Hello everyone,
Welcome to the latest issue of our church newsletter. Our newsletter is sent out regularly to share reflections from services, Bible readings and church news to our church family. You can find previous issues on our church website here.
We would love to hear from you and are always looking for uplifting and encouraging content to share in future issues of this newsletter. If you have any ideas or content that we can share, please do email them to Louise (publicity@christchurchuxbridge.org.uk)
Opening Prayer
Loving God,
I come to worship you this day – ready to notice your presence.
As I place my hands against my chest, I am reminded to love you with all my heart and I share with you in the silence my feelings as I meet with you.
As I place my hands on my tummy, I recognise that I am invited to love you with my soul.
And I come to you again thinking about your call on my life – what drives me and gives me purpose for your work.
I take a moment to roll my hands into balls and think of how I apply all my strength and resolve as I approach you with love.
Finally, as I put a hand on my head, I give thanks for all I know, all I can learn and all I can share. My mind is yours, O Lord.
Loving God, as I worship this day, I come loving you with all my heart and soul and strength and mind, just as the ancients did before and generations will to come.
Amen
(Taken from The Vine)
Reflection from 7 April
Reading – John 20: 19-31
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
I wonder one week after Easter are our lives any different? Where are we living – are we living in the freedom of Jesus’s resurrection or we are still living behind the closed doors of our lives? And if it isn’t different in any way this morning, what are the closed doors of our lives, our hearts, and our minds?
According to the Gospel reading that we heard, the disciples, just like us, were hiding behind closed doors. They were hiding from the fear of the Jewish leaders. Before Jesus was arrested and crucified, the last thing that the disciples did was that they fled. They fled and they denied the Christ. They said, “we do not know him,” and Jesus died, was buried and he was resurrected, yet the disciples were still living in fear; they were still hiding in the unknown.
It is in the context of their doubts and their fears and their unbelief that Jesus appeared to them behind those closed doors. He, first of all, showed himself to Mary Magdalene, who went and told them: “I saw the Christ, he is alive!” Did they believe it? Yet Jesus being all-loving, all-knowing and kind decided to visit his disciples and appeared to them in the closed room.
I’m very surprised at the reaction of Jesus when he saw his disciples; the disciples who deserted him, who denied him, who lost their faith in him even before he died for them; that when he saw them he did not say “where were you when I was being tortured?” He did not say, “why didn’t you come for me?”; he did not say, “why have you abandoned me?” He looked at them, and the first words he spoke were, “Peace be with you.” John writes, “Then they were glad when they saw the Lord.”
Of course there is something good about saying in Christ Jesus; there is always a delight in knowing that Christ is with us. There is always that joy to know that yes, he died, but he is risen to life again in us, but what Jesus meant by saying, “peace be with you” is to say, “I have forgiven you. It does not matter what you did to me. I have forgiven you” and this morning he is saying the same to me and you sitting here. He said, “I have forgiven you; go and do likewise.”
There is a total joy when there is forgiveness. Not just for the person who forgives, but also for the one who is forgiven: the joy of knowing that we have crossed that bridge and we can move on. In my personal life, I had had several experiences that have brought me to the place where I tell myself if there is only one thing that I would do, is not to harbour any pain in me at the end of every day. When I let go of that, I feel very light and very happy, not because I want the person who offended me to be become my close friend again, but because I know Christ has forgiven me on daily basis, despite everything.
After Jesus has forgiven his disciples and given them hope, he did something else. He says, “I sent you.” This is a group of frightened people. These disciples were people who did not even believe fully in Christ at that point. They knew him, they had walked with him, they had eaten with him, they had drunk with him and yet they did not know him because they were afraid, and he said to them, “I am sending you.”
As I sat to meditate on this part of the scripture the only thing that the Holy Spirit spoke to me about is that there is no prequalification for us to go and forgive. You don’t need to be a qualified minister, you don’t need even to be a Christian, but you need to be a human being to know that it is okay to forgive. There is no pre-qualification. Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” It almost sounds like when Jesus met the cripple at the gate and said, “take up your mat and rise up and walk.” He’s sending us regardless of where we think we are in our faith this morning: go and speak to somebody about forgiveness.
And then finally he did something else that astonished me. The scripture said he breathed on them. In a sense the disciples in that locked room are dead and lifeless. They are dead in their denial of Jesus Christ, they are dead in their sins and the way they have let God down in many ways, and Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jesus is reminding us about how creation happened and the way he breathed on a clay and life came into it.
When Paul wrote to the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:5 he said that even though we were dead because of our sins, God gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead, and, in receiving the forgiving power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples had the strength, the ability, the heart to be able to do everything that pertains to godliness and righteousness.
As I prepare to bring my reflection to a close, I just want to ask you and myself this morning: where are we hiding in our lives? The disciples were hiding behind closed doors. Today in our world there are walls, there are ceilings – if we look at this church, how high and beautiful the ceilings are – there are walls that are hedging us in, there are doors that prevent us from going out to the Lord, places in our lives are always more than what we think. There is more about us that inside we have locked, even though outside we look okay. We have smiles, but inside we are locked down because of things unspoken.
