all parties will work for the common good, uniting behind God given vision and priorities.  Proverbs 24:3-6

According to Your word in Psalm 75:7 “It is God alone …. who decides who will rise and who will fall”, we come to You and speak Your favour onto all those You will raise up at this time, that these positions of influence and gateways of our society will be filled with those who see and speak according to Your plans and purposes and we declare following these elections the voice of Your wisdom will be heard in increasing measure, above and beyond man’s wisdom.

Even as a fresh wind of Your Spirit is blowing, we declare Your people will stand upon their watch, to see and to pray, that the political weariness upon the land will be lifted, Your Will be done, that those and only those You have equipped, anointed and called for this season be elected. We come into agreement with Your word in Matthew 16:19 ‘and I will give You the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’ and we take hold of those keys, and in the Name of Jesus, we shut the doors to these places of significance and power to any who would bring disruption or distortion, and we open the doors to those who will release peace and wellbeing. Suzanne Ferrett.

By Suzanne Ferrett of Passion for the Nation on Thursday April 22nd, 2021“a nation succeeds and stands in victory when it has many good counsellors to

guide it”  Proverbs 11:14

TRANSFORM THE NATIONThis is a time when God’s eyes are on nations. Many aspects of our nation are

shifting; we have seen our society radically change in recent years, governments have been faced with issues which have been beyond their

ability to solve and the nation is making decisions which will position it for the next season, choosing world views and spiritual as well as natural alignments.

https://passionforthenation.uk/

GORLESTON BAPTIST CHURCH – FAMILY NEWS SHEET – 2021/May

The Fellowship of the Unashamed 

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed."The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I am a disciple ofJesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,

back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my presentmakes sense, and my future is secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,

chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals. 

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by

presence, lean by faith, love by patience,lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace

is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, myroad is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,

my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,

diluted, or delayed. 

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in thepresence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,

ponder at the pool of popularity, or meanderin the maze of mediocrity.

 

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go untilHeaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,and work until He comes. And when He comes to get

His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.My colors will be clear.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

 The Author of this work is a Rwandan man in 1980 who was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or face certain death.

He refused to renounce Christ, and was killed on the spot. The night before he had written the commtment "The Fellowship of the Unashamed"

which was found in his room. Bob Moorehead had written this in his book "Words Aptly Spoken" c. 1995