Claire's Blog

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It’s nearly prayer room time.

The last 48 hours have seen the back of the church transformed into a place of prayer. Within that space there are many things to help you connect with our awesome God (UP), pray for those we are in christian community with (IN) and seek God about those people who are not Christians (OUT).

Most of the slots are now gone, however if you would like a second slot or you haven’t been able to get one at a suitable hour please get in touch as we are considering opening the prayer room for a longer period (potentially into sunday afternoon and even monday morning). youth.minister@burlingtonbaptist.org.uk.

So, What do I need to know before I come:

1- If you have signed up online you should recieve an email with some additional details about how to get into the church etc.. If you don’t recieve this by thursday evening please get in contact.

2- Prepare yourself. God is excited that he gets you to himself for a whole hour! Come expecting to meet him, hear from him and have your deepest needs met by him. Maybe you want to bring a note book and bible. As you travel to church, open your life to God and prepare yourself.

3- If you are coming as a family, why not make it a really lovely family outing. Go out for hot chocolate before/after and share what God has says to you. Why not take some of the ideas home and do them as part of your family devotion time.

 And finally, please do share with the Ministry team what God says to you in the prayer room. There will be a book you can fill in as  you leave the room or why not drop us a facebook message or email.

Every blessing to you as we have this adventure of prayer.

Posted Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:05:01 +0000 - View in WordPress

It’s time to pray

A few years ago the ministry team had a wacky idea - what about calling the church to pray continually for 48 hours. We dreamed of a space where you could commit an hour to hanging out with God the Father and really knock on the door of heaven. That wacky idea took shape and the back of the church was turned into a wonderful space committed to help people to pray in whatever way they felt comfortable. And then we began, people had signed up for prayer slots of an hour long and soon we were almost full.

People experienced God in that prayer room. The stories that came out of the prayer room were of people worshipping God in a new way, encountering God, hearing him speak and finding God did what only he could do- meet our deepest needs. Ten days later we were still praying in that space. Together we had encountered God in a new way and together we had new faith that prayer changes us as much as those we pray for.If you spend time on the 24/7 website you soon discover that this committed time of prayer is seeing lives changed and fruit bore all over the world. I cannot encourage you enough to click here and watch a few videos or read a few stories about what God does when we really seek him.. http://uk.24-7prayer.com/prayer-rooms/ for stories and here for some videos.. http://www.24-7shorts.com/

SO, it is with huge excitement that we are again having a prayer room on the first weekend of February. The 8:11 group and emerge groups will kick the whole prayer room off on the thursday night. The prayer room will then reopen on the Friday Morning and the hope is that we will have someone in the prayer room continuously until church on the sunday morning.

What will be in the prayer room?

The whole of the space will be set up with many things to help you pray. We will be thinking about our UP- our relationship with our Father and Lord. IN- our relationship with those christians around us and our OUT- our relationships with those non Christians in our world. Not only will there be creative things to do, bible readings to stimulate your thought and prayer etc.. there will also be music, instruments and an art area for you to come and worship God and really seek him.

Who can use the prayer room?

The prayer room is opened to anyone connected with Burlington. We encourage you all to sign up and come expectant and ready to enter into the presence of God. The room is open to families, couples, individuals and small groups. Your teen or child may want to have an hour on their own too in the space. This would be brilliant but we do ask that an adult remains in the church building with them.

We encourage you to sign up as a group/family but if you do this may we encourage you to book a separate slot as an individual. You will not regret it.

How do I sign up?

There are two ways to sign up:

1- AFTER CHURCH on a sunday morning for the next two Sundays. Come to the front of church where you will be assisted to sign up to a slot.

2- ONLINE. Go to http://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/c47028 and sign up for a slot.Click on the slot you would like, enter the details required and click book. You will then be asked a security question and then well done, you are booked in!

 Please do not sign up for a slot someone else has. Despite what it says all hours are bookable for exclusive use of the prayer room.

 So, there we have it, it is prayer room time. I am so excited about this oppertunity for us as a church to really seek God, to worship him and to have time fullfilling Ephesians 6:18 Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers”

Posted Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:54:28 +0000 - View in WordPress

What Season are you in?

