Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Felbridge
ISSUE 4
Welcome
All change - well, its not actually all change, but there
have been a few things changing recently at St. Johns as
we seek to position ourselves in the best place for the work
God has called us to.
Inside this issue youll find details about the changes to the
interior of our church to maximise the potential and use of
the amazing building God has given us. Youll also find out
whats changed with our childrens and youth groups and
our Sunday services, as well as stories of work going on in
Uganda and Cambodia to bring change to peoples lives in
these parts of the world.
Things are changing rapidly in the world around us, many things for good, and some not so good.
But the message of the Bible stays the same. It holds us fast in a changing world. Heres a bit about
what the children at St. Johns are discovering and learning this year...
OUT OF THIS WORLD
has been going from strength to strength with new children and
friends coming along. The group is for those aged between 3
and 11 and is a jam-packed, fun-filled three-quarters of an hour.
We play games, watch videos, sing songs, create crafts and
through all these various activities we explore Bible stories and
themes. Our aim is that the children will learn more about God in
a fun and safe environment.
BIBLE OVERVIEW
We have recently started a new teaching series exploring the
stories of the Bible beginning with Creation, then moving through
the Old Testament and from there through the New Testament as
we discover more about Jesus life, death and resurrection, and
about the experiences of the very first Christians. By following this
overview our hope is that the children will see how Gods plan of
salvation is worked out through the whole Bible.
JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE DVDS
Were using these as part of the teaching, which pull out the
main stories from the Bible and use aminations to retell them.
Theyre short and engaging clips presenting the stories in a childappropriate manner. The children love them and learn so much
from them! At the end of each story there is a clear link to the
life of Jesus, showing the children how the whole Bible points to
Jesus as our King and Saviour. Through discussions and activities
the children explore how each story applies to them in their lives.
OUR HOPE
is that the children will remember these stories as they grow and
develop and that through them their knowledge of God and
relationship with Him will deepen, that they will experience for
themselves His love and forgiveness, and fulfil their potential as
His children. So, the whole story of the Bible in just a year and a
half! Maybe that sounds rather ambitious to you? Well, we want
to have great ambitions and hopes for the children as we teach
them about God and where they fit into His story for the world.
ALL CHILDREN
are very welcome to come and try out our groups which run
during our 10am service, whether you are normally churchgoers or not. There is a real sense of friendship within the group,
with the children caring for each other and the older children
looking out for the younger ones. And its a joy to see young lives
changed and lasting friendships formed. Proverbs 22 verse 6
says,
Start the children off on the way they should go, and even when
they are old they will not turn from it.
Please pray with us that the children who meet together will
continue in what they have learnt about God for the rest of their
lives.
Our team of childrens leaders are all DBS checked and receive
Safeguarding training. In addition to our Out of this World group,
we also run a Crche for 0-2s during the 10am service.
Sunday services at 10am and 6pm (and 8am on the 2nd & 4th Sundays)
MAXIMISING THE
POTENTIAL OF OUR
CHURCH BUILDING
WHAT WEVE DONE AND WHY?
Before
St. Johns was built in 1865 and the last major alterations to the interior of the
church were in 1972/4. We are so grateful for a superb church building here in
Felbridge that has been used to the glory of God for 150 years! But we had also
became increasingly aware of its limitations.
Thats why we undertook a project to update the interior of the church to
maximize its potential and use. We have upgraded the seating, heating, flooring,
lighting and audio-visual system.
INCREASED FLEXIBILITY
The building was being used for only 3-4 hours per week, but the increased
flexibility concerning the sorts of meetings and events the church can be used for
will enable us to make the very best use of the church throughout the week.
After
INCREASED CAPACITY
St. Johns is a relatively small church building and it had pews to seat 130 people.
We are regularly over 80% full at our 10am service and the changes to the interior
has now increased our capacity to up to 180-200 chairs.
A BUILDING THAT SPEAKS
Buildings speak whether we like it or not and we are very pleased with the new
feel of the church. The changes have enhanced the building, bringing to the
fore the attractive stonework and original features, and creating an uplifting and
vibrant space that speaks of the life to the full that Jesus came to offer to all
(John 10:10).
Before
IMPROVED ACCESS
The flexible space and removal of steps and levels in a number of places has
made the building more accessible and welcoming to those with wheelchairs or
buggies, and those who are less mobile.
RENEWED FACILITIES
Replacing our heating, lighting and audio-visual system was a real and immediate
concern and the up-to-date technology and equipment are already making a real
difference to what we are able to do.
After
Before
We are very grateful to the contractors for their work and expertise, to the
members of the church who gave their time in a variety of ways to make this
happen, and to Imberhorne School for allowing us to meet there while the work
was taking place. We are also very grateful to those members of the church who
have given in the past to our building projects that has enabled us to pay for this
renovation work.
After
Before
After
Before
After
years. Before he died, he was able to carry out the first edit of
this new book written by Peter May. Peter was a close friend
of Stephens and spoke at his funeral, paying tribute to him.
Stephen edited the book just before he went into hospital for
the last time, having also discussed it with Peter for a number
of years prior to this as the ideas for the book were coming
together. He endorsed it enthusiastically and Stephen and
Mandy have prayed the book into being over the years.
Stephen shared this passion for effective evangelism and
apologetics that Peter May speaks about in the book, and that
Joe Clease has led us to think about through our Lent Course
this year. This passion began for Stephen as a student during
his days as President of CICCU (Cambridge Inter Collegiate
Christian Union) and many of us will be so aware of how
Stephen put this into practice throughout all aspects of his
life and ministry. His desire was to point people to the Lord
who had transformed his life and who had given him immense
strength and unwavering hope in the face of death.
In Memory of Stephen
Speaking at Stephens
funeral service,
churchwarden Andy
Brown reminded us that
pervading all that Stephen
did as vicar of Felbridge
was both his loving
pastoral care through
which he modelled the
Christian life for us; and
the priority he gave to
proclaiming the good
news of Jesus by faithfully
and relevantly teaching
the Bible.
It is therefore hugely appropriate that the money given
at Stephens funeral in memory of him has been used to
purchase the new set of NIV 2011 church Bibles. We are
delighted to have these available for all to use as we begin life
in our newly refurbished church. May all be persuaded of the
truth about Jesus they find inside!
John 17:17 Jesus says to God, his Father, Your word is truth!
Brenda particularly liked the idea that the children were reached
through the puppet shows as we have Bruno and Soli at
St. Johns to help us teach our young people about Jesus.
She concludes: Through the Connected Church Scheme we will
learn about many more lives that have been transformed by WRC
and we will be hearing about projects that need our prayers. It
will be such an encouragement for us to know that our prayers
and financial support are helping to bring about these changes.
As a Tearfund Connected Church, we will be sharing regular
updates about WRC as we receive them.
01342 314027
office@stjohnsfelbridge.com
www.stjohnsfelbridge.com