A few days ago we woke up to the horrific news that young Lucy McHugh’s body had been found in woodland on Southampton Sports Center. As a church we want to extend our love and prayers to the McHugh family.
Her Father, Andy, and step-mother Michelle, have visited our church on more than one occasion. Andy is part of the Creation Fest team and serves at Shirley Warren Action Church.
Please keep the whole family in your prayers.
Here is a catchup from this weeks Chapter & Verse
The Big Story: Set in the time at the end of the Judges and at the beginning of the Kings.
Key word: Kingship
The problem: Samuel was dedicated to the Lord’s service at 12 years of age and was called by God to be a prophet. During this time the Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines and put into the house of the Philistine god, Dagon, who fell to his face in worship in the presence of the Ark. The second time it broke into pieces. Afraid, the Philistines offered sacrifices of repentance and returned the Ark of the Covenant. Later we see Israel demanding to have a king, and God told Samuel to give them a king. However the king needed to be compatible with the relationship with God, to rule under God, but the Israelites wanted a king like the nations around them with the king being the highest authority. So how does a king rule under the authority of God? Samuel sent out some rules in a book. (Chapter 10:25) Unfortunately, Saul didn’t follow these rules and went against God.
How the problem is resolved: This passage displays offices which highlight 3 problems that the people of Israel and ourselves had:
1. Samuel – prophet: represents God to the people. Problem with the law/truth.
2. Eli – priest: represents the people to God. Problem with guilt.
3. Saul – king: represents God’s rule over the people. Problem with corruption.
Route to Jesus: No one in the Old Testament was ever prescribed all three of these offices (max of 2). Jesus has been prescribed all three. He was a prophet, bringing truth to people in the form of himself (John 1:1-14). He was more than a priest, he was the great high priest bringing the people to God, offering not any sacrifice but sacrifices Himself. Not just a king but King of kings, ruling over the people.
Here is a catchup from this weeks Chapter & Verse
The Big Story: The book of Ruth, set in the time of the Judges, is about Ruth being redeemed by a Kinsman Redeemer called Boaz.
Key word: Redemption
The problem: Ruth and Naomi are in the midst of grieving and famine, with no way out. They have nothing to give and no prospects. They resort to gleaning in the fields (picking up the left overs) to feed themselves.
How the problem is resolved: Upon returning to God’s people, Boaz went above and beyond the law to ensure that Ruth was redeemed. He followed the laws of marriage by looking for a closer kinsman/redeemer than himself. One was found but he was not worthy and so Boaz made a transaction to pass it down to Boaz. He married Ruth and they bore a son, Obed who was the father of Jesse, the father of King David.
Route to Jesus: The bloodline of Jesus Christ the Redeemer for all mankind traces back to Boaz and Ruth. They were not forgotten but redeemed and set free to love. This is a beautiful picture that redemption is for all if we put our trust in Jesus.
Passion for Life is about sending the church into the world to win and disciple people for Jesus, just like Jesus commanded.
Calvary wants to be a church who supports the many talents and gifts of the people in the church. We realise that church members are uniquely placed to engage with their own spheres of influence. This might be in sports, hobbies or career paths. We want to encourage people to put on their own events which are facilitated by the church but are unique to each persons sphere of influence.
Some possible examples include:
Church, start praying about what you can be doing in the run up to Easter and start talking to others about putting on joint events.
In the meantime, here are your social media Passion for Life icons – swap them for your normal icons so that we can raise awareness.
Easter is about new life, everlasting life and the freedom to live life to the full.
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
John 11:25 (The Bible)
We would be honoured to have you join us for our special Easter services:
Why is Good Friday so good?
Good Friday, 29th March at 10.30am
What’s so eggstraordinary about Easter? (Free Easter Eggs!)
Easter Sunday, 31st March at 10.30am
Bring the whole family – no one is too young or old to enjoy these Easter services. There will be free refreshments at the end of the services and free chocolate Easter Eggs on Sunday!
We look forward to giving you a warm welcome!
As we have been going through the Letter to the Ephesians in our “Deeper Church” series we have noticed that deeper churches are churches who are seeking intimacy with God in community. Deeper churches develop deep relationships with people who want to know God deeply. With that in mind we have started a group Bible Reading plan. Head over to FaithLife sign up for a free account and then visit our bible reading page where you’ll find each days reading. You can also download their app and use that instead.
After you’ve started reading why not post in the community notes what God is doing in you through the readings?
I just thought I’d take a few minutes to let you know that Sunday Night Live is coming up – 6th January at Costa in Portswood. For all of the conversations that you’ve been having over the Christmas period here is an excellent opportunity to expose people to the gospel in an informal setting.
Doors open at 7pm.
“…We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 NKJV.
This Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the one who brings peace – Jesus Christ. We would be honoured to have you join us for our Christmas Day Service on Tuesday 25th December at Calvary Southampton, Great Oaks School, Vermont Close, Southampton, SO16 7LT starting at 11.00am.
Bring the whole family – enjoy singing praises to God, hear a short Bible message – children bring along a present to show us too! Note: there will not be any children’s church, creche or youth services.
We look forward to giving you a warm welcome!
“…We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 NKJV.
This Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the one who brings peace – Jesus Christ. We would be honoured to have you join us for our Christmas Family Carol Service on Sunday 23rd December at Calvary Southampton, Great Oaks School, Vermont Close, Southampton, SO16 7LT starting at 6.30pm.
Bring the whole family – no one is too young or old to enjoy this hour of carols with a Christmas presentation, including participation from the young people of the church. There will be free mince pies and festive refreshments at the end of the service too.
We look forward to giving you a warm welcome!
We’re very excited to welcome T.A. McMahon to Calvary on 29th August 2012. Tom is president and executive director of The Berean Call ministry, editor-in-chief and contributing writer for The Berean Call newsletter, co-author of The Seduction of Christianity, America: The Sorcerer’s New Apprentice, Understand the Times , and author of Showtime for the Sheep? and Temporal Delusion .
Holder of a master’s degree in communications, he has researched and written numerous documentaries and scripted several feature films. His writing/producing for Christian videos includes The Cult Explosion, The God Makers, The New Age: Pathway to Paradise? The Evolution Conspiracy, A Woman Rides the Beast, Israel, Islam & Armageddon, and Psychology and the Church .
