CHURCH NEWS - OCTOBER 2000
From the Rectory
October 2000
ODELL PARISH MAGAZINE - October 2000
- CHURCH NEWS
Dear Friends,
Once again I am struck by the logical sequence of the questions raised by the BBC Today programme last December. Last month we dealt with the question of whether there is a tangible heaven. As we answered in the affirmative it is logical to ask what is heaven like? So the next question raised is, "Is there free will in heaven?" Underlying the question is the point whether those who enter heaven become robots. The question seems to imply that man has a problem in obeying God’s will.
In order to try to come to grips with the question we shall need to return to the opening chapters of Genesis where we read of the creation of man. Man was created in the image of God. Man was a self-conscious, free, responsible person made for fellowship with God. Arising from the grace of the creation, man was under obligation to love and serve God. Man was created good. He was upright and holy and therefore able to respond freely to the obligation and to maintain a personal relationship with God.
Although man was created in a way that enabled him to obey God and to fulfil all his obligations, he was not absolutely established in that way. Man had the power to obey but he also had the power to disobey. If he had obeyed God, there is no doubt that man would have been established in this but man chose to disobey. That changed man from a person who was able to chose good in relation to God and created for him a natural aversion to God and an inborn tendency to rebel against God. Man by nature is hostile to the things of God and regards them as foolishness. Theologians call this original sin and it arises from the rebellion of man.
Man is free to chose but because his mind is darkened in relation to God, he chooses not to obey God until such time as he is renewed in mind, heart and will. This operates through the power of the Holy Spirit applying the law of God to our minds and bringing us to change our minds about God and ourselves. This is called repentance. At the same time there is a personal trust in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who is Saviour and Lord. There is repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is now a willingness to obey and a readiness to learn but though man is accepted and declared to be legally righteous because of faith (trust), because of the complete work of Christ, man is not morally perfect. Often man fails and perfection does not come in this life but in the life to come when man is established in righteousness and true holiness.
That does not make man a robot. Rather man is freer than at any time in his life. The disobedient argue that they wish to be free. That freedom ties them into the slavery of some habit that they are unable to break. Far from being free they are slaves to self, sin and Satan. Obviously, this varies tremendously in its outworking. Some things are self-evident but some remain hidden.
The creation of man for fellowship with God inevitably meant that the creatures should have responsibility to respond freely to God himself. The rebellion of man involved God in the reconstruction of that relationship legally and morally through the obedience and death of the new man, Jesus Christ. Christianity is not self-improvement but a new creation; a new start in Christ. So begins the transformation in which the heart seeks to obey and the will is surrendered to God in Christ in the most perfect freedom that we shall ever experience in heaven.
Sincerely in Christ,
David Streater
In Memory of Eleanor Doreen Berridge, aged 85. The funeral service was held in the Parish Church on Wednesday September 6th followed by private cremation at Bedford.
The Prayer Chain
The Prayer Chain is there if you need prayer for yourself, for others or for members of your family. Please don’t ask for prayer outside your own family without people’s permission. To have a number of people pray just telephone David (720234) or Dennis (822992).
Meeting Point
Dates for October
Wednesday 11th 10.30am at Jenny Cuddeford’s, 36 Grange Gardens, Sharnbrook.
Tuesday 31st 10.30am at Doris Bannard-Smith’s, ‘Goodly Heritage’, The Bury, Pavenham.
November.
Wednesday 15th 10.30am at Eileen Shakespeare’s, Corner House, 38 Wymington Park, Rushden.
Our Giving in October is to : Jenny Ottewell’s personal fund at cms.
In July our giving was to the Church Missionary Society for which Jenny works. This month the giving is directly to Jenny for her own needs – please give generously to support this exceptional lady who gives so much of her life to the needs of others.
Sponsored Bike Ride Saturday 9th September.
Contrary to prediction, the day dawned bright and the weather proved to be perfect for a leisurely bicycle ride through the villages. A steady stream of riders visited All Saints’ Church throughout the day, totalling thirty-three in all. Many appreciative comments were made about our beautiful church and also many interesting questions were asked – not all of which could be answered - but which made us realise just how rich our church is in historical interest.
The total raised by our sponsors is not yet known; there is still an opportunity to donate towards the cause!
