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Thanks for
visiting us - you're most welcome to browse through the
pages here which show a glimpse into the life of Forest Gate
Church. If you can, why not join us mid week or on the
weekend sometime - you'd be most welcome.
I spent a
few days recently with my wife on a nature reserve on a
volcanic island. Stunning scenery but so dry and barren as
they had not seen rain for over a year. The brown dry plants
were alive, but only just. Yet in the middle of this
desert landscape was a reservoir of water - and the area
around it was green and lush with all sorts of plant life -
what a contrast. There were flowers and even fruit around
the water, but life struggled everywhere else.
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Steve Jones
Pastor
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Jesus met
a woman who was also dry. She was at a well and Jesus said
that her thirst was for living water and not physical water.
She had gone through 5 husbands and was now living with yet
another man. Her emotional dryness was manifest as
dysfunction in her relationships and sexual behaviour.
She was looking to satisfy an inner dryness, and was looking
in the wrong places. In our society today, we
have so many types of dysfunction, but I believe they're
rooted in inner dryness too. Think of eating disorders - are
they not dysfunction from dryness in our our self-esteem and
lack of value? The dysfunction of substance abuse - is
that not an outward sign of inner emotional and relational
dryness? What about anxiety and depression - are they not
rooted in part at least in a dryness of hope and security?
Are these things not symptoms of deep needs in us not being
met?
The good
news is that Jesus brings living water - an He invites us to
drink it. It is our daily choice to drink, not just a one
time quick fix, and as we drink from His well of life, our
perspective changes, our priorities will be affected - this
water will overflow and affect all of our lives. It isn't
safe or predictable so don't think it's an easy life, but as
our deep spiritual dryness is met, the root of our
dysfunction can be addressed. Jesus broke all
stereotypes talking to this woman - ignoring tradition and
labels. He spoke into her dryness - will you let Him speak
into yours?
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| Aspects Of Love
Teaching Series |
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We've just started a new
teaching series - focussing on God's love to us as evidenced
by Jesus. Jesus didn't just talk about love, he was love. He
was God's love made in fleshly form. We're taught in
scripture to love AS Christ loved, therefore in this series
we look at how Jesus interacted with others... and therefore
how we can learn what love looks like in real practical
ways.
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| What are you viewing
online? |
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With today's amazing
communications opportunities, we have access to material way
beyond any other generation before us. Yet the truth is that
sometimes we can be addicted to material that isn't so
healthy, isn't so constructive, and that feeds a dark part
of our lives that we aren't so proud of. Pornography damages
us, our relationships and our families, so will you be
accountable to someone else for what you're looking at?
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| WATOTO Children's Choir
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We are delighted to once
again welcome the Watoto Children's Choir to the Forest of
Dean. They are with us for one night only on
Saturday May 26th from
7pm at Dene Magna School, with their new show, 'Beautiful
Africa'. What a pleasure to see if you've not
encountered these children with stories of faith and courage
that will melt our hearts. Tickets are free but MUST
be reserved at
www.watotointheforest.org
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| Pentecost Prayer Event |
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Along with several other
Churches throughout the Forest of Dean, we are meeting on
Pentecost Sunday May 27th
for a time of prayer for our region. You're welcome to join
us...
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Youth Weekend Away
Hey young people... we have an
exciting weekend away coming up in June. Do you want
to come to Brecon with us?
FRIENDSHIP
LEARNING
ADVENTURE |
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| Sunday Evening Ministry
Service |
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Each month we have a
Sunday evening prayer and ministry time. If you'd like to
come and spend time in worship and prayer, you'd be most
welcome. Alyson leads a prayer team where we pray and lay
hands on people as requested. The next service is
June 10th, 6.30pm and we
will spend less time in worship to devote more time to
corporate and specific prayer. |
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Last Week's Message:
In His Image
Dave Stephens 13th May 2012
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