I once rang an insurance company and the phone was answered straight away by a helpful human being. I was amazed. My usual experience – and I’m sure it’s yours too – is to be kept on hold for ages, while a computer reassures me that my call is important and may be recorded. Then I have to select various options and type in my account number, all of which information I have to repeat to the underpaid call centre worker who eventually answers. It’s no wonder I put off those calls as long as possible!If prayer is just communication with God, I sometimes find myself similarly reluctant to make the call. It’s not because I have to wait on the line or might not get through – it’s often that I just don’t feel like it, or don’t know what to say. At such times, I find just simple thank-you prayers are the way to get started. Saying thank you is such an easy thing to do, and there’s such a lot to thank God for when you think about it – the beauty of the natural world, our families, the roofs over our heads, our food, health, safety…Harvest Festival is the annual season of thanksgiving – for the crops safely gathered in, for the world we share, and for everything God gives us. Do come along on Sun 13th Oct at 4.00 pm to sing a few favourite Harvest hymns and add your thanks to God our Father. And of course you’re warmly welcome to all our services at Barmston Church. Service times this month are as follows:Sunday 6th Oct – Holy Communion at 9.30 amSunday 13th Oct – Harvest Family Service at 4.00 pmSunday 20th Oct – Holy Communion at 9.30 amOur weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel in Bridlington are at 11.00. They are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
On holiday in the Lake District last month, my daughter Lizzie and I were climbing up Scafell Pike. Although we’ve been up several times before, we took a very plausible left turn when we should have gone straight on. We ended up scrabbling up a steep scree slope and were glad to make it safely to the top. The thing is, we had a strong hunch earlier on that we’d missed our way but were reluctant to retrace our steps and have another go.God’s ancient people the Israelites were going astray from him once again – greedy for gain, practising deceit and promising each other peace when they were heading for disaster. God sent his prophet Jeremiah to tell them: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’ It’s just the same today: so many people follow their own badly laid road and lack the humility to turn back and look for the well-trodden path that God has laid out for us. The good news is that, while we draw breath, it’s not too late to admit our mistakes and change direction.Do join us for Sunday worship at Barmston Church – there’s always a warm welcome. Service times this month are as follows:Sunday 1st Sept – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 8th Sept – Family Service at 4.00 pmSunday 15th Sept – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 29th Sept – Holy Communion at 9.30 amOur weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel in Bridlington are at 11.00. They are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
As I write this, there’s a spell of unusually warm weather, and the beaches are packed with locals and visitors alike. I love to see people enjoying themselves on the sand and in the water just as they have for generations – ball games, sandcastles, swimming, with scarcely a phone in sight.On and off over the last 40 years, I’ve been involved in children’s holiday clubs, and this year is no exception. One of the stories we love to tell is the calling of Peter and the other disciples. It’s a seaside tale – Jesus is walking along the beach and sees these young men, fishermen, bringing in a catch or mending their nets. He gives a simple command – ‘Follow me’ – and they do, leaving their livelihoods and their baffled families behind. What was it about this man, what made him so compelling, that they would do that? I’m hoping the children hear the same voice calling them. What about you?Do join us if you can for our Summer Fun days for families, every Tuesday in August at the Village Hall from 10.45 am to 1.15 pm. It’s all free, and there will be lots of activities, games and crafts to join in with. As for Sundays, there is no Family Service in August, but we’d love to see you at our other regular services:Sunday 4th August – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 18th August – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel are at 11.00 and are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