Many thanks to all who sat at the church throughout the day to welcome the cyclists. I think everyone would agree that the peacefulness of the site is so indescribable that the experience of "church sitting" is overwhelmingly beneficial.
Jubilee Sailing Trust
This charity has as its aim the formidable challenge of strengthening integration between physically disabled and able-bodied people through the medium of tall ship sailing. Established in 1978 the trust now owns two square-rigged ships designed and built to enable men and women of all physical abilities to share the challenge of crewing a tall ship at sea.
The Lord Nelson has been doing just that for years and now the Tenacious should be ready for her maiden voyage. She is a 65
metre three-masted barque, built of wood in such a way that hundreds of volunteers of all abilities have been able to help. Three years ago we held a Charity Supper in Harrold to raise money towards fitting out the chart room. On October 14th there will be a similar event to raise money for the new ship. Please help this worthwhile cause if you can. See page 12.Jubilee Sailing Trust
Tim and Liz Dodwell invite you to a
CHARITY SUPPER
at Watermead, 41 Odell Road, Harrold
from 7.30pm on Saturday October 14th
Tickets minimum price £15, or £25 for two
All profits to the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Please book now (720640) as numbers will be limited
Donations
of food, cash and raffle prizes will be much appreciated.Looking to Jesus
with Anne Turner:"Saving is all His idea, and all His work...it's Gods gift from start to finish." Eph 2:6-8
Just as I am.
The chalk artist saw in the little street urchin what nobody else saw - a potential masterpiece! So when he promised the boy he'd pay him to come and sit for him, the urchin said "Yes". But next day he showed up with his face washed, his hair combed, and wearing a new suit his mother had borrowed from a neighbour. Totally disappointed, the artist said to him, "I'm sorry, I can't draw you like this; I wanted you to come just as you were." And that's the only way any of us can come to God! There's nothing, absolutely nothing, you can do to make yourself more acceptable to Him. Your religious denomination makes no difference. It's only a label; if you go up, it drops off; if you go down, it burns off. Listen; "All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it. Salvation is God’s gift from start to finish!" (Eph 2.7-8).
Whether you're of high moral character or the lowest of sinners, the only way into heaven is by trusting in Christ alone. You say, "What do you mean, trusting?" Simply this: I may believe that a chair will hold me, but only when I sit down and put my whole weight on it can I really say I'm trusting it. Please come and put your trust in Jesus today. The hymn writer says it best: "Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me: and that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come." Come while the door is still open!
Amongst Ourselves:
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mrs Eleanor Berridge, wife of Eric and mother to Eleanor junior. The Berridges moved into 12 Horsefair Lane in 1968 and Eleanor was regularly to be seen walking their dog, and chatting to the horses in the field. This very talented secretarial lady amongst other things loved to walk and work in their well kept garden, and at one time modelled stockings - having the legs to fit the product! Sadly over the last ten years due to heart and circulation problems, her health deteriorated and she died in Bedford Hospital on 26th August. During the Service of Blessing on 6th September, which was followed by cremation, the rector touched our hearts when he announced how special the date and time were - for the day would have been their 42nd Wedding Anniversary. Eleanor will be very much missed by her friends in Odell.
Our love and prayers go to Eric and Eleanor (Jnr).
We have received the following from Eric and daughter Eleanor:
"We would like to voice our appreciation to friends who attended the Service of Blessing for our dear wife and mother. We thank the Reverend Streater for the simple but moving service, and Mrs Kath Cameron for playing the organ. Our gratitude is given for the unstinted efforts of Mrs Roma Garon. Special thanks also go to Avril Saunders and Myrna Horn who transformed the flowers into such an impressive display. Thank you each and everyone, for the cards, messages, understanding and support. We were overwhelmed!"
We still continue to pray for the sick and those in hospital recovering from treatment, for the housebound, lonely and those in Nursing Homes.
We pray:
Father, we thank you that you are here by our side, knowing all our needs and the situations that we are in. Lord we know that you do answer prayer, sometimes immediately, but usually we do have to wait. Sometimes the healing comes in heaven. These are the times that we struggle, getting impatient. But each thing that happens we know is for a special reason, usually because you are teaching us something and we become better people because of it. Help us to bear our cross, for we know that at the end we shall be with you in heaven. Lord we come to you, just as we are, for we can come no other way. May your will be done. Amen.