As part of our following Jesus series, we spent some moments looking at Jesus’ Baptism (luke 3) in our New Years Service on the 1st January. This is a hugely significant moment in Jesus’ life, not because he needed to be baptised but because it was the moment he burst on the scene. It signified the beginning of his soon to be very public ministry, with this moment so many things changed. It was a new season in Jesus life- A new thing was about to happen.

Luke sets up this change by highlighting what John the Baptist was saying before Jesus’ Baptism…. (Luke 3:1-6)

“the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁴As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

   “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
   make straight paths for him.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled in,
   every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
   the rough ways smooth.
⁶ And all people will see God’s salvation.’”^[a]

A new Season had come. As you begin 2012 what season are you in? Perhaphs some of you are in a season of change, a new job, a new relationship or something about to end. Perhaphs you know for this season you have to focus on your family and investing in them. Perhaphs it is a season of seeking God for some wisdom, direction, some answers. Maybe it a season where God is asking you to take some steps of faith or to be really proactive in sharing your faith.

What season are you in at this moment? And what is God saying to you about that season?

May I encourage you to share these thoughts with another and ask them to pray for you at the beginning of the year.

The words that God speaks to his Son at his baptism are very significant in this as they are also the words that God speaks over to you.

Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Know that whatever season you are in, God calls you his son and daughter and his love is sufficient even in the darkest seasons of our life. He also has left you his Holy Spirit to lead and guide you through whatever season you are in. Trust him and relax in his presence for he is all you need.

Posted Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:45:35 +0000 - View in WordPress

Happy New Year

Well Blog friends, it is 2012! How the heck did that happen? Where did 2011 go?! Ok, yes I am getting old and yes time does go quickly when you are having fun. Over the course of today I have read a number of blogs and it seems that they fall into two catorgories- New Years Resolutions and reviewing the past year.

This blog includes none of the above because in summary- Last year was good and I have given up on the New Years resolutions as I always break them. So, instead, here is a thought from the one and only John Piper ” New Year, New joys, Same Jesus”

I trust your year will be full of Joy and I pray that it will be full of Jesus, his grace, his love, his blessings, his friendship, his compassion, his direction, his hope, his peace and his companionship on the adventures this new year will bring.

Happy New Year from Rich, Lucy and Myself.

Posted Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:39:11 +0000 - View in WordPress

Christmas party-tastic

What a week it has been! So many parties, celebrations, cakes, turkey based meals and pudding. It has been awesome. (not sure my digestion agrees.)

Amongst the highlights has to be joining the emerge boys last night for pizza, an incredible retelling of the birth of Jesus (very impressed by Luke Hill) and gingerbread house making…

Who would of thought that a happy meal box, some sweets and icing can turn into these…..

Posted Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:39:00 +0000 - View in WordPress

Christmas Surprise!

As we continue our Following Jesus themes this christmas, I have decided to set you all a little challenge! Luke’s retelling of the Christmas story (Chapters 1-2 of his gospel) highlight a number of things that we should know about Following Jesus.

Following Jesus means accepting his call and the cost. Think of Mary for a moment, what an incredible teenager she was. A virgin, told she was to have a baby who would be the Son of God. My response would of be hysterical screaming and hiding in bed for a long time! Her response I Am the Lord’s servant! What an incredibly mature, faith filled response. Mary listened to God and obeyed dispite the cost and sacrifice involved!

Following Jesus means we must come as we are. Have you ever tried to pretend you are something you are not? It isn’t easy! God wants us to come to him as we are. Jesus was born in a manger, in a stable, in a backwater called Bethlehem. He brought with him nothing and was born as a helpful baby. Jesus asks us to come to him the same. It isn’t our intellect, beauty or even talents that will allow him to use us, it is our willingness to come as we are.

Following Jesus means we go rather than stay! How confortable is your bed on a monday morning? Mine is warm, wonderful and I could stay there all week if I was allowed. How amazing was heaven for Jesus? Incredibly wonderful in everyway. Yet he left the security and priveldged position of heaven to come to us as a man. John 1:13, Phillipians 2

Jesus’ first human act was about going out, not inviting in! Do you live like that? Are you motivated by the lost and the broken or are you far more concerned about the saftey and those like you?

