All posts by Matt

Whose Flag Do You Sail Under?

Parish News

A flag can signal or indicate a number of things. A country’s flag, a white flag of surrender or a flag of convenience, used on ships where registration is under a country other than the owner’s country. It can be used as a courtesy, as a ship sails into a foreign port, it will often raise the flag of that country as a mark of respect. We put flags at half-mast when sad events happen, or the Royal Pennant is flown over the House the Queen occupies.

Now the Bible in Song of Songs (Ch 2 v 4) talks of a different flag, a banner, not just a piece of material but ‘His banner over me is love’. Alternatively, Jesus’ banner, or covering, over me (and you) is love.

So, in Song of Songs we get the Flag of Flags! The picture given is of a banquet in a delightful shade and we can imagine the banner on the wall behind the table not only says love but is love in action. In that place we can feel the love of God in His goodness and grace for us.

But there are other flags such as a pirate ship would show, the skull and crossbones. The ship of death flying the flag of destruction. These ships carry the cargo of materialism, selfishness, evil and world values on a voyage to the rocks of ruin. They sail close to the wind, the ship of chance but never reaching a good port. If we are not careful we can be part of that overloaded ship, the ship that will turn turtle on our lives and cast us to a watery end.

The flag of the skull and crossbones or the banner of Jesus’ love. What would you put on the Jesus flag that you design to signify Him? Then when you have finished your design would you be happy to sail your life under that flag?

Whose flag do you sail under now?

Pastor Jim Beveridge

SQUEEZE BREAKFAST CLUB

As the Song of Songs verse ‘His banner over me is love’ was our theme for October it was fitting that we had Yvonne Taylor join us for the morning. Yvonne is a banner worship leader at Crowhurst Home of Healing and she spent time showing us how to make banners that we could use in our worship time. Some of our youngsters made musical tubes and tambourines using bells and streamers. We were also encouraged to write our praises to God on a praise bunting to be displayed in church. It was lovely to have Yvonne demonstrate worship dance using the banners and there was even opportunity, for those brave enough, to try worship dance for ourselves.

We always have fun, so do join us for our next Squeeze on Sunday 3rd November from 10.00am at Herstmonceux Village Hall where, at no cost, both breakfast and treasure waits to be found!

STARGAZER – CONSIDER THE LILIES

Parish News

Have you seen the colourful Stargazer Lilies in people’s gardens? With the fine weather, they are tall, multi-bloomed flowers that sway in the breeze. The lily does not struggle, it does not have a worried look, it is there to grow and be beautiful.

Jesus, in the warmth of the Holy Land noticed them. So one day, on a Mount, He said “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not neither do they spin.” (Matthew 6v28). He tries to show us in His flower picture how to be free. Free of what? – our cares, anxieties about how we look and how we dress. Rather we should be dressed, or covered, in His peace and rest in His light. Then your face will reflect His beauty.

Graham Kendrick, the songwriter, wrote of Jesus ‘Having hands that flung stars in space’. How was that possible? Because Jesus was there at Creation. The lilies in our gardens at night can gaze at the stars. The Stargazer Lily blooms can glisten in the starlight and reflect the moonlight. Jesus says of this simple lily that even Solomon in all his glory was not adorned like one of them.

So, today do not strive to be a follower of fashion, rest with Jesus and gaze at the maker of heaven and earth. You may not be the only Stargazer in your garden – “Consider the lilies of the field…”

Pastor Jim Beveridge

 

SQUEEZE BREAKFAST CLUB

September Squeeze had a theme of giving our worries to God because He cares for us. There was opportunity to make origami lilies and fan water lilies in keeping with Jim’s talk. Also, flowers that when placed on water opened up their petals to symbolise us opening up and giving our worries to God. Everyone got involved with the ‘hunt the cuddly toys, draw them and rearrange words to find a text’, sounds complicated but was great fun so expect to see another version soon.

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The next Squeeze will be on Sunday 6th October from 10.00am at the village hall and all are warmly invited to this free of charge event. The theme will be “His banner over me is love”, do join us if you can.

Joint Ventures

Parish News

It is good to join with others and do things together. Here at Herstmonceux Free Church we enjoy getting together with the Parish Churches of Herstmonceux and Wartling. When there is a fifth Sunday in the month, we join for a united service. Our last such meeting was at the end of June at the Free Church when we all enjoyed a barbeque provided and expertly cooked by Raymond James. About 30 of us feasted enthusiastically on farm shop sausages and burgers before others joined us for the united service.

Pastor Jim Beveridge gave us ‘food for thought’ as he pointed out different aspects of feasting in the bible. Proverbs tells us that a happy heart has a continual feast (Prov. 15v15), but also that a dry crust with peace and quiet is better than a house full of feasting with strife (Prov.17v1). Jesus is able to take our strife and problems and give us peace as we feast. He is able to refresh our dryness. On one occasion, following his death and resurrection, Jesus prepared a barbeque of fish and bread for his disciples, where not only was there a feast but also restoration for Peter (see John chapter 21).

Jim finished by inviting us to place our order from Jesus’ menu.

ROCKY ROAD HOLIDAY CLUB

Another opportunity to get together has been the holiday club this week. Children and adults alike have greatly enjoyed Clyde the camel guiding us through the life of Moses from baby to the parting of the Red Sea. Over the three days, Clyde has discovered that God is both a God of Love and a God of Power and is to be relied upon. We have all had great fun playing games, making things and discovering new treasures each day in our treasure boxes. Thanks to all the children and leaders for making holiday club such fun!

SQUEEZE BREAKFAST CLUB

This month Squeeze falls on Sunday 1st September, so why not start the month having breakfast with us at the village hall from 10 am onwards. Our theme is based on the verse in 1 Peter 5v7 “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you”. Come and have a relaxed morning joining in with crafts or chatting with friends as you choose. We look forward to welcoming you.

 ALPHA COURSE

Finally, I would like to highlight the next Alpha course at Scolfes’ Restaurant, Boreham Street, which begins on Wednesday 25th September at 7 pm. If you have questions or curiosity about Jesus and the Christian faith come along and enjoy a light meal and discussion in welcoming surroundings. Thanks to Jim and Kitty Bond for once again making this venue available and providing the hospitality. Any enquiries please contact Richard Steven or me Sylvia Catt.