We are pleased to know that baby Georgina Ardley is home from the hospital, and we pray that the healing that has begun will continue. Thank you Lord, for hearing our prayers. Please continue to bless her.
Congratulations go to Roger and Avril Saunders on the birth of their second grandson. Baby Lewis George was born on 14th September to Richard and Karen.
Love and lots of blessings go to you all. Anne Turner
Emmaus Road Show at Bedford.
Visit The Holy Land! 90 minute tour! Travel in the x-plane!
Fly from Bedford School on Monday 2 Oct at 7.00pm.
Book your flight with Ann Hudson Tickets: £1.50.
A few seats still available.
Or book for Wednesday 1st November 7.00pm flight from Methodist Church, Oakley.
Transport from Odell Village Green can be arranged.
Ochana Visit.
We look forward to meeting Geoffrey and Helen Ochana who hope to spend the first weekend in November with us. There will be an opportunity for you to meet them informally as well as hearing Geoffrey preach on Sunday morning.
Coffee Morning
Jill Cheadle is delighted to invite you to a coffee morning
at Rectory Farm
On Saturday October 7th
At 10.30am.
Bring and Buy and Raffle.
Proceeds go to ‘The Guide dogs for the Blind Association’.
Bring and Sing
Faure’s Requiem
Vivaldi’s Gloria
Conducted by Douglas Coombes
In aid of The Children’s Society
At Christ Church, Goldington Rd.,
(Denmark St.), Bedford.
Saturday 7th October 2000 Rehearsal 3.00pm
Performance 7.30pm
Tickets:Singers £5 includes light tea
Audience £3 (children £1.50)
Richard Cooper 01234 349484
Kim Gutteridge 01767 260714
Other forthcoming fundraising events for The Children’s Society:
November 11th 7.30pm St. Paul’s Church, Bedford . Concert with Luton Male Voice Choir and Bedford Town Band. Tickets £6/£5 – includes wine or juice. Tickets available from St. Paul’s Church Office and Kim Gutteridge (telephone number above) by the beginning of October.
December 2nd 2 – 4pm Interactive Children’s concert. Venue to be arranged.
Birthdays –
Happy birthday to anyone who has a birthday in October. Don’t forget to let the magazine team know if you would like a birthday to be mentioned in the magazine.October Diary
2nd 7.00pm Emmaus Road Show, Bedford School.
7th 10.30am Guide Dog Assocoiation Coffee Morning, Rectory Farm, Odell.
10th 7.30pm W.I. in Odell Village Hall.
11th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jenny Cuddeford’s, 36 Grange Gardens, Sharnbrook.
14th 7.30pm Jubilee Sailing Trust Supper, Watermead, Harrold.
21st 7.30pm Odell WI Evening with Riverside Singers, Village Hall.
22nd Skips on the Village Green
30th Village Hall Committee Meeting at Odell Village Hall.
31st 10.30am Meeting Point at Doris Bannard-Smith’s, Goodly Heritage, The Bury, Pavenham.
November Diary.
4th Dance at Odell Village Hall with Dennis Love.
11th 7.30pm Concert in aid of The Children’s Society, St. Paul’s Church, Bedford.
15th 10.30am Meeting Point at Eileen Shakespeare’s, Corner House, Wymington Park, Rushden.
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the November magazine to Tricia Hudson (triciahudson@kbnet.co.uk), Anne Turner or Catherine Corkery by October 12th at the latest. May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit, shorten or alter any items that are submitted. Also, the opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the editorial team.
Gift Aid – New Rules Can Benefit Our Church
Many people will know that the Church and other charities have in the past been able to benefit by getting tax repayments on money paid under Deeds of Covenant and on single payments of a minimum of £250 under Gift Aid. This year's Budget has made great changes and now a tax repayment can be claimed on any payment, however small, provided the person who made it can be identified, has paid at least the relevant amount of tax, and has said they want the payment treated under Gift Aid.
If you do not already take part in the existing envelope scheme, please help us to get as much tax repaid as possible by putting any money you give to the Church, in collections at services or in any other way, in an envelope with your name on it. This also applies to one-off donations, and our Treasurer, Helen Chapman, is arranging to put suitable envelopes in the Church with the necessary details printed on them.
If you have any queries about this, please contact Helen Chapman on 01234 720131. Please help if you can. Payments made under the new scheme can be worth 28% more with the tax repayment!
Electronic mail address