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.
We made it safely to and from Kenya for our volunteer trip and had a wonderful time. The primary school we support is expanding to include junior secondary classrooms on the same site, and we helped to dig the foundations, construct new desks, repaint blackboards, paint murals and organise the school library. Out of many highlights, one was visiting a new five-acre site deep in the countryside which one day will be the location of a senior secondary school. The plan is that older children will be able to leave the cramped confines of the slum and board in the fresh air, finishing their education in a much better environment. As we planted trees and nailed corrugated iron sheets to a simple building, we enjoyed the heady scent of lemons that pervades the site.Thinking about it all a week later I’m reminded of the Bible verse which reads:The Lord brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18: 19We look forward to this dream becoming a reality. More information on the charity we were working with can be found at https://www.tabsinternational.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/TabsinternationalAs promised, you’ll see in this issue an advert for our Summer Fun activity days (Tuesdays in August) at the Village Hall. They are all free, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Do come! And do join us for our services in Barmston Church in July:Sunday 7th July – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 14th July – Family Service at 4.00 pm.Sunday 21st July – 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.