So, this is where you Christmas Challenge comes in… I would love you to surprise someone this Christmas! ?Your challenge is to bless someone who doesn’t know Jesus by doing something surprising for them. Some suggestions include:

• Turning up with a Christmas turkey for a non christian friend.
• Offering your babysitting services.
• Offering to pray with someone.
• buying a coffee for a homeless person rather than just walking straight past (p.s make sure it is a good coffee!!)
• dropping by to see that person that God is nagging you about.
• giving away money to someone who really needs it.
• Sharing time with your friends.
• helping out the bully at school.
• Writing a prayer in someone’s christmas card.

Ok, you are way more creative than me but may I suggest that you pray and that you ask God who you need to be a surprise too.. As you surprise someone know you are doing as Jesus did. For he was the King of Kings, but he was born in a stinky stable. Now that was a surprise!

Posted Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:03:54 +0000 - View in WordPress

Nativity night

Luke is enjoying himself!

Posted Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:02:08 +0000 - View in WordPress

A celebration of a Bible in a year!

This morning the creative years 7-8 (11-13 year olds) managed to write the bible in fifty words! It was brilliant! He’s one of the boys groups..

He created, Snake tempted, Sin destroyed, world flooded, Egypt’s holiday from hell,

Ten commandments, Goliath slayed, David crowned, Israelities rebelled, Captured, exiled,

Lions turned, temple rebuilt, emmanuel came, Priest taughts, disciples gathered,

Water wined, Miracles, teaching, Jesus betrayed, died, rose, ascended, reigns,

Licking fire, disciples spread, disciples persecuted, promised return.

As we were writing these, we remembered various things we had done over the year that helped us graps the bible better from SOAP, to Lego parables, Acting out the samson story to having Christmas in september, it has been a wonderful year for us in eternity getting to know God’s big story a lot better.

Why not try and write your bible in fifty words. It is a lot of fun and will help you realise what God has been teaching you through his big story.

Posted Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:09:15 +0000 - View in WordPress

As you Go in his name, God changes you!

The young people who went to Romania knew that in their going God was going to change them. Whilst they went to serve, the also went knowing that through this experience their character, faith and attitudes would also be changed.

Jane Hewson one of the leaders of the group reflects on the whole experience of Romania…

It was amazing to see the way in which the whole church supported the young people in this project. If ‘church’ is family then that is what we experienced, day by day, as the young people prepared, raised money and set off.

 Then  the prayer support and loving interest while we were away; and finding that we are part of the worldwide church family…..this is what church is about.

There were many high lights over the week with the team. Jonny teasing everyone: Lawrence trying to teach us some essential Romanian: Greg’s laughter: every person brought something unique and special. It was a great team.

I think the top moments were the team sitting around the table everyday to do SOAP and pray. You would have been proud! Their mature, thoughtful insights were amazing.

I believe this experience has been life changing for the young people. To take time out, in this way, gave them a chance to evaluate their values; some even looking at the direction of their lives.

Posted Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:17:40 +0000 - View in WordPress

Rachel’s Romania Story

In October Half term I had the privilege to go to Bucharest and work alongside Project Ruth. It was the most amazing experience which has really made a difference in my life. When I look back at my week in Romania there are two main moments that stick in my head. Both were when I was interacting with the brilliant children who attend the Ruth School. These are moments that I mentally captured and will stick with me for a long time.

The first memory is walking up to the Ruth School each morning and being greeted by gorgeous, enthusiastic and welcoming children who were so eager to greet us with open arms. One child, named Anna, especially caught my eye. Her clear gratitude for every single thing that we gave her was beautiful and humbling to see and to be able to love her and spend time with her for even that short period of time was amazing and really special.

Secondly, during the holiday clubs with grades 1-4 each morning, we taught the children a few of our children’s worship songs. One day in the middle of an action song I looked around the room and saw animated faces lighting up with delight. Their zest for life was remarkable and although they have so little in the materialistic sense, their ability to live life to the full and enjoy each day was inspiring and thought provoking.

Come and hear more about the Romanian Trip this coming sunday at 10.45am @ Burlington Baptist Church.

 

Posted Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:15:19 +0000 - View in WordPress