June 2009 Newsletter

Verse of the Month

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3;14

Focus

In May we heard the amazing news of a 65 year old man (Sir Ranulph Fiennes) reaching the summit of Mount Everest at the third attempt (Hope for you yet Stewart!). On the first attempt he had a heart attack - he’d already had triple by-pass surgery. On his second attempt he had to give up due to exhaustion. So we have to admire the determination of Sir Ranulph to conquer his mountain. On the 29th May, 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary became the first man, along with Tenzing Norgay, to stand on the summit of Everest. Again, he had failed several times but never gave up. On one occasion he had said “I’ll defeat you yet, because you’re as big as you’re going to get - but I’m still growing.” And eventually he did succeed. 

I’m reminded of Caleb. He was one of only two spies, (Joshua was the other) who gave a favourable report of the “Promised Land” (Numbers 13 & 14). One of the places the spies reached in Canaan was Hebron (Ch. 13 v 22) which must have made a great impression on Caleb. Ten of the spies, of course , brought an evil report and the children of Israel spent a further 40 years in the desert. How disappointed and discouraged he must have been. He had said “Let us go up at once we are able to overcome it. (Ch.13 v.30). His confidence was placed entirely in God. “The Lord is with us, do not fear” (ch. 14 v. 9) I’m sure that’s why he never gave up. When he was a spy he was 40 years old. He then spent 40 years in the desert and a further 5 years fighting to possess Canaan. 

So, in Joshua ch. 14, when 85 years old he reached Hebron again. He recounted God’s promise to him - through Moses “ the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children for ever, because you have fully followed the Lord my God”(Ch.14 v.9). So his cry to Joshua was “give me this mountain” (v.12). And from then on Hebron became his inheritance and that of his family.

It was his INHERITANCE. We too have an INHERITANCE. - not just future, but now. It’s a wonderful inheritance. - look, for example, at Col. Ch. 1. “The inheritance of the saints in the light”. (v.12). What have we done to possess it?

Are we still trying - depending on the Lord, or have we given up. Hillary and Fiennes did not let failure put off their earthly goal. Caleb persevered to possess a God given inheritance. Let us all continue to win all that the Lord has for us knowing that “The Lord is with us. Do not fear.”

For Your Information

SUNDAYS

18.30 - Evening Service
7th: D. Rollo - TCF 
14th: T Grayston - TCF
21st: KidzSLOT Prize Giving
         (Light Refreshments afterwards)
28th: D. Brown (Jun.) - TCF

12.45 - kidzSLOT*

13.00 - 14.00 - kidzone* (Hayocks Community Hall)

THURSDAYS

19.30 - Prayer + 
4th: Bible Teaching - H Welsh (Kilwinning)
11th: Bible Teaching - H Welsh (Kilwinning) 
18th: TBA 
25th: TBA

FRIDAYS 

Anytime 10.30 - 12.00 - Coffee Morning 

Special Events This Month

KIDZONE PRIZEGIVING & PARENTS’ DAY
13.00 at Hayocks Community Hall.
Buffet lunch will be provided. All welcome.
Guest Speaker - Gordon McCracken (Glasgow).

CURRIE COURT 
at 15.00 (Ardrossan) 

Other News This Month

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
The young folk have, and continue to appreciate prayers for them during the exam period. Let us continue to uphold each other in this vital lifeline for those especially near and dear to us in Hospitals, Nursing Homes, restricted to their own homes, etc. Communication in prayer knows no barrier. Keep yourself informed to pray intelligently.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY
We send our sincere congratulations to Minnie Stewart who will be 90 years old on the 19th.

JEAN McDERMOTT
Our sister was called into the presence of her Lord on 28th May, a few weeks short of her 103rd birthday. We are sure many of you will have precious memories of a vibrant Christian and we will miss her but know she is enjoying what she has looked forward to for a long time now.“At Home with the Lord”.