Maybe, just like the disciples, your locked room is fear; maybe it is a question of disbelief, or the condition of the places of our faith. Perhaps it is the sorrow of a loss and the wounds of those losses are so deep that it doesn’t seem that there is any way to walk out through those doors. For some it may be an issue of anger and resentment, or it may be that they don’t have the power simply to open the door and step up, but I have a good news for us this morning: that Jesus is always entering into our locked places and he comes entering our locked places to take us out. Sometimes this is unexpected, and other times it may be uninvited or even unwanted. We might tell him, “we don’t want you now, Christ, just stay there and when I’m ready I’ll come back to you.”
He doesn’t open the door for us, but he gives us all we need to open the door and that is the peace of God, and that is the Holy Spirit. He says, “I have given you what the Father has given me, which is forgiveness. I have forgiven you and I have also given you the Holy Spirit to rise up and open the door and walk out.”
Christ is standing with us this morning and he’s saying, “peace be with you.” Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus is showing up, bringing us life, offering us life, embodying life in us. Jesus comes to us in our fears, our debt, our inadequacies, our failing state and he says, “Peace be with you. As the father has sent me so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit and you are blessed because you believe in me.”
Let us pray: Father, we thank you you because you have forgiven us and also you have given us the Holy Spirit. We thank you because we are able to step out of our locked rooms into the place to proclaim your word your peace and your love. Do you feel afraid? Jesus says, “peace be with you.” Do you feel you have let God down? Jesus says, “peace be with you.” Do you hear God calling in you? Jesus says, “I am sending you.” Do you feel empty or inadequate? Jesus says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Have you been shutting God out of your life? Jesus says, “peace be with you.” Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet they have come to believe.” Amen.
Genevieve Musey
Reflection from 14 April
Reading – Luke 24: 36-49
Think about some of your favourite series of books, radio programmes, television programmes, or films – how do they keep you coming back for more? Often, writers will use a “cliff-hanger” at the end of one episode, book, or film to make the audience (whether they’re a viewer, listener, or reader) tune in again next time to find out what happens next. How many of us have stayed up far too late because we had to read the next chapter or see the next episode to find out what happened.
The older of us may remember the “Who shot J.R.?” drama in Dallas and they strung that one out for ages. And I do hate it when they leave you with a cliff-hanger at the end of a TV series then never make the next series. What are your favourite cliff hangers?
During the weeks following Easter, we often find ourselves asking, “What happens next?” There’s a bit of a lull once we’ve read the Easter story and we await Pentecost on 19th May for the next bit of the story, or do we have to wait that long? The Gospels – whether intentionally or simply through the editing process – lead us through a series of cliff-hangers following the resurrection; after the scene in the garden, after the road to Emmaus, and again and again and again until we reach Ascension (and then Pentecost). You may find it worthwhile to reflect on the fact that, while we know what happens next, the first disciples obviously didn’t, leading to the doubt that’s illustrated in the verses from Luke.
We can experience “What happens next?” moments in our lives; moments in our lives when we’re left asking “What happens next?” After a relationship ends, after a someone dies, after losing a job. Or big life changes like moving house, leaving school to start another. Where do we find comfort and support in those moments? Hopefully through the love and support from God, of our fellow Christians, friends and family, and through prayer and Bible study. God does not promise to make it all better or make it all clear, he can’t find you a job or take the grief away. But he promises to be with you.
As congregations, sometimes we also face “What happens next?” moments. We have a vacancy, and in a couple of weeks we will have a prospective minister come and we will need to decide if they are the right minister for us. It’s a big decision. We will need to listen for guidance from the Holy Spirit about the next steps God wants us to follow.
In the Gospels we see Jesus easing his followers through the transition by appearing them. There are 8 documented appearances:
First, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16: 9). Mary was weeping at the tomb, thinking she had lost Jesus forever. Jesus appeared and brought victory over despair.
Second, Jesus appeared to other women as they were leaving the tomb (Matthew 28: 9-10). They thought he was dead, but he appeared to them, and they worshipped him there. Jesus brought victory over death.
Third, Jesus met up with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-32). This is one of my favourites. These men were talking about all the week’s events surrounding Jesus. They didn’t understand what had happened. Jesus talked with them and stayed with them until they understood. Jesus brought victory over confusion.
Fourth, Jesus appeared to 10 disciples who were hiding together (Luke 24 :36-43; John 20: 19-25). These disciples were afraid of what might happen to them since Jesus had been killed. Jesus brought victory over fear.
Fifth, Jesus appeared to all 11 remaining disciples (Mark 16: 14; John 20: 26-31). Thomas, who had doubted Jesus’ resurrection, was with them this time. Jesus brought victory over doubt.
Sixth, Jesus appeared to seven disciples, including Peter, who had denied Jesus three times (John 21). At this appearance, Jesus shows Peter he is forgiven. Jesus brought victory over failure.
