Northfield Methodist Church

Dear Friends
Warm greetings.
We welcome you to worship today. As you may know, today is the second Sunday of Lent. We are very aware that many folk are not sure what Lent is all about. Here are a few thoughts that you may find helpful.

Dear Friends

Dear Friends,
We are approaching the most important week in the life of the Christian church. Next week is Palm Sunday which begins Holy Week. As we do every year, we are planning a special week of worship. We hope that you will participate as much as you are able in these events. We also pray that through our times of worship God will meet you in a transforming way. Here is an outline of the week's journey:
Monday, 6 April, 7pm    Linked to the Vine      Bill Meaker

Dear Friends
In our journey through Romans so far, Paul has focused mainly on trying to understand what Jesus has done for us. Now in Chapter 12 he focuses on the practical. If this is what Christ has done, THEREFORE, this is what we should DO, what we should BE, how we should BEHAVE. Chapter 12 is well worth reading and studying because it is one of the best descriptions in the New Testament of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
A "disciple" is a learner of pupil of Jesus. Discipleship does not begin with intellectual assent to a set of doctrines or obedience to a list of rules. At its centre it is a living relationship with Jesus. All we have to do is respond to Jesus two commands, to "follow me", and to become "fishers of men & women". (Luke 1:17)
We do this by

Dear Friends
TO PRAY IS TO CHANGE
During this past week Phil Togwell and Ian Newman have gently prodded us to engage in prayer seriously and sacrificially. This is the hope for our nation, our community, our families and ourselves.
For when we pray, the Presence of God is made real and Jesus' prayer "I in them and you in me" John 17:23 is born out in human flesh. Amazing things happen; people come to Christ, God-incidences occur more frequently and we are changed to become more like Jesus.
Real change happens when Jesus followers humble themselves, gather together in two and threes to pray, and dare to take Jesus seriously in seeking to live obediently to Him. The Kingdome comes on earth as it is in heaven.
Our prayer is that Northfielders will be stirred up in prayer and that we will see a new vigour in our life together as the People of God.
Much love to you all!

If you've ever attended one of the 18h30 services you'll remember an amazingly gifted singer by the name of Dirk Nel. He was part of the Contemporary Worship Team a few years back. His natural gifting was a real blessing and aid in our worship.

Dirk recently had the opportunity to record one of his songs, and has now distributed it. Country waiting to be born is the song, and I have uploaded it onto the Northfield site for you to listen to. Dirk is passionate about its message and that we spread it around.

Listen to it here.

Dear Friends
Warm greetings! I came across an article titled "Can we ever be accused of saying thank you too many times?" How would you respond? Personally I doubt whether it is possible to say thank you too many times. Somehow a thank you communicates warmth, gratitude and genuine appreciation. In this respect I wonder how God enjoyed our time of saying thank you as a congregation of Friday night? I wonder it it brought a smile to God's face. I think it did!

Dear Friends
Warm greetings!
By now you would have noticed that we are preparing as a congregation for our Pentecost Celebration on Sunday 11 May. Each Sunday we are giving attention to some aspect of the work of God's Spirit in our lives. We hope that you are finding it helpful. More importantly, we trust that our focus on the work of the Spirit will lead each one of us into a deeper experience of the Spirit.
During Pentecost Week we will also be offering a time each morning for us to get together to open ourselves more deeply to the Spirit. From Monday, 5 May until Sunday, 11 May we will be meeting in the Hope Chapel from 6am until 6.45 am for a time of worship, meditation and prayer. Afterwards there will be tea / coffee available.

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR WORSHIP

On Sundays, all Services will be at the usual times, with the following special Advent Season highlights:

FRIDAY 14 DECEMBER 2007

7.00pm - 'Jingle Bells' - An evening of Christmas Music for the whole family

SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER 2007

6.00pm - (Combined services) - Outdoor Christmas Carol service & meal

(Main alcove)

MONDAY 24 DECEMBER 2007

6.00pm - Crib Service

11.00pm - Christmas Eve Midnight Service (Communion)

TUESDAY 25 DECEMBER 2007

Christmas Day Services:

7.00am / 8.00am / 10.00am

SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER 2007

6.00pm - (Combined services) - Outdoor end of year service & meal

(Main alcove)