Myton Church - We are thankful!

We are thankful!


As we've worked through the book of 1 Thessalonians, I (Jackie) have been struck by Paul's celebration of the young believer's growth. They are messing up, we've seen that in chapter 4, and they haven't 'arrived' yet as there are repeated exhortations to keep growing but he is not embarrassed to tell them how he sees God at work in them.

In light of this example the elders at Myton were asked to describe, in a couple of lines, something they have found encouraging about the Church family response to these unusual times.

From left to right.
Top row: Kim Hubbard, Ed McMillen, Jerry Findlay
Bottom row: Andrew Morgan, Paul Tuckwell, Malcolm Boyd, Paul McKie

As there were some similarities in their responses they've been pulled together around some common threads. But they all contributed and all they all interpreted 'a couple of lines' differently!   

Corporate Prayer

'Given one of the goals the elders had at the beginning of the year was to strengthen the church's corporate prayer life it has been particularly encouraging to see the numbers who are coming together to pray.'
'God has been working through our prayers and it's been strengthening our relationship with him and each other.'
'And although honestly it's perhaps not in the centre of my comfort zone the social catch up at the end is a great way to meet people we haven't seen for ages.'

People's involvement in Church online.

'The variety of church members involved in contributing to our online church whether it's reading, praying, leading, preaching, sending in photos, organising children and youth events, contributing to the blog - it's wonderful that so many are using their time and gifts to encourage and serve others.'
'It's great to see many more people involved - it really emphasises the breadth and depth of the church family and that we are united in him.'
'The gracious, non-critical appreciation of the efforts made to make church 'work'.
'A spirit of thankfulness' and 'people listening and responding to the word of God.'

All of life

'As church is brought into people's homes it moves into every aspect of life - because it is in the living room it is not just about the school or Westbury. This is encouraging and a prayer for the Spirit to move through and into every part of people's lives and beyond.'
'Reaching out through links and social media.'

Relationships

People have been linking up virtually. Taking some of the church activities (e.g. housegroups and youth) and informal networks (e.g. coffee group) that already existed into the world of Zoom! New creative initiatives to informally connect people - who knew you could have a virtual pub!
'People looking to the needs of others and serving them sacrificially'.

And looking ahead.

'If we have grown in our dependence on God then how do we nurture that and encourage it to flourish.'
'Once back to some sort of normality, how can we give access (to services and prayer meetings) to those who cannot get out.'
'Keep building new relationships with new people as we return to meeting.'


2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 1:2-3)

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