Seventh, Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples at a pre-arranged location on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28: 16-20). There Jesus told them he had been given all power and authority. He gave his followers the great commission to make disciples. Jesus brought victory over any other power.
Eighth, Jesus finally appeared to as many as 500 of his followers at one time. He confirmed the completion of his mission and the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3-8). Jesus had victory over all things.
There have been times in my life when things have felt very bad, where I have felt alone and far from God. I’ve tried to lean on Jesus at this time and it didn’t feel like it was working. Times when I have cried out – why me? What next? How do I deal with this? Like when my son was in a mental health unit or my Dad was deep in the grips of dementia. Tough times, but I do however have a 100% record of getting to the end of each day. I can also look back and see how God was at work in my life at most of those desperately hard times. There are some that God will have to explain to me later and I like many have found solace in a poem about footprints, maybe you will too.
Joanne Mackin
Readings for 21 April
John 10: 11-18
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Further readings from the lectionary this week are as follows:
- Psalm 23
- Acts 4: 5-12
- 1 John 3: 16-24
Our worship
We meet at 11am for our Sunday services, which are also live-streamed on our YouTube channel. If you wish to view our services online, you can find them at https://www.youtube.com/@christchurchuxbridge
You can also view a recent service on our church website. Our service this week will be led by Christ Church member and trainee URC lay preacher, Neil Mackin. You can find the order of service here.
If you are unable to join us in person or online for our Sunday services, but would like to receive a recording of them on a memory stick to watch at home, please let us know.
Please note that there will be no service at Christ Church on Sunday 28 April as there will be a joint service at Ickenham URC at 11am on this day.
Forthcoming services
21 April – Neil Mackin (Christ Church member and trainee URC lay preacher)
28 April – Preach with a view joint service at Ickenham URC
5 May – Neil Mackin (Christ Church member and trainee URC lay preacher)
12 May – Christ Church worship group – parade
From the Circuit
Revd Dong Hwan Kim farewell service
Revd Dong will be leaving the Circuit this year, so to celebrate his time with us, the Circuit is holding a Farewell Service at Ruislip Manor Methodist Church on Sunday 28th April at 4pm, which will be followed by refreshments.
If you are interested in attending, please inform the Circuit Office via email or on 01895 622 758, so they can get a good estimate of the number of attendees.
Richard Reid’s 40 Years of Preaching
To celebrate Richard Reid’s 40 years of preaching milestone, look forward to a special Circuit service at North Harrow Methodist Church, Pinner Road, HA2 6EQ, at 4pm on Sunday 2nd June. Everyone is welcome to attend.
CTU Bible Study
Join us on a pilgrimage with THE PSALMS OF ASCENT (Psalms 120-134) using the Friendly Bible Study format, and with reflections from A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
Wednesdays from April 24th to May 29th
13:15 – 14:15 at the Quaker Meeting House, York Road, Uxbridge.
All welcome. For more information, please contact Mike Beranek at mikeberanek8@gmail.com or by telephone on 07757 775625.
People Connex Carvery Lunches
People Connex are organising two carvery lunches at the Water’s Edge in Ruislip with visiting speakers attending, on the following dates:
Thursday 25 April, 11.15am – 3.15pm with two speakers: John Symons on tracing your family history and Hayes GP Reva Gudi on health issues.
Thursday 23 May, 11.15am – 3.15pm with two speakers: Hillingdon Disability Nurse and Janine Anderson on the history of medicine.
The cost will be £25 per lunch. To book a place on one or both of these lunches please contact Jeremy Child (07734 955115 / jeremy.child@communityconnex.co.uk)
Dates for your diary
| 24 April | CTU Bible study starts |
| 27 April | Preach with a view social event |
| 28 April | Preach with a view joint service at Ickenham |
| Farewell service for Revd Dong Hwan Kim at Ruislip Manor Methodist Church | |
| 1 May | Welcome Wednesday |
| 15 May | Welcome Wednesday |
| 19 May | Congregational Meeting |
| 29 May | Welcome Wednesday |
| 12 June | Welcome Wednesday |
| 26 June | Welcome Wednesday |
| 10 July | Welcome Wednesday |
| 24 July | Welcome Wednesday |
| 7 August | Welcome Wednesday |
| 21 August | Welcome Wednesday |
| 4 September | Welcome Wednesday |
| 8 September | Congregational Meeting |
| 18 September | Welcome Wednesday |
| 24 November | Congregational Meeting |
Children’s Corner
Crack the code to find the phrase of power.
Praying for other churches
This week we hold the following churches in our prayers:
- Those involved in worship across the Circuit and LAG.
- Our Lady of Lourdes & St Michael, Uxbridge
Closing prayer
God of all grace and wisdom,
Show me what is mine to do this day
help me to see clearly where it is my place to step forward,
and where it is appropriate for me to step back.
Teach me to follow in your footsteps as a Good Shepherd in my family, community and world.
Amen.
(Taken from The Vine)
